José Rizalino "Joel" de León Torre (; born June 19, 1961) is a Filipino actor. He began performing on stage at age seven and rose to fame in the 1980s for his roles in period and historical drama, including Oro, Plata, Mata (1982), Karnal (1983), and José Rizal (1998). His accolades include a Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival Award, three Gawad Urian, and a FAMAS Award.
Early life and education José Rizalino de León Torre was born on June 19, 1961, and hailed from Bacolod. He is the son of Alfonso Obregon Torre and Luz de Leon Diaz. Torre began performing in theater at the age of seven, performing with the Masskara theater group in Bacolod, which was overseen by director Peque Gallaga.
Torre studied at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod.
Early career At age seven, Torre was a member of the Bacolod-based Masskara theater group ran by director Peque Gallaga, where his passion for acting started. He was the youngest member in the group which composed of 13 people. He then played a small role in Lino Brocka's Gumising ka, Maruja which was shot in Bacolod in 1978. A few years later, Gallaga tasked Torre to play a role for his 1982 film Oro, Plata, Mata. In 1990, Torre starred in the action drama Kunin Mo Ang Ulo ni Ismael, based on the radio drama by Rey Langit serialized in DZRH. The film reportedly earned over in Metro Manila.
In 2024, Torre was cast in the 2024 regional Bacolod film, Under A Piaya Moon.
Personal life Torre's middle name, Rizalino, comes from the fact that he was born exactly 100 years after the Filipino national hero José Rizal. Torre married Christy Azcona in 1990. They have two daughters, Maria "Aila" Ariela and Maria "Marela" Raphaela.
In 2003, Torres and his wife founded JT's Manukan Grille in Quezon City. It offers Bacolod-style chicken inasal, a native dish of his. Currently, it has 35 branches in the country.
In 2024, Philippines AirAsia partnered with Torre's JT's Manukan Grille to offer Bacolod chicken inasal in-flight. It also opened its first overseas restaurant in Lucky Plaza, Singapore.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1978 Wake Up, Maruja Joel 1982 Oro, Plata, Mata Miguel Lorenzo 1983 Init sa Magdamag Armand Javier Karnal Goryo 9th Metro Manila Film Festival entry 1984 Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan Rollan Tuazon Bagets 2 Special Sabet Shake, Rattle & Roll Johnny/Juanito Segment: Baso 1985 Bituing Walang Ningning Garry Diaz Isla Sonny Beware: Bed Sins 1986 Unfaithful Wife Fidel Bagong Hari Rex The Graduates I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa Gilbert Evelio Television movie Bilanggo sa Dilim Lito/Eddie 1987 Once Upon a Time Prinsipeng Bakal Susuko Ba Ako, Inay? Olongapo... The Great American Dream Joel 1988 Hiwaga sa Balete Drive Peter/Uncle Paul Segment: "Ikatlong Mata" Isusumbong kita sa Diyos Arturo Lualhati Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? Larry 1989 Anak ng Demonyo Padre Damian 1990 Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael Johnny Jorge Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka Digs Mana sa Ina Rodel Sevilla Machete: Istatwang Buhay Eddie Boy 1991 Umiyak Pati Langit Anthony McBain Chauffeur Shake, Rattle & Roll III Milton Segment: "Ate" 1992 Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! Part 2 Jose Rizal 18th Metro Manila Film Festival entry 1993 Pandoy: Alalay ng Panday Redentor Maricris Sioson: Japayuki Alvin Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway Tasan 1994 Tunay na magkaibigan, walang iwanan... peksman Hector Comfort Women: A Cry for Justice Fernando Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil Ronald