What keeps Coco grounded

Coco Martin, Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Actor of the Year, doesn't want fame to get into his head.
 
"Honestly, naiintindihan ko siya (fame) pero ayaw ko siyang namnamin. Kasi baka iyon ang maging way ko para tamarin sa trabaho kapag inenjoy ko masyado," Coco said at the pocket interview for his new Cinemalaya entry “Santa Niña" on Tuesday, July 17, at White House in Quezon City. Coco topbills and co-produced “Santa Niña," which is directed by Manny Palo.

Coco wants to busy himself with acting instead.

"Sabi ko nga mas gusto kong magpakabusy sa trabaho, more than maging sa limelight ng pagiging artista. Kasi andyan yung makikipagkumparahan ka, andito ako para magtrabaho."

So, what keeps Coco grounded?

“Bago pa man ako umabot dito ngayon, alam ko na na yung pinasok ko, na trabaho lang ito. Iyon ang naging mindset ko,” he replied.

Thank you, indie

Coco thanks his indie acting experience, which prepared him for bigger things in showbiz.

“Kaya iyon ang maganda sa indie, naihanda ako, kumbaga alam ko yung pagiging wala, yung wala namang pumapansin sa iyo dati. So, kung ano man ang dumating sa akin, sobra kong naaappreciate.”

Coco still considers himself a showbiz newbie, and says he still has many things to do and learn. He reminds himself that nothing is permanent. Thus, he wants to seize the opportunity of securing his family’s future, even if it means sacrificing personal time for work.

“Ito yung panahon para makapag-ipon ako. Ang tagal kong hinintay ito, pinagsumikapan, bakit ko pa papakawalan? Alam kong matatapos rin ito, darating yung point na baka hindi na rin ako gusto ng mga tao. Pero baka matapos iyon, kahit papaano masecure ko yung future ng family ko, makapag-ipon ako para sa kanila,” Coco said.

Humble beginnings

He shared that his humble beginnings as an indie actor made him persevere and improve his craft so he can provide for his family.

“Nagsimula ako sa wala talaga, as in naranasan ko na P2000 lang ang bayad sa akin sa pelikula, minsan wala. Pero sabi ko, iyon ang naging foundation ko para magsumikap lalo.”

Coco is back to doing an indie film, “Santa Niña,” which he also produced and is his way of paying it forward to the indie community. The Cinemalaya entry tells the story of a  father who accidentally unearths the body of his daughter, whom he believes is working miracles.

“Ngayon, kahit papaano, gusto kong ibalik naman sa kanila. Gusto ko namang tumulong lalung-lalo na sa mga artistang kasamahan ko noong nagsisimula ako, yung mga staff, production. Kahit papaano kumikita na ako, gusto ko na ako naman yung tumulong sa kanila,” Coco said.

Help is on the way

He hopes to help  fellow indie actors find work on TV, where they can have a more regular source of income.

“Marami pa akong gustong magawa at marating, matulungan lalo na yung mga kasamahan ko sa indie. Sana mabigyan ako ng chance na maipasok rin sila sa TV, magkaroon ng normal na trabaho, yung kumikita.”

Coco feels happy and proud to be part of the indie scene, which is gaining more attention and support from moviegoers and mainstream media, “Nagbunga na yung pinaghirapan namin,” he observes.

“Dati parang ang tingin sa amin, 'Magulong istorya niyan, hindi mo maintindihan, madilim, low budget iyan.’ Pero ngayon, siyempre tumataas ang quality. Ang daming gustong tumulong o gustong gumawa ng indie kaya nakakatuwa kasi parte ako doon, noong nagsisimula kami, kung paano nabuo yung indie dito sa Pilipinas.”