Veteran actress Celia Rodriguez may have spent six decades in show business, but she admits her experience in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" feels unlike anything she’s ever had before. As Pilar Guerrero in the hit primetime series, Celia has not only found joy in portraying a challenging role but also deep admiration for the camaraderie on set and for Coco Martin, whom she calls a rare kind of actor, producer, and human being.
For the screen veteran, joining "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" has been nothing short of memorable as she admits she has never been treated the way Coco, the show's lead actor-director, treats his cast and crew. “Some producers, old and young, should learn from Coco Martin. I love the guy, I salute him,” she says.
What makes the series even more special for her is the teamwork she's found with the cast that spans from legends to rising stars. “The most important thing is camaraderie among my co-stars, my co-actors. The feeling that you belong, ‘yung walang inggitan, walang sapawan. They put each other up, each and every one of us,” she explains, noting how rare it is to find that kind of ecosystem in a teleserye set.
Asked about her favorite scenes, she admits there are too many to choose from, but she especially loves her on-screen moments with Dante Rivero who plays her husband Don Gustavo, and the rest of the Guerrero family members Albert Martinez, Angel Aquino, and Chanda Romero. Portraying Pilar has also been a challenge she didn’t expect. “I thought kasi when I accepted ‘Batang Quiapo,’ it’s always barilan, action. Hindi pala. Kasi sabi ko hindi ko kaya ‘yung mga aksyon-aksiyon, ‘yun pala there’s a story behind.”
And perhaps the sweetest reward of playing Pilar is having viewers still recognize her in a way that feels even more meaningful than the fame she experienced in her prime. “At my age, I have never felt like that, people recognize me wherever I go. I have never felt like that in my life, believe me," she muses, sharing how her heart swells with happiness whenever people call her Pilar in public. “I didn’t know that at my age people will still recognize me because everybody knows 'Batang Quiapo'."
But if there’s one thing she never gets tired of emphasizing, it’s Coco's extraordinary heart. “Coco is a tremendous human being” as she puts it. “This system that he’s doing, especially for those na wala nang tumatawag, hindi na binibigyan ng role, hindi na pinapansin—only Coco does that.” She goes on to praise his generosity and love for the industry. “Grabe ang sistema niya, sana matuto kayo kay Coco. Mahal na mahal niya ang industriya at mahal na mahal niya kami. Sobra ang pag-alaga niya sa amin."
Having dedicated most of her life to showbiz, Celia has seen all kinds of working environments and experienced the highs and lows of being an actress, yet she says nothing comes close to the kind of respect and care she now feels from this generation's Primetime King.
She reflects that Coco could easily spend his time elsewhere, yet he chooses to dedicate himself to serving the industry and supporting those who need it most. That is why, she says, God has poured so many blessings into his life, "Bukas ang palad niya, eh," she says, "When your arms are open, the grace is coming in, the blessings."
And Coco's goodness, she notes, is contagious. It spreads throughout the whole team, from the makeup artists to the wardrobe department, the marshals, his co-directors, and co-actors. “Fantastic people,” she beams, giving the credit to Coco for creating such an environment. “It takes a lot of a good actor to do that, a good human being. Bihira ang gano’n. So, sabi ko sana maraming Coco Martin in our midst.”
That's why she's confident that Coco’s journey is only just beginning, convinced that his career will grow even bigger than the phenomenal success of "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" and currently "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."
In the recent episodes, her character Pilar took a bullet during the raid led by Tanggol (Coco), Ramon (Christopher de Leon), and Marites (Cherry Pie Picache) at the hideout where she held Tindeng (Charo Santos) and Alfredo (Juan Rodrigo) captive. And just when it seemed like it was the end for her, the latest episode show Pilar slowly recovering in the hospital after being comatose, and even fanning the flames of revenge by fueling her daughter Olivia (Chanda Romero)’s desire to strike back.
Don’t miss 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.