BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Coco Martin and the rest of the cast of FPJ‘s Batang Quiapo turned heads during a press conference at ABS-CBN last Feb. 7.

“Hi, ako po si Chiqui. Sa Batang Quiapo ang role ko ay…nagbebenta po ako ng mani,” said Toni Fowler regarding her role, which had almost all the people in ABS-CBN’s Studio 10 laughing. “Maganda kasi medyo relate siya sa buhay ko, bilang ako na wala pa talaga ako na idea kung papaano umarte. So, ang role ko dun ay ako ang magiging bad influence kay Miss Lovely, ang aking bessy, na mapunta sa maling landas,” detailed the famous vlogger.

Aside from the Toro Family’s mistress, these are the other influencers who’re part of the cast: Big Mac Andaya (Tanggol’s friend), Marlon Tourette (pauper), Sugar Ray “The Mammoth” Estroso (Tanggol’s friend), Baby Giant (Tanggol’s friend Owen), Ghost Wrecker (barangay watchman and councilor), Norvin and Lovely (nosy married neighbors), and Mae Paner aka Juana Change.

Norvin and Lovely used to watch ‘Ang Probinsyano’ but they had no idea what ‘Batang Quiapo’ was when they got contacted for their respective roles. “Nawindang na po kami,” said Norvin, when they both realized that this would be Coco Martin’s new primetime TV series which would possibly run for years like his previous one.

Ghost Wrecker’s character prevents fights in the community, but he clarified that the barangay officials’ characters in the series are nice, and they are in a good community. “Ako yung siga dun,” said Baby Giant. When they get into trouble, Big Mac’s character literally carries Owen.

Many fans of Coco and followers of the above mentioned influencers were happy with his unconventional decision to give regular roles in the series to mostly first time actors. He explained why to the members of the media present during the grand media conference. “Alam ko kung sino yung mahuhusay at masasarap katrabaho,”said the actor-director. For most of the non-influencers, he called them up personally to invite them to join him in his new show.

During the mediacon, the Batang Quiapo cast members present, from the leads to the minor supporting characters, came in wearing outfits which would best represent the roles they are playing. The meticulously designed set was such a visual treat, complete with wood tables, street signs, electric posts with wires, etc. It was meant to look like different clusters of people drinking in a narrow Quiapo alley and it 100% was. The 58 cast members were grouped into four clusters so the flow of the question and answer portion would be smoother.

One interesting question that came up was if Coco enjoys using fake blood, since ‘Ang Probinsyano” had lots of it and it seemed ‘Batang Quiapo’ would be the same. “Ako kasi, dahil nga action yung ginagawa, gusto ko kasi, nararamdaman ng tao. Gusto ko yung totoo. Ayoko ng patay-patayan,” he said. The “King of Philippine Independent Films” credits his vast experience in the indie film industry for influencing his aesthetic which prioritizes rawness and realism. 

A touching moment was when seasoned thespian Pen Medina shared how the A-list actor hepled him overcome a grueling experience during the pandemic: “Yun pong pagpapaospital ko, sa gulugod, sa spine, pinakamatindi pong tumulong sa akin, si Coco. Kaya noong lumabas ako, as early as August (2022), nagpasalamat ako sa kanya. Tinext ko siya para magpasalamat nang personal aside from the post ko na, general thanks sa lahat ng tumulong at nagdasal.” The actor-director asked him regarding his condition and proceeded to invite him to a new show. “I love you Coco. Napakalaking utang na loob,” Pen unabashedly exclaimed.

Earlier around noontime, a celebrity screening of the pilot episode featuring invited guests and almost all of the cast members was held at a cinema in Trinoma. Some of those spotted giving their support to their fellow artists are Sharon Cuneta, Angel Aquino, Jennica Garcia, Angeline Quinto, and Joel Lamangan. 

The action-comedy series Batang Quiapo stars Coco Martin as Tanggol/Baldo, a role originated by the late Fernando Poe, Jr. He is a headstrong youth who constantly gets into trouble, but still manages to be affectionate towards his mother (Cherry Pie Picache), father (John Estrada), and grandmother (Charo Santos). Lovi Poe essays the role of Mokang, his charismatic but tomboyish friend who tolerates his foolishness.

Other cast members of the upcoming TV show aside from those mentioned above are: Ronwaldo Martin, Ping Medina, Susan Africa, Irma Adlawan, Mark Lapid, Mercedes Cabral, Benzon Dalina, Jojit Lorenzo, Alan Paule, Lito Lapid, and Christopher De Leon.

FPJ’s Batang Quiapo will start airing on February 13 weeknights at 8PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” on TV5 and A2Z.

The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) on cable and IPTV.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Photo from Showbiz Beat Media