The public may know Coco Martin as Cardo Dalisay, Tanggol, or Gabo—characters that have become household names over the years. But long before portraying some of Philippine television's most iconic roles, Coco Martin was an aspiring actor carving out a name for himself through award-winning independent films and years of perseverance.
In this PUSH Saga, we look back at Coco's humble beginnings, the breakthrough that launched him into the mainstream, and the journey that transformed him into one of the country's biggest and most influential stars.
Humble Beginnings
Raised in Sampaloc, Manila, Coco, whose real name is Rodel Nacianceno, was born to a jeepney driver and a mother who took on various side jobs to help support their family. According to previous interviews, his childhood took a different turn when his parents separated while he was still young, leading him to be raised by his grandmother in Novaliches, where he spent much of his childhood.
Affectionately called "Deng" by his family, Coco often described himself as a true batang kalye, growing up playing outdoors with neighborhood friends. At a young age, he also learned the value of hard work by helping his grandmother collect payments from her small lending business.
His first taste of showbiz came while he was still in college after landing a television commercial. Although his appearance was left on the cutting room floor, it became his first step toward pursuing an acting career.
Fate eventually intervened during his on-the-job training at a restaurant, where he caught the attention of Rene dela Cruz, then a floor director for ASAP. That chance encounter opened the door to meeting talent manager Johnny Manahan, or Mr. M, and auditioning for Star Circle Batch 9, marking the beginning of Coco's journey in the entertainment industry.
Even after getting his foot in the door, success didn't come overnight. Coco balanced acting workshops with his studies and eventually earned a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the National College of Business and Arts (NCBA).
Determined to keep his dream alive, he took on whatever work came his way. From waiting tables at restaurants to appearing in commercials and handing out promotional materials, Coco did different jobs while continuing to pursue acting opportunities, gamely accepting minor appearances.
Indie Breakthrough
Despite already finishing college, he stayed active in student theater productions, where a chance meeting with actor-director Esturco would prove to be another turning point in his career.
It was through that connection that Coco landed a role in Masahista, marking his debut in independent cinema and opening the door to the critically acclaimed indie career that would eventually put him on the map as an award-winning actor.
Following his independent film debut, Coco went on to star in a string of critically acclaimed projects, including Tambolista, Serbis, Kinatay, and Jay. His performance in Jay earned him the Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor, further establishing him as one of the country's most promising actors in independent cinema.
Breakout Role
Coco Martin's breakthrough on television came in 2009 through Tayong Dalawa, where he portrayed Ramon Dionisio Lecumberri alongside Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and Jake Cuenca. His standout performance earned him the Best Drama Actor award at the 23rd Star Awards for Television, marking the beginning of his rise as a leading man on the small screen.
Later that year, Coco landed his first starring role in a teleserye with Nagsimula sa Puso, taking on the role of Carlo Pagdanganan opposite Maja Salvador's Celina Fernandez. The project further cemented his transition from acclaimed independent film actor to mainstream television star.
Following his breakthrough, Coco steadily built an impressive body of work, headlining action and drama projects such as Tonyong Bayawak and Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo.
But Coco's rise during this era was only the beginning, as he continued to take on more television and film projects that further established him as one of the industry's most sought-after leading men.
PUSH SAGA is a series focusing on subjects that have captivated audiences. We delve deeper into that fascination each month with new stories.