Actor Coco Martin appealed for greater compassion and sensitivity on social media, urging netizens to think carefully before criticizing or attacking others online.
Speaking alongside his longtime partner Julia Montes on Gary Valenciano’s podcast, Unshaken with Gary V: Stories of Grit and Grace, the actor shared his thoughts on the growing culture of online bashing and public judgment.
“Isa lang sana ang pinapanalangin ko sa lahat ng mga tao, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga taong involved o ‘yung mahihilig sa social media,” Martin said.
“Dapat maging ano tayo, sensitive tayo sa mga tao, lalo na sa pagko-comment, sa pagba-bash. Para bang ang gulo-gulo na ng mundo, eh, ‘di ba?”
The actor expressed concern not only for himself but also for fellow artists and public figures who continue to face harsh criticism online.
“Para sa akin kasi, kung wala kang masasabi o magagawa na maganda sa kapwa mo, it’s better na huwag ka nang mag-comment at tumahimik ka na lang,” he said. “Pero ‘yung para makisawsaw ka or pagkakitaan mo ang isang bagay para makasira du’n sa tao, ang sakit lang.”
Martin admitted that it hurts him whenever he sees people being unfairly judged and attacked.
“’Di ba, ‘yung ‘pag ako naaano du’n sa mga taong binabatikos, tapos dyina-judge na sila dahil do’n, para bang ang sakit lang kasi,” he said. “Na para bang, ba’t ganu’n? ‘Yun na ba ang mundo? Ito na ba ang mundo ngayon?”
The actor also reflected on the current state of society, revealing that he often worries about the safety of his loved ones.
“’Pag nagdadasal tayo ngayon, bakit ganito ang dasal natin, ‘Lord, sana po, ingatan n’yo kami, ingatan n’yo po ang pamilya ko.’ Para bang lagi tayong… para bang takot na takot na tayo every day,” he shared. “Ibig sabihin, ganu’n na kagulo. Pangit sabihin, pero ganu’n na kasama ang nangyayari ngayon sa mundo.”
Despite the negativity surrounding public life, Martin said he remains focused on living according to his values and faith.
“Kaya sa buhay ko ngayon, alam kong hindi ko mapi-please ang lahat ng tao, katrabaho ko man o lahat mga humahanga sa akin o mga nanonood,” he said.
“Pero isa lang ang gusto kong i-assure sa sa sarili ko at sa pamilya ko. Na parang nandu’n ako lagi. Everytime na nagdedesisyon ako, kung ano ‘yung alam kong tama at nalalapit para sa Panginoon.”
In the same interview, Martin also opened up about his difficult childhood and how those experiences shaped him into the person he is today.
“Broken family kami. Bata ako every night wala akong matandaan na maayos na tulog, parang gabi-gabi kinakabahan kami,” he recalled.
He revealed that his father would often become violent toward his mother whenever he was intoxicated.
“‘Yung father ko dati kapag nalalasing talaga sinasaktan niya ‘yung nanay ko every night ‘yon, kapag nakainom siya. Pero kapag hindi siya nakainom ang tatay ko naman sobrang bait, sobrang mahiyain. Kapag nakainom, nagi-split ‘yung personality, siya na siga sa buong lugar namin.”
Martin said the trauma affected him deeply and even made it difficult for him to speak confidently in school until a teacher encouraged him to express his emotions.
“Noong kinuwento ko humagulgol ako, tapos hiyang-hiya ako sa buong klase naming siyempre nga lalaki ako, tapos umiiyak ako sa harapan ng teacher ko,” he said.
“Tapos noong na-release ko ‘yon parang gumaan nagkaroon na ako ng ano na makapagsalita, nakakapag-recite na ako.”
The actor shared that his painful childhood motivated him to build a better future for his own family.
“Lahat nang mga naranasan hanggat maari ayaw ko ipaparanas sa magiging pamilya ko,” he said.
“Kaya ngayon sobra akong makapagsabi ng I love you. ‘Yung iba nga nawi-weirduhan sa akin, kapag halimbawa nakikita ako, kahit lalaki niyayakap ko.”
Martin also revealed that he never held resentment toward his father despite everything that happened.
“Kaya noong naghiwalay sila hindi kami against, lalo na ako. Mas better na maghiwalay para matapos na ‘yung nararamdaman ng nanay ko.”
As the eldest sibling, Martin said he felt responsible for helping his family rise above their circumstances.
“Dahil ako ang panganay, alam ko na kung wala kang nanay at tatay, sino ang tatayo para sa mga kapatid mo,” he said.
“Kaya ako nagsumikap kaya kahit takaw-away ako noon, hindi ko sinira ang buhay ko, hindi ako na-involve sa drugs.”
Today, Martin remains one of the country’s biggest stars, currently headlining the primetime series ‘Sigabo’ with Montes. But beyond his success, the actor said his greatest priority continues to be making decisions that honor his family, his values, and his faith.
