Raul "TJ" Fenstad Trinidad Jr. (born January 22, 1976) is a former Filipino actor and businessman.

Early life Trinidad graduated high school from Colegio de San Agustin and studied marketing at De La Salle University. As a student, Trinidad joined two rock bands as a vocalist and also participated in school plays. Trinidad was also a member of a parish youth theater group in Alabang, mostly doing fundraising plays for the holiday seasons.

As a child, Trinidad appeared in more than a dozen TV commercials for brands such as San Miguel Beer and Swatch.

After graduation, Trinidad worked nine-to-five jobs in several marketing firms until a friend encouraged him to join an audition for a soap drama at ABS-CBN.

Career Trinidad's acting career began when he was accepted for a supporting role in the 2003 primetime TV series Basta't Kasama Kita, which starred Judy Ann Santos. In 2004, Trinidad also played supporting roles in the film Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita and in the sci-fi fantasy series Krystala, both of which also starred Santos. In later interviews, Trinidad credited Santos for helping him further hone his acting skills.

In 2006, Trinidad landed a breakout role when he was cast in the lead role of Cardin" Medel opposite Kristine Hermosa in the 2006 drama series Gulong ng Palad. In 2008, Trinidad moved to GMA Network at the suggestion of Eddie Gutierrez who was a good friend of Trinidad's father. Gutierrez's wife Annabelle Rama also became Trinidad's manager. At GMA, he was cast as the antagonist Ramon Pelaez in the 2009 adaptation of Zorro, as Tristan Aragon in the Philippine adaptation of Stairway to Heaven, as Gregor Javier or "Metal Man" in Captain Barbell: Ang Pagbabalik, as Gabriel Tanchingco The Rich Man's Daughter, and as the sidekick Greco in Mulawin vs Ravena.

Trinidad made his directorial debut in 2010 when his indie film Mga Kinahinatnan ng Aking Kabalbalan was featured in the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Trinidad starred as Robert Naval in Jerrold Tarog's 2013 Cinemalaya film Sana Dati, for which he won his first acting award as Best Supporting Actor. Trinidad and Tarog would continue to collaborate in the 2017 psychological thriller film Bliss and in the 2019 historical epic Goyo: The Boy General where he portrayed the older version of President Manuel L. Quezon in the epilogue. He has also starred in other indie productions such as the 2015 film Sleepless and the 2016 hybrid animated film Saving Sally. Trinidad played the role of Bruce Niles, a closeted gay man, in the Philippine staging of the off-Broadway play The Normal Heart in its 2015 run. In 2019, Trinidad made his last television appearance in The Gift as a guest star. Since then, he was worked as an executive in the aviation sector.

Personal life Trinidad married businesswoman Margarita Valdes in a private ceremony in Tagaytay in 2011. They have two children.

In 2013, Trinidad ran for the position of 1st district councilor during the 2013 Pasay local elections but was not elected.

Business ventures Trinidad has been involved in the aviation industry since 2018, when he became the director of business development for aviation at International Container Terminal Services. In 2019, he became the vice president of Aviation Concepts Technical Services, an aerospace company based in Subic Bay.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes Source 2003 Keka Arvin Cortez 2004 Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita Antonio I Will Survive Rudy 2005 Uno Miss Pinoy 2006 Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 Teacher Mel Segment: "Yaya" 2007 The Promise Anton Tiyanaks Professor Earl/Erl A Love Story Rick Montes Desperadas Richard Resiklo Jerson 2008 SEB: Cyber Game of Love Andrew 100 Rod For the First Time Greg Sandoval Mag-ingat ka sa Kulam Dave Desperadas 2 Richard 2009 The Rapture of Fe Arturo Patient X Alfred Molina 2011 Deadline: The Reign of Impunity Ross Rivera The Road Luis 2012 Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako Byron 2013 Sana Dati Robert Naval 2015 Felix Manalo Pastor Emiliano Quijano Buy Now, Die Later Santi Sleepless Vince 2016 Always Be My Maybe Carlo Working Beks Tommy Saving Sally Nick 2017 Bliss Carlo Smaller and Smaller CirclesDeputy Jake Valdez 2018 Sin Island Stephen The Eternity Between Seconds Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral Manuel L. Quezon 2019 My Letters to Happy Albert

Television Year Title Role Notes Source 2003–2004 Basta't Kasama Kita John Paul 2003–2009 ASAP Himself / co-host / Performer 2004–2005 Krystala Gino Salvador 2006–2007 Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Pantas 2006 Gulong ng Palad Carding Medel Your Song Marco Episode: "Kung Paano"2007 Sineserye Presents: Hiram na Mukha Dr. Hugo Roldan Rounin Xander Walang Kapalit Dr. Victor Hizon 2007–2008 Prinsesa ng Banyera Eric Fragante 2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya Jordan Episode: "Cellphone" Your Song Aris Episode: "I'll Take Care of You"2009Zorro Captain Ramon Pelaez SRO Cinemaserye: Rowena Joy Gino Stairway to Heaven Tristan Aragon / Charlie Matias Originally by Korean actor Shin Hyun-joon 2009–2010 Sana Ngayong Pasko Stephen Dionisio 2010Dear Friend Rommel Episode: "Almost a Love Story" Diva Martin Valencia Claudine Lemuel Episode: "Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas" 2010–2011 Beauty Queen Marc Sandoval 2011Captain Barbell: Ang Pagbabalik Gregor Javier / Metal Man Supporting Cast / Antagonist Spooky Nights Stephen Lee Episode: "Nuno sa Feng Shui" Hector Episode: "Sanggol" 2011–2012 Ruben Marcelino's Kokak Carl Lorenzo 2012Spooky Valentine Nestor Episode: "Maestra" Makapiling Kang Muli Javier Lagdameo 2012–2013 Aso ni San Roque Police C / Insp. Mateo Salvador 2013Magpakailanman Prolen Episode: "The Prolen Banacua Story" One Day, Isang Araw Orly Episode: "Gamer Girl"Genesis Paolo De Guzman† Main Cast / Antagonist 2014The Borrowed Wife Earl Villaraza† Magpakailanman Rommel Episode: "A Mother's Sacrifice" 2014–2015 Strawberry Lane Jonathan "Jun" Morales 2015The Rich Man's Daughter Gabriel Tanchingco Magpakailanman Lester Episode: "Sex Slave: Anak, Pinabayaan ng Ina?" Samuel Episode: "Ang Batang Isinilang Sa Bilangguan" Haruko Episode: "Binihag na Kasambahay" 2016 Wish I May Lance Delgado Magpakailanman Pau Episode: "Nang Mawala ang Langit" Karelasyon Jack Episode: "Duwende" FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Attorney Patrick Maalaala Mo Kaya Pablo Episode: "Rehas"2017 A Love to Last Ben Avelino Magpakailanman Egay Episode: "Ang Munting Bayani" Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin Young Roman Dela Vega Special Participation Mulawin vs. Ravena Greco 2018 Ngayon at Kailanman Rodrigo Cortes† 2019 The Gift Gener Special Participation

Theater Year Title Role Notes Source 2015 The Normal Heart Bruce Niles Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza

Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result Source 2013Sana DatiCinemalaya Philippine Independent Film FestivalBest Supporting Actor 2015 Buy Now, Die Later Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor

References

External links