MANILA, Philippines – Coco Martin said that had a pleasant conversation with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa last July during a visit to Camp Crame.

At the press conference for the first year anniversary of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano Thursday, Sept 29, Coco said that the PNP chief seemed pleased with how the show is helping Filipinos, especially when it comes to promoting positive traits and values.

“Actually nakakatuwa kasi, unexpected. Napakasimple at mahiyain [niya],” Coco said.

(Actually, it’s very nice, unexpected. He’s very simple and shy.) 

“Kasi nauna kaming dumating sa kanya dahil marami siya mga meeting na dinaanan. And then after that, kinong-gratulate kami…natutuwa siya sa FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, kasi siguro malaki naiitutulong ng teleserye natin sa pagbibigay ng alituntunin sa ating mga manonoood na kung ano yung mga dapat iwasan, ano yung mga updated na nangyayari ngayon sa mga krimen … ang laki nung naicocontribute natin sa pamilyang Pilipino para makapagbigay aral, lalung-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan.”

(Because we were the first to arrive there, as he attended a lot of meetings. And then after that, he congratulated us… he’s very pleased with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, because I guess our teleserye imparts a lot of lessons to our viewers on what to avoid, about crime … there’s a contribution to Filipino families with regard to important lessons, especially for today’s youth.) 

Primetime King @mr.cocomartin with PNP Chief General Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa #CocoMartin #PrimetimeKing #FPJsAngProbinsyano

A photo posted by Coco Martin PH (@cocomartin_ph) on Jul 21, 2016 at 2:33am PDT

Coco added: “Sabi niya sana maipagpatuloy pa namin para makatulong pa kami. Ganun din sa kanila dahil syempre, sabi nga po nila kahit papaano sa pamamagitan ng FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, naibabalik yung pagmamahal at pagtitiwala ng mga tao sa ating kapulisan.”

(He said he hopes that we continue to do what we’re doing so we can help. It’s the same with them because, as I said with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, the people’s love and trust towards the police force is returning.)

Tackling current issues

With the country’s current situation, such as the issue on war on drugs, Coco said that he and the creative team are careful about what they show on television. Coco also serves as a creative consultant of the show. 

“Actually pinag-aaralan po talaga namin nang mabuti. Hindi kami pwede basta-basta maglagay ng mga kuro-kurong kwento. Kasi napakalaking tinatackle natin, lalo na yung mga napapanahon ngayon,” Coco said. 

(Actually we study everything carefully. We just cannot come out with baseless stories. Because we are tackling a huge scope, especially with what’s happening now.)

“Honestly, may mga topic kami na or may mga kuwento kami na binabahagi sa mga manonood na hindi sinasadya. Like kunyari party drugs. Ginawa namin iyon – talagang ‘yung mga writers namin talagang nag-research sila, nagpunta sila sa mga pulis station, ano ba ang nangyari sa NBI. Talagang nag-aaral kami kung paano ba yung procedure sa mga nangyayari sa ganun sitwasyon. And then nagulat na lang kami nung isang araw na parang nabalita ‘yung mga ganun sitwasyon,” he said.

(Honestly, we have topics or stories that we show to viewers that we don’t intend to closely parallel what’s happening. Like for example, on party drugs. We made – our writers really researched about it, they went to police stations, what’s happening at the NBI. We really studied the procedures, with these types of situations. And then we just got surprised that one day, it was in the news.)

Coco said that he’s aware of the show’s responsibility. 

“Syempre sabi nga namin, napakalaki nung obligasyon namin. Kasi napakaraming nato-touch namin na buhay ng mga Pilipino. And then lalung-lalo na sa character ko, sa bawat character sa isa sa amin, syempre may mga taong humahanga sa amin.

(Of course as we said, we have a huge obligation. Because we touch a lot of Filipino lives. And then of course my character, every character we do, there are people who look up to us.) 

“Kapag nagkamali kami ng pagpapakita or pagdedeliver ng pagpoportray ng character namin, baka makaapekto yung sa mga tao sa lipunan, kaya masyado kaming nagiging sensitibo talagang pinag-aaralan namin nang matindi bago gawin ang isang topic,” Coco said. 

(If we make one mistake in showing or delivering the character we portray, it will affect how people out there, that’s why we’re very sensitive in studying everything even before we tackle a topic.)

Ang Probinsyano, which airs on ABS-CBN, was inspired by Fernando Poe Jr’s (FPJ) film of the same name and has dealt with themes like prostitution, child abuse, and illegal drug distribution.

As part of the show’s first year anniversary, a concert together with the other stars from Dreamscape Unit will be held on October 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

#FPJsAngProbinsyano Isang Pamilya Tayo The Anniversary Concert. Ngayong October 8, 7:30PM sa Araneta Coliseum. FREE ADMISSION! pic.twitter.com/cqhnIcfu84

— Dreamscape (@DreamscapePH) September 28, 2016

Since its airing last year, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano has been recognized by a number of award-giving bodies. The House of Representatives also recommended Coco as a “Celebrity Advocate for a drug-free Philippines,” filing House Resolution 358 to recognize the show’s efforts in tackling relevant and controversial issues.  – Rappler.com