Rafael Hidalgo Laurel, better known as

Cholo ''Cholo'' () is a loosely defined Spanish term that has had various meanings. Its origin is a somewhat derogatory term for people of mixed-blood heritage in the Spanish Empire in Latin America and its successor states as part of ''castas' ...

by his peers (born July 26, 1961) is a Filipino filmmaker best known for writing and directing the Star Cinema Classic ''Nasaan Ka Man''. Being the youngest son of Manuel Sosa Laurel (deceased) and Lilia Dayrit Hidalgo (deceased), he was born in the Laurel compound in San Juan on July 26, 1961. He has four siblings named Victor (deceased), Gina, Amy (deceased) and Rico He was educated at the

University of the Philippines The University of the Philippines (UP; fil, Pamantasan ng Pilipinas Unibersidad ng Pilipinas) is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500 (UP Charter of 20 ...

College of Broadcast Communications (1986)
School of Continuing and Professional Studies - New York University
(1995) and the

London Academy London Academy (formerly Edgware School) is a mixed all-through school and sixth form for pupils ages 4 to 18. It is located in Edgware in the London Borough of Barnet, England. History Formerly "Edgware School", it opened as the London Acade ...

for Film and TV ( 2007) and has been directing TV commercials and music videos since 1996. His debut film, ''Nasaan Ka Man'' (Wherever you are), a love story/thriller produced by ABS-CBN films, swept most major awards in the FAMAS (

Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...

) Awards 2006 such as Best Director, Best Picture, Best Story and Best Screenplay. He is also a recipient of the Gawad Tanglaw Best Director Award given by Critics from the Academic Circle.

is based in the Philippines and continues to direct TV commercials around the Asian region.

External links

Newspaper Write up: The Manila BulletinCholo Laurel's WebsiteABS CBN: Nasaan Ka Man
Filipino film directors Filipino television directors Filipino screenwriters University of the Philippines alumni New York University alumni Living people 1961 births

Filipino people of English descent Filipino people of Spanish descent People from Metro Manila ABS-CBN people {{Philippines-film-director-stub