‘I just gave it my all. I let go of anything na magiging technical kasi nagkaroon ako ng habit na masyadong technical ang treatment ko. — Noel Comia, Jr.’
Noel Comia, Jr. turned 21 years old last May. Since 2016, the actor has consistently starred in films and TV series every year, beginning with his movie debut as the young James Reid in “This Time” and one of the members of the children’s oriented variety show “Yey!”
His latest TV show is ABS-CBN and Netflix’s top-rating “Incognito” where Noel shares the limelight with Daniel Padilla. Noel was the co-star of Maja Salvador in TV’s inspiring series “Niña Niño.”
Aside from acting, Noel is also a singer and commercial model. He began starring in TV commercials at a very young age, and taking part in theater productions at seven years old. In 2016, he joined “The Voice Kids Philippines Season 3.”
But his biggest break was winning Best Actor for the Cinemalaya 2017 film “Kiko Boksingero.” Then 12 year-old Noel was the youngest to win that award in the prestigious Filipino independent film festival. The Cinemalaya cited Noel for his “heartrending performance of a boy grieving for his mother while trying to win the love of his estranged father.”
From that breakthrough performance in Cinemalaya, Noel got five other nominations from different award-giving bodies for the same role. He earned his next acting award in 2021 from the Young Critics Circle as part of the ensemble of the film “Death of Nintendo.”
Last March, Noel got another Best Actor award; this time it was from the Manila International Film Festival for the movie “Song of the Fireflies,” where he played one of the members of the Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC).
At a talkback at Cinema ’76, one viewer noted how Noel seemed very comfortable with the choir — the real LCC played themselves in the movie. The same viewer asked him how he immersed himself in the role of a Boholano teen beset by the challenges of first love and family issues.
Noel, a Batangueño, replied, “When you said that you believed that we were part of the group, nakakatouch. Nakatulong sa akin na I was part of a choral group back in high school sa OB Montessori. Naalala ko ang mga times na nahihirapan ako sa practices, times na pumipiyok ako.”
A dialect coach on the set and the camaraderie with the LCC members also helped Noel and his co-star Krystal Brimner speak the Boholano lines very well. “Kapag nagse-set up sina (cinematographer) Sir Pong Ignacio and Direk King Palisoc, nakikipag-usap kami sa mga taga-Loboc Children’s Choir. Nakikipag-tsismisan kami. ‘Kausapin n’yo kami ng Bisaya,’ sabi namin sa kanila ni Krystal. Until nakakaintindi na kami ng phrases…. All those experiences brought out the authenticity (in our performance),” explained Noel.
In the premiere screening of “Song of the Fireflies” at Gateway, Noel gave credit to director King Palisoc, lead star Morissette and co-star Krystal, as well as their acting coach Bombi Plata for bringing out his best. “In my head, noong ginagawa namin ang movie, I just gave it my all. I let go of anything na magiging technical kasi nagkaroon ako ng habit na masyadong technical ang treatment ko. Sabi ko kay Direk, ‘If you want me to do something, I’ll do it.’ With the help of Sir Bombi… Ate Morisette and Krystal, nag-contribute sila sa kinalabasan ng film. I’m so grateful I was able to help support the message of the film and bring the story to life.”
Away from the cameras and away from the stage, Noel is a regular guy who enjoys watching concerts, playing the piano and guitar, and hanging out with friends. The actor goes to school, too! Noel is currently a student at De La Salle University. Thanks to his parents Noel Sr., and Lisa, this rising star leads a life that’s grounded in reality.
