The trending latest episodes of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” had our hearts racing with the roar of engines and the screech of tires in the intense car chase scenes that played out as Tanggol (Coco Martin)’s crew went full throttle to settle a score with Tisay (Barbie Imperial)’s group of carnappers.
So, how did the team pull off this cinematic showdown? Buckle up, because the creative team is about to take us behind the wheel.
When it comes to creating an unforgettable car chase, the setting is everything—and the “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” prod team nailed it by choosing the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge as their stage. Filmed in the evening, the iconic bridge transformed into a cinematic masterpiece with its glowing lights adding drama and grit. The silence of the city at night contrasted perfectly with the chaos of the fast-pace pursuit.
Of course, adding a touch of sophistication to the high-octane action was the use of luxury vehicles, some of which we featured in a previous article. According to Coco, this was the first time in all the teleseryes he’s worked on that he tackled such an extensive and elaborate sequences involving cars.
The scenes were obviously dangerous to mount, thus, according to the show’s fight director, Fred, safety was a top priority on set. “Dahil hindi gano’n kadali ‘yung mga gagawin natin sa oras na ‘to, even ‘yung mga tao na kasama natin dito kailangan ma-inform natin sila kung ano ‘yung dapat at hindi nila dapat gawin upang makaiwas tayo sa mga maaring mangyari, even sa mga sasakyan,” he said.
The whole spectacle also featured jaw-dropping stunts, such as Coco leaping across the vehicles. Even the bullets looked like they were fired like art in motion, leaving the viewers breathless. The storyboard, which director Richard Somes personally sketched, was a helpful tool in mapping out every camera angle, stunt, and shot, to ensure nothing was missed. These hand-drawn blueprints served as the backbone of the sequences and made sure the directors’ and writers’ vision was aligned.
In the next video, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes footage of the intense gunfight at Tisay’s auto shop. A staff member gives us a tour of the two-story set, which was designed to play a pivotal role in the action. The place’s rugged and industrial vibe set the stage for the gripping showdown, which led to the downfall of several characters including that of Tisay, her father Regie (William Martinez), and their friends Michael (Anjo Yllana) and Derek (Maverick Relova).
On set, the actors are seen practicing their blocking. We also meet the action team, who undergoes training every weekend. Some cast members like Long Mejia and Renz Bana a.k.a. Baby Giant couldn’t hide their excitement about being part of such action-packed scenes, and also hinted at more adrenaline-fueled moments coming up in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” which airs weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.