Arzen Rose Dulzura

Behind-the-Scenes: The drama and tension behind Marites’ arrest in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740529471000OD2 (35).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Viewers were once again caught in a rollercoaster of emotions in the latest episode of &quot;<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>&quot;—probably unsure whether to feel furious or sympathetic about everything that unfolded.  </p><p>Just as Marites (Cherry Pie Picache) thought she had enough problems, she now faces yet another dilemma—her own detention, all thanks to her husband, Rigor (John Estrada), who is back at it again with his relentless ‘gaslighting.’ </p><p>Picking up from the earth-shattering revelations in the previous episode—which led to the much-anticipated Tanggol (Coco Martin)-Ramon (Christopher de Leon) and David (McCoy de Leon)-Rigor showdown, peaking at <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/2/24/-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-breaches-all-time-high-of-1m-concurrent-online-viewers-on-youtube-1740" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>over one million live concurrent viewers</u></strong></a> —the drama escalated even further when Marites signaled Tanggol and Ramon to escape just as the police arrived, setting the stage for the intense scenes that followed at the hospital and police station. </p><p>And there, Rigor once again acted self-righteous and poured all the blame onto Marites, even accusing her of having an affair with Ramon. He declared what she did as unforgivable—conveniently forgetting his own past sins, like the time he let his mistress, Lena (Mercedes Cabral), live in their family home and even got her pregnant. Well, that’s Rigor. He&#x27;s always been projecting his mistakes onto others, thus he ordered his fellow cops to arrest and detain Marites for aiding Tanggol and Ramon’s escape. </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABUt0mjH7Gn7iY_7"></script><div><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABUt034C6_m0r67t"></script><p>The police station and hospital scenes were sure packed with shouting matches, desperate pleas, and sky-high tension. Given the gravity of the moment, it must’ve been crucial for all the key players to carefully study their lines and perfect their timing in case they needed to adlib. In short, it required serious teamwork, which was evident in the behind-the-scenes reel that showed how the actors prepped before the cameras rolled. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGfnjXczp7x/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2664511.2999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Adding to the weight of the sequence were Tindeng (Charo Santos) and Roda (Joel Lamangan), who wasted no time rushing to the precinct after Mando (Allan Paule) broke the devastating news. </p><p>As for David and Rigor, both carried traces of the brutal beating they endured from the Montenegros when they were rushed to the hospital. David, in particular, was drenched in blood from head to toe, which only shows the production team’s attention to detail in making every injury look painfully realistic. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740529816039Snapinst.app_481588661_17875059444275051_2369586123208610620_n_1080.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740529801201Snapinst.app_481356490_17875059453275051_3018658974811578735_n_1080.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABUtt08-QqDI9Gxj"></script><p>Behind the scenes, McCoy also had to stay completely still on the hospital bed while wearing a neck brace. It looks like an uncomfortable position, but he&#x27;s doing it all in the name of his craft.  </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740529739542Snapinst.app_481608115_17875081794275051_4207739342434313916_n_1080.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740529719160Snapinst.app_481859742_17875081803275051_3205201518721330951_n_1080.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Meanwhile, Rigor’s battle scars were just as convincing. In one behind-the-scenes photo, a makeup artist is seen carefully applying layers of bruises and swelling to his face, making it look like he really took heavy punches from his enemies. </p><p>Of course, it wouldn’t be a Rigor scene without him seething at Tanggol and plotting his next move for revenge. </p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABUt1M7Q3AKsW_te"></script><p>Things just keep heating up, so don&#x27;t miss an episode of &quot;<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,&quot; weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.  </p>