Allyzza Kay Trinidad

The versatility, brilliance of Coco Martin as seen in these “MMK” episodes

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746207719650versatility-brilliance-of-Coco-as-seen-in-these-MMK-.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Around two years after bidding farewell on air, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Maalaala Mo Kaya</em></u></strong></a>” has made its comeback through the episode that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/4/27/netizens-commend-elijah-canlas-impressive-portrayal-of-sofronio-vasquez-in-mmk-s-apoy-1052" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u><strong>featured the inspiring life story of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” alumnus and “The Voice USA” Season 26 grand winner Sofronio Vasquez</strong></u></a>.</p><p>As we continue to celebrate its highly anticipated return, ABS-CBN Studios also reminisces on the remarkable appearances of some of the biggest and brightest Kapamilya stars on the long-running drama anthology, which marks its 31st season this 2025.</p><p>And for this special feature, let us revisit the notable performances of Primetime King Coco Martin on “MMK” over the past two decades, through which he’s able to display his incredible and award-winning dramatic flair.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>“Boarding House”</strong></div><p>Coco made his “MMK” debut in 2008 via the “Boarding House” episode, which he headlined alongside Derek Ramsay. He played the role of Billy, a homosexual who drastically changed the bad perception of Derek’s character, Richard, towards gay people after he was sexually abused by his father—a closeted gay—at a very young age. Due to that traumatic experience, it became Richard’s distorted mission and burning desire to exact vengeance on his father and members of the gay community.</p><p>However, Richard eventually had a change of heart when he met Billy, his fellow boarder at a boarding house, and formed a special bond with him, as he made him feel genuinely loved.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>“Silbato”</strong></div><p>Coco’s next “MMK” stint was in 2010 through the “Silbato” episode, wherein he astonished us with his portrayal of a mentally challenged young man named Jerome. Despite his condition, his family, especially his doting mother, Azon (Rio Locsin), raised him like a normal person who’s capable of taking care of and fending for himself, which allowed him to live a normal life with a happy and positive disposition.</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f1XHoXna7LA" title="Silbato | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Full Episode" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Upon arriving in Manila from their province, he already aspired to become a policeman after he got fascinated by the sight of a cop effectively managing the traffic by simply using his hands and whistle, or “silbato” in Tagalog, thus the title.</p><p>He had the chance to work as an errand boy at a police station and became friends with a group of cops. It was through them that he met Amy (Desiree del Valle), a prostitute at a beerhouse they used to frequent—with whom he subsequently fell in love and had a daughter. His parents were highly against their relationship, but Jerome boldly fought for her and diligently took on the responsibility of being a partner and a father to his own family.</p><p>Unfortunately, his simple, peaceful, and happy life suddenly got shaken when he witnessed a crime that involved two of the cops with whom he became friends. His life had gotten complicated when Amy left him and their child, Angel, who later died after suffering from pneumonia and its complications. After losing his daughter, Jerome tried to start again by going back to his job in Manila and deciding to finally become a star witness to the murder case with the support of his mother, which eventually got resolved.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>“Kamao”</strong></div><p>In 2012, Coco once again starred in another “MMK” episode entitled “Kamao,” wherein he played the role of Ramon, an underground boxer who grew up as a battered child under the custody of his father and stepmother. Having to endure all the pain caused by the people who should take good care of him, as well as his terrible experiences living all by himself in Manila ever since he was young, had indeed taught and trained him to use his fists (or “kamao”) to protect himself in all circumstances.</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2uFVGu8H-rg" title="Kamao | Coco Martin | Maalaala Mo Kaya" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>He grew up into a criminal, which led to his imprisonment, where he met his friend, Lito (Michael Roy Jornales), who introduced him to underground boxing. Following their release two years later, Ramon decided to begin his career as a boxer and successfully became a professional. However, he had to hide it when he fell in love with Mila (Jodi Sta. Maria), with whom he eventually had a family since she didn’t want to have another troublemaker man in her life like her father.</p><p>Unfortunately, just when he had already decided to change his way of living for his beloved family, Ramon got jailed again, not just once but twice, for defending himself from hooligans. His wife and their kids finally learned the whole truth about his history, which initially enraged them. But he was able to prove to them, especially their children, that he had indeed already changed, which convinced them to forgive him.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>“Plano” and “Watawat”</strong></div><p>The last appearance of Coco on “MMK” was in 2015 when he starred in the two-part special tribute of the program for “SAF 44,” or the group of policemen who died in line of duty during an anti-terrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in January of the said year. The first part was entitled “Plano,” which followed the journeys of Police Chief Inspector Garry Erana and Police Senior Inspector Rennie Tayrus, compellingly portrayed by Coco Martin and Ejay Falcon, respectively.</p><p>“MMK Plano” was told from the point of view of Angel Locsin’s character, Suzette, the devoted fiancée of PC/INSP Erana, whom he met at the wake of one of his fallen comrades. She might be initially reluctant to get into a relationship with him due to what happened to her late brother, but they eventually developed feelings for each other after going on several dates together.</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6as9jHEioLw" title="Plano | Angel Locsin, Coco Martin | Maalaala Mo Kaya" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>They had a blissful relationship and started planning their life together, but it had never been easy because of the unpredictable nature of his job. This might have taken a toll on their relationship as it resulted in misunderstandings and altercations between them, yet they still chose to hold on and keep loving each other. They got engaged not long after, with Garry staying committed to his duties as a member of the Special Action Forces and Suzette pursuing her studies in New Zealand.</p><p>“MMK Watawat,” meanwhile, followed the journey of C/PT. Tayrus and provided viewers a glimpse of what transpired during their dangerous mission in Mamasapano that fateful day of January 25, 2015, which cost the lives of CP/INSP Erana, C/PT Tayrus, and 42 other commandos.</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dns_bUAoWhY" title="Watawat | Angel Locsin, Coco Martin | Maalaala Mo Kaya" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Now that “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>MMK</em></u></strong></a>” is back, we wonder if is it possible for us to see Coco Martin in another episode? Well, that’s for us to find out! Which of these episodes were you able to watch, Kapamilya?</p>

<p>Let us revisit the incredible performances of Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin in this special feature.</p>

Let us revisit the incredible performances of Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin in this special feature.