For the past three years, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” has indeed filled our weeknights with exhilarating action, intense drama, and nerve-wracking suspense. And in this chaotic world that its characters live in where incessant clashes, shifting loyalties, and dangerous powerplays prevail, it’s deemed unbelievable for romance to flourish.
However, there are a few pairs who were able to prove that although the world of “Batang Quiapo” may not be the best place to find love, especially the fairytale and blissful kind, it’s still possible as long as the character is willing to defend, protect, and sometimes bleed for it. And we got to witness this grittier type of romance through the love stories of the five couples in this special feature, who courageously fought for their love no matter what it takes.
Tanggol and Mokang
Before other beautiful ladies came into the life of Tanggol (Coco Martin), avid viewers know that there has been one and only woman in his heart—and she’s none other than his ultimate love, Mokang (Lovi Poe). She might have hated him when they were kids, but it’s a totally different story for him since Tanggol has admired her ever since, to the point that he even stole a comb as his birthday gift for her, which got him subsequently punished by his parents.
As they became full-fledged adults, Tanggol never ceased to prove his love for Mokang. Aside from consistently showing his love for her by taking her to random and simple dates, doing everything to make himself part of her 18th birthday party and be her last dance, and repeatedly telling her how much he loved her, we also saw how Tanggol and even his friends sacrificed so much just to help her in times of trouble.
Who would forget when they avenged her against those who harassed her? When they put their lives on the line to help her earn money for the hospitalization of her father? And when they took her away from the mansion of her husband, who turned out to be Tanggol’s biological father?
Mokang might be initially adamant that she didn’t any romantic feelings for Tanggol, but seeing all the unparalleled efforts and sacrifices he had done for her, as well as his consistency, persistence, and genuineness, had eventually convinced her that he was indeed worth taking risk for.
Unfortunately, just when Mokang had already reciprocated Tanggol’s love for her and both of them were willing to fight for their love, she was accidentally shot during their encounter with her husband and his henchmen, which led to her death. It may have seemed difficult for Tanggol to move on from it, but it fueled his desire to get even to whoever had killed her and to keep on fighting in life.
Marites and Ramon
Perhaps the most controversial one among these “Batang Quiapo” pairs, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache) and Ramon’s (Christopher de Leon) romance began in a totally unthinkable way, which some viewers even found unacceptable and incomprehensible.
As we all know, they didn’t have a pleasant history to reminisce on since Ramon was the one who had caused immense trauma to Marites after he sexually assaulted her, which resulted in her pregnancy to Tanggol and her irreconcilable rift with her husband Rigor (John Estrada).
While Marites had long moved on from and lived a normal life after that incident, which forever changed her life and the dynamics of their family, Ramon suddenly returned to her life one day more than a couple of decades and never left. She unexpectedly found a dependable confidant in him, with whom she vented out her problems, especially at the time when her marriage with Rigor was on the rocks.
Ramon cared for her so much ever since the first time their paths had crossed again, to the extent that he’s willing to sacrifice his life for her and do everything to make her happy and whole—which Rigor failed to do as her husband. She may not have forgotten what he had done wrong to her, but his efforts and affection had apparently softened her heart, as she eventually learned to forgive him and accept him back into his life.
Marites may have initially rejected him due to her loyalty to Rigor and their dark past, while Ramon faced his father’s objection to their relationship at first, but they were able to get past those obstacles as they confronted every challenge that came their way hand in hand, alongside their son, Tanggol. Their romance might have drawn mixed reactions from viewers, but many have been rooting for them to be each other’s endgame.
Primo and Amanda
Probably one of the most unforgettable couples in “Batang Quiapo” were Primo (Lito Lapid) and Amanda (Lorna Tolentino), who had to fight for their love not just once but twice.
The first one happened in their younger years after Amanda’s boyfriend and the leader of their syndicate, Augustus (Julio Diaz), found out about their illicit affair and planned to kill Primo during one of their operations. Amanda learned about this and made the tough decision to report him to the authorities in order to ensure his safety. Primo thought that she betrayed him, but little did he know that Amanda actually had chosen to sacrifice her own life, happiness, and freedom just to keep Augustus from harming him inside the jail.
Thus, when their paths intertwined again, Amanda and Primo made sure that they would be unbreakable and inseparable, especially as they fought against Augustus anew. They might not have reached a happily ever after as both of them got killed in an encounter, yet they were able to prove that love is indeed sweeter the second time around and that love truly conquers all.
Tindeng and Alfredo
Her personal encounter with the Guerreros may have brought back the trauma that they had caused her and the sufferings she had to endure for a very long time, but it also took Tindeng (Charo Santos) back to one of the most important people in her life—her estranged partner, Alfredo (Juan Rodrigo).
It happened when Tindeng recounted her tragic history with the said family to her landlord, Al, who turned out to be the man whom she supposed to marry if only the Guerrero patriarch, Don Gustavo (Dante Rivero), didn’t abduct her on the very day of their wedding. This made him realize that the woman in front of him was the ultimate love of his life, Matilde, and vowed to never allow himself to lose her again no matter what happens.
True to his word, Alfredo indeed stayed by Tindeng’s side wherever she went, as well as tried his best to protect and save her from any harm, especially from Don Gustavo who still forced himself to her. Unfortunately, just when it was assumed that they would have a second chance, his being a knight-in-shining armor to Tindeng had led to his heartbreaking demise. This has made Tindeng determined to seek justice for him.
Santino and Erika
Last but definitely not least are Santino (Ron Martin) and Erika (Gillian Vicencio), who are the youngest pair on this list. They may be young, but they’d shown us that they know what true love is.
They gave us the “you and me against the world” kind of romance, as they seemingly never experienced having the freedom to show their love to the world since her family was completely against their relationship. Not only because they thought that Santino didn’t deserve their daughter since he came from a poor background, but because they could be cousins since they had the same grandfather—Don Gustavo.
So, to prove to them that his intention for her was real, Santino agreed to live with the Guerreros at their mansion, wherein he didn’t just suffer from their belittling and humiliation, but also from Miguelito’s ruthlessness. In spite of what he went through, Santino had remained by Erika’s side until she was killed during the bloody encounter between the Montenegros and the Guerreros. Assuming that it was Tanggol who did it to her, Santino didn’t hesitate to shoot him down as his way of avenging Erika and their unborn child.
His desire to exact vengeance and attain justice for them had resulted in him harboring hatred towards his brother and risking his life, which led to his totally shocking death. Although their love story started in the most unlikely place and progressed in a way they never imagined it to be, yet they were able to prove that it was indeed worth fighting for
“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” may be filled with fights, confrontations, and other hostilities, almost not leaving any space for love, yet it’s actually love that serve as the driving force that has shaped the choices, fueled revenge, and exposed vulnerabilities in even the strongest characters.
Throughout its continuously evolving narrative, the series has portrayed love as something that survives not because it’s easy, but because its characters refuse to surrender it. Just like these “Batang Quiapo” couples, may we continue to believe in true love and its power, as well as muster the courage to fight for it once we’ve found it.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy 3rd Anniversary, mga Ka-Batang Quiapo!