Coco Martin, lead star, director, and producer of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’, has finally opened up about the much-talked-about exit of McCoy de Leon’s character, David.
The emotional climax, aired on June 24, marked the end of McCoy’s two-year portrayal of the show’s intense and polarizing antagonist, and drew over 673,000 concurrent viewers online.
“Overdue na nga pero lahat ng pagkakataon may tamang timing,” Coco shared after receiving the award for Most Popular TV Program – Primetime Drama at the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Box Office Entertainment Awards. He accepted the recognition with John Estrada and director Richard Somes.
Coco added, “Niloloko nga namin si McCoy na may pagkasa-pusa kasi sa totoo lang pilot (week) lang siya at humaba na nang humaba. Sobrang galing, sobrang bait at sobrang propesyonal ‘yung batang ‘yun kaya nakakatuwa na bigyan (siya) ng suporta.”
Despite David’s villainous arc, Coco made sure the character had a redemptive send-off, emphasizing familial love over vengeance. In the episode, David helps his half-brother Tanggol (played by Coco) fight off their mutual enemy, Miguelito (Jake Cuenca), before meeting his tragic end in a dramatic sequence that left viewers in tears.
“Ipinangako ko lahat sa mga Pilipino na almost everyday wala nang hingaan ito na dire-diretso na kasi pinaputok na namin ang sikreto,” said Coco. “Sabi ko nga wala ka namang ibibigay sa mga Pilipino kundi mapaligaya at makapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa gabi-gabing pagsuporta at pagmamahal.”
‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ continues to dominate primetime television, recording a 21.3% national TV rating during David’s final episode on June 24, far ahead of its closest competitor’s 16.2%, according to Kantar Media. The show also posted strong numbers from June 23 to 26, remaining the most-watched drama in the country.
As for the bigger picture, Coco also addressed ABS-CBN’s strategic decision to focus on producing their own original content instead of franchise shows. “Mahirap magsalita tungkol diyan kasi business side ‘yan pero kung anuman ang desisyon ng ABS-CBN ay nandito kaming mga sundalo nila at gagawa at gagawa kami ng magagandang teleserye at pelikula at matutulong-tulong para sa industriya sa buong Pilipinas hindi lang sa ABS-CBN,” he said.
Fans can continue following ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, Kapamilya Online Live, and TFC for viewers abroad. With its compelling storytelling and intense performances, the show remains a consistent source of action, emotion, and Filipino family drama.