Coco Martin joins the “On the Job” universe and takes on Bonifacio next

Coco Martin teams up with director Erik Matti and producer Dondon Monteverde for two powerhouse films under their new banner, “MMM.”

Actor-producer Coco Martin is joining forces with visionary filmmaker Erik Matti and powerhouse producer Dondon Monteverde for a game-changing collaboration poised to redefine Philippine cinema.

Together, they’re bringing to life two ambitious projects: the action-packed “On the Job: Maghari” and the sweeping historical biopic “Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio.” Both promise to push the limits of storytelling, scale, and cinematic impact.

The partnership—aptly named “MMM” for Monteverde, Matti, and Martin—was announced Tuesday morning at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas.

A dream collaboration, years in the making

Martin said he had long hoped to work with the two creative forces behind Reality MM Studios, the company behind acclaimed works like “On the Job” and “BuyBust.”

“Nagaabang ako na mapansin nila ako pero ‘di nila ako tinatawagan,” Martin said, laughing. “Lahat ng mga kasamahan kong lalaki sa production ko, ni-require ko manood ng ‘BuyBust.’”

He admitted that a mix of insecurity and drive fueled his persistence. “Sabi ko baka ‘di pa ako enough. Sa mata ko kaya ko, pero kanya-kanyang panlasa. Baka sa kanila ‘di pa ako enough,” he recalled. “Sabi ko, kung ‘di talaga ako nako-consider, ako na lang ang gagawa ng projects—baka sakaling makagawa rin ako ng ginagawa nila.”

Then, one day, the call finally came. “Kahit sobrang busy ko, ginawan ko ng time,” he said. “Inamin ko kay Sir Don, tagal ko nang hinihintay ito.”

Finding the right story

For Matti, the timing couldn’t have been better. “We were just waiting for the right time and the right material for him,” he shared. “When we met, we immediately knew what kind of Coco Martin movie we wanted to make. We wanted to bring out the best of Coco—not just what audiences see in ‘Batang Quiapo’ or ‘Ang Probinsyano.’”

Matti emphasized that Martin’s dramatic roots shouldn’t be overlooked. “His action-hero persona has overshadowed his dramatic past. But from the beginning, Coco has always been a dramatic actor. We wanted material that shows both sides—action with heart, story with soul.”

Among all the pitches, ‘On the Job: Maghari’ and ‘Maypagasa’ stood out for their emotional core. “The other stories felt like popcorn movies,” Matti said. “These two had depth. We all agreed—no questions asked.”

A partnership for the industry

Monteverde, for his part, described MMM as more than just a creative collaboration—it’s a statement of unity. “Tayo naman talaga ang partners sa industry—producers, actors, media, and cinema operators,” he said. “Ito na ang ambag natin para lumakas ang industry natin. Para sa aming tatlo, mahalaga ang cinema.”

He added, “Dito ako pinalaki. This is for the next generation. Madaming gustong pumasok sa pelikula—mahalin natin.”

The man behind “Maghari”

Matti offered a glimpse into ‘On the Job: Maghari,’ describing Coco’s character, Tatang, as “every man.”

“When we thought of Maghari, we asked—what do people want to see from Coco? He’s the ordinary Filipino, not some untouchable hero. He represents everyone,” Matti explained.

The story, he said, mirrors the frustrations of daily Filipino life: doing your best, yet never being enough in a broken system. “Eventually, he takes matters into his own hands to protect his family and those around him.”

The Bonifacio battles

The second project, “Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio,” aims to reexamine one of the country’s most misunderstood heroes—not just as a revolutionary, but as a man caught between ideals and disillusionment.

“This one focuses totally on Bonifacio—why he failed as a hero,” Matti said. “He couldn’t find his place among the intellectuals like Jose Rizal. He’d always ask, ‘When are we going to fight beyond words? ’That’s what people forget about him.”

He noted that the subtitle, ‘The Battles of Andres Bonifacio,’ reflects both his physical and internal wars. “They always say, laging talo si Bonifacio. We dissected why. It’s because his biggest resistance came from his own people. The real enemy was disunity.”

Matti added that Bonifacio’s fiery temper was both his flaw and his fuel. “He was seen as reckless, but it came from frustration. That’s what pushed him to form the KKK.”

Through ‘Maypagasa,’ Matti said, the trio hopes to show Bonifacio not just as a fallen hero, but as a man who fought, failed, and kept believing in freedom, no matter the cost.

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