Batang Quiapo (Series)



FPJ's Batang Quiapo (lit. 'FPJ's Quiapo Kid') is a Philippine action series which started airing on February 13, 2023, replacing Mars Ravelo’s Darna. Fresh from the success of Ang Probinsyano, Batang Quiapo is based on the 1986 film of the same name by famed action star Fernando Poe, Jr.. Unlike the previous FPJ adaptation where we follow the rather eventful life of a police officer from a far-flung province, Coco Martin steps on the shoes of someone from the other side of the law: a street rat and pickpocket named Tanggol whose exploits have earned him the (unwanted) attention of both law enforcement and his friends and relatives, set in the backdrop of the historic district of Quiapo, Manila where the famed religious icon of the Black Nazarene is situated.


 * Abusive Parents: Tanggol's father Rigor, especially as he refuses to acknowledge Tanggol as his own son.
 * Action-Hogging Opening: The intro sequence follows a similar concept as with Ang Probinsyano, highlighting Tanggol's exploits throughout the show's run.
 * Adaptation Expansion: As what would inevitably play out like with Coco's previous take on an FPJ classic.
 * Adaptation Name Change: Coco's character is given a new name: Jesus Nazareno "Tanggol" V. Dimaguiba
 * Even Evil Has Standards:
 * Tanggol has no qualms about committing petty theft, but he draws the line with Sexual Extortion as he dissuaded a friend–who is a computer technician by trade–from breaking into his clients' computers with the intent of leaking intimate images and coaxing his clients to pay up for said images to be rescinded. Thieving someone of their personal belongings is one thing, but sex offenses are far, far more devious even for a career criminal.
 * Despite having been idolised by street children around Quiapo especially for giving cops a royal headache, Tanggol would often tell the kids not to follow in his footsteps.
 * Ironic Name: Tanggol, through his birth name Jesus Nazareno. Surely a man named after Jesus wouldn't even think about picking pockets and evading the law, right?
 * The Musical: Averted in the adaptation, unlike the original whose action, comedy and drama sequences are interspersed with the occasional song and dance number.
 * Named After Somebody Famous: Tanggol's birth name Jesus Nazareno, both in reference to Jesus and the image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo where the series takes place. (Given how Roman Catholicism is the predominant religious sect in the Philippines, this doesn't come as a surprise.)
 * Tanggol Is About to Shoot You: See the page image.
 * This Is a Work of Fiction: The show's producers had to put up an all persons fictitious disclaimer especially after the gaffe they had over alleged stereotyping of Muslims to which they issued an apology for the incident, with Coco Martin himself personally reaching out to fellow actor and politician Robin Padilla—who is a prominent and outspoken Muslim—to explain his situation and offer his own plea for forgiveness.
 * Villain Protagonist: Tanggol.