Coco Martin, filmmaker Erik Matti, and film producer Dondon Monteverde have formed a strategic alliance to bring together two upcoming films, ‘On the Job: Maghari’ and ‘Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio,’ to champion Filipino culture and history in local cinema.
The partnership between Martin, Matti, and Monteverde was announced in a press launch on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Pasig City, while revealing a glimpse of what viewers can expect from both films.
‘On the Job: Maghari (2026)’ is a prequel that centers on the young Mario Maghari (Martin) during his turbulent life in the 1990s. It will also show how he ended up in prison. Maghari’s character was brought to life by Joel Torre in the ‘On the Job’ film series.
Meanwhile, ‘Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio (2027)’ is a biopic centered on the life of Andres Bonifacio (Martin). It will also tell the story of how Bonifacio eventually became the father of the Katipunan and his hopes for the country.
According to Matti, he has long been aware of Martin wanting to work with him on a project, but it was all about the ‘right time’ and the ‘perfect project’ for it to happen.
‘When we sat down, we knew from the get-go what we wanted to see from a Coco Martin movie on our end. Ang gusto namin talaga to bring out the best in Coco, not just what we see in ‘Batang Quiapo’ and ‘Ang Probinsyano,” he explained.
‘But together with that, ang lakas ng legacy niya sa indie movies dati. He was this boy next door na hindi po nakikitang kinakawawa, and we wanted to bring it out together, the action star and the dramatic actor in him. From the beginning, Coco is a dramatic actor. so we looked for a material that showcases action with a strong heart, a strong humanity, and d’un kami nagka-tagpo-tagpo,’ he continued.
Martin will be balancing the filming schedules of his upcoming films with ‘Batang Quiapo,’ where he also serves as co-director and creative director. Despite this, he said that he still has the drive because he experienced what it’s like ‘to struggle in finding opportunities’ as an actor back then.
‘Isa sa pinakamagandang experience na naransanan ko sa buhay, is naranasan kong magutom. Naranasan ko ang tagal ng paghihintay as an actor. ang tagal kong naghintay,’ he said. ‘Ang tagal kong pinagsumikapan kung nasaan ko ngayon. Kaya kapag may bagong actors, hindi ko sila tinuturuan paano umarte. Pero ‘yung tamang mindset, ‘yung pagpapahalaga sa trabaho, ‘yun ang kaya kong i-share sa kanila.’
(One of the best experiences I went through in life is being hungry. I experienced long waits as an actor. I’ve waited so long. I’ve worked so hard for a long time to be where I’m at now. This is why when I come across new actors, I don’t teach them how to act. I teach them the right mindset and how to do their job well.)
M x M x MLOOK: Coco Martin, filmmaker Eric Matti, and film producer Dondon Monteverde enter a partnership to produce two upcoming films, ‘On the Job: Maghari (2026)’ and ‘Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio (2027).’ | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/ISF8Lcv4C0
– Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 14, 2025
The actor-director added that he is aware of accepting one project after another, in which he explained that he knows what it feels like to miss out on career-changing opportunities.
(If I can look by, I can say that I experienced the worst of beginnings. When I was starting, people saw me as a bold and sexy actor who was paired up with women and men. That’s how hard I worked to be where I’m at. What I’m enjoying is the fruit of all my hardships, and I don’t want to let it go. Now, I’m sharing them with the new actors so they can get opportunities, with the veteran actors who couldn’t land jobs just because they aren’t seen frequently. I give them opportunities so they can keep working.)
Further details on the ‘On the Job: Maghari’ and ‘Maypagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio’s’ cast and storylines are yet to be announced. /edv