Mat Ranillo III

Short Biography

Matias Archibald Ranillo III was born on October 5, 1956. He is the first son of Attorney Matias ‘Mat’ Ranillo Jr. from Zamboanga, and actress Gloria Sevilla from Cebu. Mat III is the second of seven children. When Mat turned 4, the family moved to Manila in order for his parents to pursue their movie careers. They set up house at Scout Lozano St. in Quezon City.Mat attained his education in schools, such as: Lourdes School in Quezon city, St. Vincent School in Dipolog City for his first two high school years, San Sebastian College, and San Beda College where he played for the basketball team. He majored in Customs Administration in hopes to land a job at the Customs department like his father. Just as he was finishing College, he was discovered by director Marcial Sansom and was introduced to show business. Mat immediately became famous and recognized not only for his good looks, but because of his charisma and his ability to capture audience. Mat became a leading man to all the top movie actresses, such as: Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Alma Moreno, Vivian Velez, and Alona Alegre, to name a few. Mat has won the Famas (the most prestigious movie industry award-giving body in the Philippines) for Best Supporting Actor in 1979 and Best Actor the following year. He appeared close to 50 movies. Mat also starred in several hit television shows, such as: Mommy Ko si Mayor, and the popular soap opera, Tabing Ilog. However, it was not until his portrayal of Jesus Christ in the annual Lenten stage production "KRISTO" that took his acting career into another level. Mat portrayed an artistic presentation of the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The CCP stage presentation was duplicated in other provinces and even in California. "KRISTO" was followed by "KRISTO the Movie" with Mat portraying Jesus as well.When Mat is not spending time with his family or acting, he is an active member of the KAPP or Kapisanan ng mga Artista sa Pelikulang Pilipino. KAPP is the movie industry's non-profit organization who helps members of the industry who need financial or medical assistance. Mat is also a member of Marian Catholic group.Mat was elected officer officer of the KAPP (Kapisanan ng mga Artista sa Pelikulang Pilipino) in 2001. Then, In 2002, he was appointed Testing Officer of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) of the Department of Labor and Employment)WHEN MAT IS NOT BUSY WITH TELEVISION, MOVIES, STAGE, OR APPEARING IN SHOWS in the Phil. AND OVERSEAS, he attends public administration courses or attends sessions at Congress and the Senate. When he can, he goes to meetings at the Oasis of Love Catholic group, the Marian Catholic group, and the Rivers of Living Water Catholic Ministry. He also actively participates in promoting research at the Int'l Cleft Palate Foundation.Mat is sports minded. He loves to play basketball, volleyball, biking, track and field, and swimming. He also loves to read books and watch quality movies. He is quite a religious and spiritual man, sincere, soft spoken, funny, loving, slow to anger yet a disciplinarian, quiet yet humorous, and a lover of children and the poor. A loving husband, a doting father.