As some of the ardent viewers of “FPJ’s Batang Quapo” perhaps know, it’s not only the lead protagonist Tanggol Montenegro that is the only role being portrayed by Coco Martin in the hit primetime series. Going through the opening credits, we can spot his name multiple times since, aside from being the main actor, he’s also the creative director and one of the directors and producers.
However, did you know that it’s not only him who gets to take on the dual actor-director role in this teleserye? Recently, we’d seen one of his co-directors Richard V. Somes appear on-cam as he portrayed the supporting character of Mang Donato, who didn’t just supply Tanggol and his group with the weapons they had used in their latest missions, but also allowed them to bring the heavily wounded and unconscious Rockyboy Mondragon (Baron Geisler) into his little hideout where they treated him.
In this video uploaded by CCM Film Productions across its social media platforms, Direk Richard enthusiastically opened up about his experience as an actor being directed by and doing scenes alongside Coco.
“Siyempre isang karangalan ‘yan at saka ambisyon ng lahat na makaeksena si Direk Coco Martin,” he conveyed, imparting that he actually didn’t expect that the small role he had taken on a month before would have a turn around and it would be picked up by Coco. He found it overwhelming as well since they didn’t just film plenty of sequences, but the scenes were also very important because those featured Tanggol’s encounter with his new enemies, marking the brand-new chapter in his life alongside Tropang Tanggol and his family.
When quizzed which is more challenging between being an actor and being a director, Direk Richard said that it’s actually both since the coordination and teamwork between the two is necessary in any film or series in order to produce impressive scenes.
However, both roles had their respective difficulties—with the actor having to showcase authenticity in every scene, while the director had to bring out the truth and emotions required in each scene. Besides, it’s also the duty of the director to guide the actors involved in certain scenes, especially in the action ones.
Direk Richard also talked about his initial appearance as Mang Donato, who seems not only fond of firearms but of instant pancit canton as well.
“Masayang experience ‘yon na naging part ako ng isang eksena,” he related, explaining that he actually volunteered to take on the role since they already had no time to find a replacement for that particular scene. Then he continued, “Maganda naman ‘yong role, maganda naman ‘yong dialogue, so masaya na naging part ng ‘Batang Quiapo’ as a talent, and kahit na maigsi at saka maliit lang na moment ‘yon.”
Are we going to see more of Direk Richard in front of the camera? Let’s find out by not missing an episode 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.