FPJBQ: Tanggol’s upcoming release from correctional draws mixed reactions from viewers

Being released and going back to the outside world is the best thing that could ever happen in every prisoner after getting locked up for a long period of time. But that’s not the case for Tanggol (Coco Martin), who, despite set to be freed from the correctional, apparently finds it difficult to be happy and thrilled since it is only him who will be going out, while his beloved friends will have to stay. And we’re able to witness that rollercoaster of emotions among their group in the previous week’s (March 18 to 22) episodes of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.

As Tanggol and his friends have already accepted the results of their latest trial, Chief Dolores Espinas (Jaclyn Jose) was totally upset about it. Upon learning about it, she confronted them and discovered that it was Marcelo (Noni Buencamino) who helped them get a lawyer and even a schedule for hearing. Both of them claimed knowing what each other is up to, with Marcelo offering to help her with the administrative case filed against her, yet Chief Espinas indignantly declined it.

It wasn’t only Marites (Cherry Pie Picache) who was present at the hearing, but also Rigor (John Estrada), who received the invitation to appear earlier that day while he was still at the police station. While Marites was certainly hopeful that her son would be acquitted, Rigor wasn’t pleased about it and he would make sure that Tanggol would rot in jail because he firmly believed that he is only going to become worse once he’s back in the outside world.

By the end of the trial, Tanggol and his friends got acquitted from the theft and assault cases filed by Roda (Direk Joel Lamangan), who was also there to testify against them, as well as from illegal possession of firearms and murder charges filed by the authorities. As the group and their families were already hopeful to finally attain the freedom they’ve been yearning for, they were truly crestfallen when it was declared that it was only Tanggol who was cleared from their illegal possession of prohibited drugs indictment, while the rest still have to face life imprisonment. Thus, the judge ordered his release. Atty. Dela Cruz promised to appeal their cases, but for now, what’s important is that Tanggol is free.

The results of the proceedings infuriated Rigor, which was further stimulated by Mando (Allan Paule) and their barangay captain’s warning that he is going to be surely in trouble, and be possibly kicked out of service, too. He piled up his anger on Marites and told her that he doesn’t want to see Tanggol at their house once he gets out.

While Marcelo was already in a celebratory mood, the groups of Tanggol and Celso (Soliman Cruz) were saddened by how things turned out. Celso felt sorry that Tanggol’s friends will not leave the jail and hoped that Marcelo will not make him do anything against his will. Tanggol assured him that he’s aware of the current situation and that he knows how to deal with people like Marcelo.

The news of Tanggol’s acquittal already reached Chief Espinas, which got her more vexed. She confronted Marcelo anew for being such a huge meddler and told him that she already knew who his powerful backer is. Marcelo reiterated his offer to help her get out of trouble and his invitation for her to join them now that she’s about to lose his trustee, but Chief Espinas turned it down again and told him that she doesn’t give a damn about his connections.

Instead of being excited for his anticipated release, Tanggol couldn’t help but be sad and hesitant since he’s not going to be with his friends and he’s also worried about their welfare inside the jail now that he will not be there to protect them. They assured him that they will be fine and told him to be just happy that at least one of them is going to be free. Thus, he vowed to do everything to get wealthy and powerful for him to be able to hire a brilliant lawyer to take them out of the correctional. Marcelo approached them and promised to still help them get out even though he’s going back to the outside world, too.

Bubbles (Ivana Alawi), meanwhile, has already started her new life out of prison as she finally returned home and got reunited with her Lola Betchay (Erlinda Villalobos). Unbeknown to her, her biological mother, Olga (Irma Adlawan), was also in the vicinity, watching their heartwarming moment from afar. She vowed to take her away from the life she is now and bring her back to her world.

Within the few hours that she’d been out, it seems that Bubbles will have to face new enemies – the three bastards who extort money from her lola and friend Emong (Nikko Natividad). Betchay told her not to get herself in trouble anew, but Bubbles was firm to not let that continue now that she’s already there to protect them. Thus, Betchay made her promise to steer clear from problems, to which Bubbles heeded. She also asked her friend Jelly (Kim Rodriguez) to help her land a job at the bar where she works as a waitress.

Taking advantage of Santino’s (Ronwaldo Martin) current dilemma, Lawrence (Paolo Gumabao) attempted to lure him by offering to train him behind Coach Gary’s (Levi Ignacio) watch and to accompany him in asking his parents’ permission for him to continue his boxing stint. Just when Santino thought that he was being nice, Lawrence told his sidekick Chito (Shernan Gaite) that it was only his way of expelling him from the gym. Their conversation was overheard by Bobby (Andrew Ramsay) and reminded Lawrence that Santino is just like him who dreams of becoming a world champion. As Bobby threatened to report them to Coach Gary, Lawrence warned him to take himself out of this matter and related to him that he was only doing this to derail Santino from fulfilling his ambition that was supposed to be his.

