Arzen Rose Dulzura

Happy Birthday, Primetime King! “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” stars celebrate the real Coco Martin they know off-cam

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761961999335New Project (49).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>November 1 marks the 44th birthday of Primetime King, Coco Martin, whose name has become synonymous with grit and excellence in Philippine television. And on his birthday, we’ve compiled heartfelt anecdotes from his &quot;<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>&quot; co-stars, giving us a vivid picture of who he really is behind the camera. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Coco, the Actor-Director  </strong></div><p>It’s easy to call Coco hardworking, but on the &quot;<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>&quot; set, that word barely scratches the surface. He’s the kind of actor-director who moves with purpose and gives every scene the same amount of intensity no matter how big or small it seems. As Maris Racal puts it, he’s simply passionate. </p><p>When he works, there’s no middle ground. He gives everything, down to his last ounce of energy. Charo Santos describes it best, saying, “<em>Binibigay niya lahat, buong kaluluwa niya, buong pagkatao niya sa ginagawa niya</em>.” Meanwhile, having worked with Coco in his earlier years, Allan Paule has seen that drive long before &quot;<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>.&quot; Even then, he says, Coco grinds every scene with &quot;<em>dugo&#x27;t pawis</em>.&quot;  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/22/why-mando-continues-to-be-a-friend-to-rigor-in-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-according-to-allan-paule-0845"><strong><u>READ: Why Mando continues to be a friend to Rigor in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” according to Allan Paule</u></strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><p>On the creative side, fellow artists describe him as both disciplined and visionary with how he builds a scene often on instinct. He&#x27;s a fast-thinking filmmaker. Marc &quot;Big Mac&quot; Andaya compares him to a magician, as Coco&#x27;s instinctive, no-script flow seems like a sleight of hand. “<em>Ma-a-amaze ka na naiisip niya &#x27;yun. Tama lahat ng ginagawa niyang twist and turns sa &#x27;Batang Quiapo</em>.&#x27;” That quick thinking is why co-stars attach big words to his process, with Sugar Rey &quot;Mammoth&quot; Estroso calling him a genius &quot;<em>na grabe tumakbo ang utak.</em>&quot;  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/14/how-coco-martin-and-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-changed-the-lives-of-tropang-tanggol-1000"><strong><u>READ: How Coco Martin and “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” changed the lives of Tropang Tanggol </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>On set, it’s not unusual to see Coco being observant. Even before the cameras start grinding, you can tell he’s already piecing the scene together in his mind, which is why director Richard Somes calls him a visionary. Cherry Pie Picache says it even more plainly, <em>“gifted siya sa foresight</em>,&quot; meaning, as an actor-director, Coco can sense a sequence&#x27;s heartbeat even before takes. This kind of vision only comes from a filmmaker who knows his world so intimately that he can see it before it exists. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/13/cherry-pie-explains-why-marites-tends-to-always-cry-chooses-ramon-over-rigor-in-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-0927"><strong><u>READ: Cherry Pie explains why Marites tends to always cry in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>On set with Coco </strong></div><p>On any given shooting day, Coco is almost the first to arrive and the last to leave, which alone speaks volumes about his discipline. “<em>Direk Coco has set a very high standard of professionalism, very high standard of being in harmony with respecting everyone</em>,&quot; shares veteran actress Chanda Romero, who was surprised by how a production of this massive scale feels calm and coordinated. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/22/chanda-romero-gets-emotional-as-she-thanks-coco-martin-for-her-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-stint-0956"><strong><u>READ: Chanda Romero gets emotional as she thanks Coco Martin for her “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” stint </u></strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Well that sense of order, she realized, exists because of Coco’s example. “<em>Kapag tinawag kayo ng 6:00 in the morning, he’s there before 6:00. So how dare you come later than him?</em>&quot; she says. And this tone creates a ripple of accountability that keeps everyone on their toes.  </p><p>&quot;<em>He does everything. Pati pa continuity ng talent alam niya.</em>&quot; Chanda also notes Coco&#x27;s unblinking awareness and focus, &quot;<em>He&#x27;s always listening. He sees everything, at the same time, his mind&#x27;s going and you see it</em>.