Actress Mercedes Cabral shared how she was cast in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” as Lena Cortez, the mistress of Rigor played by John Estrada.
In an interview on “On Cue,” Mercedes revealed that she personally reached out to Coco Martin, the show’s director and lead actor, to ask for roles, even small ones, before the series began.
“Minessage ko talaga siya, sabi ko, ‘Direk Coco, kapag mayroon kang bago, please, sana ma-include ako kahit kaunting role lang, kahit maliit lang,’” she shared.
Coco responded positively, saying, “Buti nalang minessage mo ko, may bago akong gagawin.”
Mercedes added that she didn’t have any television projects at the time, making her particularly grateful for Coco’s support.
“Hindi siya nakakalimot,” she said of the “Batang Quiapo” lead star.
Mercedes and Coco previously starred together in the indie film “Serbis” by Brillante Mendoza, which competed at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
Mercedes also noted the significant changes in her career after joining “Batang Quiapo.”
“Because of ‘Batang Quiapo,’ mas nakilala rin ako sa mainstream, mas nare-recognize na ako ngayon. Nare-recognize naman ako dati pero through films,” she said.
Known for her roles in art cinema and independent films, Cabral has appeared in numerous international productions and has received several accolades, including a World Premieres Film Festival Award and a Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Award.
She also mentioned the increased recognition she now receives. “Mas dumadami na ‘yung nakaka-recognize,” she said.
When the host jokingly asked if people ould approach her to slap her for her role in the series, she laughed and replied, “Wala naman… sinasabihan din ako nila direk na, ‘Oh ‘wag ka munang lalabas ha, baka mahampas ka ng payong.’”
She added that while people sometimes would express their anger at her character, they still asked for photos with her.
Mercedes thanked viewers and supporters of the series, while quoting her iconic line, “Rigor, ‘wag mo kakalimutan ‘yung liempo ha.”
