After his directorial debut in Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 entry Ang Panday, and directing yet another MMFF movie that showcased his views of what big screen entertainment should be in Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles last year, Coco Martin is back on the big screen wearing many hats (just like Fernando Poe, Jr. in his prime), a task that only a few of our today’s actors could accomplish successfully.
Coco has definitely looked upon FPJ for inspiration because in 3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon, an official entry to the MMFF 2019, Coco is the lead star, he’s also at the helm (using his real name Rodel Nacianceno), not to mention the film’s producer (CCM Creative Productions), too. He is joined by Jennylyn Mercado, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Sam Milby in the cast.
In the story, Coco plays Apollo “Pol” Balbon, a cop who is out to prove his innocence after he was framed for the murder of his boss.
Pol is a loving son to single mother Mary (Ai-Ai delas Alas) and is working as a bodyguard for the Executive Director of National Defense Agency. After discovering an anomaly in his agency, the Executive Director is ambushed but he manages to pass on what he knows to Pol before he dies.
Before Pol could report to the authorities, he becomes the primary suspect in killing his former boss. The real killer, Senator Simon (Edu Manzano) pins the blame on Pol and comes up with fabricated evidence against him.
While on the loose, Pol knows he has to find out who really killed his boss, while protecting his boss’ daughter, Trina (Jennylyn Mercado). Pol attempts to go near Trina but Simon’s son, Andrew (Sam Milby), is always with Trina, making it harder for Pol to talk to her.
Since Pol can’t go near Trina to tell her what he knows, he has to disguise as a girl and introduce himself as Paloma, Trina’s sister from another mother. As Paloma, Pol is able to live with Trina and do things with her, giving her enough time and chance to help solve their “father’s” death.
“ It was a tedious task creating my overall look in the film,” Coco said of his role as Paloma, a well-loved character he once played in Ang Probinsyano.
“I would arrive on the set an hour and a half early than the rest of the cast because that’s how long it takes to dress up as Paloma. The character has to look sexy so my stylists kept inserting cloth in different parts of my body just to achieve the look. And I had to wear a corset. So, you can only imagine the struggle,” he added.
Meanwhile, on box office competition, the yearly battle among the official MMFF entries, the 38-year-old action star only had a few yet meaningful words to say.
“I don’t mind if we place no. 2 or no. 3 in the box office. Our intention is to make a movie that includes a lot of elements — romance, action, and comedy. Something that’s entertaining. And if people appreciate what he have done, then I’m good. I think we succeeded,” he explained.
3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon is showing on Dec. 25.