Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Making of A Villain: JM de Guzman on bringing newest “Coco Martin’s Sigabo” kontrabida Victor Zafra to life

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Throughout the two decades that he has been in the local entertainment scene, JM de Guzman has taken on a wide range of roles that have showcased his remarkable talent and versatility as an actor. While many of his characters have won viewers over with their charm and sincerity, he has also delivered unforgettably compelling performances as villains whom audiences loved to hate. </p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/17/tv-roles-that-highlighted-jm-de-guzman-s-range-as-an-actor-0132" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: TV roles that highlighted JM De Guzman’s range as an actor</u></strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Among them, perhaps, is his latest role as Victor “Tigre” Zafra in “Coco Martin’s Sigabo,” who has been introduced in the July 2 episode as the leader of the largest gold smuggling syndicate in the country. He quickly emerges as the common target of two separate missions—one led by Gabo (Coco Martin), a member of the covert vigilante group Anino, and the other by NCIA agent Sam (Julia Montes). </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/2/sigabo-ang-pagtanggap-ni-gabo-sa-unang-misyon-ng-anino-episode-9-2233" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>WATCH : Ang pagtanggap ni Gabo sa unang misyon ng Anino | Sigabo</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Just in time for his debut on the primetime action-drama, CCM Film Productions released an exclusive feature, offering fans and viewers a closer look at how JM prepared for and brought his newest kontrabida character to life. </p><p>But before we get to see their highly anticipated encounters in the upcoming episodes, here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse through &quot;The Making of a Villain,&quot; where JM and head writer Noreen Capili discuss the creative process behind the creation of Victor, who’s certainly going to be one of the most remarkable characters of the series. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4zF-rSIaGP4" title="Alyas Tigre: The Making Of A Villain | CCM Exclusive " frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>“Kapag gumagawa ako ng bida or kontrabida or kahit anong role, I research first. Dapat klaro sa actor kung ano ‘yong goal, wants, and needs ng character. ‘Yon ang nagwo-work po sa akin,” he related. </p><p>He went on to disclose that he draws inspiration from fellow actors who have portrayed memorable villains, including Direk Coco Martin, whom he praised for his convincing performance as an antagonist in previous projects. JM added that he firmly believes in the oft-quoted showbiz adage, &quot;There are no small roles, only small actors,&quot; emphasizing the importance of giving every character his full commitment. </p><p>Headwriter Noreen, meanwhile, revealed that Victor&#x27;s character was the product of extensive brainstorming sessions and creative collaboration with Direk Coco and the rest of the creative team. As established in the July 2 episode, Victor is powerful, wealthy, and highly influential as a scion of the notorious Zafra family, one of the country&#x27;s biggest criminal syndicates. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/2/sigabo-kilalanin-si-victor-at-ang-pamilya-zafra-episode-9-2233" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>WATCH: Kilalanin si Victor at ang Pamilya Zafra | Sigabo</u></strong></a>  </div><div> </div><p>While Victor and his family are apparently focused on staying beyond the reach of law enforcement, they remain unaware of another force determined to take them down—Anino. Leading the mission against Victor is the new recruit Gabo, whose unexpected pursuit will leave the crime boss caught off guard. </p><p>JM also teased that revenge would become one of Victor&#x27;s strongest motivations as Gabo is yet to strip him of three things he values most—his freedom, his wealth, and the future he has meticulously built. Used to getting everything he wants, Victor refuses to accept defeat and will stop at nothing to reclaim everything he has lost and to exact vengeance on anyone who crosses him.</p><p>Aside from exclusive interviews with JM and Noreen, this edition of “The Making of a Villain” also offers viewers a sneak peek at Victor and the Zafra family&#x27;s early scenes, as well as the intense showdown between Victor and Gabo that fans and viewers can look forward to in the coming episodes. </p><p>Don&#x27;t miss the thrilling action, kilig romance, amusing moments, and gripping drama in the next episodes of &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Coco Martin&#x27;s Sigabo</em></u></strong></a>.&quot; Catch it weeknights at 8:00 PM on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), or stream anytime on <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>! </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>More on this story:</strong> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/3/coco-grateful-for-filipinos-love-for-sigabo-series-introduces-new-characters-1619" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Coco grateful for Filipinos’ love for &#x27;Sigabo,&#x27; series introduces new characters</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/2/sigabo-kilalanin-si-victor-at-ang-pamilya-zafra-episode-9-2233" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Sigabo: Kilalanin si Victor at ang Pamilya Zafra | Episode 9</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/2/sigabo-ang-pagtanggap-ni-gabo-sa-unang-misyon-ng-anino-episode-9-2233" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Sigabo: Ang pagtanggap ni Gabo sa unang misyon ng Anino | Episode 9</u></strong></a></div><div><br id="isPasted"/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/17/tv-roles-that-highlighted-jm-de-guzman-s-range-as-an-actor-0132" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>TV roles that highlighted JM De Guzman’s range as an actor</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/21/5-reasons-to-watch-coco-martin-s-sigabo-2341" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>5 reasons to watch “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”</u></strong></a></div>

<p>JM De Guzman and headwriter Noreen Capili share the process in creating Victor “Tigre” Zafra, the newest antagonist stirring up trouble in “Coco Martin’s Sigabo.”</p>

JM De Guzman and headwriter Noreen Capili share the process in creating Victor “Tigre” Zafra, the newest antagonist stirring up trouble in “Coco Martin’s Sigabo.”