MANILA -- Actor-director Coco Martin explained how Gary Valenciano along with FlipTop stars Smugglaz and Bassilyo were chosen to sing the official soundtracks (OSTs) of "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."

In a press conference, Smugglaz shared that it was Martin's idea to record a new track for the series.

"Pinagsama-sama lang din namin 'yung idea namin pero pinaka-ugat talaga nito si Direk Coco (Martin)," Smugglaz said.

"'Yung music po binagay po namin sa panahon and pasugod po 'yun and galing po 'yun sa utak ni Direk Coco (Martin)," Bassilyo added.

Martin said he wanted to have a marching vibe to the track that would capture life in Quiapo.

"Nung naisip ko siyempre 'pag sinabi mong 'Batang Quiapo,' alam naman natin kung ano 'yung buhay, ano 'yung kwento ng 'Batang Quiapo.' Nagtulong-tulong po lahat ng rappers pero ako lang po nagbigay ng kwento, ng journey nung tatakbuhin ng laman nung kanta," he said.

Originally recorded by Rico J. Puno, "Kapalaran" was a lucky find for Martin that Valenciano has his own version.

"Parang kwento siya ng bawat tao, hindi 'yung character lang ni Tanggol parang lahat nakaka-relate, parang lahat tayo lalo na pagdating sa Quiapo, di ba, nandoon tayo para magdasal, magsimba, para magkaroon tayo ng maayos na buhay," Martin said.

"Sakto mayroong Gary (Valenciano). Tapos nung umaga, bago mag-storycon nagkita kami ni Sir Gary, nag-taping sila ng 'ASAP' dito, nagpasalamat ako because of 'Ang Probinsyano,'" he added.

Martin added that Valenciano was gracious enough to re-record his version of the song.

"After that nung nagkita kami ni Sir Gary, (nagtanong ako). Sir Gary, 'yun na po ba 'yung gagamitin natin o kakantahin niyo po siya para sa teleserye. (Sabi niya,) hindi, gagawa tayo ng bago."

"FPJ's Batang Quiapo" will start airing on February 13, Monday – just half a year since the finale of Martin's historic “Ang Probinsyano.”

RELATED VIDEO:

Watch more News on iWantTFC