Manikan was known for his roles as Orly in "Himala" (1981) and as NAVA in the 1986 movie "Behind Enemy Lines", co-starring David Carradine. He won the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Himala" in 1982. At the time of his death, Manikan was starring as Mr. Jang in the drama series "My Love from the Star".