He tore his working class blue jeans and pedestrian tee shirt - and walked into the Philippine Tourism Authority Camshell II in Intramuros (Manila) Friday night - dressed in dark Nehru suit and a million-dollar smile.

The man is actor-director Cesar "Buboy" Montano, 45 years of age and native of Baclayon, and he is running for the Philippine senate.

By his side is not-so-secret weapon, actress-singer Sunshine Cruz (from a large showbiz clan), svelte in an orange Filipiniana outfit but ready to operate a nationwide campaign for her husband.

It was 3 p.m. of February 16, 2007 that sealed Cesar's fate as part of the senatorial "Team Unity" of the administration when the President GMA and the multi-awarded actor and director met inside the halls of the Palace. What brought Montano to the Comelec at 7 p.m. (four hours later) to file his candidacy (even without the go-signal of Sunshine) is a deal that only GMA, Cesar and their guardian angels know.

Even Rep. Edgar Chatto, who brokered the meeting (vice Governor Rico Aumentado who had to attend to an urgent matter) would only give a slightly sinister smile when asked. In December 2006, Montano had to call long distance from Japan to belie claims of the local Opposition that he was eyeing to run against last-termer and ULAP top honcho Rico Aumentado.

It was the Aumentado-Chatto team who had informed Montano of his inclusion in the long list of senatoriables at the Bohol Tropics Resort in January. We understand that Buboy's attitude was at best (largely) non-committal and at worst (generally) disinterested.

For one, Cesar would be losing a total of about P30-Million in product endorsements (Touch Mobile, Nestle Coffee Mate, Pao Liniment, Hanford undergarments, Mega Sardines and Nature Spring) and a P5-Million talent fee for a forthcoming epic (GMA 7) television telenovela with new heart throb Richard Gutierrez titled "Lupin".

For another, a senate campaign entails about P160-Million (minimum) and astute as Cesar is (being both director and producer of critically-acclaimed films), he was not going to spend a cent of his hard-earned money. The privilege of being personally invited by the most powerful person in the country, indeed has its blessings.

For still a third reason, the playing field is a tough assembly of vote-getters and high name-recall personalities. Getting into the Magic 12 - in that field - is not as easy as getting a plum movie role, given Montano's impeccable credentials in that industry.

Consider that three of the best product endorsers in the country today will be locked in mortal combat with Montano's charisma. "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta will endorse hubby Kiko Pangilinan; "Star for All Seasons" Lipa City Mayor-actress Vilma Santos for husband Ralph Recto and the much-talked about Kris Aquino (daughter of a former president and wife of basketball superstar James Yap) will campaign for brother Noynoy Aquino, already blessed with a high-profile political name.

Tito Sotto is a household name and vice-presidential candidate former senator and TV host Loren Legarda has always topped the pre-election surveys. There are popular reelectionist-senators Ed Angara, Joker Arroyo and Manny Villar alongside former senators Nikki Coseteng, John Osmeña and Tessie Aquino-Oreta, who already have a mass-base of supporters.

You add to this the high-powered images of Congressmen Chiz Escudero and Peter Cayetano of the Opposition and Chief of Staff Mike Defensor and administration congressmen Prospero Pichay and Migs Zubiri and the notoriety/popularity of a Lt. Victor Trillanes and Governor Chavit Singson to the names of political pedigrees like Vic Magsaysay, Koko Pimentel and a Sonia Malasarte-Roco. That will give any candidate a king-sized headache.

Montano said he never closed the door to politics but did not covet it - but instead prayed for signs of a calling. His first hint was the knock he felt in his heart when he saw the victims of the cassava poisoning in Mabini town and seeing the dire need for doctors, medical services and education for the many rural folk. He went to Merks Bar in downtown Greenbelt Makati to help raise funds for the Mabini victims alongside many showbiz artists. He became politicized.

His decision to enter politics is laced by a clear conscience and pure intention to serve a higher good over family and himself, Montano assures. The dusky, good-looking actor who "acts by not acting" and considered as our answer to Robert de Niro and female Nora Aunor's expressive eyes -honestly thinks he can do "more in the Senate to help people than in the limited film industry."

Frankly, we had wanted Cesar Montano, the brilliant film maker and actor, to be named Cabinet-ranked to a department to be called Department for the Cultivation of Filipino Culture and Arts. Or in 2010, to gun for Bohol governorship or take over the reins of last-termer Rep. Chatto of the first district. That means Cesar can cut his teeth deeper into politics and governance before becoming an honorable senator.

But what can you say when he quotes: "The desire to raise the bar for oneself comes to a person's life. I am not sure whether this opportunity will ever come again. There is divine intervention here. I don't even own my name (Cesar Montano is just a screen name). God and the people made my name. Without the grace of God, I will still be a bum now roaming around Sta. Ana, Manila."

Cesar the actor, was sweating profusely after one of his first political speeches, that has no "take two" like in the movies. He has to learn fast.

In January, when the political waters were murky, the actor did not return our text for an interview-request. Now that he has finally made up his mind and crossed his Rubicon, we know his assent to grant the Chronicle an interview when we met last Friday night at the PTA Camshell II, will find fruition.

The actor Cesar Montano has seized his moment.

Will fellow-Boholanos not support him? Will you?