Coco Martin, a renowned Filipino celebrity, rose to fame through the indie film scene. Born Rodel Nacianceno on November 1, 1981, in Manila, Philippines, he was dubbed the "King of Philippine Independent Films." Martin's early life was marked by living with his grandmother, whom he considers his second mother, and having five siblings from his biological parents.
Before becoming a successful actor, Martin worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Alberta, Canada, where he held a janitorial position for housekeeping. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the National College of Business and Arts.
Martin's indie film career began with starring roles in "The Masseur" (2005) and "Kaleldo" (2006),earning him the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. His subsequent films, "Daybreak" (2008) and "Jay" (2008),garnered him his first Gawad Urian for Best Supporting Actor. Martin collaborated with international award-winning director Brillante Mendoza on "Butchered" (2009),which received widespread acclaim from international audiences.
Martin's mainstream career took off with his debut in ABS-CBN's talent agency, Star Magic. He made his first cameo appearance in the film "Luv Text" (2001) and later ventured into other networks before returning to ABS-CBN. Star Cinema released his first mainstream movie, "Born to Love You" (2012),alongside Angeline Quinto.
Martin's breakout role came with "The Two of Us" (2009),where he won the 2009 Best Drama Actor in the Star Awards for Television for his portrayal of Ramon Lecumberri. His subsequent roles in "Minsan lang kita iibigin" (2011) and "Walang hanggan" (2012) earned him numerous nominations from award-giving bodies.
Martin is also known for starring in the top-rated primetime drama show "Juan Dela Cruz" (2013) and the fantasy action drama series "A Moment in Time" (2013). In 2014, he starred in the films "Maybe This Time" alongside Sarah Geronimo and "Feng Shui 2" alongside Kris Aquino. He continued to work as a leading actor in both film and television, starting his own film production company, CCM Film Productions, in 2017.
Martin's personal life remains private, with him being in a close relationship with his co-star and love team partner Julia Montes. Despite his success, Martin remains humble and dedicated to his craft, earning him the title of a legend and true hallmark in the Philippines and an international sensation among his fans worldwide.
