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Rocco Nacino

Of Success and Service


After failing to win the StarStruck Ultimate Survivor title, Rocco Nacino went on to prove two important points: there’s more to life than winning a title, and that success is not a mad dash to the finish line.

Text By Jansen Ramos

Photos By GMA Artist Center, Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation), and Rocco Nacino (Instagram)

Baguio-born Rocco Nacino fulfilled his dream of becoming a registered nurse after passing the boards in 2007. He earned a decent living as a healthcare professional, but his “try” mentality drove him to take an ambitious and different route.  

Rocco always had dreams of becoming an actor ever since he was a kid. That’s why when the opportunity to try his luck in showbiz presented itself in 2009, he took it without hesitation. Rocco decided to join GMA’s reality-based artist search Starstruck.

May ino-offer kasi sa ’kin 'na small role sa isang show before tapos sabi sa ’kin, 'Anong mas gusto mo, magsimula ka sa mababang role tapos umangat ka or magbakasali ka dito sa Starstruck?’” he recalls. 

“Hindi mo alam kung ano mangayayari. So sabi ko naman sa sarili ko, life is about making decisions and not knowing what to expect. Kahit may stable job naman ako no’n, tinuloy ko ang StarStruck.” 

Mobirise

Rocco came up short in the competition, ending up as the Second Prince, or in much simpler terms, third place. Looking back, he sees the experience as a necessary gamble that he will never regret. 

“Sabi sa ’kin ng daddy ko, talagang to experience life, you have to go through failures. And ’pag hindi para sa ’yo, at least alam mo kasi sinubukan mo. 

“Do’n mo talaga malalaman kung para sa ’yo o hindi and that’s the only time we fail if we don’t try. So sa loob ko talaga, gusto ko talagang magperform sa harap ng camera and nakikita ng nanay ko ’yon,” the 33-year-old actor shares.

Rocco’s first on-screen assignments included playing a supporting role in the 2010 GMA drama series Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak and guest appearances in the defunct Sunday variety shows SOP and Party Pilipinas. 

The bronzed-skinned actor might not have been given lead roles right off the bat, but he has played substantial ones for nine years, gradually earning his stripes over time.

He was remarkable in such roles as a nationalist and polymath in the 2011 documentary PLUMA: Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat, a newly-elected mayor in the 2013 TV series Bayan Ko, a martyr and saint in the 2013 biographical film Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir, an army leader of a fictional kingdom in the 2016 fantasy series Encantadia, an introvert script writer in the 2019 movie Write About Love, to name a few.

In spite of his success in showbiz, Rocco did not forget his love for Nursing. 

In November 2017, he graduated cum laude with a Master's Degree in Nursing from St. Bernadette of Lourdes College in Quezon City. No wonder GMA Network's socio-civic arm, Kapuso Foundation, designated him as a youth ambassador for health in 2019. 

On Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation) 

Rocco’s star continued to rise as he bagged a role in the most anticipated series in 2020, the local adaptation of the hit 2016 South Korean series Descendants of the Sun.  

“It’s nice to be part of something that’s really big, that people are excited for,” he says. 

“Natutuwa ako kasi kinikilig sila sa mga napapanood nila and when you watch the showcase of all the shows for 2020, makikita mo talagang standout ’yung lighting na ginawa namin for Descendants of the Sun. 

“Kaya talagang mararamdaman mo ’yung kilig kung paano ka nanood ng Koreanovela. Nando’n ’yan, ’yun ang aasahan ng mga tao.” 

Even before his casting, Pinoy Descendants of the Sun fans already noticed Rocco’s resemblance with Jin Goo, the South Korean actor who originally portrayed the role of Diego.

“Para sa ’kin talaga ’to,” he utters smiling. “I really think of it as a compliment.” 
In the series, Rocco portrays Technical Sergeant Diego Ramos, the second-in-command of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Squad or Alpha Team that focuses on anti and counter terrorism, hostage rescue, and personnel recovery operations. 

Asked what he wants viewers to learn from his character, Rocco answers with fondness, “Gusto kong matutunan ng viewers na kahit mabigo sa pag-ibig, all is not lost, at kung talagang mahal mo, panindigan mo. 

