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Coco Martin Through the Years: A look back at his most iconic teleserye characters

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

“Prince of Philippine Independent Films.” “Primetime King.” “Hari ng Aksyon sa Ating Henerasyon.” These are the titles that Coco Martin—born Rodel Nacianceno—has earned throughout his more than two decades in the local entertainment industry. Over the years, he has captivated audiences with his powerful and relatable performances that resonate across generations, cementing his status as one of the country’s most influential figures in Philippine showbiz. From being recognized as one of the finest actors of his generation, Coco has continuously evolved as an artist. His wealth of experience, unwavering passion for storytelling, and genuine desire to inspire, entertain, and leave a meaningful legacy have led him to take on creative roles behind the camera—as a creative consultant, screenwriter, director, producer, and film production owner. After years of bringing to life stories envisioned by fellow creatives, Coco now steps forward with his first original television story through the highly anticipated series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sigabo</a>,” in which he also plays the lead role of Gabo.<div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OACJriFiUBU" title="Kapamilya Spotlight: Coco Martin" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div>But before we get to meet the “Siga ng Tondo,” let’s look back on the teleseryes that shaped his remarkable journey and helped establish him as one of the country’s most celebrated actors and filmmakers in this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight. Not a lot of people may know it, but Coco’s journey in the entertainment industry began as early as 2001. However, it was in 2008 that he made his ABS-CBN debut through the “Bibliya” episode of Asia’s longest-running drama anthology, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maalaala Mo Kaya</a>.”  That same year, he joined the cast of the afternoon soap opera “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-stars-of-2008-ligaw-na-bulaklak-14741" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ligaw na Bulaklak</a>,” where he portrayed Chris—a corrupt and ill-tempered politician who was eventually revealed to be the estranged half-brother of the lead character Lea, played by Roxanne Guinoo. It was followed by his stint as the kontrabida Joaquin Peralta in “Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony” and in another episode of MMK entitled “Boarding House,” where he depicted a homosexual guy named Billy.  The years 2009 and 2010 were among the busiest chapters of Coco’s life as an actor, as he scored a slew of acting projects. He began 2009 by starring in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-cast-of-tayong-dalawa-2009-14409" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tayong Dalawa</a>” as Ramon Lecumberri, the antagonist to the twin characters played by Jake Cuenca and Gerald Anderson. It was succeeded by his appearances in “Komiks Presents: Nasaan Ka Maruja?” as James, the admirer of the titular character played by Kristine Hermosa.Later that year, he was cast in the afternoon serye “Nagsimula sa Puso,” the TV adaptation of the 1990 film of the same title. He was given the role of Carlo Pagdanganan, originally played by former matinee idol Richard Gomez. In 2010, he did four projects, first of which was “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” wherein he got to showcase again his flair as a kontrabida through his portrayal of Ringo Crisanto. He went on to prove that he could be leading man material as well in the musical series “1DOL” through his portrayal of Lando Lagdameo.  Coco also stepped into the shoes of a hero in “Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Presents: Tonyong Bayawak,” in which he took on the titular character Tonyo. It was followed by his return to MMK via the “Silbato” episode, wherein he impressed us with his depiction of Jerome Ortega, a mentally challenged man who became a star witness to a heinous crime.  The following year, he took on not just one, but two roles in the primetime drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/14/throwback-coco-martin-as-alexander-and-javier-in-minsan-lang-kita-iibigin-2011-0137" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin</a>,” portraying 2nd Lt. Alexander “Xander” Sebastiano del Tierro and Javier Sebastiano del Tierro—twin brothers separated at birth. He also made special appearances in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/4/23/throwback-coney-jodi-and-xyriel-in-100-days-to-heaven-2011-2358" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">100 Days To Heaven</a>” as the young Tagabantay and in the teen drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/3/20/throwback-julia-montes-as-tammy-in-growing-up-2011-2158" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growing Up</a>” as Asiong. It was in the iconic 2012 romantic drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/walanghanggan/articles-photos/throwback-coco-and-julia-in-walang-hanggan-14383" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walang Hanggan</a>” where he and on-and-off-screen partner Julia Montes got paired with each other for the first time. Loosely based on the 1991 film “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit,” which originally starred their castmates Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta. The series followed the story of star-crossed lovers Daniel and Katerina.  