Coco at his best

He would be told that there was a role for him in a teleserye only to be cancelled out of the project because he had done bold roles in indie films. It was painful but he was challenged by this constant rejection. And he was patient. After all, he simply wanted to have the chance to go abroad and get a job, any job to be able to help his lola and the family.

He had no clue that there was a brilliant actor lurking inside him. For instance, he speaks glowingly of independent actor Kristopher King, “Hindi rin siya nabibigyan ng break kasi walang takot din ang mga roles niya sa indie films pero ang galing niya. Natural. He leaps out of the screen, he’s raw, honest.” I added that Kristopher King, in the movie Serbis, delivered a riveting performance. Just like Coco.

In Brillante Mendoza’s Tirador, there was a scene where he was part of the Black Nazarene procession. It was here where he found his way close to the “Poon” and touched Him. From then on, he started to get into the elusive, esoteric entertainment mainstream where he is now one of the most exciting players.

And Coco has remained simple, not straying away from his core, in touch with Rodel Nacianceno, (his real name), who did Masahista because of the prospects of being able to go abroad.

It was around this time when he and Vice Ganda became very good friends. And he did go to Alberta, Canada where he worked as janitor and house cleaner of other people’s houses while dreaming of owning his own house back home.

Coco is still kuripot, saving up for the rainy days. He’s still shy. Given a choice, he wouldn’t do interviews. He’s not comfortable talking about himself. He was terrified of Kris Aquino. He didn’t know what to say and how to behave in front of the Queen of All Media. “Pero pag sumisigaw na ang director ng ‘action,’ feeling ko, pantay pantay na.”

He is most comfortable as an actor. He is at home when he plays a role. Both Coco and Rodel are intense persons and the best thing about Coco is he knows when he’s Coco and when he’s Rodel.

By the time you read this, Noy, the docu movie that stars Coco should be out in cinemas around the country. Watch it. It’s Coco Martin at his best.

During my interview with Coco for The Buzz, I bumped into Biboy Arboleda, Coco’s manager just outside the room where the interview was to be done. He was barefoot. “Bakit wala kang sapatos,” I asked. “Hiniram po ni Coco.” Inside, Coco was already waiting for me — smiling in a polished pair of blue shoes that looked bigger than his size and he was comfortable.

Virgin Labfest set June 22

The Virgin Labfest, a festival of new plays (untried, untested, unpublished and unstaged) by emerging and well-known playwrights, directors and actors will be held from June 22 to July 4 at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater) Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) at 3 p.m./8 p.m. The event is a joint venture of CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino and the Writers’ Bloc, Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) and Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO).

Now on its sixth year, the Virgin Labfest has earned a solid reputation for its exciting and provocative line-up of one-act plays from playwrights both young and old.  This year’s line-up includes plays such as Balunbalunan, Bingibingihan by Debbie Tan; Bakit Wala Nang Nagtatagpo Sa Philcoa Oberpas by Carlo Pacolor Garcia; Isagani by Alex Dorola Yasuda; Ondoy by Remi Velasco; Higit Pa Dito by Allan Lopex; Collector’s Item by Juliene Mendoza; Sa Package Counter by Isa Borlaza; Matyag by U. Eliserio; Maynard Manansala And Chuckberry Pascual, Suor Clara by Floy Quintos; Carmi Martin by J. Dennis Teodosio; Huling Habilin Ng Sirena by Layeta Bucoy; A Fistful Of Sand by Arlo de Guzman; Sundan Natin Si Ever-San by Shungiku Uchida; and Threesome by Joned Suryatmoko. Plays from the previous Virgin Labfest will also be restaged. These are Doc Resurreccion, Gagamutin Ang Bayan by Layeta Bucoy; Isang Araw Sa Karnabal by Nicolas Pichay; Boy-Gel Ang Girlfriend Ni Mommy by Shelfa Alojamiento.

For details, call 832-1125 local 1607 or 1606, or log on to www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.