“Kung paano niya mahalin ’yung bayan, iba ’yung ipinapakita niyang loyalty. To become a good leader kahit na hindi siya ’yung pinakamataas na posisyon, you have to be a good follower, ’yun ang ipinapakita.
 
“Maraming inaasam ang tao, ‘I wanna do this, I wanna do that,’ pero sometimes you have to really start somewhere to be a good follower before you can become a great leader. 
Mobirise

“Gusto kong matutunan ng viewers na kahit mabigo sa pag-ibig, all is not lost, at kung talagang mahal mo, panindigan mo."

“Sometimes it takes time. So ayon ’yung isang quality ni Diego Ramos na ipinapakita niya at talagang shino-showcase n’ya. ’Yung trait na ’yon shows na he really puts career and his loyalty, love for his country first before anything else.” 

For Rocco, working with Dingdong Dantes, who plays Captain Lucas Manalo in the GMA series, has been one of the highlights of his acting career. 

“Napakalaking bonus talaga is ‘yung achievement na makatrabaho si Dong,” Rocco says of his colleague. 

“He has always been a friend pero hindi pa kami nagkatrabaho before. To work with him, ang saya. Although, it really took some time for us to achieve that bond kasi halos magkapatid kami. 

“For a time, sabi ni direk [Dominic Zapata], ‘Parang magjowa ’tong dalawa, parang puwede kang Doctor Kang, Rocco ah.’ Talagang iba ‘yung chemistry nila kapag hindi nila kasama ’yung mga babae. Kala mo talaga sobrang close na close nilang dalawa.” 

Rocco and Dingdong’s brotherhood goes beyond the screen as they are also both navy reservists.

On being a navy reservist

As a testament to all he has done, Rocco now carries three post-nominal titles in his full name: Petty Officer 3 Enrico Raphael Quiogue Nacino, RN, MAN, PN (Res). 

Early this year, he joined Dingdong in carrying out relief operations for the victims of Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas. 

“Nagkita kami nang maaga. Sinuot namin ’yung uniform namin, ’yung pang Navy ko,” Rocco shares. “[It] was my first duty as a reserved officer, ’yun nga sa Batangas pumunta kami para makapag-distribute ng relief goods to the victims. 

"It won’t be the last kasi ang daming humihingi ng tulong.

“May isa ngang lumapit sa ’kin, nagshoot ng maliit na papel sa bulsa, tapos chineck ko, nakalagay p’wede bang tulungan mo ’ko? ito ’yung number ko, hinahanap ko ’yung nanay ko. May mga gano’n. There's only so much you can do.

“Nakakalungkot na may mga ganoong sitwasyon, very eye-opening,” he sadly recalls. 

It’s been less than a year since Rocco became a fully fledged navy reservist yet his mission to be of service to his countrymen is already evident.  
He also joined the Philippine Navy in extending help to the military and police officers who are at the frontlines in containing the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

Considering it as another “life goal,” he enlisted in the Navy as an homage to his late maternal grandfather, Col. Eleuterio R. Quiogue.  

“Ang lolo ko sa motherside ay isang colonel so no’ng nalaman nila na [nagpa-enlist ako], akala ko magagalit ’yung mom ko sa ’kin, ‘Ano ba ‘yung pinagpapasok mo?’ Pero natuwa pala. ‘Puwede mo ‘yan ide-dicate sa lolo mo, matutuwa yan.’ So ’yon, happy-ing happy siya. 

“I get to wear another uniform, ’yung hindi nurse’s uniform. I get to wear a military personnel uniform,” Rocco says. 

New home, new goals 

After a decade of hard work, Rocco is almost ready to move in his own house. 

“[Puwede nang tirhan] in a few months actually. Actually, kaya na pero ayaw ko lang maging premature gusto ko ready ’to, ready ’yan

“‘Pag okey na ’yan, game na. Ang gusto ko, kumpleto na ’yung master’s ko saka ’yung dining lang, ’yun lang ang importante ngayon kasi pag tinirahan ko na, do’n ko malalaman [kung ano ‘yung kulang].” 

Situated on top of a hill in a subdivision in Antipolo, his dream home is a modern contemporary three-story structure with six bedrooms with balconies.

