If you have been reading this space for a while, you know I am keen on featuring people, happenings, and anything that could make the entertainment industry a better place. This week, we are giving the spotlight to the Primetime King himself, Coco Martin.
We got an invite from his team weeks back saying that he would have a grand event. First, it was supposed to be in Manila, then the final one was at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
With Coco’s very busy schedule, to say the least, it was not a surprise that he kept on moving the dates. The final schedule was held Nov. 4 and Coco had a motorcade before the program in the evening.
At first, really, I thought that it was so election campaign rally coded. Good thing, we were able to sit down with the superstar in his tent backstage at Ynares and get the answers straight.
I even joked if he was running because of the set-up of the event, but he just laughed it off and told us that he made a liquid detergent for washing the dishes in the kitchen.
Well, okay, I got more amused. Why on Earth did he choose a cleaning material or product as a new venture out of all the offers he got, from running for office to investments?
Coco’s answer was simple: It is for the masses.
“Kung nasaan ako ngayon iyong opportunities sila iyong sumuporta sa akin. Kaya kapag may ganito akong pagkakataon ako naman ang lumalapit sa kanila,” he said.
“Kaya, honestly, ginawa ko itong produkto na ito para sa kanila. Bida dishwashing liquid. Pwede naman iba isipin ko, pero hindi iyon, eh. Hindi ako iyon. Hindi iyon ang may tao na gusto sa akin. Doon ako sa masa. Iyong alam ko na abot nila at alam ko makakatulong sa kanila.”
Coco is also paying homage to his roots and where he came from. Before becoming an actor, he did dive full on to do odd jobs, and dishwashing was one of which that he is very proud of. Coco also wanted to inspire his male fans to be more involved in helping around the house.
“Hindi nakakasira ng pagkalalaki iyon! Nakaka-proud yon kasi alam ko iyon,” he said.
“Unang una na tinuro sa akin ng lola ko nung bata ako. Ako taga-walis, taga-lampaso ng sahig, taga-saing. Hindi nakakatanggal ng pagka-macho iyan. Sa totoo lang, nakakadagdag iyan kasi marunong ka sa buhay.”
Coco also stressed that creating this avenue to sell will create more jobs for the people around him.
“Kailangan natin mag-create ng trabaho, eh, sa pamamagitan nito makakatulong tayo magdagdag ng trabaho kahit papaano para sa mga tao,” he added.
During the said event, it was also a highlight that despite the thousands of fans who came to watch or take a glimpse of Coco, it remained intimate as he brought along his “Batang Quiapo” cast mates and friends like John Prats and Sancho delas Alas.
His special someone, Julia Montes, was also there to support him. They sang a duet to the tune of Willie Revilliame’s Yun Ka hit song with a montage of their personal photos together over the years.
Coco said that he can’t ask for anything more in a partner.
“Kami ni Juls, ang sarap ng pakiramdam na walang kompetisyon nagsusuportahan kayo. Ano matutulong ng isa’t isa, ang sarap mabuhay na alam mo iyong taong binibigyan mo ng importansya, iyong taong mahal mo, sobra sobra ang binabalik sa’yo,” he said.
“Sabi nga nila pinaka masarap hanapin yung makakatuwang mo sa buhay, iyon ang masasabi ko pinaka-maswerte ako nagkaroon ako sa buhay ko.”
For the holidays, in true Coco Martin fashion, there is no rest for him as he is set to deliver more mind-blowing plot twists to his hit primetime show, “Batang Quiapo.”
“Itong November pa lang ay! Hindi hihinga! Magugulat kayo wala kaming break, kahit Dec. 25,” he teased.
“Batang Quiapo” can be viewed on free TV on weeknights at 8 p.m. via TV5.