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Of all the things you can lose in Quiapo, nothing goes missing faster than a girl’s heart when Tanggol (Coco Martin) is around. He may have started out swiping valuables, but his real talent is stealing hearts. There's just something about Quiapo's toughest guy that makes every woman who gets close to him completely pulled in. Try to resist all you want, but it's game over, once he throws in a little charm for good measure.
Admit it, you wish you could make someone like you as fast as he does. So, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, let’s break down the smooth moves of Tanggol, the ultimate ‘heart-thief,’ with these tried-and-tested ways straight from his scenes in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo." Who knows? You might just steal someone’s heart, too.
Protect her at all costs
Whether it’s shielding her from danger or standing up for her, Tanggol proves that a true manliligaw isn’t just sweet, but aso dependable. Exhibit A: That time he bravely fought Mokang (Lovi Poe)’s classmate who tried to take advantage of her, like he was her knight-in-shining-armor. Time and time again, Tanggol put himself on the line for Mokang, making sure she was always safe.
This was also the reason why Bubbles (Ivana Alawi) fell for him, as he was the hero who kept saving her just when she needed it the most. So, if you want to snatch a girl’s affection Tanggol-style, don’t just say you care—prove it.
Tanggol-coded move: Protecting someone isn’t just about fighting battles for them; it’s about making them feel safe, no matter what. Be the person they can count on.
The "look" and "banat" combo
A little eye contact plus just the right amount of cool and charm in his 'banat' equals instant kilig. Tanggol doesn’t just rely on grand gestures; sometimes, all it takes is that intense gaze, the one that makes you feel like you’re the only girl in the world. Pair that with a smooth 'linyahan,' and boom, heart stolen.
Tanggol-coded move: Lock eyes, flash that subtle smirk, and drop a line that sounds like you just thought of it (even if you practiced it in the mirror a hundred times). Keep it smooth and 'swabe.'
VIDEO EMBED: https://www.abs-cbn.com/batangquiapo/videos/tanggol-pangarap-na-maging-asawa-si-mokang-344710
A little ‘pa-bad boy’ never hurt
Tanggol has that classic rebel with a heart vibe, and sometimes, girls find a little angas just too hard to resist (but not to the point of being rude, just balance it with good intentions). There’s just something about a guy who carries himself with confidence and a bit of mystery that makes girls extra intrigued. Case in point: That time he helped Katherine (Ara Davao) get her bag back from a snatcher. A regular guy might’ve used the moment to be charming and make an impression, but Tanggol straight-up snubbed her when she tried to small talk. And it worked. Katherine got even more curious about this 'mayabang pero gwapo' stranger who didn’t seem to care about impressing her.
Tanggol-coded move: A little mystery and not giving in too easily make you even more intriguing.
Kindness is the real flex
Sure, angas can be attractive, but nothing melts a heart faster than a man who genuinely cares for others. Tanggol may have the bad boy exterior, but deep down, he’s got a heart of gold, and that’s exactly what pulled Madonna (Kim Domingo) in. She saw firsthand how he never forgets to help those in need when she tagged along as he visited his neighbors in Quiapo. And it was enough to make her soft.
Tanggol-coded move: Show genuine kindness without expecting anything in return—that’s what truly wins hearts.
Humor is a green flag
Nothing melts a girl’s heart faster than a guy who isn’t afraid to look a little silly just to make her smile, like how Tanggol made Mokang giggle when he busted out those quirky dance moves for her.
Tanggol-coded move: Don’t take yourself too seriously. A boy who can make a girl laugh without trying too hard is instantly more attractive.
Look good, feel good
Looks aren’t everything, but taking care of yourself is a game-changer. Just ask Jelly (Kim Rodriguez), who gushed over how ridiculously handsome Tanggol looked after taking a proper bath and changing into fresh clothes. When you make even just a little effort with your appearance, people notice and those little things can turn admiration into full-blown attraction.
Tanggol-coded move: You don’t need a makeover. Just put in a little effort.
He’s not perfect, but he loves hard
Tanggol is rough around the edges and makes reckless decisions. But when he falls, he falls deep. No hesitation, no half-measures. Like when Mokang’s world was falling apart because of her family’s problems, Tanggol didn’t just offer words of comfort but he moved. He did everything in his power to help her even if it meant putting himself in danger.
Tanggol-coded move: Show up for the people you care about even when it’s inconvenient.
If you’re looking for inspiration this Valentine’s season, take a page from the ultimate heart-thief himself. Who knows? You might just steal someone’s heart, too.