“Ang theme ng house is modern contemporary pero sa rooms may vacation feel, may contemporary feel, may Rocco room, kumbaga ’yung game room ko na ako lang where I can be myself, so very extreme ang mga loob. May personal touch ’yung game room and theatre room,” Rocco shares. 
Mobirise

“For me, number one talaga pamilya. Sila ang dahilan kung nasaan ako ngayon."

“May mga collaborations ako with lights, furniture. May kinuha akong interior designer just for the master’s and office. He’s a family friend,” he adds. 

A very family-oriented man, Rocco has a room for his parents who can visit him anytime. 

“Sinabi ko rin kay Mommy ’yun na gusto ko ring maging nurse para kapag tumanda na siya, ako na mag-aalaga sa kanya or tulungan ko sila kaya meron akong guest room for them. 

“When they feel lonely, kung gusto nilang dumalaw, welcome na welcome ’yung room para sa kanila so they can see me or ’yung future apo nila. 

“For me, number one talaga pamilya. Sila ang dahilan kung nasaan ako ngayon so it’s nice to give back,” he says.

While settling down is not yet part of the plan, Rocco subtly prepares for the next chapter of his life—to have his own family. 

Mobirise
“May guest room ako, meron na kong dalawang kwarto, if ever, kung naging more than two ang anak. So, it’s where I’m gonna live until tumanda na talaga ’ko. ’Yun ang pinili ko kasi I want something away from the city but still close to the city, and napapanood ko kung ano nangyayari sa Manila,” he shares, describing the view of Metro Manila from Antipolo.

What did he feel when he saw his property rise from the ground up? Utter bliss.

 “Nakakaiyak. Ultimo no’ng ginagawa pa lang ’yung outer and then I saw the corner of my garage. Naiyak na ko do’n.

“‘Bahay ko ’to. Kanto ’to ng garahe ko.’ Iba ’yung feeling na makita mo na ito ’yung pinaghirapan ko ng nine years already. So it’s something to really be proud of. And after that, do’n ko masasabi na ‘Okay, let’s see what’s in store for me and kung ready na ’ko mag-move out for the next chapter of my life.’” 

Rocco’s career might not have launched like a rocket, but gradually and deliberately, he is earning the things he deserves. 

“StarStruck ’yung nagre-remind sa ‘kin na kahit hindi ako nag-first place, ’di ako grand winner, you can still do great things and still achieve something."

As he looks back at his journey, Rocco can’t turn a blind eye at the failures that turned him to be a more competitive person. 

“StarStruck ’yung nagre-remind sa ‘kin na kahit hindi ako nag-first place, ’di ako grand winner, you can still do great things and still achieve something to where I am now. 

“Ang motto ko is kung ako nagawa ko, simpleng tao lang ako, normal na tao lang ako, kung ako nagawa ako, kayo kahit sino puwedeng-puwede gawin

“May mga failed businesses, mga bagay na ’di pala para sa ’kin, but I always welcome that. Tulad ng sabi ng dad ko, when you plan something and it fails, charge it to experience. It’s not something na magsasabi sa ‘yo na end of the line, parang you should give up na lang. ’Di na ko mag-e-elaborate kung ano mga nangyari mismo pero sa kung anong natutunan mo which is to get up and move on.” 

A registered nurse, an actor, a master’s degree holder, a navy reservist, and also an entrepreneur, surely there may be too much on his plate already. 

But just like how he started, Rocco has long learned to take everything a step at a time.

“I wanna play as it goes. Ayaw ko magmadali. I feel na nasa peak ako ng career ko. All these projects happening. Write About Love is such a huge success. The Healthy Juan, also, we’re looking at season three, and then Descendants of the Sun. 

“And then let’s see kung ano pang windows and doors ang magbubukasan. Ngayon pa lang kine-claim ko na. I don’t know when up is, pero I believe with Descendants of the Sun, it will launch me to lots of opportunities pa rin. 

“Sana maging time ko na for a break.” 


“Maraming inaasam ang tao, ‘I wanna do this, I wanna do that,’ pero sometimes you have to really start somewhere to be a good follower before you can become a great leader."