Noel I. Aparilla (born December 17, 1968), commonly known by the screen name Leon Miguel,[1] is a Filipino actor, model, and engineer. He received the Best Actor (Short) award from the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in 2016[2] in New York City for his performance in the short film Redlights. Earlier, he gained notoriety for his role as the leading villain, Visel, in a crime-thriller movie called Graceland: A Life for Every Lie (2012)[3][4] directed by Ron Morales. Graceland premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival[5] and was awarded Second Place in the Audience Choice Award competition. It also won the Audience Award at the Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa, Florida.

Leon Miguel
Born
Noel I. Aparilla

(1968-12-17) December 17, 1968 (age 55)
CitizenshipFilipino
Occupation(s)Actor, model, engineer
Years active1996–present
Leon Miguel, IFFM 2016 Best Actor (Short)
Leon Miguel, IFFM 2016 Best Actor (Short)
Leon Miguel IFFM 2016 Best Actor (Short)
Leon Miguel IFFM 2016 Best Actor (Short)

Miguel's starring role in Mang Abe's Ube also caught the attention of international film festivals.[6][7] Mang Abe's Ube, directed by Paolo Bitanga, is a modern-day folktale about a Filipino ube farmer trying to protect his magical source of success from corporate crooks.[8] Miguel's work includes EJK (Extra-Judicial Killing), a political film narrative by Red Carpet Philippines which premiered at Greenbelt 1, Cinema 2, Ayala Center, Makati.

Miguel was featured in the November 2014 issue of Manila Bulletin titled "International filmfest veteran is proudly from Masbate".[9]

Early career

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Leon Miguel first appeared on the international scene by appearing in supporting roles in American, Japanese, and Italian movies shot in the Philippines. He appeared in minor roles in films such as In the Name of the Queen (1996), Behind Enemy Lines (1998), and Legacy (1998).

Exotic Asian roles

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International directors and producers frequently utilize Leon Miguel's "exotic Asian face"[10] to portray Asian and native roles. He was involved in various notable Filipino films, where he took on distinctive roles such as kanto boy (Street Toughie), siga (Toughie), syndicate member, school worker, youngster’s hoodlum, snatcher, hitman, rapist, banker (boatman), Katipunero (rebel), and Hukbalahap (rebel).

He played the guerilla Juan in Concerto (2008), a Cinemalaya finalist directed by Paul Alexander Morales. In Sean Lim's films, Panahon Na (2009) and Pendong (2010), he portrayed a Lobo[clarification needed] and a farmer. He was a gangster in Third World Happy (2010) with Sam Milby as the lead actor, of CinemaOne/Brass Knuckles Inc., directed by Edward James Salcedo and he played the rebel in CinemaOne Originals, Tsardyer (2010) directed by Sigfried Barros-Sanchez. Additionally, he took on the role of Baloy in Isda (Fable of the Fish), a 2011 Cinemalaya entry directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. In July 2012, he portrayed a guerilla in Death March, which is another film directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.

Television commercials

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Leon Miguel also did several television commercials advertising as a Katipunero in KKK (Andres Bonifacio) (1998), and Isang Bandilla (Emilio Aguinaldo) (1998) for the Philippine Centennial Celebration. He was also the lead actor Katipunero in the Duty-Free Centennial Presentation (2010) directed by Raymond Red. He also appeared in San Miguel Beer (2004), SMB Vietnam Setting commercial, Metro Bank (2004), Blend 45 (2005), SMB Walng Kupas (2005), Oracle (2006) and Touch Mobile (2008). He also portrayed a Chavacano fisherman in an intrusion project of GMA Channel 7 and Globe Company, in the music video "Believe" which was used as a Station ID for the Peace and Unity information-dissemination drive.

