Arzen Rose Dulzura

How Coco Martin and “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” changed the lives of Tropang Tanggol

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760407041482New Project (42).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Many people dear to him may have already left Tanggol either because they have died or they no longer believe in the cause he champions and are not willing to sacrifice their lives for him, yet there’s still a bunch of dudes who have constantly accompanied him in his journey. And they are none other than his barkada, who have been with him ever since they were still kids and peacefully lived in Quiapo.  As “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>” enters its “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/7/coco-mas-pinatindi-ang-aksyon-sa-bagong-yugto-ng-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-1628">Panibagong Yugto</a>” for its upcoming third year, CCM Film Productions caught up with the actors who portray four of Tanggol’s friends, namely, Mark Anthony &quot;Big Mak&quot; Andaya, Ryan Martin, Sugar Ray &quot;Mammoth&quot; Estroso, and Renz Joshua &quot;Baby Giant&quot; Baña, via this interview.<div><iframe width="916" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aqmbceMX0gk" title="ANG TROPANG TANGGOL: FPJ’s Batang Quiapo Ang Bagong Yugto | Year 3" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>We may have often seen them distraught, exhausted, and wounded as troubles seem to always follow them around, yet Tropang Tanggol still got to share fond memories together, especially in the early days of the series. According to Big Mak, who plays the towering, bearded man Tanos, the happiest chapter of their journey was none other than the beginning of this narrative.  “For me ha, ‘yong umpisa kasi doon namin naipakita sa mga tao kung ano talaga ‘yong buhay ng isang Pilipino, ng isang Manileño, ng [isang] ordinaryong mamamayan [o] ordinaryong bata sa Quiapo. From that, nakita nila na parang katulad din namin sila,” he explained, saying how they were able to showcase the journey of an ordinary Filipino that mirrors the life of Tanggol and his friends.Since they’ve always been surrounded by some of the finest Filipino veteran thespians, Ryan, who portrays Dolfo, admitted to getting starstruck by them. That’s why they have been utterly thankful to their co-star and director Coco Martin, who’s actually his brother in real life, for giving them the opportunity to work alongside the famous personalities whom they only used to watch onscreen or admire from afar.As newbies in the industry, Ryan said that they also appreciate it so much that their seasoned castmates have treated them fairly and have guided them, especially when it comes to discipline. At the same time, Big Mak admires their kindness and generosity in sharing life and career wisdom with them, as well as acting techniques.Even though they’d gone through a lot of unfortunate events and put their lives on the line a number of times already, Tropang Tanggol swears their loyalty to him and their team, as they continue to trust him and stick by him until the end.  They are certain that Tanggol will never forsake them as the reliable leader of the group, so Big Mak vows to tirelessly follow his journey. Mammoth seconded it by declaring, “Hanggang kamatayan, hindi namin iiwan si Tanggol. Basta’t huwag mo kaming iiwan at hindi ka rin namin iiwan. Hanggang kamatayan magkakaibigan tayo.”When quizzed about how Coco is behind the scenes, Big Mak related that he’s actually amazed and stoked to watch him do magic, as he creates and builds a story without any script. He&#x27;s impressed by how he can come up with the crazy twists and turns of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>” that never fail to astound viewers and bring us to the edge of our seats.  Mammoth, who plays Bulldog, called him a “genius,” while Baby Giant, who used to endear us as Oweng, implied how awesome it is that Coco is able to juggle being an artist, a producer, a writer, and a director of the program.They then went on to talk about how the phenomenal series has tremendously changed their lives, with people being able to recognize them wherever they go here in the Philippines and abroad. Besides, they went on to impart how Coco has not only been a co-actor and director to them, but also an advisor, a silent motivator, and an inspiration.  As per Big Mak, he tries to reflect and imitate the inspiring journey of Coco by spending his earnings wisely on properties that can last a lifetime, just like what the latter has been doing. For him, living a better life is his way of repaying Coco’s trust, which the latter shows not only by including him in the series but also in some of his endorsements.Baby Giant recounted how he used to not have a permanent address, as he used to live in other people’s houses prior to being part of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>.” But with the help and guidance of Coco, Baby Giant is not only able to support his family but also buy their own home.Mammoth also looked back on his humble beginnings as a former fisherman-turned-mixed martial arts fighter and how being hired by Coco in the series has completely changed his and his family’s lives for the better. He and his wife are able to put up a couple of businesses and buy a car all through his earnings from the show.  “Kasi si Direk po, siya ‘yong tipo ng tao [na] lahat ng kadikit niya, gusto niyang tulungan e, lalo na ‘yong mga kakilala niyang kulang sa oportunidad. Feeling ko, kung bakit siya bine-bless ay dahil ‘yon ang mayroon siya e, shina-share niya kung anong mayroon siya,” Ryan related.Aside from guiding them on how to improve their lives, he said one of the greatest lessons Coco imparted is discipline, proudly adding that everyone in “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>” is respectful and well-behaved.Big Mak and Mammoth shared that, for instance, they could be reprimanded or sanctioned for arriving late on set. Aware of how their tardiness affects not only them but the entire production—and how embarrassing it can be—they make sure to always be punctual and present.With regard to their action scenes with Coco, Big Mak confessed that they actually feel pressured since the actor-director consistently gives his 1000% effort, so it’s definitely a shame if they couldn’t at least keep pace with him.“Kapag nakita namin siyang nag-aaksyon, tapos nanonood kami sa kanya [dahil] siya muna ‘yong unang kukuhanan, sobrang parang ‘di namin kaya ‘yong ginagawa niya. Sobrang galing, [sobrang] ganda! Akala mo madali lang tingnan e, pero kapag ginawa mo sobrang hirap,” Mammoth remarked.Big Mak, Ryan, Baby Giant, and Mammoth ended the interview by delivering their respective messages to Tanggol and inviting everyone to continue watching “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>.” Catch them weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5 and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb">iWant.</a>

Big Mak, Ryan Martin, Mammoth, and Baby Giant of Tropang Tanggol—share what they’re grateful for about “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” co-actor-slash-director Coco Martin in this exclusive interview.

Big Mak, Ryan Martin, Mammoth, and Baby Giant of Tropang Tanggol—share what they’re grateful for about “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” co-actor-slash-director Coco Martin in this exclusive interview.