Aga Muhlach

Ariel Aquino Muhlach (born August 12, 1969), popularly known as Aga Muhlach, is a Filipino actor.

Regarded as the "King of Romance-Drama" and the Philippines' Original Heartthrob, he has received numerous local and international accolades throughout his career, including Star Awards, Maria Clara Awards, and FAMAS Award.

Aga Muhlach was born at 2:30 PM on August 12, 1969, at Galang Maternity Clinic in Santa Cruz, Manila to Álvaro Amador Muhlach (January 16, 1947 - May 12, 2018) and Anita Adis Aquino (May 26, 1949 - November 18, 2007).

He is one of nine children: three sisters Arlene, Almira and Andrea; and five brothers AJ, Andrew, Anton, Aaron and Albert.

He finished high school at Aquinas School in San Juan City, and entered San Beda College to study Commerce.

He discontinued studies when he focused on his acting career.

Muhlach is from a prominent show business family.

His father is the younger brother of former dramatic actress Amalia Fuentes; his cousin, Niño Muhlach, was the leading child actor of the 1970s; his brother AJ Muhlach was a member of boy band XLR8; his two sisters are also actresses.

His family has Spanish (Asturian), German, and Chinese roots.

His paternal grandfather, Álvaro Muhlach Agüera, was born in Barcelona, Spain, to Alejandro Muhlach Agüera and Enriqueta Agüera Iglesias, who were from Santander and Comillas, respectively both in Cantabria, but their ancestry originated from Asturias.

His paternal grandmother, Concepción Borja Amador, was born in Xiamen, China, to a Chinese father and a Bicolano mother from Goa, Camarines Sur.

He was introduced to the entertainment industry using his real name "Ariel Muhlach" at the age of seven when he appeared in the 1975 film May Isang Tsuper ng Taksi and the 1976 film, Babaing Hiwalay Sa Asawa, but he only became well known (under his new screen name "Aga Muhlach") with the success of the 1984 film Bagets, after which he became a popular matinee idol.

He began his career as a child actor in the 1975 film, May Isang Tsuper ng Taksi and 1976 film, Babaing Hiwalay Sa Asawa; his aunt Amalia Fuentes was the lead in the latter film.

At this point he was still using his real name in the credits.

He also appeared in the 1980 film Aguila which starred Fernando Poe Jr.. and Christopher de Leon.

At age 14, Muhlach was cast as one of the male leads in Viva Entertainment's 1984 film, Bagets.

The film, which is about typical teenage life in the 80s, also starred William Martinez, Herbert Bautista, JC Bonnin, and Raymond Lauchengco.

As the majority of the target audience could relate to the story, the film was a success, and Muhlach became a popular matinee idol.

As a result of his popularity, he was cast in the title role in Miguelito, Ang Batang Rebelde, in which he portrayed a rebellious teenager in conflict with his mother.

He was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" in the FAMAS Awards, and "Best Actor" in the Gawad Urian Awards.

He was paired with Janice de Belen in the 1986 film, Super-Wan-Tu-Tri, alongside Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.

The next year, he received his first acting award at the 1987 Gawad Urian Awards for "Best Supporting Actor" for his performance in the 1986 film, Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie.

With a younger generation of actors emerging, Muhlach took on the challenge of more mature roles, increasing his stock as one of the top matinee idols.

Hiring publicist Ethel Ramos as his manager, he developed into one of the top dramatic actors of the 1990s.

He is well known for his brilliant performances, such as Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) Sa Aking Mga Kamay (1998) and Nag Iisang Bituin (1995) Bayarang Puso (1996) before becoming a Romantic male lead in the late 90s and 2000s as well as 2011’s In The Name of Love and 2018s First Love.

He was the male lead in light-hearted chick flick films Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and Sana Maulit Muli (1995) with leading lady Lea Salonga, Bakit Pa Kita Minahal (1994) with Kris Aquino and Ruffa Gutierrez, Basta't Kasama Kita (1995) with Dayanara Torres, May Minamahal (1993) and Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin (1998) with Aiko Melendez, and Dahil May Isang Ikaw (1999) with Regine Velasquez, as well as starring in more serious dramas: Nag-Iisang Bituin (1994) with Vilma Santos, Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) with Gabby Concepcion, Bayarang Puso (1996) with Lorna Tolentino, and Sa Aking Mga Kamay (1996) with Christopher de Leon among others.

in the early 90s he was given upbeat projects In 1992, Lily Monteverde produced Sinungaling Mong Puso with Vilma Santos which gained Aga Muhlach his Best Supporting Actor he gained notoriety for his on and off again relationship with Janice de Belen as they started in Pakasalan Mo Ako with co actors John Estrada and Gabby Concepcion.

He also branched out into television sitcoms including his first as a lead in ABS-CBN's Oki Doki Doc from 1993 to 2000.

The series had a film spin-off entitled Oki Doki Doc: The Movie produced by Star Cinema in 1996.

In the 2000s, Muhlach appeared in a number of television series such as Da Body En Da Guard (2001), Da Pilya En Da Pilot (2001), OK Fine Whatever (2003), and the continuation of Oki Doki Doc, That's My Doc (2007).

In 2001, he had his movie again with Regine Velasquez entitled "Pangako Ikaw Lang"

In 2009, he ventured into being a musician when he participated in the all-star recording for the benefit of Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy entitled Kaya Natin Ito! along with other OPM artists.

His last project with ABS-CBN was M3: Malay Mo Ma-develop in 2010, and In the Name of Love with Star Cinema.

After 18 years at ABS-CBN, Muhlach transferred to TV5 in 2011 to focus more on hosting.

He also unsuccessfully ran for a 2013 congressional seat in Camarines Sur.

In 2013, there were discussions about Muhlach teaming up with his former leading actress, Lea Salonga for the third time.

In the early days of his acting career, he was often turned down for roles.

For example, Lily Monteverde, a Regal Films producer turned him down many times after Douglas Quijano, talent manager, had introduced Muhlach and the film Bagets to her.

Muchlach also had problems managing his finances and was often without money.

As of October 2015, during the 60th birthday of ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, Muhlach confirmed that he has returned to original home network ABS-CBN after more than three years with TV5.