After the massive success of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” an action-drama serye that ran for seven years, Coco Martin now draws from his own life, current events, and audience feedback to shape each episode of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”
In an interview with TV broadcaster and journalist Karen Davila on her 1ON1 podcast, actor-producer Coco Martin opens up about the surprises, struggles, and the raw truth behind the current success of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” -- the Kapamilya teleserye that continues to redefine his career.
Coco Martin reflects on “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’s” journey
Two years ago, Karen Davila sat down in an interview with Coco Martin on the gritty streets of Quiapo, Manila, during the filming of the pilot episode of “FPJ's Batang Quiapo.” Fast forward to today, Coco sits down with Karen once again to talk about what has changed over the last two years.
When asked how he feels about how “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” turned out, Coco admits, “Honestly, na-surprise ako. Hindi ko inaasahan na malalagpasan ng ‘Batang Quiapo’ [yung] ‘Ang Probinsyano.’”
It’s worth remembering that “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” ran for seven years, marking, in Coco's own words, the peak of his career. He believed he wouldn’t be able to repeat the legacy “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” had. “After [ng] ‘Ang Probinsyano,’ sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ko na mauulit ‘to. Feeling ko tsamba.” But things took an unexpected turn.
He didn’t expect “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’s” ratings to surpass the peak ratings of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” even when it aired after the shutdown. The rawness and unfiltered nature of “FPJ's Batang Quiapo” carved a new kind of legacy for Coco.
Coco as the producer
For the first time in his career, Coco stepped into the role of creative director-actor-producer for “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” He is part of three units alongside two other directors, with his unit covering an entirely unscripted part of the show.
“Lahat nung natutunan ko sa [Ang] ‘Probinsyano,’ naia-adapt ko dito [sa Batang Quiapo], nailalagay ko dito. Lahat nung mga pagkakamali ko, naaayos ko.”
On set, Coco directs, narrates scenes, acts out lines, and adjusts the story in real time. “Ang sinusundan naman nila ‘yung character ni Tanggol, pero kailangan naka-connect siya at ‘yung mga characters na ginawa ko, naka-connect siya kay Tanggol. Ako ang mag-aadjust.” He also admitted that his co-actors—both newbies and veterans—had a hard time, especially with the no-script acting, but everything worked out well in the end because he knew what to adjust.
Rooted in the streets of Manila
Unlike “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” which roamed across provinces in the Philippines, Coco insists that “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” should stay grounded in Manila, in line with the show’s title. The title demands it, as it’s rooted not just in the show’s identity, but in Tanggol’s.
Coco sees storytelling as his strength. He watches the news, listens to the pulse of the people, and makes sure to fold current events into the show’s narrative.
“Ito ‘yung time to educate dun sa mga tao [...] hindi nila alam kung paano nag-iisip, paano nangyayari ‘yun, paano ginagawa, paano nag-iisip ang politician.” This is exactly what Coco intends the show to be: a reflection of reality. “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” aims to be more than entertainment—it’s a tool for people to educate themselves and be aware of our current situation.
Is Coco Martin Tanggol in real life?
“Honestly, 75%,” he says. “Dapat malapit sa buhay ko, o almost ako.”
“Kung mapapansin n’yo po, ‘yung mga show na ginagawa ko [...] laging mahirap [yung role ko].” Given his background, that’s what shaped Coco into who he is today.
Tanggol’s struggles mirror Coco’s own. Poverty, injustice, and resilience are not just plot points. They’re lived experiences. Even Tanggol’s failed political run in the show, where Miguelito won through vote manipulation, echoes Coco’s reflections on power and public sentiment.
Apart from being part of the production, Coco also does data analysis and monitors the show’s ratings and viewer comments. When Tanggol was close to gaining power, Coco noticed a dip in ratings—and he understood why.
So, he chose the more realistic route for the election result between Tanggol and Miguelito, with Miguelito winning through cheating. “’Pag binigyan natin ang mga manonood natin ng normal na kwento, na simple, wala na ‘yan, alam na nila ‘yan eh.” What the audience craves, he says, are surprises and twists—stories that challenge, thrill, and reflect real-life situations of poverty and injustice.
Two years after his first interview with Karen Davila, Coco has grown into a storyteller who listens, adapts, and dares. He intended “Batang Quiapo" to be a reflection of the streets, the people, and himself. We didn’t just see Coco as the character Tanggol—we saw him as a creator who knows exactly what keeps the audience watching.
Catch “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.