Not long after, Viva launched him as a junior comedian in the movie Rocky en Rolly, in which he starred opposite Jimmy Santos.
The sitcom was initially directed by his brother Randy who gave it up after signing on as lead host of ABS-CBN's noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan.
Santiago then teamed with Joey Marquez, Richard Gomez and Benjie Paras in Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita.
Santiago then signed to do a primetime TV series opposite Dennis Trillo and Marky Cielo, titled Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan.
On July 13, 2007, Santiago and his wife Claudine Barretto, admitted they did not know that Francswiss Investment —which accepted their money — was involved in a pyramid scam.
Their lawyer, Ellen Veza, told NBI agents that the Barrettos had invested in Francswiss, but declined to say if they recruited other investors.