Apo Manuel and his fake gold bars will haunt me for a little more time. 

If you don’t get the reference, that only means you are busy with life, and that’s fine, too.

Apo Manuel is the name of the character I played in the phenomenal teleserye, “Batang Quiapo,” now on its third year. The action-drama television series is so popular that the actors playing in it are called by their character names wherever they go. 

Why else would the respected actor-director Joel Lamangan be called Rhoda even in the community where he lives? Or why is internationally renowned actress Mercedes Cabral always called Lena, with the way she speaks her paramour’s name, Rigor, mimicked? Even lead actor Coco Martin is called Tanggol, his character’s name. This, after he was called Cardo for seven years on account of his character name in the equally popular “Ang Probinsyano.”

“Batang Quiapo” took off from a 1986 film with the same title, and starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Maricel Soriano. The similarity ends there (aside from the use of Quiapo as central location). 

The film ran for 150 minutes, but the series is now on its third year. And much like its predecessor, “Ang Probinsyano,” the series pays homage to the original title’s portrayer—thus the addition of his initials to the title: “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”

In 2017, Coco also did the nth iteration of “Ang Panday,” perhaps the most iconic character played by Fernando Poe Jr. By the looks of it, and with the success of the FPJ franchise, Coco is following in the footsteps of the acknowledged king of Philippine movies. He has not, however, categorically laid claim to the title of heir apparent; instead, he has displayed the characteristics of both an astute businessman and a benevolent young patriarch to the showbiz fiefdom.

Coco has formed his own CCM Films company, which now co-produces “Batang Quiapo” with Dreamscape Entertainment. As a producer, he has full creative control of the show, which includes casting little-known actors and popular vloggers, and reviving the acting career of those who have been unemployed for a while. The joke is that it has become difficult to hire actors and production crew for other shows because almost everyone is in BQ.

2 main storylines

It is easy to see why there are a lot of people involved in the production of BQ. The series covers two major storylines—the family in Quiapo where the love triangle of Rigor, Lena and Maritess exists with a whole community surrounding them, with Tindeng offering her own narrative arc; and the (mis)adventures of Tanggol, a Robin Hood-type of character with his own Merry Men called Tropa who interact with other subplot characters. 

Except for shared characters, the two plots run parallel and hardly intersect. Nonfans of the series assail the convoluted narratives yet watch each episode, as though immersed in the drama and pathos. 

The show’s weakest point—drawn-out high drama on one end and testosterone-packed action on the other—is also its strength. Audiences just keep watching. 

Rumor is rife that the script is written on the set. That is both a yes and a no. Actors receive a basic script that follows the storyline. Dialogues are often revised on the set, sometimes allowing actors to improvise. A writer is always on hand to do the revisions. Actors will memorize while rehearsing before a take. And that requires a whole lot of talent and skills which, thankfully, the whole ensemble possesses.

On the set, the atmosphere is serious but light. Everyone is on work mode, moving fast yet sure. But there is always laughter, especially during improv and if someone fumbles a line. The aim is efficiency. 

The BQ set was among the first to observe the 14-hour work-day schedule even before the Eddie Garcia Law was implemented. The food is always good, with generous servings. And everyone is pointing to and acknowledging Coco Martin’s leadership, almost reminiscent of how, in his time, both crew and actors respected FPJ as king of the industry. 

If Coco is indeed following in FPJ’s footsteps, he is on the right track. He will be called a different name each time. In the same persona he has created for himself.

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