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Cocoy Laurel

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Diaz and the surname or paternal family name is Laurel.
Cocoy Laurel
Born
Victor Diaz Laurel

(1953-03-02)March 2, 1953
Philippines
DiedJune 14, 2025(2025-06-14) (aged 72)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1967–20??[a]
Known forLove team with Nora Aunor, Role as the Engineer in Miss Saigon
Parents
RelativesLaurel family
Musical career
InstrumentPiano

Victor "Cocoy" Diaz Laurel (March 2, 1953 – June 14, 2025) was a Filipino singer and actor.

Early life and education

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Victor Laurel was born in the Philippines on March 2, 1953, to lawyer Salvador Laurel (who later became Vice President) and theater actress Celia Diaz.[1][2] He was the eldest son among eight children, with older sisters and younger siblings.[2][3] He studied at the La Salle Green Hills for his elementary and high school studies. Laurel was reportedly shy and was bullied by older youth.[4]

At 19 years old, he moved to Madrid to study portrait painting at Academia Real de Bellas Artes. Laurel in between acting also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and music at Juilliard School in 1972; both in New York.[5][6]

Career

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Early years and appearance in film

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Laurel was first scouted via a 1967 Romeo and Juliet of the Philippines talent search contest in the Philippines organized by Paramount Pictures. He was selected as the Romeo for the talent search associated with Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film Romeo and Juliet.[5][6][7] He also sang the theme song of the film at Two For The Road of Elvira Manahan.[4]

Laurel joined the Repertory Philippines, debuting in Plaza Suite (1968) which also starred his mother. He then acted in Doña Rosita La Soltera, Fiddler on the Roof and The Best of Broadway.[4][8]

Laurel was known for being part of a love team with Nora Aunor. They debuted together in the film Lollipops and Roses (1971) before appearing in Impossible Dream (1973), and Lollipops and Roses at Buroong Talangka (1975).[2][9][6][10] He also appeared in films such as Ophelia and Paris, Disco Fever, and Pinoy American Style.[11] His last film was in 1982.[12]

Theatre career

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From the 1980s to 1990s, Laurel acted in musicals featuring in local adaptations of Broadway acts. This includes the West Side Story, The King and I and Les Misérables.[2] He played as Jean Valjean in Repertory Philippines's Les Misérables.[13]

In 1989, Laurel joined the Miss Saigon cast featuring Lea Salonga in London acting for two years. He played the role as the assistant commissar. After convincing by producer, Cameron Mackintosh he moved to Australia to fulfill the role of the Engineer of the same musical. He did at least 450 shows.[5][7]

In December 1996, Laurel returned to the Philippines. He played the role of Jose Rizal for a reenactment of the historical figure's execution in Bagumbayan.[5][12]

Music

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The Lollipops and Roses film was followed by a concert entitled Cocoy Live at the Meralco Theater with Ryan Cayabyab as musical director.[4] Laurel won a FAMAS Award for the musical score of the film Uliran in 1972.[12]

He released at least four albums.[12] This includes the Spanish-language album "Te Quiero" published in January 2000 was written by Laurel. Laurel featured in live concert at the Music Museum with Ryan Cayabyab as the music director.[5] He preferred to play the piano due to the instrument giving a semblance of an orchestra.[14][4] He was still performing concerts as of 2011.[15][16]

Illness and death

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Laurel sustained a spinal injury at the 2005 musical The Miraculous Virgin of Caysasay, which was later attributed by his brother David to be the start of the decline of his health until his death.[3] He also had a major ulcer operation in 2007.[9] He spent his later years singing for the choir of the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati.[3]

Laurel's last public appearance was at the wake of Aunor in April 2025.[13][17] He died on June 14, 2025, due to a cardiac arrest arising from multiple organ failure. He was 72.[3]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Lollipops and Roses
1973 Impossible Dream
1974 Oh Margie Oh Victor
1975 Lollipops and Roses at Buroong Talangka

Accolades

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Year Group Category Work Result
1972 FAMAS Awards Best Theme Song Ang Uliran Won

Notes

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  1. ^ Last public appearance was during the wake of Nora Aunor in April 2025. No information is available for the most recent date of activity in an acting or singing capacity

References

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  1. ^ "A look back at Celia Diaz's life onstage (and off)". Philstar Life. Retrieved June 17, 2025. she [Celia Diaz] was pregnant again, and Doy wanted her to give birth in the Philippines. They suspected it would be a boy, and wanted him born on Philippine soil. She did, and that boy was Cocoy
  2. ^ a b c d "Singer-actor Cocoy Laurel passes away at 72". Malaya Business Insight. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Jusay, Annalyn (June 17, 2025). "Cocoy Laurel's cause of death revealed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Cocoy Laurel: Still singing after all these years". The Philippine Star. April 14, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e Iglesias, Iza (June 16, 2025). "Actor, theater performer Victor 'Cocoy' Laurel passes away". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Severo, Jan Milo (June 16, 2025). "Cocoy Laurel, stage and film actor, dies at 72". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Concert chronicles Cocoy Laure's artistic journey". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 17, 2025. p. A29. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Abunda, Boy (March 21, 2007). "Cocoy Laurel: Compleat artist". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Requintina, Robert (June 16, 2025). "Victor 'Cocoy' Laurel, movie and theater actor, passes away at 72". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Cocoy Laurel paints new portrait of Nora Aunor he hopes to give before the Superstar returns to the States". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. September 13, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "Veteran actor Cocoy Laurel passes away at 72". GMA News. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Marchadesch, Barbara (May 28, 1997). "Home is where the art is". Manila Standard. p. B20. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Veteran actor Cocoy Laurel passes away at 72". ABS-CBN News. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  14. ^ Lichauco, Josie. "The Artistry of Cocoy Laurel". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. C7. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  15. ^ "Cocoy Laurel's Be My Valentine concert to take place, Feb 13-14". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. February 10, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  16. ^ "Cocoy Laurel: A class act". The Philippine Star. February 19, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  17. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (April 21, 2025). "Nora Aunor's friend and former love team Cocoy Laurel visits her wake". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
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