Lovi Poe has manifested a dream into reality as she stars in the ABS-CBN primetime series FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, the reimagined version of her late father Fernando Poe Jr.’s action-comedy film of the same title. The 1986 movie starring “Da King” with Maricel Soriano happens to be the actress’ favorite project from her father’s legendary movie career.
When she was offered to join Batang Quiapo as leading lady to Coco Martin, who also co-directs the series, Lovi recalled to The Philippine STAR in a recent one-on-one interview: “Shock na shock ako because hindi ko in-expect na something like my dad did before. I was just so happy, really. Because I kept saying this in my interviews way, way back. Whenever asked, ‘What’s your favorite movie of your dad?,’ I kept mentioning Batang Quiapo.”
When she became a Kapamilya in 2021, Lovi was vocal about her dream to do an FPJ project, from wanting to become the “female version of Panday,” another iconic FPJ character, to hoping to appear in Coco’s previous FPJ adaptation, the long-running action series, Ang Probinsyano.
But when asked if she views doing Batang Quiapo as continuing the National Artist’s legacy, she said she couldn’t dare say so.
“Nahihiya ako to say I’m continuing the legacy of my dad. Because it’s hard to say. I’m not even one-fourth there. Perhaps, it’s a homage or paying respect to what he’s done in the past. And for me to be just part of it, I’m already happy and grateful,” she said and reiterated, “Yeah, it’s not continuing his legacy. It’s more like pagbibigay pugay. There’s nothing more humbling than to breathe life into one of my dad’s movies.”
She first watched Batang Quiapo when she was a lot younger and then viewed it more recently in preparation for the series. Still, she found the tandem of Maricel and FPJ entertaining. “Oh my god, I love Ms. Maricel! Maka-Diamond star talaga ako. Her tandem with Papa, I found it really entertaining because they were complete opposites there,” she said.
In the series, Lovi plays the role originated by Maricel, Mokang, the childhood friend and object of affection of Tanggol (Coco), who doesn’t hesitate to call the latter out on his shenanigans and mischief in the streets of Quiapo, Manila.
She, however, said that her character as well as the storyline have veered off from the original material. According to her, “The whole team, the whole production wants to give it a different flavor,” at the same time, give it “respect.”
What surprised her the most about working with Coco? “That he can multi-ask big time. I can also multi-ask but not to that level. Like he would be directing, talking to me and changing for the next scene. I said, how can he do all that in one go?” Lovi said.
The first scene she filmed on set was the one where she would confront Tanggol about the neighborhood “rumble,” which would then lead to a playful banter that hinted at Tanggol’s romantic interest in Mokang.
Interestingly, she said she was so nervous and struggled in this scene because the word “rumble” wouldn’t roll off her tongue as easily as she hoped. When Coco, who has a “no-script” approach to directing, suggested that she use a word she was more comfortable with, she decided to stick to it and pulled through.
Nevertheless, she said of Coco’s directing style, “I enjoy improv. I’m not a super fan of completely following a script. If I know my character, I wanna add.
“Of course, there are some directors who want you to stick to the lines completely. But ako talaga, fan ako of what comes naturally from the heart. I will say and want to say it. But, of course, I would like to know the structure, like where it’s going, where it’s coming from. That’s something we’ve talked about.”
The “mystery” and adjustment of working for the first time with Coco, she also noted, is what makes things on set exciting. “Iba pala sila kasama, parang sila lahat magkakasama na talaga. Buo na. Even on my first day on the set, it starts with a prayer and ends with a prayer,” she added.
Knowing how Ang Probinsyano lasted for almost seven years, Lovi, in terms of commitment to Batang Quiapo, said, “Let’s see how it goes. Of course, I would like to be part of this as long as I can. If they’ll have me. And for me, just to start and be part of this, and just to be considered to be a part of this, I’m already grateful.”
Sharing the reaction of her boyfriend, British film producer Monty Blencowe, to her latest onscreen partner, she said, “He knows kasi na dream ko siya (Coco) makatrabaho so sobrang happy siya for me. He also knows na tumakbo ng seven years yung FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (laughs). Updated siya. Sabi ko, o, alam mo na, ikaw na yung pupunta sa akin dito, ‘di muna ako mag-e-L.A. ikaw muna punta dito (laughs).”
Meanwhile, it’s not hard to notice that in her projects with ABS-CBN, no role has been the same so far. Batang Quiapo allows Lovi to explore the action-comedy genre. Previously, she topbilled the thriller-drama Flower of Evil and the LGBT-themed film Sleep With Me.
“I’m very grateful for the trust. Minsan hindi ako makapaniwala. It’s not something I expected. I’m beyond grateful. I can’t find the words to say because talagang my heart is full every time. From Flower of Evil, Sleep With Me and then Batang Quiapo, I’m just wow,” she shared.
In terms of diversity, she said, “‘Di siya parang intention. But I always feel like I don’t want to be boxed into doing the same thing.
“With all due respect and I hope I’m not offending anyone by saying this, but sometimes as actors, we give ourselves limitations. Like, I don’t want to do this because it’s this kind of role, it’s a mother role. I can’t do this because you’re going to be partnered with a woman. I don’t want to do this because it’s too sensual.
“But I would like to believe and see myself as an actress, and not just so I can carry a brand. I want to be an actress. That’s what I enjoy doing — you know, getting to play different characters,” she added.
Her goals for the year are really to “keep evolving and growing” by taking on more different characters.
She also started a production outfit with her boyfriend called C’est Lovi Productions. They are now in the middle of creating projects and as per Deadline, these include the psychological-thriller Alyssa, which Heneral Luna director Jerrold Tarog is writing and directing. There’s another script that Lovi is writing and collaborating with.
“It feels weird,” Lovi said about being the CEO of her own company. “I’m more of doing the creative side. I’m more of the script-writing, putting together the cast, so I enjoy it. When it comes to the financial aspect, that’s my partner’s (responsibility) because that’s his expertise.
“Our main goal is to showcase Filipino talent and bring them abroad because we really have many great directors, writers and actors as well. And that’s what I want to achieve — to be able to showcase them internationally.”
(Produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and Coco’s production outfit CCM Film Productions, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo can be viewed across multimedia platforms from Monday to Friday nights at 8 on the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Cinemo, A2Z, iWantTFC, TFC and TV5.)