He has Filipino roots. - Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Manny carries his heritage with pride. He moved to Canada at a young age, but his upbringing in the Philippines shaped his identity and values. “My mom’s cooking is the best. She’s just a great mom. She’s always cooking and taking care of her kids. There’s one dish in particular, called sinigang. It’s like a soup dish that’s served with rice. I can smell it right away when she’s cooking it. It takes me back to my childhood. It’s a very warm type of dish, it’s great during the winter,” he told Flaunt Magazine.@mannyjacinto
He is an Engineering graduate. - Before gracing the silver screen, Manny was on track for a different career path. He studied Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia, proving that brains and talent can go hand in hand. @theemmaexperience
He’s a hip-hop heartthrob. - Manny was a competitive hip-hop dancer, honing his skills in the Las Vegas World Hip-Hop Championships. 'I remember as a dancer I'd create a piece of choreography, and my heart would beat so fast once we made the video, and it would be there for the public to see,' he recounted in an interview with Coup de Main Magazine. His dance crew placed Canada 10th in the 2013 Las Vegas World Hip-Hop Championship@theemmaexperience
He's a goofball-turned-menacing villain. - He captured hearts as Jason Mendoza on 'The Good Place.' His comedic timing and charm made him an instant fan favorite. 'It definitely opened a lot of doors,' he told Flaunt. And just recently, Manny surprised audiences with his role as the complex and menacing Qimir/The Stranger in 'Star Wars: The Acolyte.' He embraced the dark side, showcasing his versatility as an actor. 'I’ve been waiting a long time to play a villain like this, that's very understated, but also very powerful,' he told GQ.@mannyjacinto
He fights for representation. - Manny is passionate about diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. He's actively working to break down stereotypes. “I remember there was an opportunity for me to go to Asia, or back to the Philippines and do it there... But in my heart, I knew I had to do this here in America. I was like: ‘I don’t want to run away from this fight, I want to stay and try and change things.’ he shared in his interview with Flaunt Magazine.@mannyjacinto
He’s into photography and wellness. - Manny finds joy in hobbies like photography, hiking, and exploring the wellness world. “I’ve been getting more into photography. Mostly still on set, but every now and again, I’ll take my film camera out, and go around, take some shots. I’m also a big health nut, I like to hike, go for runs, and bike.” he said in an interview with Flaunt Magazine.@theemmaexperience
He’s a real-life romantic. - We know we all fell in love with him but yes, Manny found love with fellow actor Dianne Doan, and their engagement in 2019 was a real-life fairy tale. He popped the question after taking her on a journey through significant locations in their relationship. “I took her to places that really meant a lot to us,” he said. “Where I first met her, where I first saw her, where we had our first date, and where we had our first dance class,” he told Vulture.@dianneldoan
He wants to do more. - Manny aspires to take on leading roles in a variety of genres and is actively developing projects with fellow creatives. He told Flaunt, 'Whether it be a lead in a drama or a comedy or an action film, mystery or thriller, that's where I want to be.' He is set to star in the highly anticipated Disney-produced movie 'Freaky Friday 2' alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.@mannyjacinto