Coco Martin

Coco Martin was born in Sampaloc, Manila and raised in Novaliches, Quezon City to his parents, Maria Teresa (née Pacheco) and Ramon Nacianceno. His parents separated and he became a street kid.[3] He is a devotee of the Black Nazarene. During his childhood years, he usually went to the Quiapo Church with his grandmother to seek guidance from the Black Nazarene.[4]

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the National College of Business and Arts in Fairview Quezon City. Martin was also an Overseas Filipino Worker working as a janitor in Alberta, Canada.[5]

Martin started out in one of the ABS-CBN's talent agency, Star Magic, as part of the Star Circle Batch 9. He made his first cameo film appearance in the 2001 film Luv Text where he was credited under his real name, Rodel Nacianceno, followed by many independent films.[6]

Since then he has appeared in several TV advertisements before breaking back into showbiz with his lead debut independent film Masahista for which he was awarded the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He also starred in Summer Heat in 2006.

In 2008, Martin was cast in Ligaw na Bulaklak as one of the regular cast members. In 2009, he starred in the drama series Tayong Dalawa where he won the award for Best Drama Actor at the 2009 Star Awards for Television. After Tayong Dalawa, he starred in the afternoon soap opera titled Nagsimula sa Puso, alongside Maja Salvador, Jason Abalos and Nikki Gil. In the same year, he joined Star Magic.[7]

In 2010, he became part of the cast of ABS-CBN's primetime drama Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, and had his first leading role in the action series Tonyong Bayawak. He also starred in his first mainstream film Sa 'yo Lamang,[8] and the primetime series 1DOL. Martin also filmed another independent film titled Kinatay, where he was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Actor.

In 2011, he led the highly acclaimed television series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.[9] In May, Martín received the Dekada Award in the Gawad Urian ceremony.[10] He was nominated for multiple awards for his portrayal as Alexander and Javier del Tierro in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, namely from the KBP Golden Dove Awards, Golden Screen Awards and Star Awards for TV.

In 2012, Martin starred in another ensemble series titled Walang Hanggan, an adaptation of the 1991 film Hihintayin Kita sa Langit.[11] Having a good chemistry together, his love team with Walang Hanggan leading lady Julia Montes is Martín's most successful and effective love team, giving them more chance to star in other projects. Because of the success of the series, Coco Martin was then dubbed as the "Prince of Philippine TV Series". He was also the creative consultant of the series. He also starred in his second mainstream film entitled Born to Love You, opposite singer Angeline Quinto.[12]

In May 2012, a script for a film called Juan dela Cruz was submitted to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, starring Martin alongside Tayong Dalawa co-star Jake Cuenca, Nagsimula Sa Puso and Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin leading lady Maja Salvador, and Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo co-star Albert Martinez.[13] The entry, directed by Richard Somes, was one of the 7 rejected scripts. Cinemedia Films Production Incorporated and ABS-CBN Dreamscape Entertainment unit head Deo Endrinal decided to retool the cancelled film as a television series, which was aired in 2013. While Angel Locsin was originally pegged to be Martin's leading lady, Erich Gonzales ultimately bagged the role.[14] Together with Martin, Gonzales and Martínez, Arron Villaflor, Eddie Garcia, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gina Pareño played supporting roles.

Martin also starred in A Moment in Time together with Julia Montes as his leading lady.

In 2014, Martin starred in the period drama television series entitled Ikaw Lamang, alongside Walang Hanggan leading lady Julia Montes, and Tayong Dalawa co-stars Kim Chiu and Jake Cuenca. He also starred in another mainstream film Maybe This Time, with singer-actress Sarah Geronimo.

In October 2014, he celebrated his 10th anniversary in show business.

In early 2015, he starred in a Philippine fantasy drama anthology WansapanaSummer entitled "Yamishita's Treasures" alongside his leading lady Julia Montes. The show lasted for 4 months.

In September 2015, Martin together with an ensemble cast starred in the TV adaptation of the late Fernando Poe Jr.'s film FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. To portray the role, he had to train various martial arts such as Kickboxing, Arnis, and MMA.[15] With the series dominating primetime and Philippine television, the tag "King of Philippine Television" was given to Martin. Prior to FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Martin similar to his character Cardo, portrayed Police Inspector Gary Erana in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya co-starring Angel Locsin and Ejay Falcon dedicated to the memory of Special Action Force members killed in the Mamasapano clash.[16]

In 2016, he starred in The Super Parental Guardians, along with Vice Ganda, Simon Pineda, and Awra under Star Cinema.

In 2017, Martin star as the titular character in Ang Panday reboot, while also serving as the director and producer thus marking his directorial and producing debut.[17] The role was first popularized by late actor Fernando Poe Jr., hence, making it the second time Martin will portray one of his roles. The film will be one of the selected entries in 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.[18][19]

In 2020, Martin returned to the contract of ABS-CBN's Star Magic talent.

• Coco Martin on IMDb