Coco Martin admitted that he once “cursed” ABS-CBN after the company refused to cast him in projects for being a “bold star.”

The “Batang Quiapo” actor opened up about this as he looked back on his roots as an indie and sexy film actor, in an interview vlog with actor-showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz shared on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Coco Martin. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz

“Bago ako nabigyan ng break, lahat ng klase ng lait [natanggap ko],” Martin said. “Dalawang beses akong nireject ng ABS-CBN kasi nga ang tingin sa akin bold star.”

(Before I was given a break, I received all kinds of insults. I was rejected twice by ABS-CBN because of my image as a bold star.)

Martin — whose first project was the Brillante Mendoza-helmed film “Masahista” — lamented how most people belittle actors with such backgrounds, making it hard for them to transition to other roles.

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He then recalled an instance when his handler received an offer for him to portray a role that would be with Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz in a love triangle.

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Martin immediately agreed to accept the role, but he was later informed that the production team took back the offer after learning that the actor was a bold star.
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After that, Martin received an offer again: to portray the role of Judy Ann Santos’ gay friend in a project. He also excitedly accepted it, but he was later faced with yet another rejection.

Quoting the casting agent who talked to his handler at the time, Martin said, “‘Sexy actor pala si Coco Martin, e alam mo naman ang ABS-CBN may image e.’” (We didn’t know that Coco Martin is a sexy actor. As you know, ABS-CBN has an image to maintain.)

“Do’n na ako nasaktan. Galit na galit talaga ako,” Martin continued. “Bakit gano’n? Sila ‘yung kumukuha sa akin; sila ‘yung nag-inquire tapos ‘pag binalikan ka nila para bang napakababa mong tao.”

(That hurt me. I was so mad. Why were they like that? They were the ones who offered the role; they were the ones who made an inquiry, but then they would make you feel small.)

“Sinumpa ko talaga noon ang ABS, honestly,” he added. “Sinumpa ko talaga kasi ang sakit e. Ang baba ng tingin sa’yo tapos ikaw ang taas ng respeto mo sa trabaho mo.”

(I cursed ABS-CBN at the time, honestly. I cursed them because I was hurt. They looked down on me when I treat my job with utmost respect.)

Martin was then urged by the late Jaclyn Jose to try his luck again through the ABS-CBN TV series “Ligaw na Bulaklak.” Martin said he was cast with the help of his “backer,” director Andoy Ranay, who abruptly exited the production team.