Batang Quiapo (TV series)
Philippine television drama series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FPJ's Batang Quiapo (transl. FPJ's Quiapo kid / international title: Gangs of Manila) is a Philippine television drama action series airing on Kapamilya Channel.[3] 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 concluded on March 13, 2026, with a total of 7 seasons and 799 episodes.[4]
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| Batang Quiapo | |
|---|---|
Third version of 2nd Anniversary Promotional poster | |
| Also known as | Gangs of Manila[1] |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Coco Martin |
| Based on | Batang Quiapo by Pablo Santiago |
| Developed by | Coco Martin |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Creative director | Coco Martin |
| Starring | Coco Martin |
| Music by | Francis Concio |
| Opening theme |
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| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | Filipino |
| No. of seasons | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 799 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations | |
| Editors |
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| Running time | 22–35 minutes |
| Production companies | CCM Film Productions Dreamscape Entertainment FPJ Productions Regal Entertainment[b] |
| Original release | |
| Network | Kapamilya Channel[c] |
| Release | February 13, 2023 – March 13, 2026 |
Premise
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.[5][6]
Cast and characters
Final
- Main cast
- Coco Martin[7] as Mayor Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" Guerrero-Montenegro[d]
- Lawrence Dela Cruz as young Tanggol
- Christopher de Leon[8] as Ramon Montenegro / Alberto E. Frias[e]
- Coco Martin[7] as young Ramon
- John Estrada as PCPT Rigor Dimaguiba[f]
- Ejay Falcon as young Rigor
- Cherry Pie Picache as Ma. Teresa "Marites" Asuncion/Guerrero-Dimaguiba
- Miles Ocampo[9] as young Marites
- Maris Racal as Pat. Paula "Ponggay" Garcia[f]
- Jake Cuenca as Former Mayor Miguelito Guerrero
- Angel Aquino as Former Congresswoman Jackie Guerrero
- Albert Martinez as Former 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
- Perla Bautista as Lola Florie
- Allan Paule as PLT Armando "Mando" Mendoza[f]
- Marlo Mortel as young Mando
- Joel Lamangan as Rodolfo "Roda" D. Alcantara
- Jojit Lorenzo as Renato "Enteng" Dimapilis
- Mark Anthony "Big Mak" Andaya as Alvin "Tanos" Garcia
- Sugar Ray "Mammoth" Estroso as Gabriel "Bulldog" Santiago
- Ryan Martin as Rodolfo "Dolfo" Agustin
- Via Antonio as Pat. Chona Vasquez[f]
- Atong Redillas as Reporter Abet Capulong
- Loi "Mama Loi" Villarama as Loisa
- Francis Valle "Dyosa Pockoh" Suayan as Jessa
- Jegs Chinel as Patty
- Brenda Hernandez Lualhati as Lengleng
- Criza Taa as Dimples Sanchez
- Nicole Luna as Kitkat
Former
- Main cast
- Lovi Poe[2] as Monica "Mokang / Monique" Dimaculangan-Frias
- Juharra Asayo as young Mokang
- Jaclyn Jose[10][11] as Jail Chief Supt./BGEN Dolores Espinas
- Lorna Tolentino[12] as Amanda Salonga
- Lara Fortuna as young Amanda
- Lito Lapid[13] as Supremo "Primo" Medina
- Jomari Angeles as young Primo
- Celia Rodriguez as Doña Pilar Guerrero
- Louise delos Reyes as young Pilar
- Michael de Mesa as Rafael "Paeng" Benito
- Andrea Brillantes as Fatima Benito
- Dante Rivero as Don Gustavo Guerrero
- Jhong Hilario as young Gustavo
- Roi Vinzon as Brando Mondragon
- Rosanna Roces as Divina Juanillo-Mondragon
- Baron Geisler as Rockyboy Mondragon / Bernard Aguirre[g]
- Aljur Abrenica as PLT Hector Victorino[f]
- 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 E. Sabado
- Val Iglesias as Romulo "Mulong" Cordero
- Robert Seña[10] 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" F. Zaballa
- Mona Alawi as young Bubbles
- Soliman Cruz as Celso "Mayor" Zaballa
- Jim Pebanco as young Celso
- Jean Saburit as Lourdes
- Lito Camo as Goodah
- Nikko Natividad as Guillermo "Emong" Z. Aglipay
- 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 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[h]
- Ryza Cenon as young Olga
- Jeffrey Tam as Leroy "Roy" Tiu-Lee
- Ricardo Cepeda as Richardson Wu
- King Gutierrez as PLTCOL Manuel A. 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 Arthur Kwon
- Long Mejia as Peng
- Chris Ulo as Reporter
- McCoy de Leon as David Guerrero-Dimaguiba / Fake Hesus Nazareno "Tanggol" Guerrero-Montenegro[i]
- Joey Marquez as PMSg Edilberto "Berting" Oliva[f]
- 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 Ejada
- Chanda Romero as 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
- Susan Africa as Nonita "Nita" Dimaculangan
- Pen Medina as Marciano "Marsing" Dimaculangan
- Juan Rodrigo as Alfredo Pangan
- Joseph Marco as young Alfredo
- Aleck Bovick as Linda Sanchez
- Richard Quan as Pat. Mauro Garcia[f]
- Art Acuña as Enrique Espineli
- Tommy Abuel as Don Julio Montenegro
- Raul Montesa as young Don Julio