&quot;  </p><p>That same leadership extends beyond the camera. Jay Gonzaga explains, “<em>Lahat ng production ni Direk Coco, hindi lang siya nagke-create ng mga cast, kine-create niya family talaga na ma-a-attach ka doon sa bawat isa, kung sino ’yung taong ’yun, not just the character.</em>” Everyone on set seems to share this sentiment—that working with Coco feels like belonging to a team built on trust and respect. </p><p>It&#x27;s his warmth that makes that possible, reflects Andrea Brillantes, who describes Coco as someone who treats everyone on set equally. “<em>Wala siya nai-snob na tao, as in pinapansin niya lahat ng tao. Mine-make sure niya na well taken care of lahat</em>.”   </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/10/andrea-on-working-with-coco-in-batang-quiapo-it-was-an-honor-at-madami-akong-natutunan-sa-kanya-0016"><strong><u>READ:  Andrea on working with Coco in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo: “It was an honor”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Even the show&#x27;s senior actors feel it. Christopher de Leon reveals how well Coco’s team takes care of everyone involved. “<em>I have my own room, anything I need is there</em>,” he says, grateful for the respectful and accommodating environment that Coco has built like a culture on set.   </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/16/christopher-reacts-to-the-support-being-received-by-his-onscreen-tandem-with-cherry-pie-in-fpjs-batang-quiapo-0929"><strong><u>READ:  Christopher reacts to the support being received by his onscreen tandem with Cherry Pie in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>The &quot;Person&quot; behind the Primetime King  </strong></div><p>No matter who you are or what your role is, Coco makes sure you’re seen and heard. For him, everyone on the set matters, which Rosanna Roces has seen up close. “<em>Siya ’yung pinakamalaking artista na alam kong napaka-humble,</em>” she emphasizes. “<em>Wala siyang ibang hinangad kundi paano makatulong sa kapwa niya artista at ibang tao</em>.” </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/17/rosanna-shares-her-thoughts-on-the-unexpected-twist-in-her-character-divina-in-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-1025"><strong><u>READ: Rosanna shares her thoughts on the unexpected twist in her character Divina in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>She talks about how Coco tries to give everyone a chance to work. For instance, when &#x27;extras&#x27; who play goons are not in a scene, they&#x27;re assigned as marshals so they can keep earning talent fees. He&#x27;s compassionate, much like his on-screen character, Tanggol.  </p><p>And it turns out the same authenticity that drives his storytelling is the same quality that draws people to him as a friend and leader, says Jake Cuenca. Coco’s co-director Malu Sevilla also shares, &quot;<em>He&#x27;s so truthful and pure-hearted. Napaka-importante sa kanya na panindigan ang kanyang mga pangako</em>.&quot; </p><p>&quot;<em>Unwavering &#x27;yung devotion niya for his art, his craft, and above all, his people. His kindness is infectious, lagi niyang uunahin ang iba bago ang sarili niya</em>.&quot; That&#x27;s why she calls Coco her hero and “<em>hero ng marami</em>.” </p><p><em>“Kapag mahal ka ni Coco, ipaglalaban ka niyan hanggang sa dulo,&quot;</em> says Direk Malu. </p><p>Outside the set, his co-stars also describe him as a genuine friend. Allan says Coco is the kind of person you can always turn to, while Albert Martinez describes him as “<em>mataba ang puso at madaling lapitan, napakamatulungin</em>.” Rosanna would agree, &quot;<em>Matulungin, ’yan ang numero unong katangian niya.</em>” </p><p>He is a silent motivator, according to Big Mac. For many of them, Coco’s life story itself is an inspiration and a reminder of what hard work and humility can do. They tell him stories about their own milestones, how they’ve built homes, bought cars, or improved their lives through the show, and Coco always celebrates those moments with them. </p><p>His brother Ryan Martin believes that Coco continues to be blessed because he’s generous with others and never keeps his blessings to himself.  </p><p>And despite all the fame and success, Via Antonio sums it up perfectly when she says, &quot;<em>Walang bahid ng kayabangan.</em>&quot; Ask around the “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” family and you’ll hear the same thing again and again; that Coco is a man who leads with kindness and treats everyone with dignity.  As Baron Geisler simply puts it, he’s “<em>the best na tao.</em>” And yes, he also has that &#x27;kwela&#x27; side, as Aleck Bovick reveals.  </p><p>Birthdays are often a time to count blessings, and surely Coco has so many to be thankful for as he turns another year older. But for the lives he’s touched, he himself is the real blessing. </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yPhiPMY9fto" title="Maligayang Kaarawan Direk Coco Martin! Mula sa Cast ng #FPJBatangQuiapo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Happy Birthday, Coco!</p>

<p>On his birthday, we’ve compiled heartfelt anecdotes from Coco Martin’s "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" co-stars.</p>

On his birthday, we’ve compiled heartfelt anecdotes from Coco Martin’s "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" co-stars.