KM Viray
Jiro Manio, whose real name is Jiro Katakura, 23, used to be a household name in showbiz. But the award-winning actor was seen recently at the Ninoy Aquino National Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 asking strangers and employees for food and clothes.
Jiro, the youngest multi-awarded actor, is now supposedly homeless and relies on the help mostly of the staff of NAIA for food. After being observed wandering for days inside the airport, Manio was picked up by authorities. He remains in their custody until his relatives pick him up.
According to Jeannette I. Andrade’s interview of some of NAIA’s employees for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manio roams the corridors of NAIA in hand-me-downs and a towel over his shoulder. When Andrade asked security guard Frank Sorca why Manio was there, Manio replied he had left home because he had enemies there and he felt safer in the airport. As if proof enough, Manio had bruises all over his body.
However, Manio might be showing signs of mental instability. “But when I asked him again at a different time, he told me a different story. He constantly changes his answers,” Sorca said.
Oddly enough, Manio does not have an idea why employees of the airport help him out. Manio even resorted to denying his being an actor.
In 2011, Manio was sent to rehabilitation for drug addiction. Could this be a relapse of his addiction or something worse? Fans could only hope the better for the actor.
Manio starred in films such as Magnifico (2003) where he won where he won Best Actor in the FAP and Gawad Urian awards, Best Child Actor in the FAMAS awards, and nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Gawad Urian, The Child (2000), Tanging Ina (2003), Antonio’s Secret (2008), and more.
