Ever since it premiered last February, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo has become one of the most-watched series on primetime. Yet, we’re only able to get little updates about the happenings behind the action-packed and drama-laden series.

But seasoned broadcast journalist and TV Patrol anchor Bernadette Sembrano had the opportunity to catch up with its actor-director and Creative Head Coco Martin, who plays the role of lead character Tanggol, as well as with the other cast members as she got to interview and bond with them in her latest vlog.

She commenced the video by sharing the lighthearted moment she had with adorable and talented child stars Aaron "Yorme" Sunga and Erin Espiritu, who play the roles of Tolits and Tala, respectively.

As she mentioned how it makes her wonder that the public adores Coco so much, she told him that she thought that his physical appearance might have something to do with it. She commented how the actor-director looks “saktong gwapo” and make one feel that he’s a friend.

Coco started recounting that when he became an artista, he actually didn’t let it be etched on his mind as he simply considered it as a mere source of income. But as time went by, he arrived into the realization that it is the career wherein he would excel or grow.

While many us currently admire him for being a versatile actor and a promising director, he confessed that he actually started out not really knowing how to act. In fact, he recounted that the director of a commercial he got hired in reprimanded and cursed at him, and even commanded the staff to have him replaced at two in the morning. That truly got him crestfallen since that happened in front a lot of people, so he promised himself that he would never let that happen again.

Thus, he began observing the performances of other actors, particularly veteran character actor and theatre thespian Nonie Buencamino, who’s style in acting he tried to replicate. He also became friends with other veterans as he loves to talk to them with regards to their experiences and how they were able to hone their skills. Those conversations and new learnings he gained piqued his interest in production, which further prospered when he became friends with cameramen and other members of the production crew while watching them work. That’s when he began to get involved with the production process.

Aside from his enthusiasm to learn and try new things, he admitted that his responsibility to provide for his family as the eldest child among five siblings that motivates him to take on the jobs of being an actor and a director at the same time. Since they were not blessed to have a complete a family after their parents broke up, his mindset has been to no let his younger siblings experience the hardships that he went through.

Being the main provider of their family, he wants to make sure that all of them have a good life. Thus, apart from giving each of them a house and lot at the same village where he lives, he also distributed to them the business franchises that were given to him by some of his endorsements. Meanwhile, his grandma, to whom he is known to have a tight bond with, still lives with him.

According to him, it was his lola who inspired him to be hardworking and gumptious. Despite not finishing at least her elementary education, she was still able to help her jeepney driver husband provide for their family by taking on various side hustles, such as a takilyera or ticketing person at a cockpit arena or sabungan, a moneylender, as well as a food, jewelry, and RTW vendor. She was able to earn money and have their own house in Novaliches.

As their conversation veered to his work in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, Coco revealed that he was able to scout his vlogger-co-actors through watching YouTube videos, which is his favorite pastime. He told Bernadette that watching them actually reminds him of how he started in the industry many years ago. So, he reminded them that what he’s giving them is only opportunity and it is still upon them on how they’re going to continue it and make their lives prosper. Therefore, it’s inevitable for him to not lecture them during their tapings.

Joining their chat were Renz Joshua "Baby Giant" Baña (as Oweng), Sugar Ray "Mammoth" Estroso (as Bulldog), and Mark "Big Mak" Andaya (as Tanos), who all shared how happy, grateful, and proud they are to be part of this massive series. They might have found it challenging at first, but they’re able to eventually get the hang of it and impress not only Coco and their colleagues, but the avid viewers as well.

Working for the series could be hectic and exhausting, Coco disclosed that it’s really impossible for them, especially him to get sick. However, his commitment and dedication, as well as being the leader of the production, are what motivates him to keep pushing through. He also makes sure to be a great example to his colleagues in order for him to continuously earn everyone’s respect, especially of the veteran actors.

And one of his ways of showing it is by being punctual because he knows how important time is to everyone and for them to pack up early as well and have time to do other activities, such as bonding with their families. Although he understands that being on TV is new to them, he also reminds his vlogger-co-actors to be careful with their actions and words since they’re already on mainstream media and many people are watching them, including the kids.

While some of his co-actors are vloggers, Big Mak used to be a professional basketball player for eight years, but his PBA career didn’t have a good run. Thus, when an acting opportunity knocked on his door, he decided to try his hand on it and liked it. Aside from helping with his career and changing his life, Coco has also made him feel that he’s an integral part of every project that he does with him, to which he’s grateful and really takes pride in.

As Mammoth describes how Coco treats everyone from the actors to the staff as a family, the actor-director divulged that it was actually one of the secrets why FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano lasted for seven years. He wants them to help one another and be responsible on their own at the same time, in order for them to also achieve and savor the success that he’s reveling at present.

With regards to working on FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, he confessed that he really feels pressured for the responsibilities vested onto him since aside from being an actor-director, he is also its creative head. Thus, he was totally nervous during the pilot episode last February because he knows that may are relying to them. With the impressive reception it has been reaping ever since, he’s grateful to the efforts exerted by the executives and other production units of ABS-CBN in promoting not only his show, but the other series on primetime, too.

Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the late Susan Roces and the entire Poe Family for the trust they’ve given him to recreate the stories of “Da King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe Jr. As there are people who tag him as the next king of Pinoy Action, he rejects it because he’s well-aware that he still has a long way to go. However, he considers FPJ as his “hero” ever since he was just a kid, not only because of his works as an actor, but also as a humanitarian.

Bernadette also had the chance to roam around the set and meet the other cast, such as Susan Africa, Jojit Lorenzo, Lou Veloso, Pen Medina, and Lovi Poe, as well as had a fun bonding with Mammoth, Baby Giant, Big Mak, Elyson "Ghost Wrecker" Caranza, and Coco’s younger brother Ryan while resting inside their tent. She chatted with Coco’s driver, cameraman, road manager, and bodyguard for six years – Art Fernandez Jr. – who used to work as a marshal in ABS-CBN.

Besides, she had the opportunity to join their medical mission in Malabon City, where they shoot some of their scenes both in his current and former series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Catch Coco Martin and the rest of the FPJ’s Batang Quiapo gang, Mondays to Fridays at primetime, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5.