Just days after serving as guest host on one of ABS-CBN ‘s flagship shows, “Wowowee,” prized actor Cesar Montano surprised many people by signing up with rival network GMA-7.

Then again, Cesar has valid reasons for doing so.

“I need to move on, move up… and sometimes, a man has to decide right away especially when he has a family to feed and children to send to school,” the former Kapamilya told Bulletin Entertainment and select members of the press right after the contract signing last July 15 that turned him into a Kapuso.

Or make that, “reverted” into one. Prior to becoming an ABS-CBN talent in 2001, Cesar was with GMA-7 for the longest time. He even made two of his most important films -- “Jose Rizal” (1999) and “Muro Ami” (2000)--under its wings.

“To be quite honest, that’s one of the reasons I came back here. Gusto ko gumawa ulit ng mga epic na pelikula at GMA-7 lang ang gumagawa ng ganon,” he said.

The actor clarified that he was no longer under contract with ABS-CBN when he accepted to host “Wowowee,” let alone when he entered into talks with GMA-7. He admitted waiting for a counter offer from the Kapamilya network but none came.

“Walang pigil on their part because I think unprepared sila [to make one]. There was one movie na in-offer sa amin dati pero di natuloy yon. Then three weeks ago, nagusap kami about doing a game show pero uunahin na daw muna nila ang ‘Game K N B’ bago ibalik yung game show ko, yung ‘Singing Bee.’

“So, walang absolute certainty and since I need a job at merong opportunity dito, ang sabi ko [sa kanila], ‘Dun na muna ako.’”

Describing his return to GMA-7 as one of “impeccable timing,” Cesar looks forward to working with such Kapuso talents as Rhian Ramos, Iza Calzado, Carla Abellana, Marian Rivera and Jackie Rice. The actor has already begun taping for a GMA show directed by Mark Reyes.

“Madami akong magagawa to share my God-given talents. ‘Yung wala akong ginagawa, it’s not a good idea,” he said, referring to the months he did not have a project when still with ABS-CBN.

Cesar refers to his new home as “parte ng puso ko,” adding that “mahirap pong mabuhay ng walang puso, dapat laging may puso sa lahat ng bagay maging sa trabaho.”

The actor’s one-year contract with GMA-7 does not cover film projects. Still, he has his fingers crossed that with the right material, he would be able to do another landmark movie with the network.

Will his wife, singer-actress Sunshine Cruz, move to GMA, too?

“That will be a good idea. Dati naman ay lumabas na din siya sa mga shows dito gaya ng ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘Bubble Gang.’”

Asked about the buzz that he had a falling out with his long-time manager Norma Japitana, Cesar said it’s farthest from the truth.

“Andyan pa si Ate Norms, very busy lang. Lagi kasi siyang out of the country at alangan naman na angkinin ko ang buong oras n’ya. Yes, she knows about this [move to GMA-7]. Walang problema and she is part of this [decision],” Cesar said.

When pressed to comment about talk that Norma was “devastated” by his getting a “PR/manager” in the person of Shirley Pizarro on “a per project basis,” Cesar could only shake his head, smile wryly and mutter one word: “Sus.”