Noel Trinidad

Noel Trinidad
Born1940 or 1941 (age 84–85)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • singer
Years active1950s–present
Notable workChampoy (1981)
SpouseLally Laurel
Children1
Parents

Noel Trinidad (born 1940 or 1941[1][2]) is a Filipino television, film, and theater actor, comedian and singer.

Early life and education

Noel Trinidad was born in the early 1940s to Francisco "Koko" Trinidad and Lina Flor, both of whom were regarded as pioneers of the Philippines radio industry. Flor is known for writing the radio drama series Gulong ng Palad.[3]

Trinidad attended the Ateneo de Manila University from grade school to college, with his best friend Subas Herrero as his batchmate throughout his time in Ateneo.[4]

Career

Trinidad started his acting career on radio. He read lines for radio before a live audience which he used to improve upon his facial expressions.[5]

His first film appearance was for a work of Lamberto Avellana which revolved around the Hukbalahap Rebellion. Trinidad portrayed the son of the protagonist. He also joined Avellana's Barangay Theater Guild as a teenager in the 1950s, and later the Repertory Philippines upon its formation in the 1960s.[5] In the 1950s, Trinidad was given the role of a young José Rizal in the one-act play Her Son, Jose Rizal, directed by Avellana and written by Leonor Orosa Goquingco.[6]

Trinidad was best known for being part of a comedy duo with Subas Herrero, especially in the 1981 television series Champoy which aired in RPN. The two are childhood friends who often acted in plays as part of a glee club in school. Their first professional act together was in the 1970s film Sinta.[7] He also acted in the 1982 film Batch '81.[5]

On February 24, 1986, at the height of the People Power Revolution, Trinidad joined Herrero, Johnny Manahan, June Keithley and others in the reopening of the Maharlika Broadcasting System television station as the People's Television Network (PTV).[8] On that afternoon, Trinidad and Herrero led the staging of an impromptu show outside the station building with other entertainers and waved the Philippine flag.[9]

In 1994, Trinidad was cast in a lead role opposite Lou Veloso in film critic Emmanuel A. Reyes' comedy film Suwapings.[10]

He starred in the film Family Matters, which premiered at the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.[3] Trinidad was remarked that the film could be his last due to his hearing issues by this time.[11]

Personal life

Noel Trinidad is married to Milagros "Lally" Laurel, who served as the representative from Batangas's 3rd district from 1987 to 1998. She is the daughter of former House Speaker Jose Laurel Jr., and granddaughter of former President Jose P. Laurel.[12]

He has Joel as his son, who is also an actor. Trinidad also previously worked in an advertising agency.[13]

Filmography

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1955 Her Son, Jose Rizal Young José Rizal [6]

Film

Film performances
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s).
1970s Sinta
1981 Pabling
1982 Batch '81 Prof. Santi Santillan
1987 Once Upon a Time
1988 Haw Haw de Karabaw
Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu Alega gang member
1990 Paikot-ikot
Titser's Enemi No.1
Bakit Ikaw Pa Rin?
Too Young
1991 Barbi for President
1992 Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema) Ben Gilagid
Nang Gabing Mamulat si Eba (Jennifer Segovia Story)
Iisa Pa Lamang
Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal Arturo
1993 Kumusta Ka, Aking Mahal?
Paniwalaan Mo
Pulis Patola
1994 Suwapings Luis Macario
Binibini ng Aking Panaginip
Bala at Lipistik Congressman Tengco
Da Young Asiong Aksaya
Swindler's List
Greggy en' Boogie: Sakyan Mo Na Lang, Anna
1995 Baby Love Henry Laperal
Run Barbi Run Maj. Velarde
1996 Radio Romance Bong Cordero
Milyonaryong Mini
Cedie Mr. Jefferson
Nag-iisang Ikaw Noel Alejo
Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita?
1997 Computer Kombat
Laging Naroon Ka
Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot
Wanted Perfect Murder
1998 My Guardian Debil Mr. Dom
Gangland Chua
2000 Ex-Con Lim Ket Sung
2002 Got 2 Believe Judge Villacosta
2006 The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point Robert Gomez
2008 Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia Lolo Miong
2010 Miss You like Crazy Ulysses
2013 Tuhog Carding Dacanay
2015 You're My Boss Lolo
2017 Ang Larawan Don Miguel
Paki
2020 Magikland Lakay Baldo
Suarez: The Healing Priest Bishop
2022 Family Matters Francisco
2024 Senior Moments [14]

