Coco Martin is arguably the most successful working actor we have now. His TV show FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano on ABS-CBN continues to pull in big ratings, and his latest movie, The Super Parental Guardians, now holds the record as the highest grossing Philippine movie of all time, earning a total of almost P600 million at the box office.
Due to his phenomenal success, some people even go as far as calling him the Nora Aunor of this generation.
While I’m sure my editor Gerard Ramos and the millions of Noranians will have a fit over my putting Coco and the Superstar in the same league, with no small thought of hiring a SWAT team to take me permanently out of this world, I think this comparison is justified as both actors are really patronized and loved by the masses.
But besides their popularity, Coco is also like Nora because he’s a brilliant actor. Long before his foray into TV, Coco was lording it in the indie scene. He has starred in many award-winning films, starting with Masahista. As an actor, Coco is instinctive. Until now, I still remember his scene in the movie Sta. Nina when he was crucified as part of the tradition of self-flagellation in Pampanga. It was also representative of all the bad decisions that led his character to participate in the ritual. The director pulled into a closeup and we see Coco’s character giving up and surrendering everything to fate. Tears stream down his face but his eyes said it all, expressing resignation and anger at the same time. You felt all the emotions Coco’s character was experiencing.
Yet, the most important aspect that Coco and Nora share is their humility. Coco is one of the most down-to-earth people in the business. He has never forgotten his roots. In fact, he built a fabulous home in Fairview for his family out of his hard-earned money, some 15 minutes away from his Novaliches place, where his friends and neighbors are safely nestled. He always maintains that he is proud of Novaliches, the place where he grew up.
I want to tell him that with his money, he could’ve bought a house in Valle Verde or Forbes, but I always stop myself from doing so because I always remember what he once told me in an interview: that he wants to always be near the place where he isn’t Coco but is Rodel, the boy who had big dreams to become an actor.
He knows he will always be embraced by this place which he has called home all his life, especially in times when show business becomes terribly messy, or when the spotlight would’ve already dimmed on him.
But that seems far from becoming a reality anytime soon, as FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano has been extended—yet again. The show will now be set in key provinces of the country (starting with the current storyline situated in Cebu) because, as he said, “Ang mga ibang teleserye, sa ibang bansa pa nagshu-shoot. Ang sabi ko naman para sa Ang Probinsyano, bakit pa tayo lalayo e sa iba’t ibang probinsya na lang tayo. Mapapakita pa natin ang ganda ng bansa at makakatulong pa tayo sa mga local na actors kasi mapi-feature sila sa programa.”
As for his movie career, Coco sees in the near future a role behind the scenes this time. “Gusto ko mag–direk ng movie para sa MMFF [Metro Manila Film Festival].” Which is very possible, considering his very active role in the creative aspects of Probinsyano. The other cast members of the show would attest that he would help them in their blocking or give them pointers on how to play their role. He would also suggest how camera shots can be done, or study intensely with the directors on how he needs to execute a scene.
It wasn’t an easy journey for Coco to reach to where he is now. He has been on the wings for a long time, waiting for his turn on center stage. He did a lot of small roles, learning everything he could. He even worked in Canada scrubbing toilets for a year, but then decided to come back to the Philippines, more determined than ever. He snatched a number of awards, sharpening his skills in the process. And then there was nowhere else to go but the big time.
And Coco truly deserves it.