Cocoy Laurel: Compleat artist

"The Australian cast of Miss Saigon is substantially Manila-gleaned. Star of the show is Cocoy Laurel, an accomplished Filipino performer who played the Vietnamese Commissar in the original London production and in this one, he plays the irrepressible Saigon pimp and hustler known as the Engineer. Laurel with rasping voice and glinting eye feasts on the part with devilish glee and his presence never fails to bring the stage to life," says Samala Harris of the Adelaide Advertiser of Cocoy Laurel’s performance in the Australian production of Miss Saigon.

Victor "Cocoy" Laurel is the epitome of a true performing artist. His enduring career covers almost all of the entertainment fields — TV, cinema, theater, and the concert scene. The son of the late Vice President Salvador Laurel and theater stalwart Celia Diaz-Laurel, Cocoy has established himself as a renowned singer-thespian both here and abroad. He also remains shy and down-to-earth.

Cocoy was officially discovered when he joined a contest sponsored by Paramount Pictures in the search for the Romeo and Juliet of the Philippines. "I won the title as Romeo of the Philippines. I was 15 years old that time," Cocoy fondly reminisces. He ventured into showbiz via his screen debut in Lollipops and Roses opposite Superstar Nora Aunor. The film was shot in the US and it also starred Don Johnson of the Miami Vice fame. As expected, the film was a box-office hit. It also marked the beginning of successive films for Cocoy like Impossible Dream, Ophelia and Paris, Disco Fever, Pinoy American Style, Till Death Do Us Part, among others.

As an artist, Cocoy pursues his love for the performing arts with great fervor. To further develop his craft, he studied at prestigious conservatory schools like the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) and Juilliard School in New York and The Facultad de Bellas Artes in Madrid. "I have several influences in my life as an actor. They are Repertory Philippines’ founder Zeneida Amador, Prof. Stanley Wolf (Juilliard), Max Fisher (AADA), Claire Nichtern (AADA), Cirio Santiago, Fr. James Reuter, and my parents," says Cocoy.

Cocoy starred in several theater productions of Repertory Philippines whom he credits for his basic theater training. "In 1968, Zeneida Amador cast me in two plays, Plaza Suite and Doña Rosita La Soltera," Cocoy declares. Among his memorable performances were in Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Evita, The Elephant Man, The Fantasticks, to name a few.

With his enormous exposure and experience in the arts, it is not surprising that Cocoy was selected for a major role in Cameron Mackintosh’s Australian production of Miss Saigon where he played the male lead role of The Engineer, the Vietnamese pimp. And even before playing the Engineer, Cocoy was already winning crowds with his portrayal of the Vietnamese Commissar in the West End production. Cocoy received rave reviews including a letter from Cameron Mackintosh to his parents congratulating them for Cocoy’s excellent portrayal in the musical. "What made Miss Saigon special was that we were involved in the making of it. We saw the artistic evolution and became part of its shows. It was my first experience to be in an international stage and having performed 450 performances," says Cocoy.

Upon returning to Manila, Cocoy resumed theatrical work starring in the productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Camelot and Les Miserables. He also played both The Engineer and Jean Valjean in the much-acclaimed The Music of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg in Concert.

On June 22, Cocoy will perform in Cocoy Laurel in Concert at the CCP Main Theater. Joining him onstage are his equally-talented sister Iwi and nieces Denise Laurel and Nicole Asencio.

The concert will showcase the world premiere of Cocoy’s original compositions including Uliran which won the FAMAS Award. "I composed my first song, The Fairy Waltz, when I was only four years old. I have composed about 20 to 30 songs and each song had a different inspiration when I wrote it. Cirio Santiago asked me to make the musical theme of his movie Uliran which was about looking for an ideal person. I composed the music in Madrid and sent it to him. In the concert, I will sing my original compositions like Uliran, Love Song, Tango, Ahay, Tunay na Pag-Ibig, and The Lord’s Prayer. I recorded The Lord’s Prayer in the Vatican Recording station and gave the original tape to Pope John Paul II in 1987. In the concert, most of my compositions will be played by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra," Cocoy says.

Exciting numbers in the concert include the Tango number which will be interpreted by dancers Cecil Go and Edna Ledesma; renowned violinist Coke Bolipata will play Cocoy’s Tunay na Pag-Ibig using the Stradivarius violin of the late Pres. Jose P. Laurel which was given as a gift by Generalissimo Franco of Spain. Cocoy will sing The Lord’s Prayer with the Madrigal Singers and his music will be played by a 40-piece orchestra.

Cocoy adds, "I want to be able to share more of the many gifts God has given me. He is the source of all my inspiration and I want to give back to Him as hymns of praise."

The shy Cocoy is most at ease at centerstage, when he acts or sings. Cocoy Laurel’s performance is truly amazing — even uplifting. Mabuhay ka, Cocoy!