Coco Martin with Dondon Monteverde and director Erik Matti. ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Finally, the cat is out of the bag!
Kapamilya actor Coco Martin and his CCM Productions have teamed up with Dondon Monteverde’s Reality Entertainment and award-winning director Erik Matti for two big epic movies slated for 2026 and 2027 -- "On the Job: Maghari" and "May Pagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio," respectively.
"OTJ: Maghari" is a prequel that will show the life of Tatang or Mario Maghari played by Joel Torre in the original "OTJ." "May Pagasa," meanwhile, will showcase a deeper look on the life and mind of Andres Bonifacio.
During the project announcement Tuesday, Martin said he has been dreaming to work with Matti and Monteverde for a long time. The primetime TV king also confessed that he is a fan of Matti’s "On the Job" and "Buy Bust.’"
“Nag-aabang ako na sana, mapansin nila ako. Pero hindi nila ako tinatawagan. Dumating na sa pagkakataon na parang tingin ko sa sarili ko, ‘Baka hindi pa 'ko enough?’ Siguro sa mata ko kaya ko makapag-action, or drama, makaarte ng konti, pero siguro kanya-kanyang panlasa eh, so baka sa panlasa nila Sir Dondon at Direk Erik, baka hindi pa 'ko enough,” Martin said.
Back in August, during the first death anniversary of Regal Entertainment’s matriarch Lily Monteverde, her son Dondon saw Leah Calmerin in the gathering and asked if she can set up a meeting with Martin to express their desire to work with him. And when Calmerin saw the opportunity and relayed the message, Martin said, “Kinilabutan na 'ko. Kasi, ang tagal kong hinintay ito. Ang tagal kong pinangarap na makatrabaho sila."
A meeting was held and it was a full exchange of ideas and concepts. Martin said, “May mga projects sila na gustong i-pitch na iba. Pero habang nagkukuwentuhan kami, sinabi ko 'Sir Dondon, ang tagal kong hinintay na tawagan niyo ako eh. Kasi sobra akong fan ng ‘OTJ’ at ‘Buy Bust.’ Habang nagkukuwento ako, nakikita niya na ‘may project kami eh, may 'OTJ' kaming gagawin.’ Nakikita siguro ni Sir Dondon na ‘pwede siya, pwede siya eh.’”
At this point, the scripts for the two big projects have been finished but they haven’t started filming yet.
“Every week, nagmi-meeting kami,” said Martin. “Every time nagmi-meeting kami, nade-develop nang nagde-develop 'yung project. After that, inisip na namin kung paano palalakihin 'yung project hindi lang para sa Pilipinas kung 'di global, paano natin i-pre-presenta 'yung gawang Pilipino.”
When asked about the budget, Monteverde shied to give a ballpark figure but hinted that there are five big war scenes in the pipeline for the "Bonifacio" movie.
As for the casting, Martin’s lips were sealed but suggested, “Sa casting pa lang dapat meron ka ng interest. Nagkakaroon ka na ng interes na manood ng pelikula. Kaya sinisiguro namin na itong pelikulang 'to, ito yung casting na hindi po napapanood, hindi mo inaakala na magsasama-sama.”
Martin assured that the movie will showcase a fresh ensemble of stars in one big project.