'Juan dela Cruz' star wants personal life private
MANILA -- "Juan dela Cruz" star Coco Martin addressed speculations about his supposed civil status, which, tabloid reports claim, is reflected in his passport.
The 31-year-old actor denied Friday that he was secretly married to a non-showbiz partner in Canada, and that he owns a Canadian passport.
"Actually, marami nga nagsabi sa akin niyan, kaso sabi ko, 'Hindi naman ako umaalis!' Saan naman nila nakuha 'yun? Eh, ngayon wala kaming [pag-alis papuntang ibang bansa] dahil lagi kaming nagte-taping," Martin told reporters at the sidelines of the Yahoo! OMG Awards, where he won Actor of the Year.
Following questions noted that the supposed wedding happened before he achieved mainstream success.
Martin, however, was quick to clarify that he has been staying in the Philippines even during his time as an actor identified with independent films. "Ang tagal-tagal ko nang nandito [sa bansa], eh. [Kahit noon] wala. 'Yung passport ko Pilipino."
The sought-after leading man mused that the speculations may have stemmed from his being single, despite being linked to numerous female personalities.
Martin has been romantically linked to a number of Kapamilya stars, including Sarah Geronimo, Angeline Quinto, Erich Gonzales and Julia Montes.
"Siguro 'yung mga tao nako-confuse dahil hanggang ngayon wala akong time para mag-girlfriend. Siguro 'pag dumating din 'yung pagkakataon na napagisip-isip ko na, 'O, talagang may panahon na ako para sa sarili ko,' [magkakaroon din ng oras]," he said.
Public figure, private life
When he finally finds time to be in a relationship, or have a family of his own, Martin said he would want to keep it private. He noted that as an actor, he has already shared enough of his life with the public.
"Siguro kung meron man akong taong iibigin o dadating 'yung punto na gusto ko na rin magpamilya -- siguro para sa akin lahat naman ibinigay ko na, lahat naman ipinakita ko na -- ang gusto ko siguro, arborin ko na, personal ko nang buhay 'yun.
"Tsaka ang ina-ano ko naman kasi gusto ko ng tahimik at simpleng buhay in the future. Kaya ngayon ibinibigay ko 'yung best ko para sa trabaho," he said.
He clarified, however, that the possibility of settling down is still far off, citing his responsibility to his family.
"Bata pa naman ako. Uunahin ko siyempre pamilya ko. Kapag natupad ko na siguro lahat ng pangarap ko para sa pamilya ko, siguro 'yun ang tamang pagkakataon para isipin ko magpakasal," he said.
Currently one of the most visible stars, and among the most awarded actors of his generation, Martin nonetheless understands the public's curiosity with his personal life.
"Artista ako. Part ng work ko 'yun. Ayoko naman pigilan ang mga tao. Basta sabi ko, the more na tahimik ka at wala kang ginagawang masama sa kapwa mo, wala ka dapat ikatakot," he said.
