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Batang Quiapo (TV series)
Philippine television drama series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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FPJ's Batang Quiapo (lit. 'FPJ's Quiapo kid'; international title: Gangs of Manila[3]) is a Philippine television drama action series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel.[2] Based on the 1986 film of the same title, the series is directed by Malu L. Sevilla, Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, Richard V. Somes, Coco Martin and Kevin de Vela, it stars Martin in the title role. It premiered on February 13, 2023, on the network's Primetime Bida line up.
The series is streaming online on YouTube.
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Synopsis
A young man named Tanggol rises to be one of the biggest outlaws in the neighborhood while he navigates his way in life to survive in Quiapo, Manila. Hoping to earn the affection of his parents, his feat draws him closer to the truth about his identity.[4][5]
Cast and characters

Present
- Main cast
- Coco Martin[6] as Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" Guerrero-Montenegro[d]
- Lawrence Dela Cruz as young Tanggol
- Christopher de Leon[7] as Ramon Montenegro / Alberto Frias[e]
- Coco Martin[6] as young Ramon
- John Estrada as PCpl. Rigor Dimaguiba[f]
- Ejay Falcon as young Rigor
- Cherry Pie Picache as Ma. Teresa "Marites" Asuncion/Guerrero-Dimaguiba
- Miles Ocampo[8] as young Marites
- Rosanna Roces as Divina Juanillo Mondragon
- Maris Racal as Pat. Paula "Ponggay" Garcia
- Jake Cuenca as Mayor Miguelito Guerrero
- Baron Geisler as Rockyboy Mondragon
- Aljur Abrenica as PLT Hector Victorino[f]
- Roi Vinzon as Brando Mondragon
- Angel Aquino as Congresswoman Jackie Guerrero
- Dante Rivero as Don Gustavo Guerrero
- Jhong Hilario as young Don Gustavo
- Albert Martinez as Vice Mayor Roberto Guerrero
- Charo Santos as Matilde "Tindeng" Asuncion
- Precious Lara Quigaman as young Tindeng
- Elisse Joson as younger Tindeng
- Precious Lara Quigaman as young Tindeng
- Recurring cast
- Tommy Abuel as Don Julio Montenegro
- Raul Montesa as young Don Julio
- Arnold Reyes as younger Don Julio
- Raul Montesa as young Don Julio
- Ronnie Lazaro as Lucio Liberan / Angkong Lucio
- Viggo Franco as young Lucio
- Pen Medina as Marciano "Marsing" Dimaculangan
- Perla Bautista as Lola Florie
- Susan Africa as Nonita "Nita" Dimaculangan
- Allan Paule as PCpl. Armando "Mando" Mendoza[f]
- Marlo Mortel as young Mando
- Joel Lamangan as Rodolfo "Roda" Alcantara
- Jojit Lorenzo as Renato "Enteng" Dimapilis
- Juan Rodrigo as Alfredo Pangan
- Joseph Marco as young Alfredo
- Ronwaldo Martin as Santino Guerrero-Dimaguiba
- Mark Anthony "Big Mak" Andaya as Alvin "Tanos" Garcia
- Sugar Ray "Mammoth" Estroso as Gabriel "Bulldog" Santiago
- Ryan Martin as Rodolfo "Dolfo" Agustin
- Richard Quan as Mauro Garcia
- Aleck Bovick as Linda Sanchez
- Via Antonio as Pat. Chona Vasquez
- Paolo Paraiso as Jason Bartolay
- Loi "Mama Loi" Villarama as Loisa
- Francis Valle "Dyosa Pockoh" Suayan as Jessa
- Atong Redillas as Reporter Abet
- John Medina as Franco de Gallo
