Coco Martin

Acting career

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.

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.

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, 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. In May, Martín received the Dekada Award in the Gawad Urian ceremony. 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. 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.

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. The entry, set to be directed by Richard Somes, was one of the 7 rejected scripts. Cinemedia Films Production Incorporated and ABS-CBN Dreamscape Entertainment unit head Deo Endrinal felt that the project would be better suited for TV, and have the now television series aired in 2013. Erich Gonzales is taking the role as Martín's leading lady. Together with Martin, Gonzales and Martínez, the series was also starred Arron Villaflor, Eddie Garcia, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gina Pareño.

In February 2013, the series Juan dela Cruz was aired in Philippine TV. Although the original script for the MMFF 2012 was rejected, it became one of the most watched TV Series in the country. Along with the success of the series, Coco Martin was then dubbed as the "King of Philippine TV Series". In the same month and year, He starred in a mainstream film entitled 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 year anniversary in show business.

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

In September 2015, Martin stars in the TV adaptation of the late Fernando Poe Jr.'s film Ang Probinsyano, creating all-time high records of ratings in all episodes. To portray the role, he had to train various martial arts such as Kickboxing, Arnis, and MMA. The action drama series will continue to air until 2018. With the series dominating primetime and Philippine television, the tag "King of Philippine Television" was given to Martin.

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

In 2017, Martin will star as the titular character in an upcoming Ang Panday reboot, while also serving as the director and producer thus marking his directorial and producing debut. 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.

Martin is known as one of the best performing actors in the industry. He is currently holding the record of about 80 awards and recognitions and over 30 nominations from prestigious award giving bodies since 2006.

Personal life

Coco Martin was born in Manila, Philippines and was raised in Novaliches, Quezon City. 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. He is currently living in an exclusive village in Fairview, Quezon City.

He is the brother of Filipino independent film actor and newest "Prince of Philippine Independent Films", Ronwaldo Martin.

He graduated from elementary and high school in Jose Abad Santos Memorial School Quezon City or JASMS in North Edsa Ave. Quezon City, and finished Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management in National College of Business and Arts in Fairview Quezon City.