Television

Television performances
Year Title Role Notes
1981–? Champoy
1988 A Dangerous Life Jimmy Ongpin Miniseries
1991 Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata Fernando Tengco
1993 Milagro Television film[15]
1994 Private Affairs Himself (guest host)[16]
1996 1896
1997 Home Along Da Riles Resort manager[17]
2005 Maging Akin Muli Priest[18] Television film
2006–2007 John en Shirley Rene Ramirez
2010 Pepito Manaloto Attorney Guest role
2011 100 Days to Heaven Tagabantay/Saint Peter
2012 - 2013 Be Careful With My Heart Roberto Lim Recurring
2025 Incognito Tomas' neighbor

References

  1. ^ Jose, Nica (December 28, 2022). "Noel Trinidad's illustrious career as radio/theater/movie/television actor". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Olea, Jerry (December 8, 2022). "Noel Trinidad, 81, considers lead role in Family Matters as last hurrah". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc.
  3. ^ a b Bautista, Mario (December 10, 2022). "Noel plays first lead role at 81". Journal Online. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Medina, Andrei (March 15, 2013). "'Champoy' actor Subas Herrero passes away at 69". GMA News Online (in English and Filipino). Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c de Jesus, Totel V. (November 16, 2013). "Noel and Joel Trinidad–father and son bond onstage and off". Lifestyle.INQ. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Goquingco, Leonor Orosa (1991). Her Son, Jose Rizal: A Theater-Piece. Quezon City: New Day Publishers. p. 5.
  7. ^ "Noel Trinidad recalls last moments with Subas Herrero". ABS-CBN News. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Rodrigo, Raul (2006). Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. p. 268. ISBN 978-971-816-111-1. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  9. ^ Villacorte, Rolando E. (1988). "The Siege of MBS-4 (or, Lights! Camera! Action!". The Real Hero of EDSA. pp. 207–208. Retrieved January 26, 2026. They [Noel Trinidad and Subas Herrero] proudly waved the Filipino flag and flashed the Laban sign with their fingers from an improvised stage
  10. ^ "'Suwapings': First quality film of '94". Manila Standard. Vol. VII, no. 338. Kamahalan Publishing Corporation. January 16, 1994. p. 18. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Policarpio, Allan (December 16, 2022). "MMFF entry may be Noel Trinidad's 'last hurrah'". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  12. ^ Ramos, Ethel (December 14, 2022). "Noel Trinidad, Liza Lorena give performance of a lifetime in 'Family Matters'". Malaya.
  13. ^ Sicam, Edmund L. (April 17, 2005). "Joel Trinidad: Like Father, Like Son". The Philippine Star.
  14. ^ Amoyo, Aster (October 14, 2024). "Tessie, Noel at Nova, may senior moments". Pang-Masa (in Filipino). Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  15. ^ "Super special telemovie on ABC 5". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. November 24, 1993. p. 25. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "Showbiz heartthrobs on 'Private Affairs'". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. November 1, 1994. p. 19. Retrieved January 26, 2026. Leopoldo Salcedo from the '40s and '50s, Tirso Cruz III from the '60s and '70s, and Richard Gomez in present-day Philippine cinema, talk to guest host Noel Trinidad[...]
  17. ^ "Noel, Daniel, Lara join 'Home Along'". Manila Standard. July 23, 1997. p. 20. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  18. ^ Torre, Nestor U. (December 17, 2005). "Instructive film on faith". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A4-1. Retrieved January 26, 2026.