MANILA -- Screen veteran Christopher de Leon expressed his gratitude to be part of ABS-CBN's hit action drama "FPJ's Batang Quiapo," which is now down to its last week.
In his exit interview, de Leon opened up about his three-year experience being part of "Batang Quiapo," where he portrayed Ramon Montenegro, the father of Tanggol (Coco Martin).
"Senyor Coco, maraming-maraming salamat at pinagkatiwalaan mo kami sa project na ito. Pinagkatiwalaan mo ako bilang iyong ama sa series na ito sa 'Batang Quiapo.' Salamat sa experience, salamat sa kabutihan mo. Salamat at hindi mo itinago sa amin ang iyong pagkatao as Coco Martin na nakita namin ang husay ng iyong leadership bilang director, aktor, producer, writer, everything. Nakita namin how you handle it. Hats off ako sa iyo. Thank you for this project and I enjoyed every minute of it," de Leon told the show's lead actor and director.
De Leon also called Martin a "genius" on the set. "I've been in the business for like almost 40 plus years, I've never seen a person like this, like Coco Martin. Even the dialogue, impromptu. ... Ang dami kong natutunan dito. Noong una natakot ako talaga, after three years okay na, we can do it again," he said.
De Leon also shared one of the things he learned from "Batang Quiapo."
"Isa sa natutunan namin dito sa 'Batang Quiapo' is how to love your work. Kung kukuha kayo ng trabaho, kumuha kayo ng trabaho na gustong-gusto niyong gawin. Very fortunate na nandito ako sa 'Batang Quiapo,' naging artista ako, pinagkatiwalaan ako as Ramon Montenegro. Nagampanan ko naman I think nang maayos. Thank you very much sa pagtitiwala sa akin. And advice ko lang is mahalin niyo ang trabaho niyo kung ano ang pinakamagandang gawin at marangal na trabaho ay kunin niyo, pag-igihan niyo, 'yun ay magiging para sa inyo," de Leon said.
Last Friday, de Leon's character Ramon was killed by Roberto (Albert Martinez) as the group of Tanggol (Coco Martin) tried to remove the Guerreros from power in Manila. Apart from Ramon, Jackie Guerrero, portrayed by Angel Aquino also died.
De Leon also expressed his gratitude to CCM Film Productions and Dreamscape Entertainment as he promoted the program's last week.
"FPJ's Batang Quiapo" now down to its five episodes is available on Kapamilya Channel AllTV2, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z. It's also available on iWant and TFC.