Actor Coco Martin leads the cast of "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" during the pilot episode premiere in front of Quiapo Church in Manila on February 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Kapamilya actor Coco Martin believes his career came full circle with the launch of his new dishwashing soap -- the first product of his company, "Coco+."

Martin had risen from humble beginnings as a dishwasher, driver, and waiter to become an acclaimed actor and respected director and producer.

"Unang-unang acting experience ko nag-shoot ako commercial as group talent. 'Di ko makalimutan 2 a.m. namura ako ng direktor. Di kasi ako marunong umarte. Siyempre 2 a.m. na yun wala na iba makuha so tinangal ako sa isang frame," the "Batang Quiapo" star recalled.

"Tapos ngayon, gumagawa na ako ng produkto ko. Dati talent lang— ngayon nagbubuo na ako commercial— sabi ko grabe buhay talaga dun ka nagmula, may office ka, factory, warehouse. Di mo masabi destiny," he added. 

READ: Why Coco Martin launched his own dishwashing liquid brand

According to Martin, the experience of being scolded, though embarrassing, taught him resilience and fueled his drive to face new challenges with even greater determination.

"Mula noon sinabi ko ayoko na maulit kaya mula noon may racket ako, tinitingnan at pinapanuod ko mga kasama ko. Inaral ko paano umarte lead. Nakatutok ako hanggang napasok na ako bilang mga extra. Hard work talaga," he said.

"Nagsimula ako wala ako talento, di ako marunong sumayaw, kumanta, umarte, hard work talaga," he added.

The actor emphasized that while hard work is essential, opportunity played an equally important role in paving the way for his massive success. Through Coco+, he hopes to extend this blessing of opportunity to others who dream of a better life by creating meaningful livelihood opportunities.

"Kailangan hanapbuhay, trabaho dapat. Alam ko gaano kagaling pilipino, gaano kasipag, kailangan lang opportunity. Magagaling pinoy. Sinasabi nila tamad, hindi— wala lang opportunity," he said.

The actor will be launching affordable packages for Filipinos seeking to resell his dishwashing soap during his 11.11 live selling session on TikTok. 

"Sinigurado ko unang una epektibo, mas mabango, mas mabula, at mas malaki 'to. Matitipid nila dito malaki. Sa isang sachet, kinikita nila benchingko sa iba, sa'min mas malaki at mura, piso," he said.

He guaranteed the dishwashing soap, which he hopes will be the first of many, will be worth every hard-earned peso of Filipinos. 

"Siniguro ko makakatipid at kahit konti, makaipon sila. Iniisip ko rin mga kapos sa buwan-buwan at least makagaan sa buhay, malay mo maipon nila doon sila makasimula ng pagkakakitaan," he said.

"Gusto ko lahat ng product create may bonus at dagdag, ah nakamura ako, mas maganda, kami inisip sa produkto na 'to," added the actor.

Martin also opened several positions in his company to Filipinos with his only requirement— grit and dedication. 

"Gusto ko, kung sino man papasok, ayoko may requirement or limitation, kahit di nakatapos pag-aaral naniniwala ako sa diskarte basta qualified ka at kaya mo. Kahit di marunong mag-Ingles, high school, kahit may edad, lolo, o lola," he said.

Along with launching his product during his first live-selling session, Martin will share his inspiring journey to success and practical "diskarte tips" to show others that they too can succeed, assuring them that he will be there to lift them up along the way.