A messenger invitation from Justin Irons of the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Dept. and confirmed by his regional counterpart, Odessa Rodriguez, paved the way for this blogger to see up close and personal Primetime King Coco Martin and the cast of ABS-CBN’s new television series ‘Batang Quiapo.’
The luncheon media conference was held at the Cebu Country Club along Banilad-Talamban road. The conference lasted for almost an hour. I wrote two articles about the meeting and submitted these to SunStar Cebu and Super Balita (in Cebuano), respectively.
Here is the first article:
Coco Martin uplifts local TV production in Batang Quiapo
By Roger Serna
Have you already watched the pilot episode of ‘Batang Quiapo,’ Coco Martin’s latest starrer after the seven-year run of ‘Ang Probinsyano’? As Coco proudly stated during the recent Cebu media conference, he, as director, exerted efforts to upgrade the quality of the television series.
‘Parang pelikula’ (like a movie) was Coco’s description of his latest directorial job, one of the many hats that he wears in this project. He mentioned achieving such level in the technical side such as camera movements, color grading and even the types of cameras used.
He attributes these knowledge to his ‘mentor,’ award-winning director Brillante Mendoza who had high praises to his protégé right after the preview of the pilot episode held a few days prior to its airing.
All these, the Primetime King said, are aimed at making the Filipinos proud. He looked back at his beginnings as an actor in independent movies which were able to compete in worldwide film festivals and even won awards considering these had limited budgets then.
As director, Coco is amazed and feels proud of Filipino actors who, before takes, are kidding each other, laughing and seemingly not serious with their task on hand but when taping starts, these artisans suddenly transform into their respective roles acting so seriously and even shedding copious tears that their roles require that very moment.
Coco went to the extent of pleading to everyone (mainstream media, social media and the general public) to focus on these amazing and praise-worthy Filipino traits instead of dealing with useless and oftentimes baseless bashings, gossips and other issues ‘na walang patutunguhan.’
Only the trait of Coco’s character as Baldo/Tanggol as ‘pasaway’ or blacksheep is culled from the original ‘Batang Quiapo.’ The rest of the story is entirely new.
Character actor John Estrada stated that of his past television projects, five of these which he considered memorable had Coco as lead star. He further describes his co-star and director as a ‘creative genius.’
Cherie Pie Picache praised Coco as a ‘competent, amazing and world class director’ likening him to wine that gets smoother as time passes by. Former Senator Lito Lapid who also acts and functions as fight scene instructor, admits feeling surprised of himself who was able to shed tears in scenes with Coco’s direction.
These actors also admit at having felt awkward at first at Coco’s preference with the ‘no script method’ but later on had adjusted and even excelled in it with Coco’s directorial motivation.
As to his leading lady, Lovi Poe, Coco describes her as down-to-earth, humble, simple, no star complex, thoughtful and ‘cowboy.’ Cherie Pie agreed adding that these are also the traits that Lovi’s father, Da King Fernando Poe Jr., possessed and endeared him to the Filipino audience.
‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ also stars McCoy de Leon, Charo Santos, Mark Lapid, Ping and Pen Medina, Mercedes Cabral, Susan Africa, Alan Paule and Christopher de Leon, among others.
It is aired on weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
