On January 4, actress Lovi Poe officially exited FPJ’s Batang Quiapo after the demise of her character Mokang.
During Episode 232 of FPJBQ, viewers saw Tanggol (Coco Martin) fighting off the forces of (Ramon) Christopher de Leon. However, Olga (Irma Adlawan), who was stealthily hiding from the sidelines, had Tanggol at gunpoint.
Mokang (Poe) saw that Tanggol’s life was in danger, so she lept in front of the bullet. It hit her right in the head, which proved lethal, effectively ending her character’s story in the Kapamilya action series.
Poe’s exit from the Kapamilya action drama surprised many fans of the FPJBQ, which had the word ‘Mokang’ trending on social media.
Netizens expressed disappointment regarding her ‘sudden’ exit from the Kapamilya action series.
Mokang, and Lovi Poe, deserved so much better.
— Agnes Xavier Gueco (@AgnesGueco) January 4, 2024
Parang di nabigyan ng justice ang Classic Film nina FPJ at Maricel. Iniisip namin maganda ending ng story ni Tanggol at Mokang. Ampangeeeet!! parang nakakasad sa part ni Lovi Poe na movie ito ng papa nya tapos sya na anak..yung karakter nya pinatay sa ganto lng?#FPJBQMokang
— Bon Buenavidez (@superbon1994) January 4, 2024
Parang ang sayang naman ni Mokang doon 🥹 FPJ Batang Quiapo bigyan nyo naman ng justice ang role ni Lovi Poe. #Mokang
— bong soona (@vmseys) January 4, 2024
Some also surmised that Poe may have decided to start focusing on her personal life, especially after her marriage with the Hollywood producer Monty Blencowe.
Iba ang glow ni Mokang (Lovi Poe) baka gagampanan na nya pagiging misis nya sa totoong buhay kaya kailangan na nya magpaalam sa #FPJBatangQuiapo #FPJBQMokang
— netmiguel (@netzmigs) January 4, 2024
Lovi Poe’s really signing-off as Mokang.. A tough decision she had to make.. Family first, (I think).. Enjoy your married life, @LoviPoe! @DreamscapePH
— meldz0811 (@meldz0811) January 4, 2024
Others also felt baffled by the abrupt change in the storyline for the Kapamilya action drama.
So what happened to the original teaser where Tanggol, Mokang and Ramon met together in one location with guns pointing?
Wala na? Pinaasa lang ni Direk Coco Martin mga tao at binago na lang ang plot by killing Lovi Poe?
Now this is disappointing#BatangQuiapo #Mokang
— Jeffrey Morales (@jeff_d_morales) January 4, 2024
So para san yung unang trailer? Andaming scenes na nawala..diba parang panloloko yun sa manonood? Ganun ganun nalang pinatay si lovi poe as mokang sa batang quiapo? so papahabain na naman nila ito ng ilang taon? ganun ba?#FPJBQMokang
— Bon Buenavidez (@superbon1994) January 4, 2024
Bakit iniba story? bakit biglang pinatay si mokang? diba sa last trailer nila ng bagong yugto si mokang ang susi sa pagkikita ni tanggol at ramon?
— Ron Mia (@rojan88) January 4, 2024
As for Poe, she penned a heartfelt message on her Instagram account, highlighting her journey with FPJ’s Batang Quiapo and her decision to ‘turn the page.’
“A big part of my 2023 was breathing life into a character I have grown to love — what a privilege it was to play Mokang. She was a fighter, and she taught me how it is [to truly be free.] It really was a tough decision for me to make. But I have decided to turn the page.”
She then expressed her gratitude to ABS-CBN and the entire cast and crew of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.
Aside from that, she also had a message for Coco Martin, noting how Fernando Poe Jr’s legacy was in great hands.
“To my dearest tagapagTANGGOL, maybe in another life?
“Direk Coco, my dad’s legacy is in great hands. Salamat at pinagpapatuloy mo.
“Coco, I will always be one of your biggest fans. Please try to get some sleep.”
Finally, Poe ended her post with, “Inyong tropa, Mokang…now signing off.”
With Poe’s exit, Ivana Alawi would now seemingly take over the leading lady role in the series.
FPJ’s Batang Quiapo airs Monday to Friday at 8 PM via Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
