LIST: 6 must-watch teleseryes starring Coco Martin
Without a shadow of a doubt, Coco Martin is one of the biggest names in the country’s teleserye scene.
Even before landing the roles of Cardo Dalisay and Ador De Leon, Coco Martin has been a household name on local TV after appearing in some of the biggest teleseryes. Martin’s shows, which often include elements of melodrama, action, and “makamasa” appeal, are a testament to the actor’s ability to charm the everyday viewer. Plus, the shows are proof that he’s more than just a member of Task Force Agila with nine lives.
As we bid farewell to Cardo Dalisay for good, here are some of the actor’s biggest teleseryes that are worth the binge-watch, tears, and laughs.
Walang Hanggan (2012)
The romantic melodrama is special to CocoJul fans since this marked the start of Coco Martin and Julia Montes’ electrifying chemistry. Loosely based on the 1991 film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit, the teleserye revolves around star-crossed lovers Daniel Montenegro Guidotti (Coco Martin) and Katerina Alcantara (Julia Montes) as they fight for their relationship against all odds. Ultimately, their love story ends in hope as they ultimately reunite in heaven.
Bound by the “infinity ring,” Daniel and Katerina’s tragic love story is haunted by the past affair of Marco Montenegro (Richard Gomez) and Emily Cardenas (Dawn Zulueta) who eventually find their way into each other’s arms. The love triangle of Joseph Montenegro (Eddie Gutierrez), Margaret Cruz (Helen Gamboa), and Henya Cruz (Susan Roces) also makes a brief appearance with the latter sacrificing her love and well-being to give her younger sister a better life.
Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (2011)
The military drama Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin was Martin’s biggest step to leading man status after portraying the dual roles of Alexander Del Tierro and Javier Del Tierro. What makes this different from FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is that both brothers get a happy ending with Alexander marrying Krista Villanueva (Maja Salvador) and Javier starting a family with Gabrielle Marcelo (Andi Eigenmann).
The teleserye was a peek into Martin’s prowess in the action genre as the twin brothers fall under decorated soldier and rebel.
Tayong Dalawa (2009)
Even if Tayong Dalawa revolves around the love triangle of Dave Garcia (Jake Cuenca), JR Garcia (Gerald Anderson), and Audrey King (Kim Chiu), Martin was a revelation after starring as mentally unstable Ramon Lecumberri.
Before the show aired, Martin was an up-and-coming actor who was known for his many roles in indie films. This teleserye showed his ability to command attention from the audience and at times, steal the spotlight from the main leads. He soon brought back his character’s crazed and creepy roots in the 2010 drama, Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.
Juan Dela Cruz (2013)
Coco Martin even showed his acting chops in the fantasy genre through the 2013 fantaserye Juan Dela Cruz. Unbeknownst to his half-Tagabantay and half-aswang roots, Juan was raised as an orphan by a parish priest (Jaime Fabregas) who was hated by the townsfolk due to his delinquent behavior.
Juan eventually discovers his destiny to destroy the human race after accidentally changing the cross into a sword. While he initially earned the respect of the Kapatiran, he soon discovers that he has to choose between fulfilling his noble cause or saving the world.
Ikaw Lamang (2014)
A story that spanned five decades, Ikaw Lamang is a period drama that followed the disparity between the rich and poor. The teleserye is divided into two books, with the first season revolving around the entangled love stories of Samuel Severino Hidalgo (Coco Martin), Isabelle Miravelez-Hidalgo (Kim Chiu), Jake Cuenca (Franco Salazar Hidalgo), and Mona Roque-Hidalgo. Samuel and Mona mirror the realities of poor farmers desperate to fight for their land, Ysabelle is forced to sacrifice her happiness and dignity to keep her marriage afloat, and Franco remains in power despite holding counts of corruption and impunity.
The second season jumps straight to the 2000s as it tells the story of Gabriel Hidalgo (Coco Martin), Natalia Hidalgo (KC Concepcion), and Andrea Hidalgo (Kim Chiu). Gabriel grew up determined to take revenge against Franco until he is romantically caught between his daughters Natalia and Andrea.
Nagsimula sa Puso (2009)
A remake of the 1990 film of the same name, Nagsimula sa Puso tells the story of engineering scholar Carlo Pagdanganan (Coco Martin) who falls in love with his professor Celina Fernandez (Maja Salvador).
The afternoon teleserye is one of Martin’s firsts as a leading man as he showed off his sizzling chemistry with Salvador (thus, the birth of the popular CocoJam team-up). The show follows a controversial and familiar formula, but his acting skills prove why he’s one of the actors that are worth watching.