Coco Martin: From actor to producer to director

CEBU, Philippines - Coco Martin returns to the  “indies” where he was first discovered, but this time, he finds himself a notch higher.

Dubbed as the Prince of Philippine Independent Cinema, Coco has always considered the “indie” scene as his home. But this time, plays a three-fold role – the lead star, the producer and the director of the film "Noy."

Sharpened by the diversity of characters that he portrayed in various indie films and TV series where he garnered numerous recognitions and citations from different award-giving bodies (2006 Best Performance by Male Individual for Masahista, Young Critic’s Circle; 2009 Best Performance by an Actor for Jay, Golden Screen Awards; 2009 Best Supporting Actor for Jay, Gawad Urian; 2009 Most Admired Male TV Personality, Anak TV Seal Awards; 2009 Best Drama Actor for Tayong Dalawa, Star Awards for Television; 2010 Presidential Jury Award for Excellence in Acting, Gawad Tanglaw; 2010 Best Actor for Kinatay,Golden Screen Awards), Coco saw himself ready for new challenges: producing and directing.

Coco said of his new undertaking, “Ang pagpo-produce ng pelikula ay isang sining, ngunit may negosyo side rin. Sa akin, basta marami ang makapanood at makapulot ng aral sa pelikula, sapat na iyon. Kung kikita man siya ng sobrang okay ay extra blessing na po yun galing sa Diyos.”

With dozens of new faces striving to make it to the top, Coco did not remain complacent even with his earned achievements. He has to continuously reinvent himself. “Mahirap kasi sa ganitong industriya. Ngayon sikat ka, mamaya baka palubog ka na. Kaya po patuloy ko po hinahamon ang sarili ko sa trabaho para may lagi po akong bagong maibibigay sa mga manonood at fans."

Coco’s crossover to the mainstream entertainment helped him better understand the ‘rights’ and ‘lefts’ of production. However, he emphasized that he will never let go of his first love, acting.

“Naisip ko na rin po mag-direk noon, kaya po ng makakuha ako nga pagkakataon, tinuloy-tuloy ko na. Pero di ko po iiwan ang pag-arte. Minahal ko po kasi talaga ang acting,” he shared.

Coco’s first-ever directed film in which he also produced and top-billed, “Noy” has hit theaters nationwide beginning yesterday, June 2.

“Noy” zeroes in the character of Noy played by Coco Martin, his family’s breadwinner. Noy poses as a journalist commissioned to come up with a documentary following the campaign trail of his namesake, presidential bet Sen. Noynoy Aquino for the 2010 Philippine National Elections. Infused with actual docu footage, the film deals with themes ranging from poverty, survival and hope for the Filipino family. "Ang konsepto ko nung una, gusto ko lang siya i-cover. Gusto ko lang malaman ano bang meron sa politika, habang nag-ca-campaign. Ang nasa isip ko before, gusto ko lang i-capture yung campaign period as Coco Martin, ano na ba ang nangyayari?" explained Coco, who is also one of the most visible celeb endorsers of the presidential frontrunner. "Pero habang ginagawa ko to, syempre may mga kaibigan ka, mga writers, kumbaga nagpasok na ng kanya-kanyang idea, napalaki na namin ng napalaki hanggang sa naging pelikula na. Nung umpisa ang plano ko dito documentary lang hanggang sa nabuo isang buong pelikula."

Joining Coco Martin are renowned actresses and actors: Cherry Pie Picache, Joem Bascon, Cheska Briones, Erich Gonzales, Vice Ganda, and Baron Geisler.