Like father, like son, they say. In “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” Rigor (John Estrada) and David (McCoy de Leon) embody this phrase to the fullest, with their shared mentality of arrogance, manipulation, and ruthlessness.
However, for David, his devotion to his father goes beyond mere alliance; it's his way to earn his for approval and validation, hence constantly showering Rigor with gifts and favors. Because, in the Dimaguiba abode, Rigor is not just the patriarch but the sole person who inflates David’s ego and shares his disdain for his brother, Tanggol (Coco Martin).
Check out this Kapamilya Toplist video showcasing scenes of their closeness and the lengths David goes to please his father and prove himself as the ideal son.
Let’s begin with that scene where Rigor advised David not to follow in Tanggol’s footsteps, even though he himself is far from virtuous. David is pleased by such moments, as he looks up to his father and dreams of becoming a police officer, and says he is inspired by Rigor’s example. He is eager to prove himself and align with Rigor’s values, even if it means turning a blind eye to his father’s own shortcomings, especially towards his mother, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache).
After a group of criminals attacked their home, David impressed his dad with a bold promise to handle the situation. Naturally, both of them agreed that Tanggol was to blame for the chaos, even though Tanggol had no control over what happened. They used the incident as another reason to accuse Tanggol and reinforce their belief that he was a constant source of trouble.
When Rigor beat Tanggol and stomped on his wound in another episode, David watched with satisfaction. He then took his father outside for some fresh air, where they both agreed that Tanggol had no hope of ever becoming a better person.
One time, David’s arrogance led him to escalate Rigor’s anger by stirring up trouble with their family members. He fabricated a story that Tindeng (Charo Santos), his grandmother, and Marites, his mother, had hurt him to protect their favorite, Tanggol. Well, he’s the type to willingly exploit family tensions for his own gain.
David often says that Rigor is his inspiration for wanting to become a police officer. In a dramatic gesture, he gave his father money, claiming it was a small token of gratitude for Rigor's sacrifices. However, it appeared like a bribe, intended to win Rigor’s favor and soften his father's attitude towards him.
The same thing happened when he bought him a new pair of shoes as a small gesture to show appreciation for Rigor being a good father. However, this was also a calculated move to improve Rigor’s mood and subtly encourage him to become even angrier with Tanggol. Naturally, David succeeded in reinforcing Rigor’s negative feelings towards his brother, whom they continually blame as a source of trouble for their family, and further solidified their alliance against him.
In another sequence, he used money to bribe Rigor, this time as a way to avoid his father's anger over not continuing his studies. David had shifted his focus to his ‘secret’ work with Olga (Irma Adlawan) instead of school, and he hoped that the cash would placate Rigor and prevent him from reprimanding him for abandoning his education.
David’s desperation to maintain his father's approval was clear when he was caught flirting with another woman and disregarding the well-being of Camille (Yukii Takahashi) and their unborn child. To shift the focus and avoid Rigor’s wrath, he played on his father’s sympathy, which proved to be an effective move. Rigor easily dismissed his anger, and then said that among his children, it was only David whom he had invested in and believed would have a promising future, thus putting his trust in David’s decisions.
David was thrilled about Rigor’s promotion and went all out to celebrate by preparing a feast to mark the occasion. In return, Rigor honored his favorite son by choosing him as the only child to join him on stage for the pinning ceremony. Seizing this opportunity to earn further favor, David promised his father that one day he, too, would make Rigor proud, trying to prove he’s worthy of his father’s admiration and support.
Don’t miss an episode of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.