Long before the age of instant fame and viral celebrity, there was a young boy on Philippine television quietly absorbing the world of show business with wide eyes and an open heart. That boy was Romnick Sarmenta, now one of the country’s most respected and enduring actors, whose journey began not with dreams of stardom but with the privilege of learning from veterans who shaped his earliest years in the industry.
For Romnick, childhood in showbiz was not defined by the spotlight but by the wisdom passed on to him by those who came before. “It would have to be the mentoring of the many veterans I have had the blessing and privilege to work with, even if the term ‘mentoring’ wasn’t a thing nor a term back then. Their words of wisdom and examples had been my measure and rule growing up in the business.” At a time when guidance and care were the unspoken pillars of the craft, he learned early on what it meant to honor the work, the people, and the stories he was helping bring to life.
The industry he entered looked and felt very different from the one people know today. He witnessed the landscape evolve with new technologies, new audiences, and new systems of leadership. “The industry doesn’t only change with time and technology but also with leadership and systems. What bosses and owners practice slowly becomes culture. If you are blessed with a good leader, good cultures and practices emerge, and sadly, vice versa.” One of the biggest shifts he observed was the rise of the celebrity system. The actors of earlier generations moved differently from those today, shaped by standards that were not always formal or protective. Work conditions, rules, and rights that are now widely recognized took decades of struggle before the entire industry began to observe them.
Despite the dramatic changes, one thing about Romnick remained constant: his devotion to the craft. His evolution was never defined by a single breakthrough role but by what he describes as “the compounding of things” and “the continuous pursuit of creating a relatable character.” Good scripts and directors guided him, but understanding the purpose of the work shaped him even more. He has always been clear about the distinction between celebrity and artistry. “Celebrities enjoy the fame and fringe benefits of being in the limelight. Working actors seek to tell good stories.” Even at a young age, he found purpose in helping people forget their worries for a while. That simple desire pushed him to keep learning, keep growing, and keep choosing stories that mattered.
Sustaining a career across generations required both evolution and intention. Romnick attributes his longevity to being entrusted with roles that matured with him. “I feel blessed that the people I regularly work with have always considered me for roles that age as I do, with scripts that were well written, stories that feel relatable, even across generations.” Prioritizing truth over spectacle guided his choices. “Fighting for believability and realism over what would look cool and cinematic also helped me stay relatable.” With this mindset, he made a defining decision: “I will never be a celebrity, even if some consider me that. I would always choose to be a working actor.”
Looking back, Romnick sees both continuity and growth in his journey. As a young actor who worked and earned early, he treated the responsibility seriously. As a teenager, he recognized the game of fame and gimmicks in showbiz and felt resentful of it, often labeled a snob by entertainment reporters, a perception that never bothered him. “I have fallen in love with a craft that creates imaginary characters that tell real stories.” Over time, what truly mattered were the people who shared how his roles helped them through difficult moments. “Having people validate roles and projects that helped them through some tough times gave me a sense of purpose. And it made me believe in the power of the art, and artists.”
Today, he sees himself as the natural continuation of the boy who first walked into the industry with humility and curiosity. “Old Romnick just became me. Hopefully a better and more experienced Romnick, with gray hair and all.”
His beginnings reveal not just the evolution of an actor, but the heart of an artist whose commitment to truth, purpose, and storytelling allowed him to remain relevant and respected across decades.