Meanwhile, what was supposedly a diplomatic meeting among Ramon (Christopher de Leon), Don Facundo (Jaime Fabregas), and Don Ismael (Gino Ilustre) eventually became a heated altercation between Ramon and Ismael as they argued about who between them is the real kingpin of Quiapo. Ismael suddenly brandished a gun and pointed it at Ramon, who was agile enough to fling a knife onto him that struck his chest and went on to use it to slash his neck, leading to his gory death.

The horrendous scene made Pablo (Elijah Canlas) ask his Lolo Facundo if they are still going to push through their partnership with the Montenegros. Instead of backing out, Don Facundo is keener to be closer to them and continue being their friend rather than becoming their foe after seeing what Ramon can do.

That night, David (McCoy de Leon) celebrated the “success” of their family by coming to a club. There, he spotted Pablo’s sister Catherine (Ara Davao), who sneaked out from her grandparents’ house for her night-out with friends. Captivated by her beauty, David commanded his righthand Bullet (Renz Fernandez) to give them the most expensive liquor that the club offers.

Reactions from viewers

We had witnessed the rollercoaster of emotions among Tanggol and his friends now that the verdict for their charges was finally dropped – with him being the only one to be set free, while others having to remain and still face their life imprisonment sentence. Thus, making his emancipation bittersweet.

Knowing how tightly-bonded they are, not only them and Celso were saddened about it, but also netizens who expressed on X (formerly Twitter) how glad they are for Tanggol, yet disappointed that his friends are going to be left behind.

While every appearance of Pablo never fails to excite the fans of Elijah Canlas who are smitten by his handsomeness and acting prowess, netizens were also stoked to see Nikko Natividad and Kim Rodriguez joining the ever-growing ensemble cast of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo as friends of Bubbles, Emong and Jelly. And based on their first-ever scene together, it seems that their duo is going to provide comic relief and tinge of kilig to the viewers.

And it’s not only them who are going to be the latest additions to the series, as actors Niño Muhlach and Neil Coleta are expected to be seen in next week’s episodes, based on the teaser shown at the end of last Friday’s episode.

Here are some of the tweets from the fervent viewers for last week’s episodes:

Totoo nga naman, the moment na makalaya si Tanggol dahil dun sa pag baril sa kanya ni Rigor, matitigil din yung investigation kay Chief Espinas.. grabe connection ha..#FPJBQDiPapayag

— JR (@johnrolandp14) March 18, 2024

Okay! So nakakatakot pa rin pala si Ramon.

Kaso medyo "tanga" pa rin kasi naniwala sa pekeng "Tanggol".#FPJBQIpanalo

— Cathellya⁷ ☆★|🐳💜 (@katpurrincess) March 19, 2024

#FPJBQHinatulan sinabi na tama yun hula ko na si tanggol lang Ang makakalaya.

— Harvey Villena (@veyhar26) March 20, 2024

Happy for Tanggol pero hindi para sa mga kasamahan niya. #FPJBQHinatulan

— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) March 20, 2024

Ansakit nun para sa Batang Quiapo, naiwan sila... Si Tanggol lang ang lalaya #FPJBQHinatulan

— 😎 (@sndwqio) March 20, 2024

Si Tanggol napawalang-sala.

Panis ka ngayon, Rigor!!! Umiyak ka nalang ngayon at ngumawa ka!!!#FPJBQHinatulan

— Inigo Sim 🇵🇭 (@inigo_sim) March 20, 2024

Kaya lang di niya kasamang lalaya ang tropa niya 😢#FPJBQHinatulan #BatangQuiapo https://t.co/CL754FI9Q0

— Don Hesus Dimaguiba (@idolcocomartin) March 20, 2024

Ayy shutaaa laglag ang tropa! Si Tanggol lang ang lalaya! Saklap! 😭#FPJBQHinatulan

— Pookie Pie 🍭 (@pookiepay) March 20, 2024

uy nakalaya na si tangol hahaha#FPJBQHinatulan#ElijahCanlas#CornerstoneArtist

— Lindsay Casio (@casio_sayieh) March 20, 2024

Hala! Bakit si Tanggol lang!?#FPJBQHinatulan

— Cathellya⁷ ☆★|🐳💜 (@katpurrincess) March 20, 2024

Ginigigil na naman ako ni Rigor. Good luck pag nalaman niya ang pinaggagagawa ng tunay na anak niya! #FPJBQHinatulan

— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) March 20, 2024

Hay naku Santino anak ka nga ni Maritess di ka marunong makiramdam #FPJBQHinatulan

— tess fernandez (@tessrutchu) March 20, 2024

#FPJBQDiPinalad sayang d nakasama sa paglaya mga friends ni Tanggol

— AnneEmeraldPenney (@Gowander23) March 21, 2024

Are you excited us to find out what Tanggol will do once he gets out of prison? Well, you better not miss an episode of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, weeknights at 8 PM, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5 and A2Z.