Sometimes pain changes people. Hardships shape them in ways they never expected. And if they’re not careful, the wrong 'friends' can lead them down a dangerous path. That’s exactly what happened to Santino (Ronwaldo Martin) in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."
Santino started off with good intentions. But as life threw him one challenge after another, his choices, and the people around him, slowly pulled him toward the dark side. Now, he’s barely recognizable from the boy he used to be. Let’s break down his transformation from good to evil via this Kapamilya Toplist of scenes from "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."
Santino was the quietest and often overlooked among his siblings, but he once had big dreams and a compassionate heart. He looked up to his brother, Tanggol (Coco Martin), for his resilience and positive attitude.
He also aspired to finish his studies and build a better future for himself. There was a scene where he excitedly asked his mother, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache), for his birth certificate as he was preparing his school requirements. He was determined to go back to school, so his family couldn’t have been prouder. Tindeng (Charo Santos) and Noy (Lou Veloso), who was still alive at the time, were overjoyed. Noy even joked, “Dahil babad ka sa bilyaran, sigurado ako magaling ka sa geometry, trigonometry—huwag lang sa absentry.”
Another touching scene between Santino and Marites showed just how selfless he was, when he shared his dream of providing their family with a spacious and comfortable home. Marites was deeply moved by his son's sincerity. She couldn’t help but contrast his kindness with the rough paths taken by his older brothers, Tanggol and David (McCoy de Leon), who had already fallen into a life of trouble.
His mother initially supported his dream of becoming a boxer but later he felt that he would earn his father’s respect more by pursuing a different job. Being the obedient son that he was, Santino followed Rigor and eventually found work as a janitor at a boxing gym. And when he got his first paycheck, he didn’t think twice about treating his family to a good meal, something they rarely get to enjoy. That 'lechon manok' for dinner brought so much joy to Marites, Tindeng, and Noy.
Santino never forgot to show gratitude to those who supported him, including the boxing gym owner, Coach Gary (Levi Ignacio), and trainer Roberto (Luisito Espinosa), who saw his potential in boxing and encouraged him to join a tournament. He loved hearing their pieces of advice—back when he still knew how to listen.
He also proved just how much he loved his mom when he was also the only one who stood by her when she decided to leave their house after discovering Rigor’s affair with Lena (Mercedes Cabral). He refused to let his mother suffer alone on the streets and vowed to stay by her side through thick and thin. Thinking quickly, he brought her to the boxing gym where he worked and pleaded with Coach Gary to let them stay the night. Our hearts melted as he took care of his mother. Santino, with what little money he had, bought rice and a can of sardines for Marites' dinner, but he was content having only ‘sabaw’ (broth) because that was all he could afford for himself while ensuring his mother had enough to eat.
But little by little, the warmth in Santino’s heart started to fade, hardened by the toxic environment at home. It started when Rigor turned his rage on him and beat him up after finding out he still pursued boxing despite his disapproval. It was the first real taste of his father’s cruelty that left a scar.
But the real breaking point was when Rigor arrested him for allegedly killing Coach Gary even without solid proof and without proper investigation. Just blind judgment. Santino pleaded his innocence, but his own father saw him as nothing more than a criminal. Rigor didn’t even stop to hear his side and this kind of betrayal cut deep.
The only one who believed in Santino was his ‘ninong,’ Mando (Allan Paule), who, along with his friend Annika (Dexie Diaz), found evidence proving that he was at a restaurant with Annika when Coach Gary was killed. It was enough to get him released, but the damage had already been done. His heart had already cracked and had been filled with anger and resentment toward his father. From that moment on, Santino started to lose every bit of respect he once had for Rigor.
With his home in shambles, Santino became an easy target for bad influences the moment he stepped outside. His mind was clouded with anger, which made him vulnerable to those who preyed on his rage. In one scene, Lawrence (Paolo Gumabao) pushed him over the edge by urging him to take revenge on Tisoy (Zeus Collins) in an underground boxing match. Fueled by fury, Santino lost control and almost killed Tisoy inside the ring.
But the real devil in disguise was Lucio (Ronnie Lazaro) of the Batang Tondo gang. Lucio saw the fire in Santino and twisted it to serve his own dark intentions. He introduced Santino to the world of violence, first by teaching him how to hold a gun, in other words, how to kill. At first, Santino's conscience was still intact, so he hesitated to pull the trigger. But when he got caught up in one of Lucio’s drug trades, everything spiraled. He was left with no choice but to shoot the rival group’s right-hand man, Bullet (Renz Fernandez), to save Lucio. And just like that, his hands were stained with blood.
Santino thought he had finally found the family he had always longed for with Lucio and the Batang Tondo faction. Unlike his own home, where he felt unwanted and betrayed, this group welcomed his anger and turned it into power. But what he didn't realize was that Lucio was poisoning his mind and planting seeds of darkness in his heart. Little by little, he was brainwashed into believing that loyalty means violence, that respect is earned through fear, and that power is the only way to survive.
As his initiation into the squad, Lucio gave him one final test, which was to eliminate a target to prove his worth. Santino followed orders without hesitation, completely unaware that the man he was tasked to kill was none other than their own boss, Angkong (Joonee Gamboa). The moment the gun fired, it was as if Santino had fully crossed over to the dark side.
Killing has eventually become second nature. And his conscience, gone. The once kind-hearted Santino has turned into a cold-blooded killer, and now, not even his brother Tanggol is safe from his wrath. Now, the brother he once admired has become his next target after discovering that Tanggol is actually Marites’ child from another man, and after learning how he ruthlessly beat up Rigor.
Can Santino still find his way back, or has he completely been consumed by darkness? Follow his journey in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.