Filipinos appealed for actor and director Coco Martin to help former child star Jiro Manio after the latter sold his Gawad Urian trophy to an online personality.
Jiro appeared on content creator “Boss Toyo‘s” YouTube video on January 2, particularly on episode 301 of his “Pinoy Pawnstars” series where he collects items of public figures and documents them.
The series was inspired by the History Channel’s reality television series “Pawn Stars.”
The 31-year-old former actor said that he approached Boss Toyo when he heard that the latter was planning to build a museum.
Jiro said that he wanted his 2004 Gawad Urian Best Actor trophy to be part of the collection, adding that he was content with his decision.
“Ang plano ko talaga nung napanood kita — sabi ng utol ko [ay] magtatayo ka raw ng museum,” the former actor said.
“Naisip ko, sana mapabilang ako doon [bilang] dating artista na nakatanggap ng mga award,” Jiro added.
He initially offered his acting trophy to Boss Toyo for P500,000 but admitted he had no idea about its pricing.
The content creator negotiated for P50,000, but Jiro haggled at P100,000. They eventually settled at the price of P75,000.
Jiro bagged the prestigious award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino for the family drama film “Magnifico” in 2004, where he played the titular role.
The movie, which was considered heartwarming and touching by critics, tells the story of an incredibly selfless young boy who helps his loved ones deal with their problems without seeking anything for himself.
These include building a coffin for his terminally ill grandmother and raising money to find a wheelchair for his invalid sister.
“Magnifico” was a Crystal Bear Winner and Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix Winner at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival.
It also won Best Picture in the 2004 FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) and in the 2004 FAP (Film Academy of the Philippines) Awards.
The movie likewise won the Best Film of the Decade (2000-2009) at the 2011 Gawad Urian Awards, according to the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Boss Toyo, meanwhile, said he wanted Jiro’s acting trophy to be part of his collection.
“Lagi kong iniisip ano ang balik sa akin nito at kung may potential buyer ako nito in the future. Pero gusto ko ito sa tindahan ko,” the content creator said.
Jiro’s decision to give away his trophy struck a chord with some online Filipinos who thought that the Kapamilya “Primetime King” Coco Martin could help him get back on acting.
“Direk Coco Martin, tulungan [niyo] po si idol Jiro,” a Facebook user commented in a post reporting about Jiro and Boss Toyo.
“Sana mabigyan ulit [siya] ng Break ni Direk Coco Martin. Mahusay na actor ‘to. Nawa mabigyan ulit [siya] ng chance. Siguradong iingatan at pahahalagahan [niya] ang opportunity dahil nahubog siya sa mga ups and downs na napagdaanan [niya]. God Bless po,” another Pinoy wrote.
“Tanggol, ipasok [mo na sa] #FPJsBatangQuiapoTV5,” commented a different user, referring to Coco’s character in his “Batang Quiapo” series.
“Kunin [ka] sana ni Coco Martin sa ‘Batang Quiapo,'” another Filipino commented.
“Sana isama siya ni Coco Martin sa ‘Batang Quiapo,'” wrote a different user.
Coco is known for giving personalities an acting break through his shows, including former actors who had left the showbiz industry before.
In his previous series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” he was able to feature Mark Anthony Fernandez, Jolo Revilla, father and son Lito and Mark Lapid, ex-Viva Hot Babes members Katya Santos, Gwen Garci, Maui Taylor, Jaycee Parker and Zara Lopez, comedienne Whitney Tyson, Roderick Paulate, Mystica, Rhed Bustamante, Priscilla Almeda and former child star CJ Ramos.
Some of them intended to return to acting to financially help their families, while others hoped to use their talent again after being inactive in showbiz for years.
“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyan has brought inspiration and hope to thousands of viewers for the seven years it has been on-air. What’s even more astounding is how it also gave hope to most of its cast members,” an ABS-CBN article said in 2022.
“The longest-running action series has had characters come and go over the years, meaning many actors and actresses have showcased their talent on the show. To many of them, the call to be part of the show was a blessing — a second chance at their passion for acting,” it added.
In Jiro’s case, meanwhile, he started as a promising child actor but was influenced by illegal drugs in his older years.
He said that he entered a drug rehabilitation facility four times.
The former actor was also arrested in 2020 for allegedly stabbing a man.
Nowadays, Jiro is a volunteer at the Department of Health’s treatment and rehabilitation center in Bataan where he gives advice and counseling. He added that he was also admitted there when he got into illegal drugs.
When asked if he wanted to return to showbiz, the former actor said he prefers to stick to his role as a volunteer at the moment.
Apart from “Magnifico,” Jiro has appeared in the movies “Anak,” “Mila,” “Anghel sa Lupa,” “Ang Tanging Ina,” “Foster Child,” “Manay Po” and “Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po,” among others.
He also had TV appearances in programs such as “Spirits,” “Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit,” “Kung Fu Kids,” “Pilyang Kerubin” and some episodes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
