Albert Martinez in 'FPJ's Batang Quiapo.' Screenshot from ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube
Veteran actor Albert Martinez continues to make a strong mark in primetime television through his role as Roberto Guerrero in the hit action-drama series "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo."
For Martinez, portraying the patriarch of the powerful Guerrero clan meant ensuring that the family dynamic on screen remained consistent and believable throughout the series.
“Constant na nandiyan kami kasi 'yung Guerrero family. Na-maintain namin characters ng isa’t isa character ni Miguelito, Jackie. Hanggang sa dulo, pati kay Erika, pati kay Jason. Consistent 'yung character namin and I’m happy na ganun,” Martinez shared.
As Roberto Guerrero, Martinez emphasized that his character’s driving force is protecting the name and legacy of their family.
“Pinaglalaban ko dito 'yung pangalan ng Guerrero na inalagaan ko, na hindi masira 'yung legasiya ng Guerrero na inumpisahan ng aming ama. Hanggang sa dulong-dulo ng hininga, Guerrero ang ipaglalaban niya,” he said.
The actor explained that from the beginning, he approached the character through the lens of a family system, making Roberto the steady pillar holding everyone together.
“Sa akin kasi ang ginawa ko sa character na ’to, ginawa kong family system. Kahit ano mangyari, pamilya tayo. Walang gigiba ng pamilya natin. 'Yun 'yung pinanghahawakan ng character ko. Kung ano man mangyari sa labas, hindi ako papayag na masira ang pamilya Guerrero.”
Throughout the show’s run, Martinez said several scenes remain unforgettable, particularly the emotional and confrontational moments he shared with fellow cast members.
“Mga hindi ko makakalimutang eksena' yung mga private, intimate moments namin ni Jackie,” he said, referring to actress Angel Aquino. “Mga away namin ni Miguelito,” played by Jake Cuenca, “mga diskusyon namin ni Gustavo,” portrayed by Dante Rivero, “at isa pa yung confrontation namin ni Christopher de Leon. Maganda 'yun.”
When asked about the lessons the series taught him, Martinez laughed and acknowledged that his character may often be on the darker side of the story. Still, he believes Roberto’s motivations always come from a place of loyalty to family.
“Medyo nasa kabilang side 'yung character ko. Basta sa akin ang pinaglaban ko dito at naturo sa akin at tinuturo ko sa marami 'yung pagmamahal sa pamilya. Kahit ano pang sabihin mo na masama sila o hindi, 'yun ang pinaka pinanghawakan ko na itong character na ’to, itong pamilya na ’to, solid ’to.”
Martinez also revealed that he carefully built Roberto’s character from the very first day of production.
“Day one pa lang, binuo ko na 'yung character na ’yun. I really wanted, I talked to Jake, Angel, and even the art director na gusto ko takbuhin ng character ko is family na ako 'yung mamumuno ng pamilya. Siya 'yung gumagawa ng tuwid as much as possible, tuwid in a way na para hindi mapahamak ang pamilya. Masyadong agresibo si Miguelito, reckless si Jackie. Ako 'yung naging poste ng Guerrero family.”
The actor also expressed pride in Coco Martin, the brains behind the blockbuster series, who serves as actor, director, and producer of Batang Quiapo.
“Kay Direk Coco, I’m so proud he has reached this point in his life. Actor, director, producer siya ang brains ng 'Batang Quiapo.' I’m so proud because we started together way back. Nakita ko humble beginnings ni Coco, nakita ko growth niya and the way he handled it,” Martinez said.
“For me to say I’m proud that I’m part of this journey and he’s handling it very well. Coco, continue what you’re doing. Tama lahat ng desisyon mo.”
Despite decades in the industry, Martinez admitted he was surprised to still be performing physically demanding action scenes.
“It’s unli-action, and I didn’t expect na sa age ko gagawa pa rin ako ng action,” he said.
However, the actor also recalled some tense moments behind the scenes, including accidents that happened during filming.
“Meron din akong sad moments na probably some don’t know. We got two accidents sa set. Isa kay Ronnie Lazaro nagkatamaan kami. Then next kay Juan Rodrigo, meron kaming routine na ginawa, ni-rehearse namin but unfortunately nagkaroon pa rin ng accident. It was a bloody accident, but I’m glad hindi naman ganun ka-serious.”
While those incidents remain unforgettable, Martinez hopes such accidents will never happen again.
“Yun 'yung mga hindi ko malimutan. Sana hindi na maulit. Hindi naman maganda na maaksidente ka ng kapwa mo artista,” he said.
As "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" nears its highly anticipated finale, Martinez’s portrayal of Roberto Guerrero stands as one of the pillars of the series showing how loyalty, power, and family ties can shape even the most complicated characters.