Jiro Manio sells his Gawad Urian trophy for P75,000

Jiro Manio has sold his Gawad Urian trophy.

The former actor appeared on Pinoy Pawnstars, the video series by Boss Toyo or Jayson Luzadas, where he sold the Best Actor trophy he won in 2004 for his work in the drama film "Magnifico." Incidentally it is also the accolade where he made history as the youngest actor to win the award at age 12.

“Napanood kita, sabi nung utol ko na magtatayo ka daw ng museum. Sana mapabilang ako dun, sa mga dating artista na nakatanggap ng award,” Jiro told Boss Toyo.

[I saw you. My brother said you will build a museum. I hope I'll be included among former actors who was able to receive an award.]

Jiro tried selling it for P500,000, and then followed it by P100,000, admitting he does not know how pricing for such items work.

Boss Toyo countered with P70,000 because Jiro's name was not engraved in the trophy.

The two compromised and settled on P75,000.

“For sure, makikita mo ‘to sa museum at hindi naman ‘to mapapabenta,” Boss Toyo assured the former actor.

“Ikaw mismo, mataas pa rin ang respeto at tingin namin sa ‘yo. Never na ma-de-degrade ‘yon kahit ano pa man kasi yung na-contribute mo sa pinilakang tabing,” the vlogger added. “Meron ka dung ambag, hindi nila ‘yun maalis sa ‘yo. Pwede mo ‘yun ipagyabang na meron kang contribution.”

[I have high respects for you. That will never degrade because of what you were able to contribute to the movies. They cannot take that away from you. You can be proud because you've already contributed to the arts.]

Before leaving, Jiro signed his trophy.

In a statement reported by Pep, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) member Butch Francisco reacted to Jiro’s decision to sell his trophy saying, “I am happy for him. We’re glad to be of service.” 

MPP is the group behind Gawad Urian.

Butch added he is not insulted and is glad that it sold for a high price, because each trophy only cost P6,000.

According to Jiro, he wanted to pawn the Urian award because it is a Best Actor trophy, unlike his FAMAS and MMFF awards that he won for the same role, which were recognitions as Best Child Actor.

Since his heydays in showbiz, Jiro has encountered tough challenges one after another.

In 2015, he was seen loitering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for days.

AiAi Delas Alas, Jiro’s co-star in the “Ang Tanging Ina” film series, helped Jiro recover from drug addiction by bringing him to a rehab center.

In 2020, he was arrested for alleged frustrated homicide.

Jiro has now recovered and has since left showbiz. According to the Pinoy Pawnstars video, he currently lives in Bataan and works as a volunteer at the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center.

He now also has two daughters but is not married.

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News