He was also featured in a Talk & Text (Hati) (2010) commercial, Snitch Choco Bar (Rockers Dream) (2010), Head & Shoulders (2010), Project Building Medicine TVC (2010), and Ayos Dito Rocker TVC.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Director
2017 Stateside Kevin Marcial Chavez
2016 Fall Guy Leon Fritz Silorio
2016 The Call of Our Forefathers Sultan Kudarat Angelo Carpio
2016 Hangyo Brando Willan Rivera
2016 Katok ng Pagbabago Drug dealer Arnold Santos Argaño
2016 Haplos Blind father Blasgil Taquilut
2016 Snake Eyes Blind gambler Benigno Moreno
2016 Galit Na Aso Homeless man Ankit Rawat
2015 Empasee Bar owner Christian Paolo Lat
2015 Hawi Boxer trainer Shilton Calamaba
2015 Stranger Danger The torturer Shilton Calamaba
2015 Isla Sindicate leader Santiago Larrauri
2015 Redlights Taxi Driver Christian Paolo LaT
2015 Fourth World Trafficker David Bolt
2015 Kid Kulafu CHDF soldier Paul Soriano
2015 Quira Chief Euba Breech Qiuncy
2014 Gangster Lolo William G. Mayo
2014 Maratabat Fredo, the traitor Arlyn Dela Cruz
2013 El Peste Romansa[12] Ron, the rockstar Richard Somes
2013 Metro Manila[13] The white-eyed man Sean Ellis
2013 Sabine Manuelo
2012 Palitan Leon
2012 Pantalan Repair man Hannah Laya Resurreccion
2012 GraceLand: A Life for Every Lie[14] Visel Ron Morales
2012 Paglaya sa Tanikala Leon
2012 Captive Abu Sayyaf Brillante Mendoza
2011 Mami Beggar Gregg Rodriguez III
2011 Isda (Fable of the Fish) Baloy Adolf Alix Jr.
2011 Ang Panday 2 Taumbayan
2010 Third World Happy Gangster Edward James Salcedo
2010 Pendong Farmer Sean Lim
2010 Emergency Call Outlaw
2010 Regalo Ron, Child Trafficker Carlo Alvarez
2010 Tsardyer Rebel Sigfried Barros-Sanchez
2010 Tulak (Short Film) Second Lead
2010 Idlip Tamaw Blake Sarion
2009 Harang (Short Film) Carjacker Mikhail Red
2009 Panahon Na Lobo Sean Lim
2008 Infected Island The Islander Guy
2008 Subject: I Love You Abu Sayaff, Man #1 Francis de la Torre
2008 Disarmed/Special Ops Tomagan Tom Shell
2008 Pedro (Short Film) Pedro Regeene Ho
2008 Concert Juan Paul Alexander Morales
2005 Paraiso Gangster
2004 The Passion of Love Warrior Prince Bruno Matte
2003 Land of Death Native tribesman leader Bruno Matte
2003 Operasyon Balikatan NPA Leader
2002 Lapu-Lapu Lapu-Lapu's man
2002 Bakat Gasoline Boy
2002 Utang ni Tatang Siga
2002 Lord of Creations/Midnight Festival Tribesman Toto Natividad
2002 Shattered Dreams Thai Drug Pusher Antonino Valerie
2001 Bala Ko ang Bahala Sayo Unknown Don Escudero
2001 Rosario 18 Kanto Boy Don Escudero
2000 Nag-aapoy Na Laman Chupon Don Escudero
2000 Going Back Vietnamese Thief Sydney Furie
1998 Legacy Cambodian Rebel Leader T.J. Scott
1997 Behind Enemy Lines Vietnamese Gangster Leader Mark Griffiths
1997 Kamada Unknown Raymond Red
1996 Mulanay sa Pusod ng Paraiso Unknown Gil Portes

Commercials

Year Title Role Director
2014 Dynamic Trio Voltplex KQ, Reload Plus & Respigen 15[15] Cock Fighter Buddy Gargancia
2014 Ayos Dito[16] Rockstar Alex Breckman
2014 Amtyl 500[17] Farm Owner Buddy Gargancia
2014 BDO[18] DJ, Music Store Owner Joel Limchoc
2013 EQ Diaper[19] Lapu-Lapu, Lead Actor Mike Alcazarrel
2010 Project Building Medicine TVC - Saridon[20] Carpenter Joel Limchoc
2010 Head And Shoulders Business man Joel Limchoc
2010 Snicth Choco Bar[21] Rockers Dream Carlo Derecto
2010 Talk And Text(Hati) Store Owner
2008 Believe Abu Sayaff
2006 Oracle Hacker Raffy Dejada
2005 Blend 45 Farmer Dindo Angeles
2004 San Miguel Beer Farmer Peque Galyaga
2004 Metro Bank Businessman Vitorio Romero
1998 Isand Bandila (Philippine Centennial Celebration) Katipunero Vitorio Romero
1998 KKK Katipunero Vitorio Romero

