NIÑO MUHLACH: THE CHILD WONDER OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA

Ang Leon at ang Daga (1975)- Nino Muhlach's first movie with The King, FPJ

I recalled watching a very young Niño Muhlach in Ariel Ureta’s show (Is it Ariel and Company after Six?). The kid, just barely three or four years old was full of energy, very talented and that time, many had predicted that he will go places. True enough, in 1975, Nino starred with the King of Philippine Movies himself, Fernando Poe, Jr in Ang Leon at ang Daga. The movie broke existing box-office records that time and was dubbed the Child Wonder of Philippine cinema.The Muhlach family, headed by his dad, Alex, the brother of actress Amalia Fuentes, formed D’Wonder Films. Niño did numerous films under his production pairing him with top movie stars, among them, FPJ, Joseph Estrada Dolphy, Vilma Santos, Nida Blanca, Jun Aristorenas, Chiquito and Ariel Ureta. He was handled too by Director Lino Brocka in two of his films, Tahan na Empoy Tahan (1977) and Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (1978). He was FAMAS Best Child Actor and Performer for three consecutive years (1976, 1977 and 1978). He still holds the title of being the highest paid child actor in the history of Philippine Cinema.

See They Started Young Series

Jack and Poy (1977)- Stars Nino Muhlach with his discoverer, Ariel Ureta

Ang Pagbabalik ni Harabas at Bulilit (1977)- Stars Nino Muhlach and Jun Aristorenas

Tahan Na Empoy, Tahan (1977)- Stars Nino Muhlach, Snooky, Alicia Alonzo and Armida Siguon-Reyna / Directed by Lino Brocka


Tutubing Kalabaw Tutubing Karayom (1977) - Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Marianne De La Riva and Nino Muhlach / FPJ-Nino second team-up
Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (1978)- Stars Dolphy, Nino Muhlach, Marissa Delgado and Phillip Salvador / Directed by Lino Brocka


Bruce Liit (1978)- Stars Nino Muhlach, Ramon Zamora and Rey Malonzo


Butsoy (1978) - Stars Nino Muhlach, Dante Rivero, Marianne De La Riva, Marissa Delgado and Dindo Fernando


Kaming Patok na Patok (1978)- Stars Chiquito and Nino Muhlach


Magkaaway (1978) - Stars Joseph Estrada and Nino Muhlach



Kuwatog (1979) - Stars Nino Muhlach, Ricky Belmonte, Rez Cortez, Anna Marin and Donna Villa


Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo (1979) - Stars Bembol Roco, Beth Bautista and Nino Muhlach


Pepeng Kulisap (1979) - Stars Nino Muhlach, Beth Bautista, George Estregan, Dindo Fernando and Andy Poe


Darna at Ding (1980) - Stars Vilma Santos and Nino Muhlach


Enteng- Anting (1980) - Stars Nino Muhlach and Nida Blanca



Hepe (1980) - Stars Nino Muhlach, Rey Malonzo, Eddie Garcia, Paquito Diaz and Max Alvarado


Juan Tamad Junior (1980) - Stars Nino Muhlach and with the special participation of Manuel Conde



Nognog (1980) - Stars Nino Muhlach and Bonnie 'Mong' De Jesus

Tembong (1980) - Stars Nino Muhlach, Boots Anson-Roa, Ricky Belmonte and Eddie Garcia