After the unforeseen tragic death of Mokang (Lovi Poe) that shocked the nation in the previous week, avid viewers of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo have been anticipating what’s going to happen next to Tanggol now that he already lost the one and only woman he consistently loved with all his heart. And in January 8 to January 12 episodes, we witnessed how totally devastated our primetime hero is.

Following the shootout between his troop and the tandem of Tanggol and Bubbles (Ivana Alawi), as well as their sudden disappearance along with Mokang, Ramon (Christopher de Leon) agreed to the suggestion of his father, Don Julio (Tommy Abuel) for them to leave the mansion and move to another house for their protection. While he’s still ardent in searching for Mokang and Tanggol, little he did know that his sister, Olga (Irma Adlawan) is actually delighted that Mokang is already gone and that her wicked plan of making Tanggol and Ramon fight against each other is already in the horizon. When that happens, her goal of embezzling the wealth of the Montenegros will finally come true and she’ll become more powerful than them.

As Tanggol and Bubbles had not returned yet days after taking on their mission, the jail officers and Bubbles’ grandfather Celso (Soliman Cruz) surmised that that Tanggol might have already taken her away with him as he allegedly fulfills his plan of escaping. Thus, Chief Espinas (Jaclyn Jose) gave an ultimatum that once the two fail to comeback by 12 midnight, Macasantos (Lao Rodriguez) and Balatucan (Robert Seña) should kill Tanggol’s friends as their way of punishing him.

Meanwhile, Tanggol and Bubbles, who were still both in the state of shock, arrived unexpectedly just in time that Rigor (John Estrada) and Mando (Allan Paule) visited at the prison to investigate about the shootout that transpired at the sardine factory a few days before. Chief Espinas initially tried to push the two police officers away and assured them that he’s just inside the isolation cell as they insisted to personally check on him. However, the stern façade she displayed on them didn’t work its powers as she was left with no choice but to allow them after they handed her a letter of permission.

After confirming that Tanggol was really inside the isolation cell, Rigor told the jail officers that they would be back just in case they would need anything and then left. Unbeknown to Chief Espinas, Rigor was able to recognize her, so he’s determined to seek the permission of Col. Suarez (King Gutierrez) for them to be able to do further investigations, file charges against them, and have them replaced in order to stop the debauch practices inside the National Correctional Facility.

As soon as they left, Chief Espinas reprimanded Tanggol for not coming back immediately. His non-response agitated her as she even almost hit him, but didn’t push it through when she saw him sobbing and looking miserable. Thus, she just summoned Bubbles and castigated her regarding their alarming disappearance for two days. At first, Bubbles told them that they just took a break somewhere else, but eventually told them the whole truth. After hearing her explanation, Chief Espinas ordered Macasantos to take Tanggol out of the solitary room and bring him back to the cell to let him grieve and be with his friends.

Upon learning this, the group of Bong (Vandolph Quizon) started scouring for improvised weapons and seeking the help of other gangs as they prepare to attack Tanggol and his friends and push through with their escape plan.

Little did Chief Espinas know that Rigor and Mando have already gotten the permission of Col. Suarez to continue investigating her, firmly believing that she leads a syndicate inside the National Correctional Facility. Besides, they also wish to find out her connection to the drug operations at the canned sardines factory where they first encountered her. But Col. Suarez warned them that they must be able to garner enough evidences to prove their allegations, or else the agency would hit back at them.

They may have already relocated to the new safe house chosen by Olga for them, but the oblivious Ramon still has his sights set on finding the man who took the one and only woman he loves away from him. Ramon then poured out his anger on his minions, shooting some of them to death as nobody could recognize the man who took Mokang away, then ordering Severino (Dindo Arroyo) to find both of them.

As David (McCoy de Leon) expressed his worry about the possible meeting of Ramon and Tanggol, Olga assured him that that didn’t happen, telling him that her henchmen were in the scene when the encounter happened. While everyone in the mansion were busy, David took it as an opportunity to steal some amount from the bags of cash being kept by the Montenegros at the basement of their new hideout.

Upon coming back to their cell, Tanggol’s friends immediately asked him what happened, yet they failed to get an answer from him as he told them to leave him alone for the meantime. Celso then arrived from his hearty chat with Bubbles and angrily confronted him for putting the life of her granddaughter in danger. He warned to kill him once that happens again in their next missions together.

Rave reactions from netizens

The January 8 to January 12 episodes of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo focused on the grieving and devastation of Tanggol after the death of his one and only love, Mokang. Coco Martin indeed completely captured the emotion and vibe of a person who mourns the death of a loved one, leaving the audiences sympathizing with him and even wanting to give him a warm embrace.

What makes us pity Tanggol more is how Bong and his gang are preparing to finish off Tanggol and his friends amid what he’s going through at present, which they are surely unaware of and doesn’t care at all. However, ardent fans of the show are perhaps confident that the latter are going to conquer them, just like what he did in the past. At the same time, it also saddens us that his biological father Ramon is fuming mad at him for taking away his one great love. Thus, we couldn’t help but imagine what’s going to happen in their next encounter.

Viewers also felt sorry for the family of Mokang, who are completely unaware that she is already dead. It also doesn’t help that her brother Edwin (Ping Medina) is also in jail for drug charges as their parents Marcing (Pen Medina) and Nita (Susan Africa) have to search for her and, at the same time, find ways to take their son out of jail. It seems that the Dimaculangans will be compelled to sell everything they have in order to afford paying the services of the lawyer that they would hire to represent their firstborn, leading them to going back to the life they used to have before Mokang married Ramon.

Many were arguably impressed by Rigor with how steadfast he is in courageously finding out the truth and going to greater lengths in order to fight for what he believes in is right and in putting an end to corrupt practices. However, this still doesn’t diminish the fact that he cheated on his wife. Yet, we’re rooting for him to succeed in his noble goal and advocacy, which is not going to be easy.

Here are some reactions from netizens who were able to catch the previous week’s episodes of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo:

Ang sakit sakit na talaga pagkawala ni Mokang. Isang mahigpit na yakap Kuya Tanggol.#FPJBQDipinabayaan

— Kristy Golez (@golez_kristy) January 8, 2024

Naaawa talaga ako kay Tanggol #FPJBQBantaySarado

— AnneEmeraldAnnPenney (@annie0423) January 9, 2024

Ang demonyo yung anak mo na si David hindi si Tanggol. #FPJBQBumalik

— ⓛ ⓗ ⓨ ⓟ ⓞ ⓞ ⓞ ⓣ ツ♬ (@lhycua24) January 11, 2024

Huhuhuhu!!! Nakakagigil naman ang grupo ni Bong!!!! Mga pahamak talaga sila, noh??! Dahil inihanda pa nila ang mga kanilang armas 😤😤😤🔪 #FPJBQBumalik

— Naomi Torres (@naomitorres08) January 11, 2024