Emilio Macabantad is an Aklanon freelance theater and film actor. His passion & love for acting led him to earn his AB Theater Arts degree at De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde.

His performances in theater include  in Presidential Suite #2 (Virgin Labfest 2026; Cultural Center of The Philippines), SH*T (Eksena PH Shorts & Briefs 11) dir. Philippe Bracero Palmos, Kapeng Barako Club: Samahan ng Mga Bitter (UP Dulaang Laboratoryo, 2026), Anonymous (Reimagined) (UP Dulaang Laboratoryo, 2026), Paraisong Parisukat (Benilde Theater Arts, 2026), Fermata (Benilde Theater Arts, 2025) Fuente Ovejuna (2024), dir. Tuxqs Rutaquio,  ‘Yun Na Nga! (Kung ‘Yun Na Nga), dir. Roobak Valle

He also performed in two devise & site-specific plays both written by Palanca awardee, Jay Crisostomo IV which are Peregrines (2023) dir. Jenny Logico-Cruz & (Pwedeng) Hindi Totoo: Baba Sa Sirko Dugo (2023).

His other works for theater include Tony Perez’s Hoy Boyet…(2024), Matakot Ka Sa.. (2022), and Dr. Layeta Bucoy’s Prinsesa ng Mga Bilang (2023).

He has also acted in several short films and advertisements like Samgyupsalamat’s Project Unli. He won his first Best Actor Award for a student short film during Asia Pacific Film Institute Batch 26’s Cine Sabi – outputs for Advanced Directing under the class of JP Habac.