- Gillian Vicencio as Erika Guerrero
- Jay Gonzaga as Emil Alfaro
- Criza Taa as Dimples Sanchez
- Nicole Luna
- Brenda Hernandez Lualhati as Lengleng
- Jegs Chinel as Patty
- Guest cast
- Raymond Buensuceso "Flict-G" Rivera as Rocky
- Antonio "Mastafeat" Cajuban Jr. as Pito
- Jonas Dichoso as Jonas Jay "Jojo" Pamatpat
- Marco "Kial" Alkadama as Theodoro "Toryo" Paanum
- Bryan "Smugglaz" Lao as Kidlat
- Lordivino "Bassilyo" Ignacio as Teban
- Rey Campanilla as Cong. Leo Mojica
- Jun Nayra as Emilio Umali
- Tess Antonio as Evelyn Dumlao
- Nor Domingo as Tonyo Mercado
- Chet Pastrana as Francis Baylon
- Pontri Bernardo as PBGEN Avelino Rivas[f]
- Happy Marcial as Happy
- Ghercie Soriano as Ghercie
- Geline Garcia as Geline
- Myrna Castillo as Myrna Dimapilis
- Muriel Anne "Sisa" Jamito as Sonia
- Marlon Tourette as Marlon
- Pokski Ramirez as Opok
- Salvador "Badong" Domasian Jr. as Joel
- Jeri Montano as Eddy Villanueva
- Nanding Josef as Rev. Fr. Ruben
- Bombi Plata as Maning
- Sandy Aloba as Sandy
- Maynard Lapid as Paul
- Dexie Diaz as Annika
Former
- Main cast
- Lovi Poe[1] as Monica "Mokang / Monique" Dimaculangan-Frias
- Juharra Asayo as young Mokang
- Jaclyn Jose[9][10] as Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Dolores Espinas
- Lorna Tolentino[11] as Amanda Salonga
- Lara Fortuna as young Amanda
- Lito Lapid[12] as Supremo "Primo" Medina
- Jomari Angeles as young Primo
- Celia Rodriguez as Doña Pilar Guerrero
- Louise delos Reyes as young Doña Pilar
- Michael de Mesa as Rafael "Paeng" Benito
- Andrea Brillantes as Fatima Benito
- Recurring cast
- RK Bagatsing as Greg Montenegro
- Marina Benipayo as Catherine Cheng
- Odette Khan as Aurora Cheng
- Toni Fowler as Chicky
- Ynez Veneracion as Marita
- Dinky Doo Jr. as Boston
- Deborah Sun as Yolly
- Dindo Arroyo as Severino Sabado
- Val Iglesias as Romulo "Mulong" Cordero
- Robert Seña[9] as Jail Warden Col. Gerardo Balatucan
- Vandolph Quizon as Ronaldo "Bong" Pulido
- Donna Cariaga as Becky
- Neil Coleta as Obet
- Yce Navarro as Ruben
- Elijah Canlas as Pablo Caballero
- Niño Muhlach as Baste
- Ivana Alawi as Samantha Montenegro-Macaraig / Samantha "Bubbles" Fortun-Zaballa
- Mona Alawi as young Bubbles
- Soliman Cruz as Celso "Mayor" Fortun-Zaballa
- Jim Pebanco as young Celso
- Jean Saburit as Lourdes
- Lito Camo as Goodah
- Nikko Natividad as Emong Fortun-Zaballa
- Kim Rodriguez as Jelly
- Deo "Diwata" Balbuena as Frida
- Yukii Takahashi as Camille Castillo
- Levi Ignacio as Gregorio "Gary" Ramos
- Dan Alvaro as Dante "Dan" Martinez
- Joel Saracho as Apo Manuel
- Jerald Napoles as Ato
- Kim Molina as Ima
- John Rendez as Juancho Caballero
- Lao Rodriguez as Jail Lt. Antonio Macasantos
- Malou Crisologo as Pacing
- Gil "Ate Gay" Morales as Elsa
- Tessie Tomas as Doña/Señora Bettina Caballero
- Ara Davao as Katherine Caballero-Montenegro
- Jaime Fabregas as Don Facundo Caballero
- Nonie Buencamino as Marcelo Macaraig
- Alex Medina as young Marcelo
- Luisito Espinosa as Roberto
- Renz Fernandez as Bullet
- Anjo Yllana as Michael
- Maverick Relova as Derek
- Barbie Imperial as Tisay
- William Martinez as Regie
- Raquel Villavicencio as Cecilia
- Lou Veloso as Ricardo "Noy" Panganiban, Jr.
