Eddie Garcia dubbed Coco Martin as the new Fernando Poe Jr.
The veteran actor has been working with Coco for almost three years in the ABS-CBN prime-time series Ang Probinsyano.
"Siya ang bagong FPJ, si Coco. Napaka-professional at napaka-galing na artista.
"Maraming tinutulungan na wala nang trabaho. Nilagagay niya sa Ang Probinsyano para magkaroon ng trabaho," said Eddie who is cast as Don Emilio Syquia in the teleserye.
When asked if Coco's attitude has changed, the veteran actor pointed out:
"Hindi malaki ang ulo ni Coco. Napaka down-to-earth.
Eddie also downplayed rumors saying that Coco has overstepped his boundaries by overriding decisions of the director.
"Hindi. Nagsa-suggest lang naman si Coco.
"Kung ano ang inaakala niya na makakabuti sa show...hindi naman niya sinasapawan ang direktor."
Does Coco have the final say when it comes to the plot of Ang Probinsyano?
"Ay, hindi. Nag-suggest lang dahil meron kaming mga headwriter.
"Saka si Coco, hindi naman nangingialam sa direction."
Eddie then recalled that Coco directed him when he shot his scenes inside a cave.
"May eksena na siya na siya ang nag-direk sa akin.
"Magaling as a director."
Does Coco shout at other people when he gets stressed?
"Hindi, napakalamig as a director," said Eddie about the star of Ang Probinsyano who also serves as the creative consultant of the show.
There have been rumors indicating that Coco has a tendency to shout at other people while directing a scene. Did he ever see this happen to Coco?
"Nung dinirek niya ako sa kweba, wala namang sigaw. Very smooth ang taping namin," recalled Eddie.
Eddie also pointed out:
"Yung dinidirek niya, siya ang captain of the ship kapag may sequence na siya ang nag-direk.
"Pag iba ang nag-direk, hindi naman siya nakikialam."
Were there times when he saw Coco arguing with another director?
"Wala," said the veteran actor.
MMFF 2018 ENTRY
Eddie is part of the 2018 Metro Manila Film Fest entry Rainbow's Sunset, which will open on December 25.
He is cast as Ramon Estrella, a retired senator who decided to come out of the closet. He decieded to leave his wife and take care of his good friend, Fredo (played by Tony Mabesa) who is dying of cancer.
In the film, Eddie shot a kissing scene with his partner Tony Mabesa.
"The script calls for it so gawin mo."
Was it awkward for him to do a kissing scene with another guy?
"No, no. Dun sa Bwakaw, may kissing scene rin ako with Rez Cortez.
"Nasa role yun, e. If the role calls for it, gawin mo. Kung ayaw mo, huwag mong tanggapin ang pelikula."
The 89-year-old actor estimates that he has done 600 movies throughout his career.
He has portrayed a variety of gay characters in the past: "Baklang nagsusuot ng babae, screaming faggot, isang bakla na may asawang lihim."
When it comes to his projects, he admitted that he is not choosy.
"Kahit anong role ibigay mo sa akin, tatanggapin ko.
"May isang role lang akong hindi pa nagagampanan: leading lady," Eddie quipped, eliciting laughter from members of the press.