Anna Marie Lukban

Batang Quiapo: What King Gutierrez sees in Coco Martin that reminds him of FPJ

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737592464993Batang-Quiapo-What-King-Gutierrez-sees-in-Coco-Martin-that-reminds-him-of-FPJ-.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Another villain has met his end in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo,”</u></strong></a> and this time, it&#x27;s Colonel Suarez, played by King Gutierrez. As his character&#x27;s arc reaches its violent conclusion, King reflects on his experience working with the talented team behind the series, especially the man at the helm, Coco Martin.</p><div><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTXE-HZEqMtj51k&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><div><br/></div><p>The screen veteran, known for his villainous action roles in the &#x27;80s and &#x27;90s, feels nothing but pride in being part of a project like <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo.”</u></strong></a> He says it’s incredibly rewarding to be given such an opportunity, considering he&#x27;s past his prime years in acting. While he admits to feeling a bit nervous when he first joined the cast—after all, he was surrounded by a new generation of actors—he found himself feeling at home and was deeply impressed by the team&#x27;s work ethic once he settled in.</p><p>He&#x27;s portrayed a wide array of characters in the past, both good and bad, but there was something unique about the NLEA chief Col. Suarez, who was hard to define at first—would he be a good guy or a bad guy? But as the story unfolded, he was able to reveal the layers of Suarez&#x27;s true colors.</p><div><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=AA02r9ah553IdZ02&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><div><br/></div><p>King&#x27;s &#x27;Batang Quiapo&#x27; stint feels like a full-circle moment. Having worked with the original ‘Batang Quiapo,’ the late Fernando Poe Jr. early in his career, he says working with Coco now brings back memories of FPJ&#x27;s legacy, as he could see the same qualities in Coco that made FPJ a legend.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFF2UwZT0VD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1300582.4000000358%2C%22ls%22%3A1300079.7000000477%2C%22le%22%3A1300550.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>A lot of people say that Coco is following in the footsteps of &quot;Da King,&quot; FPJ, but if there’s anyone who can truly vouch for that, it’s someone who has worked with both. <em>&quot;Hindi ko pwedeng makalimutan, at nakita ko mismo kay Direk Coco &#x27;yung style ni Da King no&#x27;ng magkasama kami ni Da King noong araw,&quot; shares King. &quot;Ang basa ko kay Direk Coco parang si Da King kasi same, eh. Hindi humahawak ng script si Da King, utak niya lang ang gumagana. Kaya no&#x27;ng i-handle ako ni Direk Coco, sabi ko, parang nabuhay si Da King dahil sinasabi niya kung ano ang sitwasyon tapos binibigay niya ang dialogue,&quot;</em> he adds, pointing out one of the similarities between the two icons. </p><p>Coco&#x27;s no-script approach was also the biggest challenge for King, especially since he’d only aim for a flawless performance. Thus, he mentions that actors must stay sharp when under Coco&#x27;s direction, <em>&quot;Kung mahina-hina kang artista, palagay ko sa susunod na teleserye hindi ka na kukunin.&quot; </em></p><div><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABRjzdujIY7JS_8Z&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><div><br/></div><p>He adds that Coco is not just talented but has a heart as big as his future in the industry. With his extensive experience and the countless people he&#x27;s met over the years, he describes Coco as truly one of a kind. <em>&quot;Deep in my heart, nagpapasalamat ako kay Coco Martin dahil sa tiwalang ibinigay niya sa akin,&quot;</em> he expresses. <em>&quot;Maraming marami pong salamat sa tiwala na ipinagkaloob ninyo. At umasa kayo na hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan itong bingay nyo sa akin na pagkakataon para maipakita ko pa rin ang isang King Gutierrez.&quot; </em></p><div><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABK1o1YgCkOVUK8G&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><div><br/></div><p>He is also deeply grateful to the entire <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”</u></strong></a> team, who took care of him throughout the show. <em>&quot;Maraming salamat sa pag-aalaga n’yo sa akin. Nakita n’yo naman kung gaano na kahina ang aking katawan. Gayunpaman, nagpapasalamat ako dahil pinagtiyagaan n’yo pa rin ako.&quot; </em></p><p>Before wrapping up his interview with CCM Film Productions, King offers advice to aspiring actors, stressing the importance of taking the craft seriously, <em>&quot;Ilagay nila sa puso nila ang pagiging artists.&quot;</em></p><p>In the January 21 episode of “FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo,” viewers witnessed the end of Col. Suarez after he was cornered by Primo (Lito Lapid) and Amanda (Lorna Tolentino)&#x27;s group inside the casino now managed by Tanggol (Coco Martin).</p><div><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTXEWn-qEwRp2N4&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><div><br/></div><p>In a behind-the-scenes reel, we get a glimpse of the cast’s intense preparations for this pivotal episode. Lito Lapid  choreographed the fight scenes, carefully analyzing each move in the brutal showdown. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFFl0MyTkHw/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1359117%2C%22ls%22%3A1300079.7000000477%2C%22le%22%3A1300550.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Tune in for more shocking and thrilling moments in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo,”</u></strong></a> airing weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.</p>

<p>As he reflects on his “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ stint, King Gutierrez draws parallels between Coco Martin's direction and the legacy of Fernando Poe Jr.</p>

As he reflects on his “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ stint, King Gutierrez draws parallels between Coco Martin's direction and the legacy of Fernando Poe Jr.