- Arnold Reyes as younger Don Julio
- Raul Montesa as young Don Julio
- John Medina as Franco de Gallo
- Ronnie Lazaro as Lucio Liberan / Angkong Lucio
- Viggo Franco as young Lucio
- Gillian Vicencio as Erika Guerrero
- Jay Gonzaga as Emil Alfaro
- Paolo Paraiso as Jason Medea
- Ronwaldo Martin as Santino Guerrero-Dimaguiba
- Mark Lapid as Benjamin "Ben" Camacho
Guests
Episodes
Production
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 was 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.[3][5][6]
McCoy de Leon's role as David was originally meant to only appear in the pilot episode of the show[j] 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 after being injured in an accident on set.[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.[11]
On February 10, 2025, Lito Lapid left the show as he ran for a senatorial position 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 and Candaba Viaduct of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) served as one of the prominent locations featured multiple times in the show.[29]
Release
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]
On January 2, 2026, the last 51 episodes of the series (749–799) and other remaining newly released ABS-CBN programs on TV5 were transferred to AMBS' All TV. This occurred two years after a licensing agreement between AMBS and ABS-CBN was signed in April 2024 marking the latter's return to channels 2 and 16 in Mega Manila and regional channels previously held by ABS-CBN until 2020, and TV5 Network's decision to cease broadcasting new programs produced by ABS-CBN on TV5 due to financial disputes involving blocktime fees which was subsequently settled.[31][32][33]
On February 20, 2026, it was announced that this series is set to conclude on March 13, 2026.[4][34]
International
On March 1, 2025, Batang Quiapo started airing internationally in 40 countries in Africa through StarTimes under the title, "Gangs of Manila".[1]
Streaming
A re-cut limited series covering the first story arc was exclusively released on iWant from March 16, 2026, to March 20, 2026. Episodes were subsequently released on Youtube. [35]
Re-runs
Individual TV episodes are also available for streaming on YouTube.[36][37]
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.[38] "Pangako" (Promise) was originally sung by Moira Dela Torre.
Reception
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).[39] 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).[40]
Batang Quiapo ruled its timeslot for five consecutive months.[41] 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%).[42][43][39] 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.[44]
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 (now X) nationwide.[45] On February 21, 2025, the series reached an all-time high of 1,004,554 live concurrent viewers on YouTube.[46]
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,[47] with some calling for a boycott of the series.[48] Movie and Television Review and Classification Board later released a statement on the controversy and asked for cultural sensitivity from production houses.[49] 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.[50]
Parodies
A sketch in the children's comedy show Goin' Bulilit parodied the teleserye as "Baby Quiapo", where actor Renz Joshua "Baby Giant" Baña– "Sanggol Dimagiba-giba", a parody of show's protagonist Tanggol Dimaguiba.[51][52]
A music parody of the first theme song of the show was released by Bhebheboyz titled "Batang Baho" (Smelly Kid).[53]
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Office Entertainment Awards | 2024 | Popular TV Program-Primetime Drama | Batang Quiapo | Won | [54] |
| Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Socially Relevant TV Series | Won | [55] | ||
| PMPC Star Awards for Television | 2025 | Best Primetime Drama Series | Nominated | [56][57] | |
| Best Drama Actor | Coco Martin | Won | |||
| Best Drama Supporting Actress | Cherry Pie Picache | Won | |||
| Best Drama Supporting Actor | Christopher de Leon | Nominated | |||
| Joel Lamangan | Nominated | ||||
| 2025 | Best Primetime Drama Series | Batang Quiapo | Won | [58][59] | |
| Best Drama Actor | Coco Martin | Nominated | |||
| Best Drama Supporting Actor | Christopher de Leon | Nominated | |||
| Joel Lamangan | Nominated | ||||
| John Estrada | Nominated | ||||
| Elijah Canlas | Nominated | ||||
| Best Drama Supporting Actress | Cherry Pie Picache | Nominated | |||
| Best New Female TV Personality | Ara Davao | Nominated |
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
- Rockyboy used the alias to hide his true identity after recognizing Tanggol as the man who brutally beat him at the Mondragon Hotel, allowing him to get close, gain trust, and secretly plot revenge without exposing his murderous intent, masking it instead with apparent gratitude and generosity.
- 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.