Aside from the high-octane action-packed scenes and a little bit of drama, it seems that our “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” viewing every weeknight wouldn’t be complete without our patience getting piqued by Rigor (John Estrada) because of how arrogant, manipulative, and choleric he is, especially towards his wife, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache).
Just when we thought that Rigor had already done the worst to Marites—from gaslighting her into thinking that it was all her fault that their family had collapsed and had encountered a series of unfortunate events, to disrespecting her by having an illicit affair with another woman and bringing her to their home to live with them—he apparently has turned out more despicable now that he has finally attained the promotion that was once an elusive dream for him.
However, despite this achievement, it seems that Rigor is still not happy and content as his insecurity seeped through during his recent altercations with Marites, whom he just bailed out jail to use her as bait to catch Tanggol (Coco Martin) and Ramon (Christopher de Leon). Just when Marites thought that she was already free, little did she know that he had emancipated her only to incarcerate her in their house.
WATCH: Batang Quiapo: Ang Muling Pagbabalik ni Marites sa piling ni Rigor
Rigor tried to convince her that he had already changed and that he wanted to win her back by telling her that he wanted them to start all over again, but Marites knew that he was being insincere and actually had ulterior motives. She may have already strongly implied to him that there’s no chance for them anymore to get back together after everything that had happened to them and their family, yet Rigor still firmly believed otherwise, especially once Tanggol gets either caught or killed by the authorities.
WATCH: Batang Quiapo: Marites, pinuna ang naging desisyon ni Rigor para kay Santino
He continued to put on his show in the following days by treating her kindly and even buying her favorite food, which Marites really find weird. But she knew that he was just pretending, especially when he put many locks on their front door to prevent her from escaping from him again.
As Marites expressed her reluctance to grant him her forgiveness, Rigor still insisted that he would do everything just for her to learn to love and accept him again. Aside from forcing her to live with him, Rigor even wanted them to sleep in one bed together, reminding her that they are still married.
WATCH: Batang Quiapo: Marites, hindi pumayag na makasama si Rigor sa isang kwarto
She highly objected his advances on her, which triggered him to assault and reproach her. Despite not mentioning Ramon, he still dragged his rival’s name into their squabble as he accused Marites of choosing him only because of his wealth.
Another argument sparked between them when she confronted him about not giving her freedom to do anything she likes to do after setting her free from prison. Rigor told her that it was just his way of teaching her lessons and pushing her to come to her senses. He also bragged to her about his new position, so he warned her against doing anything that would displease him since he could definitely do anything he wanted to do to her now.
While Rigor has always been irascible and horrible ever since the beginning of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” avid viewers have surely sensed or noticed the sudden change in his attitude towards the people around him, most especially to his wife.
In a recent video uploaded by CCM Film Productions on its YouTube channel and across its social media platforms, which featured behind the scenes clips of Rigor and Marites’ confrontations, John gave us a little explanation or backgrounder regarding the sudden change in his character, Rigor.
According to him, now that Rigor is already at a different stage of his life as the chief of Quiapo police, the writers and directors seemed to have decided that his approach should change as well. From simply yelling at Marites, Rigor’s voice must convey confidence, authority, and power whenever he speaks with her and other people—which is something he completely welcomes.
When it comes to Rigor’s feelings towards Marites, John feels that he still loves her. However, Rigor is still currently focused on his main goal of exacting vengeance on Tanggol and Ramon, as well as hindering the reunion of Montenegros in order for his and Marites’ family to be complete again. And this is exactly the same reason why Rigor is vehemently determined to do anything to get rid of Ramon and Tanggol.
Will Rigor succeed in winning Marites back? Or will the Montenegros succeed again in taking away Marites from him? Well, let’s find out in the next episodes of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWant, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL). Viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) on cable and IPTV.