Arandia Asian Cop: High Voltage Billy 1995 Eskapo Jorge Cabardo The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part Joe Climaco Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy Fr. Joe Redeem Her Honor Daniel Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray for Us!) Conrado Maga Rollerboys Ernest 1996 Sana Naman Pilo Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Emilio Aguinaldo Mumbaki Dr. Felix Lorenzo DNA Taka Nasaan Ka nang Kailangan Kita Bobby 1997 Nakaw Na Sandali Edward Romualdo Milagros Junie Puerto Princesa Legal Adviser Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig? Ambo Ilaban Mo, Bayan Ko: The Obet Pagdanganan Story Gov. Obet Pagdanganan 1998 Berdugo Jimmy Masikip, Masakit, Mahapdi Pablo José Rizal Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun 1999 Seventeen Emong Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan Lauro Paharon Kiss Mo 'Ko Bart Mallari Esperanza: The Movie Raul Estrera 2000 Bayaning 3rd World Jose Rizal Anak Rudy Tanging Yaman Francis Spirit Warriors Roman 2001 Taxi ni Pilo Pilo Batang West Side Juan Mijares 2002 Utang ni Tatang Mike Singsing ni Lola Fidel 2003 Sanib Armando Abong: Small Home Lamot My First Romance Dante Segment: "Two Hearts" Chavit Sotero Ang Kapitbahay Nicanor 2004 Kuya Jill's Pa Evolution of a Filipino Family Mayor Panaghoy sa Suba Damian Lastikman: Unang Banat Pablo 2005 Boso Imbestigador 1 Camiling Story Indios Bravos Say That You Love Me Gabriel Ang Anak ni Brocka Rigodon Dante Beneath the Cogon Dr. Karl Augusto Hari ng Sablay: Isang Tama, Sampung Mali Rodel 2006 Umaaraw, Umuulan Paolo's Dad Ina, Anak, Pamilya 2007 The Promise Gustin Baliw Pablo Fernandez Ataul: For Rent Guido/Guidote Alejo Green Paradise Ronaldo 2008 Ploning Old Siloy Namets! Caveman Yanggaw Dulpo Baler Commandante Teodorico Luna Novicio 2009 Surviving Evil Joey Sabungero Paco 2010 Amigo Rafael Dacanay In Your Eyes Ronnie Delos Santos 2011 Le Marquis Le Commandant Du SWAT Deep Gold 3D Ranulfo Sanchez Subject: I Love You Marlon Flight of an Angel Guardian Angel Siglo ng Pagluluwal Amang Tiburcio Cinemanila International Film Festival entry 2012 Captive The Healing Melchor The Bourne Legacy Citrus Samaritan Just One Summer Daniel Cuaresma Sr. Pridyider Mr. Benitez A Secret Affair Jimmy Huling Biyahe (2012) Kasamahan 2/Direk Joe Mariposa: Sa Hawla ng Gabi Primo 2013 On the Job Mario 'Tatang' Maghari Juana C. the Movie The Diplomat Hotel Kabisera Andres 2014 Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure Sultan Mabait 2015 Felix Manalo Teofilo Ramos 2016 Just the 3 of Us Arturo Manalo 2017 Northern Lights: A Journey to Love Kado 2018 Jacqueline Comes Home Dionisio 2019 Miracle in Cell No. 7 Soliman/Boss Sol 2020 Circle of Bones Realtor 2021 Barumbadings Mother Joy On the Job: The Missing 8 Mario 'Tatang' Maghari 2022 Ikaw Lang Ang Mahal Butch Alipato 2023 Moro Bapa Hamid 2024 Under a Piaya Moon Lolo Poldo Lolo and the Kid Lolo Outside Arturo And the Breadwinner Is... Popshie Salvador (Bambi's father) Special participation, 50th Metro Manila Film Festival entry 2025 Samahan ng mga Makasalanan Father Danny Isolated Peter Coleman Everyone Knows Every Juan Roel Sevilla 2026 A Special Memory
