From being one of the "It Boys" of the ’80s, patuloy pa rin ang paglabas ng model-turned-actor na si Noel Colet sa mga teleserye at pelikula.
Nakilala si Noel ng kasalukuyang henerasyon dahil sa mga ginampanan niyang roles sa mga teleserye sa GMA-7 at ABS-CBN 2.
Lumabas siya as Dr. Samuel Solano sa Stories From The Heart: Loving Miss Bridgette (2021); as Senate President Camilo Jedades in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2022); as Enrique Samonte in Maria la del Barrio (2011); and as Boss Soriano in Reputasyon (2011).
Tulad ng ibang aktor sa showbiz, nagsimula ang hilig sa pag-arte ni Noel sa entablado.
Kuwento niya sa panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal): "At age 8, my cousin, Tessa Villadolid, took a directing class under Tony Mabesa and asked me to act on stage for Hawla.
"By the age of 10, I was modeling for various products. Until I did a toothpaste ad when my cousin's journalist mom, Alice Villadolid, got me to be managed by Bibsy Carballo."
Ang unang sabak sa TV acting ni Noel ay sa '70s soap drama na Flordeluna at na-introduce siya sa 1984 comedy film na May Daga Sa Labas Ng Lungga.
"I played Eddie Garcia's son and Janice de Belen's suitor in May Daga Sa Labas Ng Lungga, directed by Danny Zialcita.
"The unforgettable experience I had on my first day on a movie set was to endure the long wait.
"You really needed patience and getting used to. But with very interesting co-actor companions, it all became manageable," sabi ni Noel na nakasabay sa showbiz noon sina Gabby Concepcion, William Martinez, Albert Martinez, Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, at Jestoni Alarcon.
Pumasok din sa showbiz ang kapatid ni Noel na si Alex Leviste.
Lumabas si Alex sa mga pelikulang Ang Padrino (1984), Heartache City (1985), Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap? (1985), Menudo't Pandesal (1985), Paalam... Bukas Ang Kasal Ko (1986), at I Have 3 Eggs (1990).
Wala naman daw naganap na sibling rivalry sa kanila dahil nagtutulungan pa raw sila parati kapag may project ang isa sa kanila.
"It's good to have someone to share notes and tips on how to work on your craft and do scenes correctly.
"We really just helped each other when we can."
noel colet on working with esteemed directors
Nakatrabaho rin ni Noel ang iba pang mahuhusay na film directors tulad nina Emmanuel Borlaza (Rosa Mistica, Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin), Mel Chionglo (Remember Me, Mama), Ishmael Bernal (Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa), Francis Posadas (Ang Lihim Ng Golden Buddha, Kristobal), Lupita Kashiwahara (Dear Diary), Willy Milan (Huminga Ka Hangga't Gusto Mo), Lino Brocka (Huwag Mong Salingin Ang Sugat Ko), Butch Perez (Gaano Kita Kamahal), Ben Yalung (Kristo, Divine Mercy Sa Buhay Ni Sister Faustina), at Laurice Guillen (Santa-Santita).
"Working with directors like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Danny Zialcita, Maning Borlaza, Mel Chionglo, Laurice Guillen, and Butch Perez, nandoon yung kaba. Pero yung kaba, dalhin lang sa energy and believability of the scene.
"I really don't have a favorite because they are all good directors.
"Basta good director, favorite ko, because you learn a lot and you reach a level of art you can't believe you reached with their guidance."
noel colet's life outside showbiz
Pansamantalang tumigil si Noel sa showbiz in 1997.
Huli niyang naging projects ay ang pelikulang Kristo (1996) at ang drama series na Mara Clara (1992).
Tinapos ni Noel ang kanyang kursong Mass Communication at University of the Philippines - Diliman.
Nagpakasal din siya sa beauty queen na si Jenny Vi Alano, isang theater actress and former Miss Basilan 1983 na naging finalist sa Mutya ng Pilipinas 1986.
Tungkol sa naging love story nila ni Jenny Vi: "I played the role of Romeo in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and my wife played Juliet, in Dulaang U.P. back in 1987.
"In our after-performance outings, I was doing gentleman moves until I became more and more protective and naturally more physical in guiding her.
"Then, I invited her to accompany me in my taping and other activities. That is how it began."
Sinubukan din daw ni Noel ang iba't ibang trabaho tulad ng pagiging Pfizer medical representative, marketing manager for snack foods, marketing manager for hospital equipment, at managing director for classics foundation under U.P. Diliman and other branches.
Naging assistant director din siya for advertisements, TV, and films.
noel colet returns to showbiz
Pagbalik niya sa showbiz in 2004, natuto siyang mag-adjust sa panibagong takbo sa industriya.
"As a film major in U.P. Masscom, I have learned just to focus and to be very sensitive and submissive to the artistic licenses of people in charge of creating their truths in film art.
"When I started doing teleseryes, both networks [GMA-7 and ABS-CBN] were very professional and fulfilling to collaborate with.
"Filipino ingenuity is always evident in both networks that the depth of it can't be matched by foreign productions I have worked with."
Sa kanyang pagbalik sa pag-arte, ginawa niya ang mga pelikulang Now That I Have You (2004), Santa Santita (2004), Status: Single (2009), Segunda Mano (2011), at Felix Manalo (2015).
On TV, lumabas siya sa Camera Cafe (2007), Gimik 2010 (2010), Guns and Roses (2011), at Luv U (2015).
May pelikulang tinatapos si Noel ngayon na may titulong Samahan Ng Mga Makasalanan na mula sa direksyon ni Benedict Mique at produced ng GMA Films at Lonewolf Films.
Kasama niya rito sina Joel Torre, David Licauco, Sanya Lopez, Buboy Villar, Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, at Euwenn Mikaell.
"In the movie, I played a cardinal... contrary to my previous, usual, dark-hearted roles. It is challenging and a good addition to the spectrum of character roles I have done."
noel colet supports son joshua's showbiz career
Ngayon ay nakilala rin si Noel bilang father ng Kapamilya hunk na si Joshua Colet.
Nakilala si Joshua sa mga teleserye na Precious Hearts Romances: Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin (2012), La Luna Sangre (2017), Araw Gabi (2018), Los Bastardos (2018), Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021), at Mars Ravelo's Darna (2022).
Suportado naman daw ng buong pamilya ang pagpasok ni Joshua sa showbiz: "We all, in the family, decided to let Joshua join showbiz and allowed him to enter Star Magic.
"When doing acting workshops for others, I often bring Joshua with me as a guide actor. We went with him in almost all showbiz events, trainings, taping and out of town gigs.
"That's how supportive we are of Joshua."
Bilang beterano na sa showbiz, nagbigay ng warning si Noel kay Joshua sa mga gustong mag-take advantage sa kanya sa pinasukang career.
"Of course, I did remind him of that, especially now na nagkaroon ng issue sa mga nagte-take advantage sa mga newbies in showbiz.
"Wala naman akong naging ganoong experience noon. I think they feel that I have the presence of mind to handle all inappropriate advances.
"But being a veteran in this business, the lessons that I like to share with my son and to other new actors out there is just keep your head on the ground.
"Huwag silang maging mayabang or magkaroon ng ere. Just always be humble and never stop learning."