On November 4, former Taguig City mayor Lino Cayetano reminisced about his time as a Kapamilya and posted a Facebook tribute about his work experience.
He bagan, “Madami sa lessons ko sa leadership, work ethics, team work and discipline nakuha ko when i worked for ABS-CBN. Lots of good people who became my mentors there.
“I started there noong 2004. I was 26 years old and they entrusted me agad with a new show (stardance then little big star) and a telenovela (Anghel na walang langit – with direk maryo j delos reyes and direk mae cruz).”
He also wrote: “To all the young people out there – and those not so young but are looking to set out on a new career path – there are basic values that transcend any office or workplace kumbaga kahit anong linya mo – may mga bagay na di magbabago – dahil ito ang importante – HARD WORK, DISCIPLINE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, KINDNESS – and most important – listening and being always hungry to learn and listen at ANY age.”
Cayetano was part of the entertainment circuit before he ventured into politics in 2019. He directed for more than 15 years before he took a leave from the set to pursue being a politician.
The former mayor started his creative career via GMA Network’s StarStruck. During his time, the likes of Jennylyn Mercado, Cristine Reyes, Nadine Samonte, Yasmin Kurdi and Mark Herras were discovered and molded as stars.
He then directed the ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star, a reality singing competition that launched the careers of Sam Concepcion and Jake Zyrus (formerly Charice Pempengco), and the series Growing Up for the first pairing of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. He also directed Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s first solo film, I’ve Fallen For You for Star Cinema. Other strings of ABS-CBN telenovelas, including Calla Lily, Noah, and Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (with the late Maryo J. delos Reyes)–were also his projects.
In 2017, Cayetano advanced his horizon and began producing digital content. Rein Entertainment’s debut series, Bagman, whose lead star Arjo Atayde, who then emerged as the first Filipino Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creatives Awards.
Currently, Rein Productions is working on a movie with Ian Veneracion and Heaven Peralejo titled, Nanahimik ang Gabi, which recently announced as one of the first four entries for the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival in December.
Cayetano was also linked to Shaina Magdayao, KC Concepcion and Bianca Gonzalez.
His mayoral stint ended early in June 2022. With an ongoing movie under his belt, Cayetano seems to be crawling back into the showbiz scene and might stay for good.
