February 13, 2023 (2023-02-13) – present (present)
FPJ'sBatang Quiapo (transl. FPJ's Quiapo kid) is a Philippine television drama action series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel.[2] The series is based on the 1986 film of the same title. Directed by Malu L. Sevilla, Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, Richard V. Somes, Coco Martin and Kevin de Vela, it stars Martin in the title role. It premiered on February 13, 2023 on the network's Primetime Bida line up replacing Mars Ravelo's Darna.
A young man named Tanggol rises to be one of the biggest outlaws in the neighborhood while he navigates his way in life to survive in Quiapo, Manila. Hoping to earn the affection of his parents, his feat draws him closer to the truth about his identity.[3][4]
Cast and characters
Coco Martin portrays Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" A. Dimaguiba.
After the success of the television adaptation of Ang Probinsyano, Batang Quiapo was pegged by various news outlets as Martin's likeliest next project and a possible new TV series. Rumors of the possible TV adaptation of Batang Quiapo began when the film's theme, Doon Lang, was performed by Martin in a "duet" with Fernando Poe Jr. as the clip of the scene from the film was being played;[12] said scene originally featured Poe and Maricel Soriano singing in a duet.[13][14] Martin had expressed interest in adapting more of FPJ's works for film and/or television,[15] as he adapted another Poe classic Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday[16] which was an entry into the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.[17]
However, the adaptation became uncertain due to Ang Probinsyano's continued extension[18] until its finale on August 12, 2022.[19]
Casting
On December 5, 2022, Martin is confirmed to star, direct, write, and to co-produce (the first in his showbiz career) in the Batang Quiapo remake alongside Poe's daughter, Lovi Poe and Charo Santos.[2][3][4]
On January 4, 2024, Lovi Poe left the show due to her marriage with her fiancée in England. Her character was signed off.[20]
On January 23, 2024, Deborah Sun left the show due to an accident on the set and was immediately taken to the Hospital. Her character was signed off.[21]
On March 2, 2024, Jaclyn Jose died, leaving her role as Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Dolores Espinas. Bart Guingona replaced Jose as the new Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Oscar Duran.[11]
The series, along with other primetime programs were pre-empted on A2Z from November 8, 2023 to February 9, 2024 and took effect every Wednesday and Friday to give way to the 2023–24 PBA season. It continued to air on Cine Mo! (as Saturday Marathon), Kapamilya Channel and TV5.[24]
Soundtrack
The series' opening theme song, "Batang Quiapo" (alternatively titled as "Matira Matibay" (Only the Strong Survive), is sung by various Filipino rap artists—Smugglaz, Bassilyo, CrazyMix, Flict-G, Kial, MastaFeat, Jonas, and Pistolero[b]—and a cover of Rico J. Puno's "Kapalaran" (Fate) is sung by Gary Valenciano.[25] "Pangako" (Promise) was originally sung by Moira Dela Torre.
Reception
Ratings
According to Kantar Media, the pilot episode of the series debuted to a rating of 21.4%, and rose to 22.6% on February 15 (compared to its timeslot rival Maria Clara at Ibarra with 19.1% and 19.6%, respectively).[26] Additionally, the series received an average national TV ratings of 25.2% from October 9 to 13, covering urban and rural homes (ahead its timeslot rival Maging Sino Ka Man).[27]
Batang Quiapo ruled its timeslot for five consecutive months.[28] Despite limited reach on free-to-air, AGB Nielsen Philippines reported that the pilot week of the series gave a positive feedback on the viewers with 12.5% pilot episode rating on February 13, 2023, placing it in the 3rd spot of the rating board and 13.8% rating on February 15, placing on the 2nd spot of the rating board (compared to Maria Clara at Ibarra's 12.5%).[29][30][26] As per AGB Nielsen, the series registered its highest rating of 16.9% on October 13, 2023, placing at the top spot of the rating board.[31]
Online viewership
Batang Quiapo was a success upon its debut. The pilot week has generated over 44 million digital views across all online platforms and peaked with 341,509 live concurrent viewers on YouTube. The official tag also became the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter nationwide.[32] On October 4, 2024, the series reached an all-time high of 777,460 live concurrent viewers on YouTube.[33]
Muslim stereotype controversy
A day after its debut, the series' creators apologized to the Muslim community due to a scene where Martin's character Tanggol sought the help of his Muslim friend Abdul–portrayed by Rez Cortez–as he was being pursued by the police. Tanggol took refuge in the company of armed Muslim men whom the police were hesitant to take action due to fear of retribution. A number of Muslim Filipinos took offense and criticised the portrayal as reinforcing negative stereotypes against them,[34] with some calling for a boycott of the series.[35]Movie and Television Review and Classification Board later released a statement on the controversy and asked for cultural sensitivity from production houses.[36]SenatorRobin Padilla–a prominent Filipino Muslim–also issued a statement regarding the episode, assuring people that Martin did not have any "ill intentions" and appealed to fellow Filipino Muslims for understanding and forgiveness.[37]
Parodies
A sketch in the children's comedy show Goin' Bulilit parodied the teleserye as "Baby Quiapo", where actor Renz Joshua "Baby Giant" Baña–who portrayed Oweng in the original series–portrays "Sanggol Dimagiba-giba", a parody of show's protagonist Tanggol Dimaguiba.[38][39]
^The series also airs on A2Z, Cine Mo! (every Saturday only for marathon), and TV5.
^Ramon used an alias to win Mokang's heart and marry her, in order to hide his true identity as a drug lord.
^ abcdefThe character's rank is based on R.A. No. 11200, the current law prescribing police ranks in the Philippines
^Olga’s alias when she befriends Marites and her family to support them in the hardships of life, while at the same time taking revenge on Tanggol for murdering her son Greg.
^Olga blackmailed David into stealing Tanggol's identity, who eventually accepts due to his hatred towards his older half-brother. He introduced himself to Ramon as his biological son, and works with the Montenegros’ drug cartel.
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