10 scenes that will make you root for Santino as the best son in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Santino (Ronwaldo Martin) may be the quietest and often overlooked among his siblings, but he harbors big dreams and a compassionate heart. Despite facing challenges as the youngest, he consistently proves himself to be a good child, as depicted in the Kapamilya Toplist scenes from “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” Despite daily struggles, he perseveres in his efforts to show his worth as a devoted son, especially towards his mother, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache), as he stays by her side amidst the dark season she’s facing.

Partly influenced by his upbringing in the slums, Santino once found contentment in running his family's small ‘bilyaran’ (pool hall) outside their home. However, his father, Rigor (John Estrada), challenged him to aspire for greater dreams rather than settling for a life confined to their ‘bilyaran.’ In the opening scene of this video montage, Rigor urges Santino, his youngest child, to dream bigger and not to squander his potential by limiting himself.

A good son obeys, so Santino had taken action. His mom was delighted when he asked for his birth certificate, mentioning it was for school requirements. Tindeng (Charo Santos) and Noy (Lou Veloso) were equally proud as Santino expressed his desire to return to school. Noy lightened the mood with a joke, “Dahil babad ka sa bilyaran, sigurado ako magaling ka sa geometry, trigonometry, huwag lang absentry.”

In a touching moment, Santino shared his dream of providing their family with a spacious, comfortable home, bringing tears of happiness to his mother's eyes. Marites was deeply moved, noting that Santino’s dreams aren’t about himself but about their family. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expressed pride in raising her youngest son so well, contrasting his kindness and selflessness with the paths taken by Tanggol (Coco Martin) and David (McCoy de Leon), who ended up as troublemakers.

Marites initially supported Santino's dream of becoming a boxer but eventually felt he would earn his father's respect more by pursuing a different career. Santino, being the obedient son he is, promised to heed his mother's advice. He eventually found work as a janitor at a boxing gym. And when he got his first pay, he made sure to treat their family to a delicious dinner, which is a rare indulgence for them.

Santino was the only one who stood by Marites’ side when she decided to leave temporarily after discovering Rigor's affair with Lena (Mercedes Cabral). He refused to let his mother suffer alone on the streets, he promised to stick with her through thick and thin. Thinking quickly, he brought her to the boxing gym where he works and pleaded with his boss to let them stay there for the night. Our hearts melted as he took care of his mother. With what little money he had, he bought rice and a can of sardines for dinner, but he was content having only ‘sabaw’ (broth) because that was all he could afford for himself while ensuring his mother had a meal.

Marites was deeply moved and expressed her regrets for any shortcomings in raising Santino. This sparked an emotionally charged conversation where Santino shared his hope that someday his parents would also be proud of him. The moment became even more heart-wrenching when Marites, with sincere tears, told him, “Matagal na kitang ipinagmamalaki. Napakabait mong anak. Kahit sinong ina hihilingin na magkaroon ng anak na katulad mo. Alam mo ba anak, araw-araw nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos dahil kahit gaano kagulo ang pamilya natin, lumaki kang mabuti.”

Santino took care of Marites and made a makeshift sleeping area for them in the gym's storage space. As he arranged cardboard boxes to serve as their bed, he maintained a smile and vowed to his mom that he would provide her with a big house once he becomes a world champion in boxing.

Despite his resentment towards his father for having an affair, and even though he doesn’t want to return home if given a choice, when Marites asked him to accompany her home to fight for their family, Santino promised to stand by his mother and support her, just as she had supported him.

Don’t miss an episode of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.