Coco Martin Reveals Having Worked As A Janitor In Canada

He may be one the most popular young dramatic actors in the country today but few know that Coco Martin once worked as janitor.

In a 40-page tell-all interview with Star Studio magazine, as reported by "TV Patrol" on June 25, Coco related how he became lola's boy and shared his experiences when his mom and dad separated; how he falls in love; how he has problems with delivering lines because of a speech impediment called lisp.

Unabashedly, he also recalled the time he worked as janitor in Canada.

Grandma's Advice

Growing up under the care of his grandmom, Coco remembers being advised to put a premium on his studies.

"Huwag ka na mag-artista. Mahirap na buhay 'yan, kumplikado na iyan. Kapag nag-start ka na diyan, kikita ka na ng pera, tatamarin ka na mag-aral. Tapusin mo muna ang pag-aaral mo, saka mo gawin kung anong gusto mo mangyari sa buhay mo," Coco was quoted to have said in the magazine, as reported by abs-cbnnews.com.

Coco, inspired by his grandmother's advice, finished college in 2002 while doing TV commercials and performing in theater plays on the side.

Indie Beginning

In the tell-all story, the multi-awarded actor, as reported by "TV Patrol," shared how he was discovered; how he struggled in a slew of indie films until he got noticed in "Kinatay," for which Brillante Mendoza won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.

Coco's first major break came via "Masahista," his first indie film which made the rounds of festivals abroad.

"Wala akong idea about the concept. Ang sabi lang nila 'yung parang manghihilot kasi nga masahista. That time, hindi ko naiintindihan iyon. Sunod lang ako nang sunod... Oo lang ako nang oo. Akala nila naiintindihan ko, wala naman akong naiintindihan. Noong sinubukan kong gawin ang pelikula, hindi ko alam na ganun pala siya kalalim. Ganun pala ka-mature ang gagawin kong role," Coco told Star Studio.

It was while attending various festivals abroad that Coco hatched the idea of working overseas. He found work as a janitor in Canada during the festival phase in his career.

But even before his visa lapsed, he decided to return to the Philippines.

"Ang lungkot-lungkot. Siyempre nilalabanan ko sarili ko eh. Ito na 'yung matagal kong pangarap eh. Ito talaga 'yung gustung-gusto ko. Ang nangyari, first month ganadong-ganado ako, mahal na mahal ko 'yung ginagawa ko. Third month, dahan-dahan akong nakakaramdam ng lungkot. Pang-limang buwan ko, hinahampas ko na 'yung mop ko, ito na pala ang sinasabi nilang homesick," he shared in the interview.

Now, Coco's character in "Walang Hanggan" is certainly one of the most watched performances, with the soap opera clinching its highest rating of 43.4 percent recently.