Coco Martin announces the last 3 weeks of "FPJ's Batang Quiapo." MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Philippines' primetime action star Coco Martin has officially confirmed to ABS-CBN News that his top-rating and most watched action drama series, "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo," is about to end.
The explosive finale is set on March 13.
"Lagi 'pag nagkukuwento ka, may umpisa, gitna, at dulo. Nung naramdaman ko na 'yung character ni Tanggol, nagawa na niya 'yung lahat ng elements hanggang sa natalo siya noong eleksyon. Ano pa ba 'yung major na gagawin ng kwento?" Martin said.
He continued: "Nung ginalaw ko na 'yung kwento, ginalaw ko na 'yung mga characters, naramdaman kong parang hanggang dito na lang 'yung takbo ng buhay ni Tanggol sa Quiapo."
"Ito na siguro 'yung pinakasagad na dulo na pwede kong takbuhin ng character ni Tanggol."
It's a hard pill to swallow for Martin, especially since he's the creative mind and producer behind the show.
"Mahirap sabihin, kahit ako kasi ako 'yung gumagawa, pinaghihirapan namin lahat. Nagkakaroon ka ng anxiety, kasi after three years isinabuhay mo 'yung character and then araw-araw halos nagtatrabaho kayo," he said.
"Ang hirap lumabas sa bibig. Ang hirap tanggapin din na, papasok din sa ano mo na, matatapos na. Magtatapos na."
At one point during the sit-down interview, Martin had an emotional pause. This was the first time he is facing and talking about the reality that the show is really nearing its end.
"Nagiging emotional ako kasi hirap na hirap talaga kami. Sobrang hirap talaga ng paggawa ng 'Batang Quiapo.' Hindi lang ang pagbuo, kundi 'yung pag-arte, lahat -- all aspects, crew directors, production," he shared.
He added: "Hindi ko alam kung masaya ako o nalulungkot ako. Para bang meron kang isang karelasyon o may inalagaan kang bata, may isa kang mahal sa buhay tapos after that maghihiwalay na kayo. 'Yun ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, ngayon siya sa akin nag-si-sink in."
That time we did the interview, Martin has not spoken yet to the cast members about the fate of the show.
He knows some already had an inkling that the end is near, but he wants to have that moment to personally thank the artists who gave their time, effort, talent, and passion for the success of the show.
Weeks back, Martin sat down with ABS-CBN management and discussed the story arc of Tanggol. And he is satisfied that his character in the show has reached its glass ceiling.
And what did the management say?
"Coco, kung 'yan 'yung pinakamagandang kuwento na mabubuo natin, sa pagtatapos ng 'Batang Quiapo,' kung ano 'yung deserve nung show, at deserve ng manonood natin, okay lang," he shared.
Martin promised that the next three weeks will be explosive, unexpected, and will definitely go down in history as a TV moment.
"Pinaghandaan namin ang pagtatapos ng 'Batang Quiapo,' more than sa pagtatapos ng 'Probinsyano.' Nag-ubos kami dito ng lakas, ng pera. Kasi sabi ko nga, hindi ko bibitinin ang mga manonood. Three years nila kaming sinamahan sa kanilang mga tahanan, gusto ko deserve nila 'yung ending," he said.
Three years strong
"Batang Quiapo" which follows the life of Hesus Nazareno Guerrero Montenegro or Tanggol, aired its first episode on February 13, 2023.
Its first taping day happened during the Black Nazarene festivity in 2023.
ABS-CBN's Dreamscape marks 3rd anniversary of 'Batang Quiapo'
The series is a modern retelling of the late Action King Fernando Poe Jr.'s 1986 film "Batang Quiapo." It is produced by ABS-CBN's Dreamscape Entertainment and Martin's CCM Film Productions.
Martin and Malu Sevilla serves as the show's directors.
The first week of "Batang Quiapo" garnered over 44 million total digital views on Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC.
Martin's Tanggol was initially paired with Poe's daughter Lovi, who portrayed the character of Mokang. In January 2024, Mokang was shot dead while trying to save Tanggol.
Charo Santos plays the role of Aling Tindeng, Tanggol's grandmother, with Cherry Pie Picache and Christopher de Leon's characters as his parents.
Other stars who were part of "Batang Quiapo" were Lito Lapid, Tommy Abuel, Pen Medina, Susan Africa, Mccoy de Leon, Ronwaldo Martin, Mercedes Cabral, Lorna Tolentino, and Rosanna Roces, among others.
Actresses Ivana Alawi, Kim Domingo, and Andrea Brillantes also joined the action-packed series.
Since the show's debut, viewers followed street-smart Tanggol's journey from being a loving son and grandson, and a good and loyal friend to an extraordinary hero.
Audiences also looked forward to the show's death-defying stunts and the its relatable plot, which reflected the everyday experiences of Filipinos.
Now on its last three weeks, "Batang Quiapo" promises more high-octane episodes when it is officially announced that Tanggol won the election recount as the mayor of Manila, and not his arch-rival Miguelito (Jake Cuenca).
It airs weeknights at 8 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Cinemo, A2Z, and TV5. The series is also available on iWantTFC and TFC. -- with a report from Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News
Coco Martin marks first anniversary of 'Batang Quiapo'
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