Coco says, “Kung anuman inabot ko sa buhay ko, lahat yun, dahil sa ’yo”
Coco Martin has reminisced about a few fond moments he had with “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” co-star Jaclyn Jose.
Jaclyn—whose legal name is Mary Jane Guck—passed away at the age of 60 on March 2, 2024 due to heart attack.
Her passing left a huge dent in the local entertainment industry, especially in the ongoing production of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” where she used to play the role of Supt./ B.Gen. Dolores Espinas.
READ ALSO: Veteran Actress Jaclyn Jose Passes Away At 60
During the second night of her wake at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City, Jaclyn’s colleagues, including Coco, paid tributes and respects to her legacy.
Coco, for his part, has reminisced about the moments she was emotionally touched by Jaclyn’s support and presence.
According to him, Jaclyn was a very open person whom he used to talk with about almost everything—be it about “sa industriya, sa buhay niya, sa pamilya niya.”
Going on a quick trip down memory lane, Coco recalls that one time he asked Jaclyn to join him during a hearing at the senate for the benefit of the showbiz industry.
As he puts it, “Meron lang akong isang bagay na winish. Kasi, siyempre, ‘pag yung isang tao, nakausap mo, makikita mo yung totoong nararamdaman niya o yung totoong pagkatao niya.
“Nung pinatawag kami…, si Mommy Jane, pinilit kong isama from the set. Sabi ko, ‘Mommy Jane, pupunta ka ba?’ ‘E, anak wala akong damit, e.’
“Sabi ko, ‘Ipamimili kita, samahan mo ‘ko.’ Pinamili ko siya ng damit sa Zara. Sinamahan niya ako, punta kami dun.
“Kain kami then after that nagkaroon ng kwentuhan kasi gathering ng mga artista ‘tapos sobrang saya. Nakikita niya na nag-e-enjoy ako…
“Binabantayan niya lang ako ‘tapos magsesenyasan lang kami, tinatanong niya ako, ‘Okay ka pa? Okay ka pa?’”
Coco says that at that moment, Jaclyn was letting him be—as it was the first time she saw how happy he was outside work.
He says, “Hinahayaan niya ako kasi first time niya ako nakikita na ang saya-saya ko na parang nakahinga ako—na parang puro ako trabaho ‘tapos ito, meron akong nakasalamuha, ‘di ba? Natututo ako sa mga ganun, veteran actors.”
READ ALSO: Andi Eigenmann Releases Statement Amid Mother Jaclyn Jose’s Passing
Coco Martin owes his success to Jaclyn Jose
In the same eulogy, Coco also made it known how Jaclyn played a pivotal role in his life and how instrumental she was to his success today.
After the senate hearing, Coco recalls driving Jaclyn home when the late actress requested that they stop over at a convenience store. When they reached Jaclyn’s place, Coco recalls, “Pumunta kami sa bahay niya, nag-inuman kami, nag-reminisce kami.”
At that moment, Coco shares having to bare everything to the actress—especially that time when she insisted that the actor needed to pursue a role in ABS-CBN.
He shares, “Pinagkuwentuhan namin simula nung paano niya ako tinulungan hanggang sa sinabi ko, ‘Miss Jane, alam mo sa totoo lang, kung ano man ang meron ako ngayon, kung ano man nangyari sa pamilya ko, kung ano man inabot ko sa buhay ko, lahat yun dahil sa’yo.’”
“Kasi ikaw, dahil sa’yo, ikaw yung nagpumilit sa akin na pumunta ako dun sa ABS-CBN, dun sa show na binibigay sakin. Sobra akong nagpapasalamat sa’yo.”
READ ALSO: Coco Martin Reveals How ABS-CBN Rejected Him Twice
Coco Martin found a mother in Jaclyn Jose
The veteran actress had lived a life so full—according to the attestations of the many celebrities she had worked with. But on top of being a versatile actress or a friend, Jaclyn was also a mother.
Her kids are Andi Eigenmann with the late actor Mark Gil and Gwen Guck with “The Dawn” member Kenneth Ilagan.
But even though she only has two biological kids, Coco says that she also found a mother figure in the actress. More so, Jaclyn was also very vocal about her parental love, prompting Coco to find comfort in her presence.
Coco shares, “Kinuwento niya sa akin kung gaano niya kamahal ang kanyang mga anak, sobra. Kaya nga sabi ko, ‘Ang swerte ng mga anak niya kasi kung alam lang nila kung gaano sila kamahal ni [Jaclyn].’”
“Minsan sa buhay natin, hindi natin maa-appreciate yung tao ‘pag nandiyan. Minsan akala lang natin makulit, ‘di ba, pakialamera? Pero yun palang mga bagay na yung ang pagpaparamdam nila kung gaano nila tayo kamahal.”
IMAGE: jaclynjose on Instagram
According to Coco, he is envious with Jaclyn’s children for they had a mother who was, “overprotective, yung makikipagpatayan sa iba, yung gagawin ang lahat, yung ituturo sa akin ang lahat ng bagay, yung magtatrabaho siya kahit hindi siya matulog pero iniisip niya kung paano kami mabubuhay.”
With all the sacrifices that Jaclyn made as a mother, Coco could not help but be impressed by her grace and fierceness in loving her kids.
He says, “Doon ako bumilib sa kanya. Kaya sabi ko nga, swerte ng mga anak niya kasi siguro hindi na niya nae-express nang tama. Pero sa kaibuturan ng puso niya, sobrang mahal na mahal niya.
“Maaring minsan, siguro, may mga maling pamamaraan. Pero yung tao ‘pag nawala na, doon mo lang maa-appreciate at doon mo makikita yung mga bagay na ginagawa niya na minsan hindi natin naiintindihan.”
In the end, Coco expressed his gratitude for being treated as Jaclyn’s own son—just as Jaclyn treated her other colleagues with love and the showbiz industry with such fervent devotion.
READ ALSO: Jake Ejercito Mourns Death Of Jaclyn Jose
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