Coco Martin admitted that he feels overwhelmed working with screen veterans in his hit series, “Batang Quiapo.”

Coco Martin. ABS-CBN News/File

In “Tatak BQ: The FPJ’s Batang Quiapo 2nd Anniversary Special,” the actor acknowledged that not everyone is given this rare opportunity to be with icons in the local showbiz industry.

“Actually overwhelming para sa akin kasi imagine niyo na makasama kami, lahat kami na mga baguhang artista, makasama namin ang mga veteran actors, mga icons sa industry–napakasarap,” he said.

Last January 28, Martin and his co-stars received a warm welcome and roaring applause from their fellow Kapamilyas as “Batang Quiapo” celebrated its second anniversary.

In the grand Kapamilya event, new cast members were also revealed.

Some of the stars joining “Batang Quiapo” are Andrea Brillantes, Jake Cuenca, Angel Aquino, Albie Casiño, Juan Rodrigo, Paolo Paraiso, Gillian Vicencio, and Shamaine Buencamino, as well as screen veterans Michael de Mesa, Albert Martinez, Dante Rivero, Chanda Romero, and Celia Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Martin also reacted to the record-breaking online views of “Batang Quiapo.” Last January 23, the show soared to 803,123 peak concurrent viewers on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube.

In that episode, Tanggol and Rigor engaged in a deadly brawl. Their fight happened after Tanggol finally found out that Rigor is not his real father.

“Actually nakakatakot, nagustuhan talaga ng viewers–parang ayaw na nga nila na magbalik si Rigor. Parang sabi ng mga viewers, kapag ibanalik niyo ‘yan hindi na aangat ‘yan,” Martin joked.

Kidding aside, the actor expressed his happiness, saying that they worked hard for the said record-breaking episode.

“Nakakatuwa. Honestly, pinag-aralan namin. Kumbaga alam namin kung kailan namin papuputukin ‘yung eksena, inaral talaga namin… At nakita namin nagbunga ito, ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi alam mo pinaghihirapan mo ang trabaho mo at alam mo na naa-appreciate ng mga manonood,” he said.

Martin thanked the viewers and fans of “Batang Quiapo,” telling them to look forward to better storylines and more action and drama as the show welcomes new characters.

“Malapit na po ang Book 2. Papasok na po kami ng Year 3, sana po ay nandiyan pa rin kayo para suportahan kami. At sinisigurado po namin sa inyo na gabi-gabi ay bibigyan namin kayo ng magandang palabas, magandang inspirasyon,” he said.

“At sinisiguro ko na sa mga bagong character na papasok ngayon ay mas magandang kuwento, mas maaksiyon, mas madrama. At mas kakaibang kuwento ang ihahatid namin sa lahat ng ating mga manonood. Maraming-maraming salamat po,” he said.