As “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” opened its newest chapter and newest season for its second year this 2025, a new set of cast members and characters were also introduced. And one of them is veteran actress Celia Rodriguez, who gets to prove anew why she is considered one of the greatest kontrabidas in Philippines showbiz through her impeccable portrayal of the condescending and domineering Doña Pilar Guerrero, the matriarch of the affluent and powerful Guerrero political clan.
And on the first few weeks of her appearance on the series, we get to gradually know Doña Pilar through the scenes that featured her, 10 of which we collated in this episode of Kapamilya Toplist.
In one of her initial scenes, which might pass as a secret rendezvous with Don Julio (Tommy Abuel) during the party organized by the Montenegros to introduce their legitimate heir, their conversation and actions apparently suggested that they had a romantic affair in the past. While Don Julio was so ecstatic to catch a sight of her and strike a conversation with her, Doña Pilar was obviously not delighted to see and speak with him.
Even though she has a strong and intimidating personality, it seems that Doña Pilar doesn’t have a say when it comes to their family matters, just like what we’d witnessed during one of their intense altercations. As she tried to defend her daughter, Olivia (Chanda Romero), from the rage and disdain of his husband and the family patriarch, Don Gustavo (Dante Rivero), Doña Pilar got reprimanded by her husband for meddling and for being indulgent towards Olivia. Well, it was later on revealed that women have no room in their highly patriarchal family.
Thus, Doña Pilar has been so protective and empathetic towards Olivia, which she’s able to show by assuring her that she is loved and supported by her. She may not directly tell her that she got her back, but Doña Pilar’s comforting presence is already enough for Olivia to pursue what she’s been wanting to do—even though that will mean having to go against the men in their family. Doña Pilar may likely side with her daughter, yet this doesn’t mean that she loves and supports his son, Roberto (Albert Martinez) any less as she does everything she can to make sure that his welfare is being taken care of as well.
While she’s affectionate and protective towards her daughter, it seems that Doña Pilar cannot extend this to her daughter in-law, Jackie (Angel Aquino), as they often argue with each other. She may be old but Doña Pilar proved that she can still keep pace with Jackie when it comes to tarayan as she physically and verbally attacked her. In one of their spats, she told her, “Tandaan mo ito, Jackie, kung hindi dahil sa akin, you will never be a part of this family. Kaya you behave kung ayaw mong ibalik kita sa putik na pinanggalingan mo. Intiendes?”
But the most interesting fact that we’d probably discovered about her is her connection with Tindeng (Charo Santos), which got unraveled when the Guerreros swung by the Quiapo Church and she tried to follow Tindeng, who quickly ran towards one of the confessionals to hide. Apparently, the relationship they used to have was far from amicable based on Tindeng’s anxious reaction and on what Doña Pilar told Olivia about what she will do once she catches her. And a series of flashback scenes thereafter exposed that Tindeng actually used to work for Gustavo decades ago and was taken advantage by him, which spawned to Marites (Cherry Pie Picache).
Are you looking forward as us to see more of Celia Rodriguez and to know her character Doña Pilar better? Well, you better not miss an episode of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” weeknights at 8PM, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and TV5.