Coco Martin shrugged off criticisms of his hit TV series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” even as he claimed it even helped raise the profile of the popular Manila district even higher with references to the spots they used as locations.

During a presser for the series held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, Martin said he expected the bashers to nitpick on their show which he also directs.

Among those who denounced the series was vlogger Rendon Labador who said the shooting done in the area was an inconvenience because it attracts too much crowd and displaces the vendors.

But Martin calmly addressed the issue saying: “Pero hindi natin maiaalis kasi ngayon na because of the social media, na napakadaling gumawa ngayon ng opinyon ng isang bagay na kaya mong pagandahin o sirain.

“Nagkataon lang na siguro may mga taong hindi naman lahat papabor para sa amin o pabor para sa Batang Quiapo. Siguro nung sinabi niya yun, hindi ko alam kung ano man yung talagang intensiyon.”

Instead, Martin said the series makes people want to visit Quiapo even more.

“Yung iba nga, sa bawat pinupuntahan na lugar, kahit naman tayo, pag pumupunta tayo ng abroad, di ba, uy, dito daw nagsyuting yung ano. Pupunta tayo sa isang restaurant. Pupunta tayo dun sa isang park or whatever kung saan man yung location, which is ganun din ang nangyayari sa Pilipinas,” he said.

“Maraming mga pelikula, soap opera, na minsan nagiging tourist attraction pa yung lugar kung saan syinut yung minsan pelikula, minsan project. Ganun din ang nangyayari sa Batang Quiapo,” Martin said.

Charo Santos-Concio, Lorna Tolentino, and Ronnie Lazaro, who were also present in the presser, echoed Martin’s statement. They said the staff and crew always felt welcome in Quiapo.