COCO MARTIN

My job is to act, whether in indie or mainstream films.

I wouldn't be where I am right now, and have the right work ethic and discipline, if it weren't for all the indie films I did. We weren't pampered and were pretty much on our own.

I had my first girlfriend at 15. Life was difficult then.

I didn't expect people would embrace 'Ang Probinsyano' the way they did during its first year.

When I started doing projects for TV, I made sure to participate in the brainstorming sessions.

It's important that I know what I'm doing before I assume responsibility over something as significant as the actors' guild.

If you really get into a particular character, you also want to do your own stunts.

I worked as a janitor in Canada for nine months. It's during that time when I experienced extreme homesickness.

I handed out flyers in malls, candies in gasoline stations; helped set up tarpaulins in bars. I played bit roles in several indie movies. Looking back, I can say it has definitely been a long journey.

I take a bath three times a day.

I keep a really tight schedule.

There came a time I gave up when I was overseas. No matter how many times I tried working on my visa, I wasn't able to. When I went back to the Philippines, I still wanted to return to Canada despite the difficulties I encountered.

I have not met a Filipino actor who didn't dream of working on an 'FPJ' remake.

I came from a broken family.

I've learned that, as an actor, I have a responsibility to my audience.

I lead a boring life because I do nothing but work.

It was my grandmother who raised me and guided me.

I want to remind people that we create films for the MMFF as gifts to them, not to see whose entry is better or which film earned more at the tills.

When I entered TV, I realised that it's not just all about art, but it has a business dimension as well. You need to take care of yourself. I also learned who my viewers are.

I see the staff and crew on the set as my equals. When I make a mistake, they know they can call my attention or even tell me what to do.

I avoid using Twitter and Facebook.

We want to uplift the culture of Filipino - our respect to our elders, how we pray before we eat and sleep. These are things the younger generations tend to forget because of our exposure to other cultures.

I'm proud of what I did in 'Daybreak.'

It is so difficult if nobody in the family will guide you.

When I was working abroad, there was a time when I almost gave up because of my problem with my working visa in Canada. I remember that I collected bottles of mineral water and sold them to earn extra money.