Arzen Rose Dulzura

PAALAM, OWENG! A look back on some of the remarkable moments of Tanggol’s lovable little friend in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758935368868NEW THUMB - 2025-09-27T090938.944.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Throughout the more than two years of following the journey of our formidable primetime hero Tanggol (Coco Martin) in “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,” avid viewers have surely witnessed his adventures, mishaps, and struggles.  </p><p>Aside from his almost incessant bouts against enemies whom he had encountered along the way, we had also seen the number of times that he had his heart completely shattered due to the tragic deaths of some people dear to him—with the latest being Oweng Bulawan (Renz “Baby Giant” Baña), who we know is one of his closest, longtime friends.  </p><p>Unfortunately, in Tanggol’s pursuit of saving his beloved father, Ramon (Christopher de Leon), Oweng became the so-called “collateral damage” or “sacrificial lamb,” for he was intentionally killed by Lucio (Ronnie Lazaro) during the Red Phoenix group’s skirmish with the squad of Tanggol and the Quiapo police at the hospital. </p><p>Since he has been on Tanggol’s side ever since the beginning of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,” we could only imagine the heartbreak that he felt as he watched him be shot to death by Lucio and take his last breath, which could have not happened if Oweng had chosen to turn his back on him and to not be embroiled in the mess of his family. </p><p>However, despite his quite limited exposure, avid viewers of the series know that Oweng was definitely not the type of person who would leave his friend and who would easily back down just because the situation got difficult. He may be the smallest in terms of size among their barkada, yet we all know that he has the biggest heart in terms of loving the people dear to him and fighting for the causes being championed by Tanggol. </p><p>As we bid farewell to the little person who probably occupied a huge part of the hearts of many “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>” fans, let us revisit some of Oweng’s fondest memories in this special feature. </p><p>Before they became the armed group called “Wating,” it can be remembered that their squad used to be among the notorious pickpockets in Quiapo. While they usually attacked as a group, there were actually instances when they divided themselves into two—with Tanggol and Oweng being the frequent partners-in-crime.  </p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/An7bqWR70q8?si=Lh5PA3rrobmMk83t" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Instead of seeing his condition as a hindrance for him to keep up with his friends, Oweng turned it to his advantage, as it allowed him to do things that they couldn’t do. From letting Tanggol place him inside a travel bag for them to be able to carry out their modus operandi seamlessly and easily, Oweng also volunteered to get food for their barkada from a couple of parties they gatecrashed.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/batangquiapo/videos/oweng-ipinaalam-kay-tanggol-ang-plano-ni-jp-kay-mokang-344252"><strong><u>WATCH: Batang Quiapo: Oweng, ipinaalam kay Tanggol ang plano ni JP kay Mokang | Episode 40 </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/batangquiapo/videos/oweng-dumiskarte-ng-pagkain-para-sa-kanilang-grupo-348600"><strong><u>WATCH:  Batang Quiapo: Oweng, dumiskarte ng pagkain para sa kanilang grupo | Episode 112</u></strong></a></div><div><strong><u></u></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>It was also Oweng who was first to discover the perverted intentions of JP (Dino Imperial) towards Tanggol’s first love, Mokang (Lovi Poe), which prompted their barkada to plot a ridiculous scheme against JP. As Tanggol, Bulldog, and Dolfo gave JP warning shots, he and Tanos were put in charge of lighting up the firecracker that had JP frantically running  topless.  </p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aEeJD3ZjAdc?si=XCBamMV-D3ohrGyU" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>From being Tanggol’s partner in pickpocketing, Oweng went on to become his buddy in scouring for decent jobs around Quiapo, as their group agreed to finally live brand-new lives and without having to steal money from other people in order for them to earn a living. </p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xFu6QkRa4k?si=Yk5BGTHZZDC7vcZp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>However, considering that they weren’t able to finish their studies, they lack experience, and they had a bad reputation, finding a formal job imposed a great challenge for them. Thus, they didn’t have a choice but to take on jobs that turned out to be connected with illegal activities. And that was when their journeys as ex-convicts and fugitives had started.