Gina Pareño could appear in ‘Batang Quiapo,’ Coco Martin says

(From left) Gina Pareño and Coco Martin. Images: FILE PHOTOS

Screen veteran Gina Pareño might have a guest appearance in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” according to its lead actor and co-director Coco Martin.

Pareño’s possible appearance in the action drama was reported Tuesday, Nov. 5, on “TV Patrol,” where Martin stressed the importance of “showing respect” to veteran actors.

“Bigyan natin ng respeto ang veteran actors natin. Kasi sila ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nandito at kung ano man ang [estado] ng industriya natin ngayon (Let’s respect our veteran actors. They’re the reason why we’re here and why the industry stands until now),” he said.

Martin also spoke of his closeness with the screen veteran, saying the latter was one of his mentors when he was building his career on mainstream TV.

“Si Tita Gina ang isa sa nag-alaga at nagturo sa’kin noong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa TV. Kung ano ako ngayon, ‘yung disiplina ko at pagtutok ko sa trabaho, ‘yung characterization (Tita Gina was one of the actors who took care of and mentored me when I was starting in TV. She’s one of the reasons why I am the person I am now, including my characterizations, way of discipline, focus toward work),” he said.

The “Batang Quiapo” star’s statement came weeks after Pareño expressed her desire to return to acting in an October 2024 interview with the ABS-CBN flagship newscast.

The screen veteran added that while she’s happy to be “alive and kicking” on her 77th birthday, she hopes to appear on TV and films again.

Martin and Pareño worked together in the dramas “Tayong Dalawa,” “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” “Juan Dela Cruz,” “My Little Juan” and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” as well as the film “Apag.”