Coco Martin reunites with ‘indie A-listers’ in Summer MMFF’s Apag
MANILA, Philippines — Coco Martin couldn’t help but recall his humble beginnings in the world of indie cinema as he reunited with internationally-acclaimed indie director Brillante Mendoza and award-winning actors Jaclyn Jose and Gina Pareño for the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry Apag.
Written by Arianna Martinez, the movie also stars Gladys Reyes, Mercedes Cabral, Sen. Lito Lapid, Julio Diaz and Ronwaldo Martin with special participation of Shaina Magdayao, Joseph Marco, Vince Rillon and Mark Lapid.
During the press conference and film screening at the SM North Edsa Cinema held recently, Coco shared that veteran actress Jaclyn was the one who got him into mainstream TV from indie films. “I had so many rejections before,” said Coco.
The FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Batang Quiapo star started out as an indie actor in direk Brillante’s film Masahista, which gave him his first lead role. “Medyo matured. Hindi namin tinitingnan kung ano man, kumbaga kami mas naniniwala kami in the projects that we did because direk Dante’s (Brillante) mindset was to compete abroad.”
But because of his daring indie roles, Coco got labeled as a “bold actor, sexy star” by a network. He recounted, “‘Pag may nag-i-inquire sa akin kay direk Dante nun para kunin ako, tapos magsasarado na yung project. I will never forget that.”
He was once tapped to form part of a love triangle with Shaina and Rayver Cruz, but it didn’t push through. “Direk Dante was very excited because he thought I would be given a job. We know that kapag nasa TV ka, yun yung mga tinatawag natin na bread and butter ng mga artista. You have a regular income. ‘Pag sa pelikula kasi, minsan ngayon meron tapos medyo matagal wala.”
But the offer got canceled all of a sudden. He recalled being told, “Si Coco Martin pala ay bold actor. Eh alam mo naman medyo conservative kung ila-love triangle kay Shaina and Rayver. Kami naman parang, ‘Eh di OK. Eh ‘di next time.”
After a few months, someone called again asking if Coco would be interested to be part of a Judy Ann Santos soap opera. The role was to be the actress’ gay bestfriend.
“I’m all for it as long as I have a job,” said Coco. “Binalikan na naman si direk Dante, ‘Pasensya na sexy actor pala si Coco Martin. Alam mo naman ‘pag sa TV, medyo conservative.’”
“Honestly, I was really hurt,” admitted Coco. “I have a high regard for my profession. I don’t see it as parang itong proyektong ito, gagawin ko ‘to, maghubad ako, magpapakita ako ng katawan because I want to be famous. It’s not like that. I’m portraying a role in a project because naniniwala ako, respeto ko for the work that I do.”
After he was turned down a couple of times, Coco vowed not to venture into TV acting anymore. “Kasi sabi ko, kung ayaw nila sa akin, eh ‘di wag. I’m not forcing myself to be part of it. They were the ones who inquired about me. Ang masakit nakatikim ako ng (What’s painful is that I experienced) rejection.”
He furthered that it was painful to be looked down on, but he has always looked up to the acting profession.
While they were attending a film festival abroad, however, Jaclyn urged him to try it one more time, which led Coco to have a change of heart.
“Mommy Jane said, ‘Co, direk Andoy (Ranay) wants to include you in his show in Channel 2 for Ligaw Na Bulaklak.’ I told her, ‘Mommy Jane, ayoko na. I’ve tried so many times before but I always get rejected for TV (stints).’ Kung ayaw niyo sa akin, OK lang naman.”
“I would like to remain as an indie actor,” he remembered telling his veteran co-star in Brillante’s Masahista and Serbis.
“The pay is not that high but I feel the respect (from the people I work with). Kumbaga yung pagtingin nila sa akin, sa ginagawa namin, especially when we’d compete internationally, we were not famous there, but the respect and acceptance (we felt it). Bakit sa sarili naming bansa, iba? Ba’t ang baba ng tingin. Ba’t ganun ang tingin sa amin?”
But Jaclyn was persistent. “Pagbigyan mo na ako one last time. If this project wouldn’t push through, ‘wag ka ng mag-TV kahit kailan,” Jaclyn then encouraged Coco. The latter eventually did. He got accepted in the project and the rest is history.
After Masahista in 2005, Coco and direk Brillante teamed up again for Serbis in 2008 which, aside from Jaclyn, also starred Gina, Julio and Mercedes. The same actors are also part of Brillante’s Apag cast.
Coco expressed his admiration for direk Brillante and his co-actors, saying: “As in lahat magagaling. ‘Pag sinabi mong sa Pilipinas at wala kang ni isa na, ‘Ay bakit siya, ba’t nandun (part of the film)?’ For me, the A-listers of indie actors are in this film.”
If he had not joined Apag, the actor said he would end up asking himself, “Why am I not part of it?”
“Maiinggit ako,” shared Coco. “That’s why I’m very proud (to be part of this)… Worth it at malayo ang mararating ng pelikulang ‘to.”
Meanwhile, Apag (Feast) underscores traditional Filipino values and culture and showcases a taste of Kapampangan dishes. The filmmaker pays homage to his Kapampangan roots through the film. Most of the actors also hailed from Pampanga.
In the movie, Coco plays Rafael who figures in a hit-and-run accident while driving home after shopping to prepare for a feast. Rafael’s father, Alfredo (Sen. Lito), takes the blame for the accident and gets imprisoned.
Apag is produced by Center Stage Productions and Hong Kong International Film Festival Society.
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