The following year, he showcased another impressive acting feat in the romance drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-stars-ikaw-lamang-2014-14411" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ikaw Lamang</a>,” portraying two generations of characters. In the first book, he played Samuel Severino Hidalgo, a hardworking sugarcane plantation worker who fell in love with his affluent childhood friend Isabel (Kim Chiu). However, fate led him to build a life and raise a family with Mona (Julia Montes), his longtime friend and secret admirer. In the second book, Coco portrayed the adult Gabriel—Samuel and Mona’s son—whose life became driven by his desire to seek justice after his mother’s tragic death during an election ambush in their town. The year 2015 was arguably the biggest one for Coco not only because of how busy he was, but of how remarkable his projects were. After starring in the “Yamishita’s Treasures” book of “Wansapanataym” opposite Julia, he went on to topbill two episodes of MMK, namely “Plano” and “Watawat.” It was 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. That same year also marked the premiere of ABS-CBN’s longest-running series, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano/articles-videos/all-the-times-cardo-escaped-death-in-fpjs-ang-probinsyano-17432" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a>.” The series followed the story of Ricardo “Cardo” Dalisay, who initially assumed the identity of his deceased estranged twin brother, Ador, in an effort to uncover the truth behind his death before eventually becoming a hero in his own right. Several months after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” concluded, Coco returned to primetime through “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FPJ’s Batang Quiapo</a>,” another adaptation inspired by one of FPJ’s classic films. He first portrayed the younger version of Ramon Montenegro—a character originally played by veteran actor Christopher de Leon—before eventually becoming the series’ beloved lead character, Tanggol. This 2026, Coco continues to showcase his creativity and passion through his latest masterpiece ”<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin’s Sigabo</a>,” a highly anticipated project among viewers. Aside from taking on the lead role, he also serves as the creative force behind the series. In interviews, Coco shared that “Sigabo” will blend comedy, drama, romance, and action—promising audiences with another compelling viewing experience. Continue showing your unwavering love and support for Coco, Julia, and the rest of the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin’s Sigabo</a>” cast by catching every episode starting June 22, airing weeknights at 8:00 PM on ABS-CBN via ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iWant</a>. <div> </div><div>More on this story: </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/14/why-coco-martin-truly-deserves-the-title-hari-ng-aksyon-ng-ating-henerasyon-0100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Why Coco Martin truly deserves the title &#x27;Hari ng Aksyon ng Ating Henerasyon,&#x27; according to prominent entertainment industry figures</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/7/-hari-ng-aksyon-sa-ating-henerasyon-si-coco-martin-at-ang-pagsibol-ng-bagong-mukha-ng-pinoy-action-1253" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Hari Ng Aksyon Sa Ating Henerasyon”: Si Coco Martin at ang pagsibol ng bagong mukha ng Pinoy action</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/6/coco-martin-why-he-became-the-hari-ng-aksyon-sa-ating-henerasyon-0839" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin: Why He Became the “Hari ng Aksyon Sa Ating Henerasyon”</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/5/16/from-masungit-to-meant-to-be-a-timeline-of-how-coco-martin-and-julia-montes-love-story-started-1421" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From ‘masungit’ to meant-to-be: A timeline of how Coco Martin and Julia Montes’ love story started</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/16/coco-and-julia-tease-action-and-romance-in-official-trailer-of-coco-martin-s-sigabo-1931" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco and Julia tease action and romance in official trailer of “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”</a></div>

Let’s look back on the teleseryes that shaped Coco Martin’s remarkable journey and helped establish him as one of the country’s most celebrated actors and filmmakers.

Let’s look back on the teleseryes that shaped Coco Martin’s remarkable journey and helped establish him as one of the country’s most celebrated actors and filmmakers.