It’s closing time.
While it hurts to say goodbye, Coco Martin, the torchbearer of longest-running teleserye FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, thanks everyone who supported the show since day one, bringing them to this triumphant halt.
Coco’s mission as Cardo Dalisay ends just an hour from now – and the cast members’ farewell posts on social media are making us so emotional. But before we finally, finally say goodbye to the beloved drama that’s been part of our homes for seven years, here’s Coco looking back on their journey.
In the video, Coco can be seen watching his interview from 2015 when FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano was slated for debut on TV. “Alam kong hindi ko malalagpasan pero sabi ko makagawa lang ako ng isa sa mga pelikula ni FPJ, isang napakalaking karangalan na sa akin no’n bilang isang artista,” he said, taking about the wish to pay tribute to the legacy of Fernando Poe Jr., King of Philippines Movies, and the original ‘Probinsyano’ in 1996.
He had no clue it’d be this big or that it would open many opportunities for him and fellow artists, but even then, he knew reprising an FPJ classic is a big responsibility, “Napaka-importante ng pelikulang ito kasi ito ‘yung pamana sa atin ni FPJ. Kasi pinapakita dito ‘yung kultura ng bawat Pilipino.”
He continued, “Hindi ko akalain na ito pala ‘yung lawak na mapupuntahan ng show. Napalaking misyon pala ang gagampanan namin para makapag-serbisyo sa mga tao.” And at the time, he never thought he was about to manifest a bigger dream, “Pakiramdam ko parang kahapon lang din… That time, hindi ko naman akalain na makakapag-direk ako, eh."
Coco takes pride in the teleserye’s impact on the lives of many local artists, “Maraming nabago ang buhay dito, sa likod ng kamera. ‘Yung ibang mga tao dito, nakapagpatayo ng pangarap nilang bahay, ng maliliit na negosyo…”
For the teleserye to create history in Philippine TV, we may say destiny also played its part, “Kung nabubuhay si FPJ, alam kong ito ‘yung ipagagawa niya sa amin. Siguro kaya ipinagkaloob sa amin itong show na ‘to, ni Tita Susan [Roces], kasi ito ‘yung magiging daan para matulungan din ang mga kapwa-artista namin.”
But no matter how serendipitous the circumstances came to be, the cast and crew’s hard work and resilience cannot be undermined. Every scene in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano was a labor of love, made of everyone’s talent, sweat, blood, and tears. And it makes it harder to say goodbye.
“Malungkot para sa akin. Kahit pagod na pagod na pagod na kami. Hindi siya basta-bastang show, eh. Napaka-espesyal sa amin nito kasi masyado namin dinibdib ‘yung paggawa nito,” said Coco, wiping his tears.
He continued, “Lagpas isandaang porsyento ng trabaho namin, ng hard work, ang binigay namin sa show na ‘to dahil sobrang mahal na mahal namin ‘yung trabaho namin. Alam namin na may obligasyon kami sa manonood.”
Then, he recovered when prompted to talk about the viewers and supporters who stuck by them throughout the years, “Definitely mami-miss namin sila kasi sila ang inspirasyon namin. Sana magustuhan nila. Sana ma-appreciate nila. Sana may makuha silang aral.” he flashed his signature smile.
“Ang ‘Probinsyano,’ malaki ang nagagawa niya sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. Nakakalimot sila sa mga problema o pinagdadaanan nila. Ramdam na ramdam namin yung pagmamahal at suporta na ibinibigay nila sa amin, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang bansa.”
“Pamilya namin sila, eh. Hindi man namin sila kasama dito sa set pero sila ‘yung nasa puso’t isip namin kung bakit namin pinagbubuti ang trabaho namin,” he said, much love and gratitude on his face.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal at suportang binigay ninyo sa loob ng pitong taon. Kung hindi ninyo minahal o tinangkilik ang FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, hindi kami tatagal nang ganito.”
“Hindi na naman malilimutan sa buhay namin ‘to,” he said.
Truly, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano will be etched in the history of Philippine entertainment – and in the hearts of loyal fans.