Coco Martin backs Senate bid of Aurora congressman

COCO Martin said that he does receive payment for his endorsement of Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, a candidate for the Senate in the May polls.

The "Juan dela Cruz" lead actor said he is helping Angara as his way of helping someone who he believes in.

"Pareho kami ng panananaw at paniniwala sa buhay. Napalapit ako sa kanya kasi yung prinsipyo niya na gusto niyang tulungan yung mga matatanda, gusto niyang mapag-aral yung mga kabataan at yung mga guro binibigyan niya ng importansya. Napakalaking tulong noon," he said in a recent interview.

He added that helping Angara's political bid is his personal choice and said that no one influenced him to support the politician even his leading lady, Julia Montes, who appeared in Angara's campaign ads.

"Sarili kong choice yun. Nagugulat sila na bakit ko sila sinusuportahan kasi totally hindi kami magkakilala. This time bilang tao may gusto kay itama, may gusto kang puntahan. Iniisip ko yung future ng family ko, yung future ko. Ito yung tamang paraan para makatulong ako," Coco said.

"Sa pagkakataon ito walang pwedeng makapag impluwensiya sa akin. Iba ibang paniniwala sa buhay yan. Sa akin ito yung panahon na makatulong para sa kapwa ko," he added.

To recall, Coco is one of the local celebrities who helped in the political campaign of President Benigno Aquino III in 2010. He even starred in "Noy: The Movie," which storyline revolves around the life of the most powerful man in the country.

"Nagkatotoo yung sinabi niya at hindi ako nagkamali. Masarap sa pakiramdam na yung pinaniniwalaan mo ay tama. Mula umpisa hanggang dulo parin yung suporta ko," he said.

Meanwhile, Coco is also busy with his showbiz career.

His primetime series "Juan dela Cruz" launched Monday on television and he is set to topbill a Star Cinema movie, which will be released this Valentine's Day.

According to the actor, he is grateful to his mother network for all the opportunities given to him and for believing in his talent as an actor. Coco said he will never take things for granted.

"Lahat ng meron ako ngayon, yung mga nararanasan ko, thankful ako sa ABS-CBN kasi hindi nila ako pinabayaan at sobra nila akong inalagaan. Kung saan man ako nanggaling, yun ang dahilan kung bakit andito ako ngayon at yun ang nagpatibay sa akin ngayon," he said.

"Alam ko kung paano ko siya pinaghirapan kasi nanggaling talaga ako sa pinakababa. Kaya sobra kong tini-treasure kung ano meron ako ngayon," he said.

Joining Coco in new TV series "Juan dela Cruz" are Erich Gonzales, Albert Martinez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Joel Torre, Gina Pareño, Erich Gonzales, Lotlot de Leon, William Lorenzo, Lilia Cuntapay, Neil Coleta, Arron Villaflor, John Medina, Louise Abuel, and Mr. Eddie Garcia. (Sunnex)