Romnick Sarmenta

Romeo "Romnick" Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor (born April 28, 1972) is a Filipino actor, film producer and professor. Noted for his performances in a range of genres across film and television, he began his career as a child actor debuting in the series Gulong ng Palad. With a career spanning nearly five decades, his accolades included the Best Actor won from the Asian Television Award, a Gawad Urian and Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, in addition to numerous nominations from the FAMAS Awards and Young Critics Circle.

Early life and education Sarmenta was born in Quezon City, Philippines. He is of Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese descent and was raised primarily by his maternal grandfather and mother.

Sarmenta is a native of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. In a 2016 interview during the TOFARM Film Festival held in the city, he expressed support for the event and recalled spending his summers in the rural parts of Cabanatuan, where his grandfather taught him to work in the fields — learning how to herd carabaos, plow, plant rice, and later, carpentry from relatives. He said these experiences shaped his appreciation for real, honest labor.

He notably studied Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), balancing the rigorous demands of drafting and design with his professional acting commitments.

Career Late '70s to early '80s: career beginnings and child star era At the early age of four, Sarmenta began his acting career by portraying Peping, the young kid, in the enduring drama series and groundbreaking telenovela Gulong ng Palad (1977–1983). For this role, he received a nomination for Best Child Actor at the 1978 FAMAS Awards.

He debuted as one of the performers on the variety show That's Entertainment, presented by the late Master Showman German Moreno, just three years after his first TV employment. His debut acting role was in the movie Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig, which also starred Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, and Romeo Velasquez.

He was also chosen to play Ding, Darna's steadfast sidekick, in Rio Locsin's 1979 Darna movie.

1980s: Career prime and popularity Sarmenta was coupled with a variety of leading ladies throughout the height of his career, including Jennifer Sevilla, Sheryl Cruz, and Harlene Bautista. But his loveteam with Sheryl Cruz resonated the most among fans and viewers. Puso sa Puso (1988), Langit at Lupa (1988), and Pardina at ang mga Duwende (1989) were three of their projects together.

1990s With the help of violent fist and gun battles and demanding stunts in the movies, Romnick became a well-known action star. In addition, he acted in historical dramas such as Tirad Pass: The Story of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1997), in which he played the lead role, and Damong Ligaw (1997), a movie version of Ceres Alabado's novel KangKong 1896, in which he played a farm child who became a Katipunero. In the Gil Portes drama film Miguel/Michelle from 1998, Sarmenta also played a gay character.

2020s In 2022, he played the father of Daniel Padilla's character on 2 Good 2 Be True. He then played another gay character in the film About Us But Not About Us. In 2024, he played the journalist character on a sequel to Senior High, High Street.

Personal life Sarmenta is previously married to actress Harlene Bautista. They have five children. He is married to his second wife, Barbara Ruaro and they have 1 child together.

He is an avid cyclist, and an active member of Elim, a Catholic Christian community, where he serves and is actively involved in missionary works of the community.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1978 Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig The Jess Lapid Story 1979 Batang Salabusab Bira, Darna, Bira! Ding Credited as "Romnick" 1980 Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala Diablo Sagrado 1981 Lukso ng Dugo 1983 My Darling Princess Michael 1984 Pieta, Ikalawang Aklat Young Noel Condemned 1986 Halimaw sa Banga 1987 Takot Ako, Eh! Romeo Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay Roy 1988 Leroy Leroy Sinta Rock-a-Bye Baby: Tatlo Ang Daddy Joey Puso sa Puso Daniel Guhit ng Palad Langit at Lupa One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor 1989 Pardina at ang Mga Duwende Dino Everlasting Love Ricardo First Lesson 1990 Sagot ng Puso Mando Mundo Man Ay Magunaw Archie Beautiful Girl Naughty Boys 1991 Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa Ubos Na ang Luha Ko Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo Tukso Layuan Mo Ako Daniel 1992 Takbo... Talon... Tili!!! Sa Aking Puso: The Marcos 'Bong' Manalang Story Bong Manalang Sonny Boy, Public Enemy Number 1 of Cebu City Sonny Boy Alyas Stella Magtanggol Eh, Kasi Bata 1993 Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa Mario Sandoval 1994 Ging Gang Goody Giddiyap Bong Bawal Na Gamot Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty 1995 Bawal Na Gamot 2 Ka Hector Kahit Harangan ng Bala Bobbit Zaragosa The Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy 1996 Sariwa Luisito Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Gregorio del Pilar 1997 Damong Ligaw Florante Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa Baldo 1998 Miguel/Michelle Miguel/Michelle de la Cruz Berdugo Joselito 2006 Umaaraw, Umuulan 2007 Prinsesa 2014 Hustisya 10th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entry 2018 Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon Chito 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entry 2019 Clarita Warden Yours Truly, Shirley Ronaldo 15th Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival entry Write About Love Robert 45th Metro Manila Film Festival entry 2022 About Us But Not About Us Ericson 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival entry 2025 Everything About My Wife Atty. Marlon One Hit Wonder Ben Quezon Sergio Osmeña 2026 Sisa General ArtemioSupporting role, 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival entry

Television Year Title Role 1977–1985 Gulong ng Palad Peping 1986 That's Entertainment 1987–1993 Young Love, Sweet Love 1991 Bistek Maalaala Mo Kaya: Rubber Shoes 1993 Petabisyon 1993–2001 Star Drama Presents Nico 1997–1998 Esperanza Emil 1997 Star Drama Presents: Angelika: Best Friend 1999–2001 Maynila 2001 Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka Chandro 2002 Bituin Peping 2004 Mulawin Habagat 2005 Now and Forever: Ganti Henry Mahiwagang Baul: Si Han at si Genie Han Encantadia Avilan 2006 Daisy Siete Julian Bakekang Francis 2007 Impostora Henry Carreon 2008 Daisy Siete: Vaklushii Ramil 2008–2009 Luna Mystika Dominic 2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Pedicab Tobias Your Song Presents: Boystown Daniel All My Life Efren Estrella 2010 First Time Marcel Luna 2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Internet Shop Boy Magic Palayok Richard "James" Cruz Iglot Father Ruben 2013 Maalaala Mo Kaya Alberto Samartino 2017 La Luna Sangre Antonio "Tonio" Torralba 2018–2019 Halik Mauricio "Mauro" Montefalco 2019–2020 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Juan Morcilla / Mark Quiambao / Lemuel Pineda 2019 Bagman Ricardo Matias Taiwan That You Love Eduardo 2021 Love Beneath The Stars Ben Cruz 2022 2 Good 2 Be True Frederico "Fred" Borja2023 Teen ClashRico David Unbreak My Heart Mario Isidro 2024 What's Wrong with Secretary Kim Felix Liwanag High Street Dante T. Eballa Maka Victor "V" Felipe 2025 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Apoy Oniol VasquezBad GeniusVin Magpakailanman: Bata, Bata, Paano ka Kinasal? Berting 2025–2026The AlibiAndres

Theater Year Production Role Location 2003 Kanjincho University Theater (Villamor Hall), UP Diliman CCP Main Theater 2007 Ang Pasyon ni Kristo Jesus Christ Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater 2013 Teatro Porvenir Andres Bonifacio 2024 Kumprontasyon Senator Ninoy Aquino PETA Theater Center 2025 PETA-PHINMA Theater 2026 About Us But Not About Us Eric Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater

Awards and nominations