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/batangquiapo/videos/tanos-at-oweng-hinuli-ng-mga-pulis-349607"><strong><u>WATCH | Batang Quiapo: Tanos at Oweng, hinuli ng mga pulis | Episode 128</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In spite of this, Oweng still didn’t leave Tanggol’s side—even though <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/batangquiapo/videos/dolores-itinago-si-oweng-kay-tanggol-353918"><strong><u>his father advised him to already stay away from Tanggol because he would definitely do him no good</u></strong></a>.  Apparently, his father was right, as we had witnessed how he, Enteng, Tanos, Bulldog, and Dolfo would go through unimaginable ordeals and perilous fights as they opted to remain loyal and supportive friends to Tanggol in all his endeavors.</p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VlxhWxI0Q6w?si=o44ItNefCH-NQCxT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sr0caDMxYc4?si=ryQnoVoN6tqyp8BW" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Aside from his loyalty and genuineness, another thing that we admired about Oweng was how he remained optimistic, especially during those times when his friends got discouraged by the circumstances they were in. He may be small in appearance, yet he instantly became the bigger person whenever he gave out words of wisdom and encouragement.  </p><div><iframe width="1265" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LeEvtAz14uA?si=wvWRwWLDQkKYFzeo" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>And we were able to see more of Oweng’s huge contributions and the significant role that he had played in their group in the last days of his life. Apart from helping Tanos maneuver the ambulance that they eventually used as their getaway vehicle, Oweng also was the one who switched off the circuit breaker of the hospital that helped Tanggol, Bulldog, Enteng, and Dolfo escape from the authorities during the suspenseful shootout.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/25/batang-quiapo-tanggol-sumabak-sa-matinding-bakbakan-kontra-sa-grupo-ni-lucio-episode-673-2242"><strong><u>WATCH | Batang Quiapo: Tanggol, sumabak sa matinding bakbakan kontra sa grupo ni Lucio | Episode 673 </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Unfortunately, his loyalty to Tanggol was also what cost Oweng his life in the end, as Lucio turned him into his bait in order to get ahold of Ramon, whom Tanggol was initially hesitant to give away. Even though Tanggol already made the sacrifice of choosing him over his father and enemies getting their wish granted, Oweng still got ruthlessly killed. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/26/batang-quiapo-lucio-ginamit-si-oweng-para-makuha-si-ramon-mula-kay-tanggo-episode-674-2233"><strong><u>WATCH | Batang Quiapo: Lucio, ginamit si Oweng para makuha si Ramon mula kay Tanggol | Episode 674   </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Despite everything that happened in his life, Oweng apparently didn’t have any regrets until his very last breath, as he still had nothing but selfless love for his friends and unwavering support for Tanggol and his advocacies. He asked him to continue the fight that they had started because he knew that it was only him who could change Manila for good. Besides, he also conveyed his pride and delight for being able to do something good and right in his life before passing on. </p><p>And his last words? “Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat.”</p><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABi63f67AqmzEn14"></script></div><p>In his short-lived journey here on Earth, Oweng proved that his size never became a hindrance for him to be able to make valuable contributions not just to the lives of his family and friends, but even to the city where he belongs, too. Thus, his loss would definitely leave a huge void impossible to be replaced, most especially in his loved ones, as well as would serve as great motivation for Tanggol and their friends to continue fighting for the greater good. </p><p>You will be sorely missed, Oweng! </p><p>Now that Tanggol has once again lost another person very dear to him, what’s going to happen next? Well, that’s for us to find out in the upcoming episodes of “<a href="http://batangquiapo.abs-cbn.com"><strong><u>FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</u></strong></a>,” so keep on watching weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>As we bid farewell to Oweng, the character played by Renz “Baby Giant” Baña in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” let us revisit some of his fondest memories that made us admire him.</p>

As we bid farewell to Oweng, the character played by Renz “Baby Giant” Baña in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” let us revisit some of his fondest memories that made us admire him.