Another adrenaline-fueled visual spectacle just shook the recent episodes of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” as major players in the story clashed in a visceral, edge-of-your-seat battle. Once allies who shared a bond like father and son, Primo (Lito Lapid), and Tanggol (Coco Martin), who just formed his new group called Wating, have found themselves on opposite sides and locked in an intense face-off. Gen. Pacheco (Julio Diaz)’s natural wickedness also added chaos to the already volatile showdown.
It’s not just the confrontations and gunfights that make this sequence jaw-dropping, but the entire cinematic experience as the production transforms a construction site into a full-blown war zone, with shattered walls, debris-strewn floors, and the gritty, unfiltered tension of a battleground.
This epic production is all thanks to the creative vision of art director JR Derama, whose team was deeply hands-on in bringing this sequence to life. Every detail, from the set to the props, was meticulously planned. He shared that they carefully scouted the location to ensure the setting and elements fit the scene perfectly. "Ang laki ng set. Kailangan mong paghandaan talaga kung anong mga nababagay dito sa location," he explained.
The production didn’t hold back with the props used, such as the top-tier weaponry featuring high-caliber firearms that added so much weight to the gunfight. Beyond the firepower, they amped up the visual effects as well, with thick smoke, lasers slicing through the darkness, and even real flames engulfing parts of the set, making the battlefield feel all the more immersive. But one of the team's favorite elements in this sequence is the welding effect, which adds a more striking, raw and rugged vibe to the war zone.
Direk JR emphasized that collaboration is key to creating such a massive backdrop for the show. He constantly monitors the cameras to determine what elements should be placed in the foreground and background and make sure that every prop is positioned perfectly to enhance the scene.
For Gringo Buhisan, the fight director, constant rehearsals and pre-blocking are crucial to sew up a smooth and seamless execution during filming. Direk Gringo, as well as the stuntmen and bit players, were feeling a mix of nerves and excitement since this particular sequence features some of the biggest names in action.
On a personal level, this feels like dream come true for him as he used to just watch Lito's iconic films back when he was in the province, never thinking that one day, he’d actually be directing the legend himself.
But the big question is—who will be the next to take their last breath in this fight? Stay tuned to see how this battle unfolds in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo," airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.