With or without a franchise, ABS-CBN’s Batang Quiapo generates high ratings.

With or without a franchise, ABS-CBN’s Batang Quiapo has consistently topped the country’s TV ratings, and a great deal of that comes from Coco Martin, its star.
PHOTO/S: @cocomartin_ph

When Coco Martin is mentioned, so is the marvel of his rise to the status of ABS-CBN’s Primetime King.

That makes him one of the country’s most influential celebrities today, yet he did not really aspire to become an actor then, for what he did aspire for was simply to earn a living for himself and his family.

It appears that Coco, when he was a showbiz newbie and Brillante Mendoza cast him in the indie film Masahista in 2005, did not see that this was even a big thing.

Apparently blind to what the acclaimed director saw in him, Coco was actually not aware of his gift for acting.

WHAT GIVES?

This, in any case, was what Coco told Karen Davila in an interview in 2023 about his experience toiling as janitor and housekeeper in Alberta, Canada. He was a full-on OFW.

And he was already an actor back then.

In fact, this was just after the time Brillante Mendoza had brought him along to Switzerland for the screening of Masahista at the 58th Locarno International Film Festival in August 2005.

The indie film, with Coco in the title role, brought home the Golden Leopard for Best Picture in the Video Category from the prestigious filmfest.

When Masahista was invited to a film festival in Vancouver, Canada, Coco had actually decided to stay on in Canada after the event.

As he said in the 2023 interview: “Kasi nga hindi naman talaga pag-aartista ang gusto ko, eh.

“Gusto ko mag-TNT. Gusto ko magtrabaho sa abroad.” TNT is street slang for “tago nang tago,” which refers to someone who has to keep hiding from authorities because of his status as an illegal immigrant.

The interviewer commented, “Pero ibig sabihin nag-TNT ka sa Canada kahit artista ka na sa Pilipinas.”

To which he remarked, “Yung popularity, yung popularity, yung paging artista, hindi ko inaano iyan. Kasi and alam ko lang dito, ginagawa ko, trabaho lang ito.”

In the same breath, Coco revealed: “Nung nag-start ako mag-artista, tingin ko lang dito, raket. Basta kikita ako, basta abutan mo ako, okay na ako.

“Kasi hindi ko talaga nakikitaan yung sarili ng potential para maging artista.

“Actually nakadalawang pelikula na ako nun, tapos sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako para dito.”

In a manner of speaking, brushing aside the perks of being a celebrated star, being an actor and being a janitor meant the same thing for Coco: “Trabaho lang ito.”

ANG PROBINSYANO

Coco did return to the Philippines, following a series of chance occurrences, and did manage to resume his acting career.

Back then, however, he struggled to be rid of the sexy-star image that a daring movie like Masahista had given him.

Fast forward to the last decade, Coco landed the role of Cardo Dalisay in Ang Probinsyano, which brought him unprecedented fame.

From action star, he widened his sphere of influence to director and creative producer in Ang Probinsyano, a television remake of the Fernando Poe Jr. blockbuster movie.

FPJ was of course, in his time, the Philippines’ King of Action, and so big was his name that no one has quite fully owned that title after him.

After airing for seven years, 2015 to 2022, Ang Probinsiyano became the longest-running action-drama series on Philippine television.

That Coco stepped into a role owned by the King, and managed to win a loyal following over seven years, shows how far the OFW has come as Philippine TV royalty.

COCO MARTIN IN BATANG QUIAPO

He now stars in Batang Quiapo, a television adaptation inspired once again by an FPJ 1986 classic.

Both Batang Quiapo and Ang Probinsiyano address social issues, blending entertainment with social commentary, which resonate with audiences locally and abroad.

From all indications, Batang Quiapo, which premiered February 13, 2023, shows signs of surpassing the ratings’ records of Ang Probinsyano, notwithstanding that its mother network, ABS-CBN, was deprived of its franchise during the time as President of a vengeful Rodrigo Duterte.

Coco revealed during a May 2023 presscon for Batang Quiapo: “Base sa mga numbers na lumalabas… mas malakas pa siya kaysa sa Ang Probinsyano.

“Kasi nung pumasok ang Ang Probinsyano ay hindi naman kami umabot sa ganitong ratings, e. Di ba nawala ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?

“Ngayon kahit walang prangkisa ay maganda yung ratings na ibinibigay ng show.

“Tumaas nang tumaas lalo na ang view sa YouTube, nakaka-surprise.”

Batang Quiapo has stormed Philippine primetime television with impressive digital and traditional viewership statistics.

During its pilot week, the series amassed over 44 million digital views, underscoring its widespread appeal across various platforms.

Adding to its digital triumph, the show’s official hashtag, #FPJsBatangQuiapoDay, trended as the number one topic on Twitter nationwide.

Several related topics, including Coco Martin, PRIMETIME KING IS BACK, Miles Ocampo, Miles, Plaza Miranda, Tanggol, and Ramon, also trended, reflecting the massive buzz generated by its premiere.

The pilot episode further solidified its success with a combined nationwide rating of 11.72%, according to Nielsen’s Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).

The breakdown of ratings showed impressive numbers across multiple platforms:

TV5 recorded 5.09%
A2Z contributed 4.46%
Kapamilya Channel added 2.17%.

Coco Martin’s Batang Quiapo is “highest-rating teleserye from August to October 2024.” 
Photo/s: @mrcocomartin_ph on Instagram

These figures edged out its rival programs: Maria Clara at Ibarra scored 10.92% on GMA and Luv Is Caught In His Arms achieved 7.75%, making Batang Quiapo the clear victor in its timeslot.

Moreover, the series has consistently broken records in online audience.

On October 4, 2024, Batang Quiapo achieved a monumental milestone by reaching 777,460 peak concurrent views on YouTube, a testament to its massive online following.

This achievement highlights the show’s ability to captivate audiences beyond traditional platforms, proving its status as a powerhouse in the Philippine television landscape.

Coco Martin’s Batang Quiapo views 
Photo/s: @mrcocomartin_ph on Instagram

COCO MARTIN BEYOND TV

Coco’s influence now extends beyond his onscreen roles.

Known for his grounded, everyman persona, he has become a trusted brand ambassador for major companies such as RiteMed, BDO Network Bank, San Miguel Pale Pilsen, Mang Inasal, Cobra, and Argentina Corned Beef.

As a highly marketable figure, he has also become the face of other brands, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplier Regasco, clothing line Suit It Up Manila, and motorcycle accessory provider Sec Motosupply.

His colorful journey resonates with many, making him a role model for passion for and commitment to one’s work, perseverance through large and small challenges, and humility amid fame.

It is, of course, an image he has been meticulous to care for all these years.

And now his popularity is unquestioned. His is the enviable ability to captivate and shape public opinion, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in Philippine showbiz today.

Will Coco’s current ABS-CBN series Batang Quiapo last as long as Ang Probinsyano?

Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Coco Martin will long remain at the helm of the show, exerting his influence on modern Philippine society.