Anna Marie Lukban

“I loved Jackie and I hated her, too”: Angel Aquino reflects on playing Jackie Guerrero in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Love her or hate her, there’s no denying that Angel Aquino is one of the standout stars of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,”</u></strong></a> whose compelling portrayal of the wicked, greedy, and ambitious kontrabida Jackie Guerrero is definitely unforgettable. </p><p>She undeniably outdid herself, delivering a performance so convincing that many viewers were practically<em> “gigil”</em> at just how evil and shameless her character could be —making Jackie one of the most memorable antagonists the show has had in its three-year run. </p><p>As she exits the show following the unforeseen, tragic demise of Jackie, the seasoned actress looks back on her fondest memories and valuable realizations in this  interview with CCM Film Productions.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_4JTc7CPLG8?si=t4kvM_oCWwbRumka" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>The video commenced by showing how the gripping fight scene between Marites and Jackie was executed, which ultimately led to the latter’s death after she plunged from one of the interior balconies of the city hall and being ganged up on and beaten by people who spotted her amid the chaos. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1-FO4VF8hO8?si=xBSAqa4xBOVDN2TX" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Reflecting on her journey, Aquino shared that she feels both “happy and grateful” to have been part of the top-rating primetime series, while also feeling “sad” that she will miss the cast and crew—some of whom she had already worked with during “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano”—who had been part of her life for the past year. Yet, she still remains hopeful that their paths will cross again in future projects.</p><p>Among her most unforgettable experience in the project was the opportunity to work with some of Philippine showbiz’s finest actors, such as Celia Rodriguez, Albert Martinez, Dante Rivero, Jake Cuenca, and Chanda Romero, who were all part of the notorious Guerrero family in the series. Working alongside them deepened her respect for each of them and made her admiration for them grow even stronger, as she witnessed firsthand how brilliant, talented, and kindhearted they truly are.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zl4g7CEDw0Q?si=fw3WgCo5-npSJQaU" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>When it comes to her most favorite scenes, Angel cited her intense confrontations with Jackie’s domineering mother-in-law Pilar, brilliantly portrayed by Celia Rodriguez, to which she quipped, “‘Pag nilakihan niya na ako ng mata, ‘di ako tutupi, ‘no!”</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCZjr60jUGs?si=Sf5Gjg7Sa0jLRHRV" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>In relation to this, the seasoned actress enthused about how she especially loved filming her scenes with the Guerreros, noting that working with Albert Martinez was something she would never forget for they had developed a rhythm in the way they built their scenes together. According to her, each moment with them felt rich and meaty, giving her so much to work with as an actor. For her, performing those scenes felt like a dance, which they had learned to do so well together as time went by.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gwsw28OirSQ?si=jTqBG7gu87Js-zDE" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Probably asked who her favorite character was, Angel exclaimed that it’s definitely none other than her own. She conveyed, “I loved Jackie and I hated her, too, kasi medyo complex si Jackie. She just looks like this crass person [na] social climber pero ang dami niyang pinagdaanan. So, my heart goes out to Jackie. At the same time, parang I wish she made better choices and that she raised Miguelito better—as a better person, a better man [who] treats women well.”</p><p>She also spoke about Jackie’s deep connections with Miguelito and Roberto, whom she described as the emotional core of her character. Angel admitted that despite the times Roberto mistreated Jackie, she still wanted to “plant the seed” that Jackie truly loved him. At the same time, while Jackie loved both of her children—Erika (Gillian Vicencio) and Miguelito (Jake Cuenca)—Angel acknowledged that Jackie’s firstborn would always hold a special place in her heart, as it was through him that her fate was ultimately sealed and that she became firmly tied to the Guerrero family.</p><p>Thus, both Miguelito and Roberto occupied huge fractions of her heart, though Jackie was just too proud to openly admit how much she loved her lawfully wedded husband. She looked up to Roberto and respected him deeply, quietly wishing that he would love her the same way. Meanwhile, Miguelito held a particularly important place in her life, as he was the product of everything Jackie had endured and worked hard just to become part of the Guerrero family—especially under the shadow of Gustavo.</p><p>What made Miguelito even more special for Angel, however, was the actor behind the character, Jake Cuenca, with whom she worked closely for the first time in this project. This opportunity made her realize how beautiful of a man he actually is, which she noted she would never ever forget about him. </p><p>Angel also reflected on how the Guerrero family represents the darker realities of politics in the Philippines. For her, their story mirrors how easily those in power can manipulate public funds and the lives of the very people they are meant to serve. She emphasized that some politicians seem to forget that they were elected by their constituents to serve the public and help improve their lives—not to pursue self-serving agendas or misuse government resources.</p><p>She seized the chance to encourage viewers to be wiser and more discerning when choosing the leaders they will vote for in the next elections. As she put it, “Sana makita ng mga tao na itong maduduming politikong ito, hindi sila titigil kaya tayo ang dapat na magbago, tayo ‘yong humingi ng pagbabago. The way that we vote, the way that we choose our leaders, dapat magbago ’to.”</p><p>Then she continued, “Dapat maging mas matalino na tayo, dapat ipakita natin sa kanila na hindi nila tayo pwedeng lokohin kasi mas marunong na tayo. And until that happens, it will just keep going on. They will just keep on stealing our money and stealing our livelihood and stealing our lives from us.”</p><p>Aside from acknowledging the people behind the program, Angel—of course—did not forget to share a heartfelt message for one of her co-stars and directors, Coco Martin, whom she described as someone “who has the biggest heart of all.”</p><p>Angel said, “Thank you dahil hindi lang kabuhayan ang ibinigay mo sa aming mga artista, ‘yong pagpapahalaga ang para sa akin mas importante. The mere fact na pinagkatiwalaan mo ako personally ng role katulad ni Jackie, it means thay you trust me and that you have that much respect for me. So, coming from you, I appreciate that so much. Maraming salamat, CM, for every opportunity that you give me.”</p><p>She then added, “Sana hindi natatapos sa ‘Batang Quiapo.’ Sana marami pa tayong pagsasamahan. Maraming salamat. I will always, always love you and you will always have my biggest respect. I love you so much, Coco, and I am so grateful for the respect and the value that you give me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, CM.”</p><p>Clips of her taking photos of the farewell cakes prepared by the production team for her and for her castmates who also bade goodbye from the show on the same day as hers, as well as of her posing to the cameras for their official sign off, were also shown in the video.</p><p>With Jackie now gone, how will her death further push Roberto and Miguelito to retaliate against Tanggol? Find out in the remaining episodes of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”</u></strong></a> as the series builds toward its thrilling finale, “Ang Huling Laban ni Tanggol,” airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, A2Z, <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).</p>

<p>Angel Aquino revisits her fondest memories and valuable realizations throughout her stint in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”</p>

Angel Aquino revisits her fondest memories and valuable realizations throughout her stint in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”