From ‘Direk’ to Coco

BRILLANTE Mendoza: “He worked hard for everything he has.”JOSEPH AGCAOILI

Award-winning indie filmmaker Brillante Mendoza on the success of his former ward, actor Coco Martin, in mainstream television: “Coco started in ‘Masahista’ before he did ‘Tirador,’ ‘Serbis’ and ‘Kinatay.’ Even in films where he didn’t act, he was involved behind the scenes—like in ‘Foster Child’ and ‘Siquijor.’ He was, in fact, a coproducer of ‘Serbis.’ In this sense, Coco is already considered successful in the indie scene.

“What’s sad in our country is that we base success and achievement on popularity. You’re more successful when you’re in mainstream and when you’re popular. Doon ako napipikon. I guess you can say Coco has more money now. He is able to buy what he wants, but he worked hard for that.

“I’m happy with what he has accomplished. I always tell him, ‘Dalhin mo lahat ng natutunan mo dito (indie) sa pagpunta mo sa mainstream. ’Wag ka magpapakain sa sistema. The culture in mainstream is very different from where you came from.’

“I’m glad he listened. He didn’t sell out. He’s still the same person. He comes to work on time. Even if he’s released from work at 4 or 5 a.m., and his call time is 8 a.m., he’s there. He’s never been late. It was especially hard for him to play a dual role (in ‘Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin’). Pack-up na kasi ang lahat but he’s still working.

“Pagod siya, but he’s grateful for the opportunities given to him. I guess that’s the trade-off. For all of us in this business, everything is temporary. We really don’t consider this as something permanent. Coco’s doing mainstream now because he wants to try it, but in his heart, I know, he’d still rather do indie.”