- Karl Medina as young Noy
- Yogo Singh as younger Noy
- Karl Medina as young Noy
- Mercedes Cabral as PCpl. Lena Cortez[f]
- Irma Adlawan as Olga Montenegro / Beng[g]
- Ryza Cenon as young Olga
- Jeffrey Tam as Leroy "Roy" Tiu-Lee
- Ricardo Cepeda as Richardson Wu
- King Gutierrez as PLTCOL Manuel Suarez[f]
- Joonee Gamboa as Harrison Co Cheng / Angkong
- Benzon Dalina as Turko
- Julio Diaz as PMGEN Augustus Pacheco[f]
- Dominic Roco as young Augustus
- Gio Alvarez as Kaloy Benito
- Angeli Khang as Veronica Kwon
- Leo Martinez as Mr. Arthur Kwon
- Long Mejia as Peng
- Chris Ulo as Reporter
- McCoy de Leon as David Guerrero-Dimaguiba / Fake Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" Guerrero-Montenegro[h]
- Joey Marquez as PMSg Edilberto "Berting" Oliva[f]
- Mark Lapid as Benjamin "Ben" Camacho
- James Caraan as Larry "Badong" Lora
- Jon Achaval as Jaime Ferrer
- Gerard Pizarras as Joaquin Navarro
- Archie Adamos as Diosdado Ilagan
- Cholo Barretto as Enrico Gomez
- Diana Opilac as Nati Dumlao
- Ahl Opilac as Totoy Dumlao
- Ahldrin John Opilac as Lito Dumlao
- Shamaine Buencamino as Gracia Benito
- Albie Casiño as Iñigo Montenegro/Guerrero-Torres
- Efren Reyes Jr. as PLTCOL Salvador Romero[f]
- Vangie Labalan as Carmen Pangan
- Ping Medina as Edwin Dimaculangan
- Raymond Ronquillo as Raul Ramos
- Kim Domingo as Madonna
- Ihman Esturco as Lorenzo Matthew Ejada
- Chanda Romero as Former Vice Mayor Olivia Montenegro/Guerrero-Torres
- Renz Joshua "Baby Giant" Baña as Rowell "Oweng" Bulawan
- Nonong Ballinan as Nognog Dumlao
- Vince Rillon as Mark "Maki" Benito
- Guest cast
- Rez Cortez as Abdul[13]
- Sarah Edwards as Fatima
- Jun Hidalgo as Omar
- Rey Langit as Reporter Ruben
- Rani Caldoza as Mr. Valentin
- Robbie Packing as Ato
- Lovely Jimenez-Dela Peña as Joy
- Norvin Dela Peña as Norman
- Elyson "Ghost Wrecker" Caranza as Kagawad / Tanod
- Aaron "Yorme" Sunga as Tolits
- Erin Espiritu as Tala
- Eric Fructuoso as Banjo
- Janice Jurado as Janet
- Peso Ratschild as Baldo
- Angela Balagtas as Kiara
- Kevin de Vela as Efren
- Shanaia Gomez as Selene
- Christine Bermas as Aileen
- Rafael Froilan as Kanor
- Edna Vida Froilan as Erlinda
- Nonoy Froilan as Amanda's dad
- Via Veloso as Cynthia
- Lowell Conales as Raul
- Giovanni Baldisseri as Felix Jacobe
- Alireza Libre as Atty. Legaspi
- Dino Imperial as JP
- Jimboy Martin as Karlo
- Sophie Reyes as Jill
- Karla Marie Preizer as Sarah
- Drey Brown as Tony
- Leo Bruno as Fria
- Alexa Macanan as Ema
- Katrina Paula as Tinay
- Amanda Zamora as Charlene Cheng
- Ava Mendez as Eva
- John Lapid as John
- Syra Mulleno as Café Manager
- Kenjhons Serrano as Victor
- Jong Cuenco as Cong. Amado Sevilla
- Nognog as Nognog
- Jaime Cuales as Pango
- Roberto Antonino as Bantay
- Alma Concepcion as Queeny Fortun-Zaballa
- Leandro Baldemor as Jimmy Fortun-Zaballa
- Boss "Barakojuan" John as Bobet "Buboy" Border
- Bullet "Boss Bullet" Manliclic as Baste "Bagyo" Fuego
- Michael Rivero as Abner
- Joel "Pambansang Kolokoy" Mondina as Cocoy
- Zeppi Borromeo as Fidel
- Darwin "Haprice" Tolentino as Teron
- Rey Solo as Solo
- Raul "Higante" Dillo as Raul
- Rey Bejar as Bejar
- Alex Cunanan as Augustus's henchman
- Xander Madrid as Augustus's henchman
- Ricky Alma Jose as Augustus's henchman
- Kit Thompson as Alvin Daniega
- Gerald Gabonado as Bong's cellmate
- Anton Catral as Bong's cellmate
- Gino Ilustre as Don Ismael
- Lotlot Bustamante as Ibyang
- Johnny Revilla as Mr. Salazar
- Giemel Magramo as Gabriel "Gagamba" Gamboa
- Francis Mata as Mr. Tolentino
- Lauren Novero as Renan
- Mika Bernabe as Bianca
- Wilmar "Scarface" Peñaflorida as Augustus's henchman
- John Ching as Augustus's henchman
- Numerhus Maranan as Rod
- Ivan Carapiet as Diego
- Paolo Serrano as Paquito
- Nico Antonio as Simon
- Romy Romulo as Homer
- Jess Evardone as Gaspar
- Bart Guingona as Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Oscar Duran
- Erlinda Villalobos as Betchay Fortun-Zaballa
- Pedro Mercado "Zaito" Canon Jr. as Zanjo
- Romarico "Crazymix" Superable as Jude "Botchok" Andulan
- Christian Carlo "Pistolero" Cañares as Kaloy
- Victor Silayan as PLT Luis Jacobe[f]
- Jorel Ramirez as PLT Mario Samonte[f]
- Whitney Tyson as Wilma
- Joe Vargas as Kingston
- Anne Feo as Lilian
- Jonic Magno as Nestor
- Alexis Tolentino as Tanggol's cellmate
- Larry Estroso as Tanggol's cellmate
