Chito Sarmiento Roño (; born April 26, 1954), also known as Sixto Kayko and Chito S. Roño, is a Filipino writer, producer, director, and businessman. He came to prominence in the Philippine film industry as a director with films like Private Show (1986), and Itanong Mo sa Buwan (The Moonchild; 1988) with the latter earning accolades from the Gawad Urian Awards. He also won the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director for the films Nasaan ang Puso (Where is the Heart; 1997), and Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001).
In 1983, Roño established the animation studio Optifex International, which provided contract work for several Hanna-Barbera television series before closing in 1989. In the 1990s, he was instrumental in the formation of the Pinoy rock band Rivermaya as well as the dance group Streetboys. He also directed the family drama Signal Rock (2018) which was the Philippines' entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 91st Academy Awards.
He also directed television shows like Spirits (2004), Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? (How Much Is Your Dignity?; 2010), Imortal (2010), and Maria Mercedes (2013). He is also Vhong Navarro's manager.
Early life Chito Sarmiento Roño was born on April 26, 1954, in Calbayog, Samar, in the Philippines to Jose Alvarez Roño (1923–2002), a politician who later became governor of Samar and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and Carol Dominado Sarmiento. He is the eldest among six siblings. He is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication. During his college days at the university, he was active in Dulaang UP with Tony Mabesa as an actor, stage manager, props man, and director. Chito Roño, with Lizza Nakpil, also founded Rivermaya and Streetboys in 1993, the latter of which included future actors Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario
He is also related to most of the Veloso Clan, a political family from Calbayog.
Filmography Film director
Television director Year Title Network 1997 Wansapanataym (Episode: "Kapirasong Langit") ABS-CBN 2004 Spirits 2007 Mars Ravelo's Lastikman 2010 Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? 2010 Imortal 2013 Maria Mercedes 2022 Mars Ravelo's Darna Kapamilya Channel
Writer Si Baleleng at ang Gintong Sirena (1988) Istokwa (1996) Curacha ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga (1998) Spirit Warriors (2000) Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut (2003) Feng Shui (2004) Sukob (2006) Caregiver (2008) T2 (2009) Emir (2010) Bulong (2011)
Film producer Hula (2011)
Film editor Itanong Mo sa Buwan (1988)
Awards Year Award-Giving Body Category Work Result 1997 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Nasaan ang Puso? 2001 Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure Best Original Story (with Roselle Monteverde-Teo and Roy Iglesias) Best Screenplay (with Roy Iglesias)
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