Coco Martin

The numerous fans of awarded actor Coco Martin are glad to see him back in another teleserye, “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” which is now airing on ABS-CBN after “May Bukas Pa.” Coco will once more showcase his acting mettle in the show topbilled by Gabby Concepcion and Kris Aquino.

In “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” Coco plays Ringgo who is the son of Frank (Albert Martinez) and Astrud (Jaclyn Jose), and the half-brother of Gwen (Kim Chiu). Ringgo is intelligent and kind-hearted. He looks up to his father (who is a pilot) and respects him so much even if he is not part of the legal family.

Asked how different his role as Ringgo from his previous roles in the teleseryes he has appeared in, Coco said “Kung sa ‘Tayong Dalawa’ si Ramon eh sakim, sa ‘Nagsimula sa Puso’ si Carlo eh obsessed, dito naman sa ‘Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo’ hindi naman talaga kontrabida si Ringgo. Meron lang siyang sariling mundo. Pero sa simula lang yon. Hindi pa natin alam kung saan siya dadalhin ng istorya.”

Describing further his role, Coco said his father and Jaclyn’s character who is a stewardess, had a brief romance and he is the love child. His father is already married (to Kris Aquino’s character). Ringgo has a bipolar syndrome. “Kapag sinusumpong, minsan sobrang saya minsan naman sobrang lungkot, minsan naman sobrang galit sa mundo. Hindi makontrol ang emosyon niya. Ramdam niya na anak siya sa labas. Pero kahit magkaiba kami ng nanay ni Gwen, parang tunay na magkapatid ang turingan namin. Sobrang close kami kaya over-protective ako sa kanya kaya ilalayo ko siya kay Robbie (Gerald Anderson).”

About being in his third teleserye with ABS-CBN, Coco said he feels so happy and grateful that he has been entrusted with another good project by the network. “Makakasama ko yung mga bigating artista kaya sobra ang pressure sa akin, lalo na para mahigitan or mapantayan man lang ‘yung success na naabot ng ‘Tayong Dalawa.’ Siyempre lahat ng tao ‘yun ang inaasahan.”

For Coco who started out as an indie actor in various sexy flicks, his crossing over to the mainstream industry has been unexpectedly successful, earning him praise for his acting ability and making him more and more popular. But has success gotten into his head? Coco said no, “yung pagiging Best Actor ko, sobrang bonus na lang yun. Pero para sa akin, hindi ko nilalagay sa utak ko yun. Masaya ako pero hanggang dun na lang.”

Coco is happy that he is working again with Ms. Gina Pareño, another multi-awarded actress, who played his Lola Gets in “Tayong Dalawa.”

“Masayang ka-trabaho ko ulit si Tita Gina. Sa dami ng pinagsamahan namin na trabaho, parang nanay na talaga ang turing ko sa kanya, Napakabait niya… actually, lahat sila, sina Gabby Concepcion, si Albert Martinez, si Kris Aquino, mababait.” He said that at first he was intimidated by Kris, “siyempre si Ms. Kris Aquino yan. Pero later on, nakita ko na siya pa yung nagri-reach out sa lahat sa amin. Nakikisama talaga siya sa amin. Kapag dumadating siya sa set lahat kami tumatahimik pero kapag tumatagal makikita mo na yung kabaitan niya. Masaya siyang kasama…”

But now that he has made it in the mainstream, will he still accept sexy roles?

“Hindi ko maitatanggi na nagsimula ako sa sexy roles. Hindi ko mararating ang narating ko ngayon kung di ko ginawa yung mga sexy films na yun. Hindi ko ikakahiya yun dahil napuri ako dun at nanalo yun ng awards abroad. Paniwala ko, bilang artista dapat lahat pagdaanan ko. Proud ako sa sarili ko kasi nagawa ko yun. Iniisip ko ang mga panahon na artista ako. Kung ano ang role ko, trabaho kong gampanan yun ng mahusay. Sa TV iba naman ang roles na gagawin ko. Kung mabibigyan ako ng chance na gumawa uli ng sexy roles at maganda naman yung material at magagaling ang makakasama ko hindi ako magdadalawang isip na tanggapin yung proyekto. Yung ibang artista gusto nilang magpaka-wholesome lang pero ako malalim ang pagtingin ko sa propesyon. Ayokong limitahan yung sarili ko.”

Among the indie and sexy films that Coco made included “Masahista,” “Kaleldo,” “Tirador,” “Nars,” “Tambolista,” “Batanes,” “Condo,” “Daybreak,” “Servis,” “Jay” and “Kinatay.”

On TV, he appeared in “Ligaw na Bulaklak,” “Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Tiny Tony,” “Tayong Dalawa,” “Nagsimula sa Puso,” and “Agimat Presents Tonyong Bayawak.”

Coco’s awards include the Best Drama Actor (“Tayong Dalawa”) from the PMPC Star Awards for Television, Best Supporting Actor (“Jay”) from Gawad URIAN, Best Supporting Actor Award (“Jay”) from the Golden Screen Awards, and Best Performance (“Masahista”) from the Young Critics Circle.

* * *
Beauty queen Zara finds true love in Shiok Resto

Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) ex-housemate and 2007 Mutya ng Pilipinas Zara Aldana has finally found “true love,” but this is when it comes to food. She recently found what her heart has always been looking for at the core of The Fort in the Global City in Taguig, and this is the Singaporean restaurant called Shiok Resto.

Singaporean cuisine is Zara’s choice when it comes to food. The unique mix and formula of the dishes in Shiok Resto make Zara one of the Filipinos who are truly obsessed with this one-of-a-kind Asian cuisine. Singapore has many distinctive dishes and they sizzle with color, flavor and texture, making diners like Zara savor the wonderful complexity of its culture.

The owners of Shiok Resto are Chef Nicco Yujuico Santos and his partners Evan Uy and Erica Chang who personally cook and prepare the food and the utensils for their clients. Specialties at Shiok Resto include Hainan Chicken, Soy Chicken, Spicy Pineapple Fish, Roti, Tomato Pork Chop and Curries.

Beauty queen Zara would like to visit the resto and feast of its dishes every day if possible before doing her showbiz commitments. Her favorite is the authentic Hainan Chicken.

* * *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 21 go to Mrs. Gretchen Cojuangco, Usec. Nelly F. Villafuerte, twins Richard and Raymond Gutierrez, Glaiza de Castro, Claire Serrano, Rhode Island-based Mark M. Parlan, Dobie Aranda, Rodolfo Palma, Nida Santos, Willie Puyat Reyes, Arnel Dulay, Jobellen So, Ivie Casas, People’s Tonight entertainment editor Ian Farinas, MB’s Brenda P. Tuazon and Star Magic’s JR Siaboc, Panky Trinidad and EJ Jallorina.