- Michael Angelo Soberano as Tanggol's cellmate
- Kiko Matos as Erik
- Raqs Regalado as Ruby
- KC Montero as Mr. Geronimo
- Bong Regala as Mr. Villegas
- Daniel "Tugue Zombie" Oke as Gold Buyer
- Will Devaughn as Gold Buyer
- Joseph Cabral as Tanggol's cellmate
- Robby Dizon as Tanggol's cellmate
- Sunshine Guimary as Atty. Romina Falcon
- Andrew Ramsay as Bobby
- Shernan Gaite as Chito
- Paolo Gumabao as Lawrence Oliverio
- Zeus Collins as Tisoy
- Thamara Alexandria as Phoebe
- Carlon Matobato as Tomas
- Angelica Lao as Angelica
- Romeo "Dagul" Queddeng Pastrana as Pido
- Jkhriez Pastrana as Pipay
- Jona De Flore as Jona
- Rod Navarro Jr. as Dindo
- Mark Dionisio as Ramil
- Rolando Inocencio as Sebyo
- Mae Paner as Conchita
- Uldario "Negi" Molina Jr. as Aloha
- Lei Ang as Shiela
- Maika Rivera as Atty. Vera Saldivar
- Junjun Quintana as Dr. Manuel Dagohoy
- Melissa Mendez as Marisol Pamintuan
- Roshon Barman as Vince
- Albert Bryan as Queenzy
- Johannes Rissler as Egay "Pierre" Angeles
- Lloyd Samartino as Isidro "Henry" Angeles
- Cristina Gonzales as Leonarda "Margaret" Angeles
- Dayal Chowdhary as Isaac
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Episodes
Production
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Development
After the success of the television adaptation of Ang Probinsyano, an adaptation of the 1986 film Batang Quiapo was named by various news outlets as the project most likely to be made next by actor-director Coco Martin. Rumors of the possible TV adaptation of Batang Quiapo began when the film's theme, Doon Lang, was performed by Martin in a "duet" with Fernando Poe Jr. as the clip of the scene from the film was being played;[14] said scene originally featured Poe and Maricel Soriano singing in a duet.[15][16] Martin had expressed interest in adapting more of FPJ's works for film and/or television,[17] as he adapted another Poe classic Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday[18] which was an entry into the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.[19]
However, the adaptation became uncertain due to Ang Probinsyano's continued extension[20] until its finale on August 12, 2022.[21]
Casting
On December 5, 2022, Martin is confirmed to star, direct, write, and to co-produce (the first in his showbiz career) in the Batang Quiapo remake alongside Poe's daughter, Lovi Poe and Charo Santos.[2][4][5]
McCoy de Leon's role as David was originally meant to only appear in the pilot episode of the show[i] but was extended numerous times due to the team being impressed with his performance.[23]
On January 4, 2024, Lovi Poe left the show due to her marriage with her fiancée in England.[24]
On January 23, 2024, Deborah Sun left the show due to an accident on the set and was immediately taken to the Hospital.[25]
On March 2, 2024, Jaclyn Jose died, leaving her role as Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Dolores Espinas. Bart Guingona replaced Jose as the new Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Oscar Duran.[10]
On February 10, 2025, Lito Lapid left the show due to contest in the 2025 midterm elections.[26]
Filming
Principal photography commenced on January 9, 2023, the same day of the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.[27][28]
The Binondo–Intramuros Bridge served as one of the prominent locations featured multiple times in the show.[29]
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Broadcast
The series, along with other primetime programs were pre-empted on A2Z from November 8, 2023 to February 9, 2024, and took effect every Wednesday and Friday to give way to the 2023–24 PBA season. It continued to air on Cine Mo! (as Saturday Marathon), Kapamilya Channel and TV5.[30]
International
On March 1, 2025, Batang Quiapo started airing internationally in 40 countries in Africa through StarTimes under the title, "Gangs of Manila".[3]
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Soundtrack
The series' opening theme song, "Batang Quiapo" (alternatively titled as "Matira Matibay" (Only the Strong Survive), is sung by various Filipino rap artists—Smugglaz, Bassilyo, CrazyMix, Flict-G, Kial, MastaFeat, Jonas, and Pistolero[a]—and a cover of Rico J. Puno's "Kapalaran" (Fate) is sung by Gary Valenciano.[31] "Pangako" (Promise) was originally sung by Moira Dela Torre.