Television / digital series Year Title Role 1989 Balintataw 1991 Cebu 1993 Noli Me Tángere Crisostomo Ibarra 1995 Villa Quintana Robert Quintana 1997–1999 Esperanza Raul Estrera 1998 Wansapanataym: Chemistry 1999 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Juanito Ocampo 2001 Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka Franco Dequiros Montecillo Maalaala Mo Kaya: Ambu Bag Ted 2002–2004 Kapalaran Cesar Arman 2003 A LEGACY OF HEROES: The Story of Bataan and Corregidor Himself 2003–2004 Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas Anton Garcia 2004 Marina Elias Sto. Domingo 2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Guido 2006 Gulong ng Palad Tomas Santos Maalaala Mo Kaya: Poon Jun 2007 Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: Ang Prinsipeng Unggoy Tinong Pangarap na Bituin Cocoy Mendoza 2008 Iisa Pa Lamang Rolando Ramirez 2008–2009 Sine Novela: Saan Darating ang Umaga? Ruben Rodrigo 2009 Zorro Don Roberto Pelaez 2010 Elena M. Patron's Momay Donato "Donnie" Buenavidez Pilyang Kerubin Dante Garcia 2010–2011 Grazilda Fernando 2011 Wansapanataym: Buhawi Jack Manuel Miranda 100 Days to Heaven Andres Delgado 2012 Walang Hanggan William Alcantara Dahil sa Pag-Ibig Benjamin Osorio Lorenzo's Time Badong Gamboa 2013 Juan Dela Cruz Jose "Mang Pepe" Guerrero 2013–2014 Honesto Hugo Layer 2014 Ikaw Lamang Samuel Hidalgo 2015 Wansapanataym: Remote ni Eric Romy Gutierrez 2015–2016 On the Wings of Love Soliman 'Sol' Olivar 2016–2021 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Teodoro "Teddy" Arevalo 2019–2020 Starla Gregorio "Greggy" Dichaves 2021 It's Showtime Magpasikat 2021 Judge 2022One Good DayEddie Rodrigo 2023 Dirty Linen Rolando Sinag / Abe Matias 2024 Pamilya Sagrado Ernesto "Estong" Malonzo2025IncognitoPhilip Rivera2025—2026 Roja Emil "Uno" Padua 2026—presentA Secret in Prague Norberto Ruiz
Music video appearances Year Title Performer Director 2021MagpahingaBen&BenJorel Lising
Accolades + Awards and Nominations Award Year Category Nominated work Result Cinemanila International Film Festival 2001 Best Actor Batang West Side Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2008 Best Supporting Actor Yanggaw 2013 Best Actor Kabisera 2016 Best Supporting Actor Tisay CinePanalo Film Festival 2024 Best Supporting Actor Under a Piaya Moon FAMAS Award 1987 Best Actor Unfaithful Wife 1989 Best Supporting Actor Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? 1995 Best Actor Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil 1997 Best Supporting Actor Mumbaki 1999 José Rizal 2014 On the Job 2025 Under a Piaya Moon Gawad PASADO 2025 Best Actor (PinakaPASADOng Aktor) Lolo and the Kid Gawad Urian Award 1983 Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) Oro, Plata, Mata 1984 Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) Karnal 1987 Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) Unfaithful Wife Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) Bagong Hari 1997 Mumbaki 1998 Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) Milagros 2000 Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) Bayaning 3rd World 2002 Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) Batang West Side 2011 Amigo 2014 On The Job Golden Screen Awards 2014 Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Drama) On The Job Luna Award 2008 Best Actor Ataul: For Rent Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 Best Supporting Actor Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2013 Best Actor On The Job PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2014 Movie Actor of the Year On The Job 2017 Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Tisay 2021 Miracle in Cell No. 7 2025 Under a Piaya Moon PMPC Star Awards for Television 1991 Best Drama Actor Boracay 2014 Best Drama Supporting Actor Ikaw Lamang 2016 Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya: Kahon 2025 Best Drama Supporting Actor Dirty Linen The EDDYS 2017 Best Supporting Actor Die Beautiful 2025 Best Actor Lolo and the Kid Young Critics Circle 2001 Best Performance Tanging Yaman
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