Coco Martin, other Batang Quiapo stars shed light on filming issues

MANILA, Philippines — Coco Martin recently announced in a media conference that his character in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo was going to begin a new chapter in his life. He said that Tanggol realized it was time to make that change for his family and his love interest, Lovi Poe’s Mokang.

In the same press event, ABS-CBN’s Primetime King and other cast members in the series addressed the issues hounding the filming, with some alleging that it caused interruption of businesses in Quiapo.

“Alam naman natin yung sa industriya natin ‘di ba. There are some who would visit places abroad just to visit a filming location (of a movie or series),” stated Coco. “We would go to a park or wherever the location of the filming is. It’s also like that here in the Philippines. The sites where films or soap operas took place sometimes become a tourist attraction. The same thing that happened for Batang Quiapo.”

“Pero hindi kasi natin maalis ngayon dahil nga because of the social media, it’s easy to form an opinion sa isang bagay na kaya mong pagandahin or sirain,” he added. “Maybe it just so happened that there are some people na hindi naman lahat papabor para sa amin or sa Batang Quiapo. Maybe when that person said that (particular comment), I don’t know what his intentions were.”

“But what I can say is that the residents that we interacted with (during the taping), they were happy. Every day na nakikita nila kami, talents, actors and the crew, the place becomes alive.

“The area has become a tourist attraction to other people because, of course, they want to see us while shooting or see the place where the scenes happened. Kaya yung mga ganun (issues), I don’t mind them. Because when you know that it’s not true, don’t give too much energy or time to it.”

Charo Santos-Concio, who plays Tanggol’s grandmother Tindeng, once filmed in Quiapo and she observed how the production team had shown respect to the area and the residents there. She added that they never felt unwelcome.

“I didn’t feel unwelcome. Maayos na maayos naman. That’s why I’m surprised na nagkaroon ng kunting ingay because all is well. I don’t have any recollection na nagparinig.

“We were very welcomed at the place. They were very kind and I am proud to say that the production team, maayos and they gave respect to the place which is very important,” she furthered.

Lorna Tolentino, who recently joined the series as the character Amanda, said that she filmed around the Quiapo area, including nearby Binondo and Manila Central Post Office.

“I didn’t feel it (unwelcome),” she commented. In fact, she felt quite the opposite. “Even in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, when we also taped in Quiapo, (that’s) where my character Lily started, we didn’t experience any problem.”

Ronnie Lazaro (as Lucio) chimed in, “What we are doing in Quiapo is difficult and we cannot get it done if there’s no support from the people around us. We were welcomed there.”

Meanwhile, Coco revealed that the kissing scene in Lovi’s Mokang debut party was not part of the script. As an actor and director who likes to improvise, Coco shared, “Sinadya ko lang yun (kissing scene).”

“I thought of that right at that moment. I said, maganda ‘to after ng pagkauwi niya, napanaginipan niya pa. Nothing happened during the debut. Kinilig lang siya na na-appreciate niya na merong pumalit dun sa escort niya.

“To be honest, it was just supposed to be a smack. But when the music started to play and we were dancing, it just followed. We just felt it,” he recalled.

Coco said he was shy at first. “I’m a guy,” he said. “Baka magmukhang nagta-take advantage ako sa scene. I’m also the one directing. When I felt that Lovi also felt the scene, pinaramdam ko na rin sa kanya yung scene (laughs).”

Coco actually told his assistant director to relay to Lovi about the kissing scene, which the latter gamely agreed to.

For her part, Lovi admitted that she felt kilig over that scene with Coco. “Mahirap naman na hindi kiligin eh,” she explained. “You can’t avoid it.”

She further described her co-actor as “very hard working and passionate.” “Girls usually get amazed when they encounter (a person like that). He is the captain of the ship, so it’s really amazing.”

In real life, Lovi is in a relationship with British boyfriend Monty Blencowe. When Coco was asked about his relationship status, he just answered, “Single, single, double, double (laughs).” Coco has been rumored to be in a long-time relationship with Kapamilya actress Julia Montes.

When queried about his reaction to Julia and Kapuso actor Alden Richards’ upcoming film Five Break-Ups and a Romance, he asked the fans to support the movie. Julia and Alden are currently filming in Singapore, he shared.

Coco also recalled that he sent an Instagram message to Alden before that he wanted to work with him. “He said yes and sana drama. He is nice,” he said of Alden.

(FPJ’s Batang Quiapo airs weeknights at 8 on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel on cable and IPTV.)