At 88, veteran actor Joonee Gamboa continues to defy age and time when it comes to delivering unforgettable performances on screen. He recently did a powerful and convincing portrayal of the ruthless yet calculated Angkong, the Chinese mafia boss of the Red Phoenix syndicate group, in “FPJ's Batang Quiapo.”
Recently bidding farewell to his character after a gripping and action-packed storyline, Jonee reflected on his experience working on the series—his third collaboration with Coco Martin—and shared how deeply he values being part of such a gargantuan primetime series.
Playing Angkong has been a meaningful experience for the revered actor as it reassured him that he’s not yet forgotten by Pinoy audiences. "’Pag nasa edad ko, parati ang iniisip mo, malapit na akong makalimutan, very soon jobless na ako, hindi na ako tatagal sa mga taping, maaga na lagi akong pauuwiin dahil sa edad ko," he shared. But every scene he worked on felt fulfilling, and being part of such a hit series reminded him that he’s still very much in the public's consciousness.
Joonee takes great pride in being part of a show that has won over viewers nationwide. He’s in awe of everything about the production, from the insanely talented cast to the directors who know exactly how to maximize everyone’s strengths to make a compelling narrative. "Marami tayong nakuhang magagaling na artista... At marunong ang direktor na saluhin ‘yun at gamitin para tumakbo ang istorya," he said, adding that his co-stars aren’t just amazing actors but also genuinely fun to be with off-cam.
He has nothing but praises for Coco, whom he’s worked with for the third time, saying that Coco’s kindness and brilliance haven’t changed. "Each time, I felt like he was kind of a genius kasi pwede niyang gawin sabay-sabay ang pagiging producer, writer, at director." He also recalled their first project together and how Coco’s presence command respect because he's focused and driven once he steps on set. Joonee also talked about how everyone in the team is naturally committed and giving their absolute best.
For him, the biggest challenge of playing Angkong was keeping his Chinese accent consistent. Sometimes he would feel nervous before takes and worried that he might slip out of it, but he credits discipline and preparation for helping him deliver his scenes seamlessly.
"It was a great experience... I'm going to miss that," he reflected during his last filming day on set where he received a special farewell from the team, who surprised him with a cake and truly expressed their appreciation for his contribution to the show. Even though his character has been written off, he said he’s looking forward to watching the series as a fan.
In the recent episode, Angkong met his tragic end after the cunning and ambitious Lucio (Ronnie Lazaro) tricked Santino (Ronwaldo Martin) into proving his loyalty to their group by shooting the person inside a room—unaware that it was Angkong. With Angkong gone, Lucio quickly stepped up to claim the title of the new "Angkong" of the Red Phoenix syndicate.
Lucio’s totally feeling the “Angkong” vibe now with his Chinese robe and expensive jewelry, and he even hosted a feast for his crew.
He made a grand entrance into the conference room, and now it's Lucio who has a beautiful female servant in Sonia (Sisa) as it turned out she wasn't as loyal to the original Angkong as she made it seem.
Check out these behind-the-scenes photos from the scene where Lucio was officially welcomed by the Tondo gang as the newest Red Phoenix boss!
And speaking of the Red Phoenix, "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" gave fans a special treat with an exclusive tour of the group's mansion. Viewers got an inside look at Angkong's office; the conference room with its striking red lighting that adds a sense of danger and mystery; and the pool area, which serves as the backdrop for some of the group's most intense scenes. From the fancy staircase leading from Angkong’s office to the garden, it’s clear that this place means business.
The tour also showed off Lucio’s Tondo gang barracks and their hangout spot, which has this awesome view of the pool. And for the real behind-the-scenes junkies, they even got a peek inside the system room, where directors monitor scenes as they’re being filmed.
Don’t miss an episode of "FPJ's Batang Quiapo," airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.