Reception
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Ratings
According to Kantar Media, the pilot episode of the series debuted to a rating of 21.4%, and rose to 22.6% on February 15 (compared to its timeslot rival Maria Clara at Ibarra with 19.1% and 19.6%, respectively).[32] Additionally, the series received an average national TV ratings of 25.2% from October 9 to 13, covering urban and rural homes (ahead its timeslot rival Maging Sino Ka Man).[33]
Batang Quiapo ruled its timeslot for five consecutive months.[34] Despite limited reach on free-to-air, AGB Nielsen Philippines reported that the pilot week of the series gave a positive feedback on the viewers with 12.5% pilot episode rating on February 13, 2023, placing it in the 3rd spot of the rating board and 13.8% rating on February 15, placing on the 2nd spot of the rating board (compared to Maria Clara at Ibarra's 12.5%).[35][36][32] As per AGB Nielsen, the series registered its highest rating of 16.9% on October 13, 2023, placing at the top spot of the rating board.[37]
Online viewership
Batang Quiapo was a success upon its debut. The pilot week has generated over 44 million digital views across all online platforms and peaked with 341,509 live concurrent viewers on YouTube. The official tag also became the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter nationwide.[38] On February 21, 2025, the series reached an all-time high of 1,004,554 live concurrent viewers on YouTube.[39]
Muslim stereotype controversy
A day after its debut, the series' creators apologized to the Muslim community due to a scene where Martin's character Tanggol sought the help of his Muslim friend Abdul–portrayed by Rez Cortez–as he was being pursued by the police. Tanggol took refuge in the company of armed Muslim men whom the police were hesitant to take action due to fear of retribution. A number of Muslim Filipinos took offense and criticised the portrayal as reinforcing negative stereotypes against them,[40] with some calling for a boycott of the series.[41] Movie and Television Review and Classification Board later released a statement on the controversy and asked for cultural sensitivity from production houses.[42] Senator Robin Padilla–a prominent Filipino Muslim–also issued a statement regarding the episode, assuring people that Martin did not have any "ill intentions" and appealed to fellow Filipino Muslims for understanding and forgiveness.[43]
Parodies
A sketch in the children's comedy show Goin' Bulilit parodied the teleserye as "Baby Quiapo", where actor Renz Joshua "Baby Giant" Baña–who portrayed Oweng in the original series–portrays "Sanggol Dimagiba-giba", a parody of show's protagonist Tanggol Dimaguiba.[44][45]
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Accolades
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Notes
- Credits as per the show's closing credits
- copyright holder only.
- formerly Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" Dimaguiba
- Ramon used an alias to win Mokang's heart and marry her, in order to hide his true identity as a drug lord.
- The character's rank is based on R.A. No. 11200, the current law prescribing police ranks in the Philippines
- Olga's alias when she befriends Marites and her family to support them in the hardships of life, while at the same time taking revenge on Tanggol for murdering her son Greg.
- Olga blackmailed David into stealing Tanggol's identity, who eventually accepts due to his hatred towards his older half-brother. He introduced himself to Ramon as his biological son, and works with the Montenegros' drug cartel.
See also
- Batang Quiapo
- List of Kapamilya Channel original programming
- List of A2Z (TV channel) original programming
- List of TV5 (Philippine TV network) original programming
- List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
- List of programs broadcast by Jeepney TV
- List of Kapamilya Online Live original programming
- List of ABS-CBN Studios original drama series
References
External links
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