Lovi Poe bids 'Batang Quiapo' goodbye, feels 'blessed' to represent late father Fernando Poe Jr. in the drama
Lovi Poe has said goodbye to her role in Batang Quiapo and penned a heartfelt tribute honoring the show and her late father Fernando Poe Jr.
In case you haven't kept up with the episodes, Lovi is now leaving the action-drama show after her character Mokang died from a gunshot wound while trying to save her co-star Coco Martin's character Tanggol.
This is the first time that the actress has been a part of a project that honors her deceased father, who starred in the original 1986 film along with Maricel Soriano.
"I am truly blessed to have been part of a project that represents my father’s name. It was a first and it will always mean the world to me," Lovi wrote in an Instagram post.
She then thanked the show's producers Roldeo Endrinal and Cory Vidanes, as well as her network ABS-CBN, for the opportunity, saying, "You have given me a missing piece to my puzzle. For that, I will always be grateful."
Lovi also felt honored to portray her character, who she described to have been a big part of her career in the past year.
"A big part of my 2023 was breathing life into a character I have grown to love—what a privilege it was to play Mokang. She was a fighter and she taught me how it is to truly be free. It really was a tough decision for me to make but I have decided to turn the page," she wrote.
She further shared in a YouTube video by ABS-CBN that portraying Mokang also taught her some valuable lessons along the way.
"Gusto kong magpasalamat kay Mokang for teaching me to let loose, 'yung character ni Mokang ang na-portray ko na nag-let go ako at naging masayahin," Lovi said.
"Nagpapasalamat ako for giving me that feeling of being free," she added.
The local star ended her post by sending well wishes to the remaining cast of Batang Quiapo and applauding Coco for his work in the series.
"Coco, I will always be one of your biggest fans. Please try to get some sleep," she wrote.
Aside from Lovi and Coco, Batang Quiapo also stars Ivala Alawi, Charo Santos, Christopher de Leon, Lito Lapid, John Estrada, Cherry Pie Picache, Lorna Tolentino, and Jaclyn Jose.
The show follows a young man named Tanggol as he rises to be one of the biggest outlaws in the neighborhood while navigating to survive his life in Quiapo, Manila.