Senator Lito Lapid announced his return to primetime television with Coco Martin in "Batang Quiapo," another adaptation of a Fernando Poe Jr. project, as he praised Coco for giving importance to fellow actors.
"Minsan napagusapan namin sabi ko ayaw mo bang pumasok sa pulitika? Sabi niya, 'ayoko po.' Hindi na ako namilit. Ayokong mangulit. Ayaw niya eh. Sabi niya aanhin ko naman ang pulitika kung kumikita naman ako? (Once we talked, I said do you not want to enter politics? He said, 'I don't want to.' I didn't force myself anymore. He said he's earning well in show business.)
“Sabagay malaki naman ang kita niya at bakit pa siya kukuha ng sakit ng ulo? Sabi ko naman sa kanya, ‘marami kang natutulungan sa industriya at nakita ko noong nagsu-shooting tayo ng ‘Ang Probinsyano,’ halos lahat ng mga artistang napariwara, binalik niya uli at nakita naman natin yun. (After all, he has a lot of income and why would he get a headache? I said to him, "You helped a lot of people in the industry and I saw it when we were shooting ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ You hired actors who have no jobs.)
"Kapag may napanood siya sa TV na wala ng trabaho o wala ng pelikula, or nakatira sa ilalim ng tulay, makikita ninyo kasama na siya sa 'FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.’ Yun talaga ang ugali ni Coco. Matulungin talaga siya kaya pinagpapala,” said the senator, during a press conference in Quezon City recently. (When he sees movie stars on TV who are not active anymore in the business, or living under a bridge, you will see them in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.’ That’s really Coco’s attitude. He’s really helpful, that's why he’s so blessed.)
Lapid said that he is delighted to be part of "Batang Quiapo," an action-comedy teleserye which will showcase the rich culture and heritage of Quaipo and highlight the importance of restoring and preserving the district's cultural in integrity which he pushed for in his proposed measure known as the "Quiapo Heritage Zone Act."
"Nagagalak ako na ako ay nabigyan mo uli ng oportunidad upang mapasama sa ihanay ng magagaling na aktor na magtatanghal sa proyektong ito. Magandang pagkakataon rin ito upang itampok ang mayamang kultura at kasaysayan ng Quiapo at ipakita ang kahalagahan ng pagprotekta at pagpapahalaga sa distrito," said Lapid.
(I am happy that I have been given the opportunity again to join the ranks of great actors who will perform in this project. It is also a good opportunity to highlight the rich culture and history of Quiapo and show the importance of protecting and valuing the district.)
In the latest series, Lito will play the role of Supremo, the leader of pickpockets in Quiapo.
"Batang Quiapo" is based on the 1986 action-comedy film of the same title, which centered on Baldo (FPJ), a former pickpocket who becomes reformed after his time behind bars. He meets a young female thief (Maricel Soriano) asking him to take her as an apprentice, but instead, he tries to put her on the right path.
The new version of "Batang Quiapo" stars actress Lovi Poe, FPJ's daughter; Charo Santos-Concio; Mark Lapid, son of senator Lito Lapid; Christopher de Leon, Tommy Abuel, Cherry Pie Picache, Pen Medina, Susan Africa, and John Estrada.
It can be recalled that Lito starred with Coco in the seven-year-long series "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" which ended last year. Here, Lito became known for his character as "Pinuno," the leader of "Pulang Araw."
Lito thanked the millions of viewers of "Ang Probinsyano" for the support.
"Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga taga panuod, lalo na sa aking mga kaibigan sa showbiz media, sa walang hangganang suporta hindi lang sa aking proyekto, kung hindi higit na lalo sa aking mga adbokasiya. Mahal ko po kayong lahat," the senator added.
"My sincere thanks to all the viewers, especially my friends in the showbiz media, for their endless support not only in my project, if not more so in my advocacies. I love you all.)