Television

Year Title Role Director
2012 Broken Vow Artemio Omar Deroca
2011 Amaya Balong Mac Alejandre
2011 Pueblo Sombra Fisherman Lori Reyes
2010 Panday Kids Shaman Mark Reyes
2010 Pidol’s Wonderland Hector Erik Quizon
2010 Barangay Aswang Cameraman Lori Reyes
2010 Halimaw sa Tuod Unknown Lori Reyes
2010 Nag-Simula sa Puso Ben
2010 Daisy Syete – Bebe & Me Roman Rowel Camen
2010 Hoy!Hoy! Syokoy Fisherman Lori Reyes
2009 Tinderella Unknown Rowel Camen
2009 Zorro Pirate Mark Reyes
2009 Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa aking Tadyang Car Dealer Domique Zapata
2009 Multo Sa Pabrika Shoemaker Lori Reyes
2009 Nuno sa Punso Constraction Foreman Lori Reyes
2008 Daisy Syete – Ulingling (Season 18) Hitman Rowel Camen
2007 Fantastic Man Robber Lori Reyes
2007 Fantastic Kids Shaman Mark Reyes
2007 Kamandag Tadik Mark Reyes
2007 Maalaala mo kaya Manobo Warrior Ricky Davao
2006 Babangon ako’t dudurugin kita Fredo Joel Lamangan
2005 Encantadia Warrior Mark Reyes
2005 NBI Files Muslin Albert Cortez
2004 Te Amo Berto Khris Adalia
2004 Philippine Most Wanted Gangster Jon Red
2003 Forever in My Heart Fisherman Khris Adalia
2003 Kabalikat Fisherman
2002 GMA True Stories Unknown Xoxi Topacio
2001 Habang Kapiling Ka Unknown
2000 Mother Studio Presents NPA Maryo J. de los Reyes
2000 Diwa Ermano Puli Mel Chonglo
2000 Hiraya Manawari Kalikasan Noel Anonuevo
2000 Twin Hearts Kidnapper Gil Tejada
2001 Kirara Manoah Rowel Camen
2000 Deltierro Leon Rowel Camen
1994 Bisperas ng Kasaysayan Katipunero (Introducing) Lupita Kashiwara

Theater

Year Title Role Director
2009 Sakay Sakay George Vail Kabrestante
2006 Lapu-Lapu Lapu-Lapu Joe Gruta
2005 No Exit Kamatayan Abdel Langit
2003 Indio Anakbanua Indio Abdel Langit
2002-2004 Noli Me Tangere Elias Xoxi Topacio
2001 Senakulo Christ Raffy Tejada
1999 El Filibusterismo Kabesang Tales Jake De Asis

References

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  1. ^ "'Kidnapper' invited to NY film fest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 19, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  2. ^ "International Film Festival Manhattan". International Film Festival Manhattan. Retrieved 2016-12-12.
  3. ^ "Graceland Official Trailer". Youtube. February 27, 2013.
  4. ^ Graceland Movie | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2131523/
  5. ^ "Ron Morales on his Uncompromising Thriller, 'Graceland'".
  6. ^ "Mang Abe's Ube". Mang Abe's Ube. IndieGogo. January 10, 2014.
  7. ^ "Mang Abe's Ube Official Trailer". Mang Abe's Ube Official Trailer. YouTube. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  8. ^ Rappler (February 7, 2013). "Filmmaker Paolo Bitanga weaves his own folktales". Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  9. ^ "International filmfest veteran is proudly from Masbate". November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  10. ^ Guardian, Daily (2020-03-11). "Award-winning actor a protégé of ex-Iloilo broadcast exec". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  11. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Choose from thousands of pre-loved items on AyosDito.ph! Rockstar TVC. YouTube.
  12. ^ "El Peste Romansa". YouTube. November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  13. ^ "Metro Manila Official Trailer". YouTube. September 9, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  14. ^ "Fil-Am's feature film wins raves, gets screenings in US". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  15. ^ "2014 Infomercial - Dynamic Trio - Voltplex KQ, Reload Plus & Respigen 15". YouTube. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  16. ^ "Ayos Dito - Rockstar TVC". YouTube. March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "Amityl 500 - Akala Mo Pelikula". YouTube. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  18. ^ "BDO - Need A Loan?". YouTube. January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Lapu Lapu - EQ Diaper". YouTube. April 8, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  20. ^ "Saridon". FB. August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  21. ^ "Rockers Dream". FB. August 18, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
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