Cholo Laurel

Rafael Manuel Hidalgo Laurel (born July 26, 1961) is a Filipino filmmaker, best known for writing and dircecting the Star Cinema Classic Nasaan Ka Man.

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.

Educated at the University of the Philippines College of Broadcast Communications (1986), School of Continuing and Professional Studies - New York University (1995), and at the London Academy for Film and TV ( 2007), He has been directing TV commercials and music videos since 1996.

Called Cholo by his peers, 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) Awards 2006 including Best Director, Best Story, and Best Screenplay. The film also won the Best Picture award. He is also a recipient of the Gawad Tanglaw Best Director Award given by Critics from the Academic Circle.

Cholo is based in the Philippines and continues to direct TV commercials around the Asian region. He is also managing partner and in-house director of Gung Ho Films Manila.