Coco Martin in thanksgiving mode

WITH PRESIDENTIAL sisters Ballsy Cruz (left) Kris Aquino and Pinky Abellada, right. PHOTOS BY ROMY HOMILLADA

Having taken so many odd jobs, Coco Martin is thankful that he has found his niche.

On Wednesday, the ABS-CBN actor celebrated his 33rd birth anniversary with media friends and colleagues—his actual birthday was yesterday, Nov. 1. The party also marked his 10th year in show business.

“I was never really into partying. I’m happy to hang out with friends, but I’m not the type who entertains guests, not even at home. My manager (Biboy Arboleda) said it’s time I did this, to thank the people who have supported me this past decade,” said Martin, who was dressed in a black long-sleeved, button-down shirt and jeans.

The actor recounted some of those odd jobs: “I handed out flyers in malls, candies in gasoline stations; helped set up tarpaulins in bars. I played bit roles in several indie movies. Looking back, I can say it has definitely been a long journey.”

ABOUT TO GET a birthday buss from ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio

Turning point

Martin, or Rodel Luis Nacianceno in real life, is the recipient of the Actor of the Decade honor from the Gawad Urian in 2011. He is known for his roles in independently produced films like Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Kinatay” and “Masahista,” and the soap series “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin” (2011), which won him multiple acting awards.

The funny thing about him, Martin said, was that he never thought of himself as a talented actor. “I had done a lot of indie movies before I realized that acting could be a way for me to get my family out of poverty. It was at that point that I decided to take acting seriously,” Martin recalled.

His decision to work for television in 2009, via the ABS-CBN action-drama “Tayong Dalawa,” proved fruitful. He went on to act in the top-rating shows “Agimat Presents: Tonyong Bayawak,” “Walang Hanggan” and “Juan de la Cruz.”

He said, “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I don’t regret anything that’s happened. What’s more important is that I learned from them.”

Martin drew flak from women’s rights groups for his performance in the recent Bench-organized fashion show, “The Naked Truth,” where he walked on the ramp with a woman on a leash in tow. He later apologized, saying he should have been more discerning about his actions.

“I no longer accept jobs that I don’t fully understand,” Martin said on Wednesday. “I have a responsibility to my audience. I now make sure I know the deeper meaning and implications of what I do.”

FLANKED by talent manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano (left) and actress Amy Austria

On the love front, Martin said finding a girlfriend is not his priority. “Been there, done that. I’m not in a hurry to find a partner. I’m young and I know I have a lot to do still as an actor,” he pointed out.

Martin is currently working on the sequel to the horror movie “Feng Shui” by Chito Roño. The film, which also features Kris Aquino, is an official entry to the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival in December. “I refuse to pressure myself by worrying about whether or not my movie will do well in the box office. I will just let Ate Kris handle that.”
Also present at Martin’s party were his “Ikaw Lamang” costars KC Concepcion, Amy Austria, Smokey Manaloto, Christopher de Leon and wife Sandy Andolong; as well as colleagues Albert Martinez, Paulo Avelino, Julia Montes, Diana Zubiri, Gina Pareño, Maryo J. de los Reyes, Eddie Garcia, Ronaldo Valdez, Ronnie Lazaro, Rio Locsin, Jed Madela, Gary Valenciano, John Estrada and wife Priscilla Meirelles, Alessandra de Rossi, Sid Lucero, Aquino, Roño, among others.

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares dropped by—as did ABS-CBN executives Charo Santos-Concio, Cory Vidanes, Johnny Manahan and Deo Endrinal and comedian Vice Ganda.

(E-mail [email protected])