Rocco Nacino

Early and personal life

Nacino was born in Baguio City and was raised in Singapore and Laguna, his father's hometown. He studied Nursery up to Primary 6 in Singapore, and also learned to speak Mandarin as his Mother Tongue during his grade school days. He studied in Makati Hope Christian School for his secondary education and in Mapúa Institute of Technology on his tertiary, in which he passed the Nursing Board Exam making him a registered nurse on June 6 and 7, 2009 in Manila.

On his first year of college at Mapua Makati, he participated in the Mister and Miss Cardinals and won as Mister Cardinals 2005. This opened new opportunities in the world of TV commercials and print media. Among his projects were TV commercials and print media for Vaseline, Skyflakes, Goya, Jollibee, Chowking, Smart, Pepsi and STI. His sports are jiujitsu, muay thai, mixed martial arts, boxing, arnis and basketball. He also trains wing chun regularly. Aside from these sports, he also plays drums and a little of guitar.

Career

Nacino first joined the Myx VJ Search in 2007 but failed. He then joined Star Struck V and was placed as the 2nd Prince.

His biggest break on television was when he bagged the role he had auditioned for – Sine Novela Presents: Gumapang Ka sa Lusak, opposite Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo. This was followed by another teleserye at GMA Network’s Dramarama sa Hapon block, Koreana, with Kris Bernal as his love interest. His excellent performance in Koreana gave him his first acting nomination from the Entertainment Press Society (Enpres) as Finalist for Outstanding Performance by an Actor for the Golden TV Awards in 2011. With the large viewership and high ratings garnered by Koreana, Nacino was given a more challenging project and an even better exposure via the first-ever dance serye Time of My Life, with Kris Bernal and Mark Herras; which was telecast in GMA’s Telebabad timeslot.

He was part of the weekly fantasy sitcom, Kaya ng Powers with Rhian Ramos, Sheena Halili, Elmo Magalona, Joey Marquez and Rufa Mae Quinto and did a cameo in the finale week of Amaya, where he played the role of Adult Banuk. He also top-billed a 5-episode weekly series, Love Bug presents: Mistaken Identity, where he was paired with Lovi Poe and which was shot in Palawan.

Nacino’s first indie film which was an entry at the 2011 Cinemalaya Film Festival, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa with Paulo Avelino and Jean Garcia, showcased his acting capabilities and earned him his first prestigious acting awards when he was chosen by the Philippine Movie Press Club as the "New Movie Actor of the Year" in the 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies; and by the Entertainment Press Society (Enpres) as "Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor" in the 9th Golden Screen Awards. Nacino also did cameo roles in the movies My Valentine Girls and My Kontrabida Girl. He also played the brother of Judy Ann Santos at the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival, My House Husband: Ikaw Na!, directed by Jose Javier Reyes.

He was also given the honor to portray Philippines' national hero Jose Rizal in the multi-awarded documentary narrated by Howie Severino, Pluma: Ang Dakilang Manunulat. The documentary was also nominated as Best Documentary at the New York Film Festival. He then starred in The Good Daughter, opposite Kylie Padilla. He also played the title role, Lam-ang – an epic movie that was shot in Ilocos, with Rochelle Pangilinan as his leading lady. He also appears weekly in Party Pilipinas and Bubble Gang.

His indie film, I Love You, Pare Ko, opposite to Rodjun Cruz, was set to be released in 2012.