Batang Quiapo | |
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Genre | |
Created by | |
Based on | Batang Quiapo by Pablo Santiago |
Developed by |
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Written by |
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Directed by |
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Creative director | Coco Martin |
Starring |
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Music by | Francis Concio |
Opening theme |
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Country of origin | Philippines |
Original language | Filipino |
No. of seasons | 4 |
No. of episodes | 263 (as of February 16, 2024 )(list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers | Coco Martin Eileen Angela T. Garcia Lea A. Calmerin |
Production locations | |
Editors |
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Running time | 22-35 minutes |
Production companies | CCM Film Productions Dreamscape Entertainment FPJ Productions Regal Entertainment |
Original release | |
Network | Kapamilya Channel[b] |
Release | February 13, 2023 present | –
FPJ's Batang Quiapo (transl. FPJ's Quiapo Kid) is a Philippine action-comedy drama television series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Malu L. Sevilla, Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, Coco Martin and Kevin de Vela, the series stars Martin as the titular main character. It is based on the 1986 action-comedy film of the same title starring Fernando Poe Jr. and Maricel Soriano.[2] The series premiered on the network's Primetime Bida evening block, and worldwide via The Filipino Channel on February 13, 2023, replacing Mars Ravelo's Darna.
The series is also available for streaming via iWantTFC worldwide.
A young man named Tanggol (Coco Martin) 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]
Main article: List of Batang Quiapo episodes |
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;[11] said scene originally featured Poe and Maricel Soriano singing in a duet.[12][13] Martin had expressed interest in adapting more of FPJ's works for film and/or television,[14] as he adapted another Poe classic Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday[15] which was an entry into the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.[16]
However, the adaptation became uncertain due to Ang Probinsyano's continued extension[17] until its finale on August 12, 2022.[18]
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]
Principal photography commenced on January 9, 2023, the same day of the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.[19][20]
The series, along with other Primetime Bida programs were pre-empted on A2Z from November 8, 2023 to February 9, 2024. It will take 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.[21]
The series' opening theme song, "Batang Quiapo (alternatively titled as "Matira Matibay")", is sung by various Filipino rap artists—Smugglaz, Bassilyo, CrazyMix, Flict-G, Kial, MastaFeat, Jonas, and Pistolero[d]—and a cover of Rico J. Puno's "Kapalaran" is sung by Gary Valenciano.[22]
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).[23] 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).[24]
Batang Quiapo ruled its timeslot for five consecutive months.[25] 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%).[26][27][23] As per AGB Neilsen, the series registered its highest rating of 16.9% on October 13, 2023, placing at the top spot of the rating board.[28]
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.[29] On November 16, 2023, the series reached an all-time high of 492,836 live concurrent viewers on YouTube.[30]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
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2024 | Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Socially Relevant TV Series | FPJ's Batang Quiapo | Won | [31] |
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,[32] with some calling for a boycott of the series.[33] Movie and Television Review and Classification Board later released a statement on the controversy and asked for cultural sensitivity from production houses.[34] Senator Robin 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.[35]