Coco Martin evades politics  

Coco Martin has helped a lot of his fellow artists get back on track and resurrect their acting careers through his former primetime series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Outside the business, he has also extended his help to fans and ordinary citizens who have approached him.

Repeatedly, Coco has been asked if he is preparing for a career in politics. Even in the way he talks, the actor-director sounds like he has mastered his possible political stance.

Yet, Coco remains evasive in any political offer. Apparently, he has no interest in venturing into politics. “I can help people in my capacity as an actor,” Coco answered in the vernacular on the sidelines of his recent launch as RiteMed endorser. “Why is there a need to still enter politics?

“That is not my forte. My concern is to develop myself more, where I can explore other things. I did not finish school. But in this world where I am working now, I discovered my talents.

“Not just acting, even directing, where I pour in my strength and wisdom. This is the work that I love. This is where I’m happy, even if I’m tired. Here in show business, I can display my talent best. I gave a good life to my family and I am able to help other people.”

Coco has idolized the late action king Fernando Poe, Jr., whose Probinsyano film Coco turned into a highly-successful, widely-followed and long-running series.

“For me, FPJ, in my generation, is a hero because of everything that he did. (The late) Tita Susan, on our every taping day, I’d visit her in her tent and she would always give me words of wisdom,” he said, referring to the late King and Queen of Philippine Movies.

“You can only wish, when you get to know both of them, that all Filipinos will be like them. It’s so hard to explain. For me, they were not just two artists who could act very well or know how to do action films. They were Filipinos who loved their fellow Filipinos.

“Sometimes, I check myself and I find myself in tears. Tita Susan was not just my co-star in Probinsyano. She really became my lola in real life.

“Sometimes, she scolded me. Sometimes, she advised me on the right thing to do. But when we were together, everything was real and sincere. I appreciate everything that she advised me, especially how to treat the people around you.”

Coco is proud of his journey, how he started in show business and where he is now. “It has been a long journey, what I went through in life,” he admitted. “There were people whom I approached and I needed to get to where I am now.

“When I joined showbiz, I knew nothing about my work. My investment is my courage and patience. Slowly, I learned a big aspect of being a star. That helped me wherever I am now.

“Today, I can even direct my teleseryes and my movies. Everything I learned, the people around me taught me.”

It was a no-brainer to get the Kapamilya primetime king as the newest brand ambassador for RiteMed, clearly following in the footsteps of Susan.

Coco was in tenterhooks after he was told he was chosen to be the newest brand ambassador of the generic medicine brand and pharmaceutical company.

“When I was told that I was being tapped to endorse RiteMed, I asked them, ‘Why me?’,” Coco recalled.

“You are not just talking about the company, but considering the millions of people who will believe in you and the product you are endorsing.

“Every move, I seriously think about it. I don’t want to destroy the good reputation that RiteMed has given to every Filipino. I am not promising anything, but I will do everything right to be the ideal brand ambassador.”

Coco promised to continue the mission that Susan started over a decade ago. The late veteran actress was the face of RiteMed for more than a decade.

“I talked to my managers to tell me anything that Tita Susan still needs to accomplish to promote RiteMed, I will continue it,” Coco said.

“When I went to places like Manila or Malabon, I could see the plight of the poor, how they strive every day to live. Now that we are rising from the effects of the pandemic… we know it is a big help to have this brand of alternative medicine, with the same quality. So they can use their money for other needs.”

Coco became very close to Susan, who played his grandmother, Lola Flora, in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. After seven years on the air, the series concluded in August last year. Coco essayed the iconic character, police major Ricardo Dalisay, who signed off with the series.

Apparently, Coco has not ceased working since late last year. He promoted his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, Labyu With an Accent, where he was paired for the first time with Jodi Sta. Maria. The romantic-comedy was megged by Coco, too.

Last Dec. 14, on the 18th death anniversary of FPJ, Coco visited the action king’s grave in North Cemetery, Quezon City.

He has already started taping for his next series, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, a reboot of another popular FPJ starrer in 1986, when the action king was paired with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.

Coco will again work at the helm of Batang Quiapo, assisted by Malu Sevilla. It’s set to replace Darna on the Kapamilya Channel’s primetime slot.