Joel Torre

Rafael Dacanay

All Rafael Dacanay ever wanted was to be the cabeza del barrio (mayor) of San Isidro. His wife is Corazòn and his son is Joaquinito.

Joel Torre is one of the most beloved actors in the Philippines. In a career spanning 42 years, he always plays good guys, and his countrymen love him. Torre was Co-producer on AMIGO, and the respect and affection that his colleagues and his fans have for him opened doors for the production at every stage.

Joel Rizalino De Leon Torre began acting in community theater in his native Bacolod, Negros Oriental at the age of 7. He joined the movies in 1982 immediately after graduating from De Lasalle University, when he appeared in “Oro Plata Mata,” Peque Gallega’s brooding tale of decadence and revolution. The film was a critical and commercial success and it brought attention of the industry to the young actor in his first starring role.

Since then, Joel has appeared in over one hundred movies, both mainstream and independent, as well as numerous television shows and TV series.  Career highlights include Mumbaki, Batang Westside, Ataul for Rent, and Yanggaw.

He can be seen in the movie Surviving Evil, a joint British and South African production, and the upcoming French Movie Identitie Exchange. He was in the Off-Broadway Production of Dogeaters in The Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York. Aside from acting, Joel has also directed for theater and television.

He also owns a very popular restaurant, JT’s Manukan Grille, which has four branches in the Philippines.