He has been there for more than one year and a half, the same period of time I've been in showbiz. He's serving a seven-year term (a maximum of 18). Tungkol sa drugs ang kaso niya.
My father (Danilo Punongbayan Cuyugan) is young; only in his early 40s. I'm 18, turning 19 in January next year. My mom (Teresa Marquez) is about my father's age. I'm the youngest and only boy among three children. My older sister, Shirley Joy Cuyugan, already married, is working in Singapore. My other sister, Shirley May, is staying with my Mom and me at a townhouse I bought at the Don Jose Subdivision in Quezon City, malapit sa Fairview.
Am I ashamed that my father is in prison? Not at all. Pops Fernandez's late father (Eddie Fernandez) was also in prison (later freed and killed in a reported shootout with cops a few years after) and so is the father of Keanu Reeves (in Hawaii, also in drug charges like my own father). I still love and respect my father despite everything.
I never tried to hide this part of my life when I joined showbiz nearly two years ago as a member of the ABS-CBN Star Circle. During conversation with my fellow Star Circle members, the topic would veer towards the family and I told them what happened to my father, where he is. I never tried to pretend because, after all, if I did I'd be uncovered in the end din naman, di ba? So what for?
But while I didn't try to cover up that aspect of my life, hindi ko rin naman pinangangalandakan. If somebody asks me about it, I tell him. While it's not something to be proud of, it's not something to be ashamed of either. The sin of the father should never be blamed on his children.
I admit that because of his drug problem, my father neglected us - my Mom, my sisters and me. Ganoon kapag involved sa drugs, di ba? Nawawala sa sarili, Nawawala ang control sa sarili. Should I blame him for neglecting us? Maybe I should but I don't. During that time, my father wasn't probably in his right senses.
Everything could have been a blessing in disguise. I try to look at it that way. Early on, I learned how to work, to help my Mom make a living. I helped her sell everything - clothes, longanisa, cosmetics, lahat-lahat, kung anu-no. Halos lahat ng paninda yata, tinitinda ng Mom ko inside the subdivision (Susana Heights in Alabang). We also sold paputok (firecrakers).
At that time kasi, my Dad was already into drugs. We were hard up. Iginapang talaga kami ng Mom ko para lang makapag-aral. I was forever carrying a promissory note - you know, "I promise to pay the tuition pay on this and that date" para lang makakuha ng exams.. OPM ako - Oh, Promise Me! Sa awa ng Diyos, I was able to finish high school. Nakapag-aral din naman ang mga Ate ko.
Then I thought of working. Nag-apply ako sa ACA Video (Alabang) where I worked for three months. When I saw a Tia Maria's poster inviting working students to join them, I resigned from ACA Video. I didn't lie about my age. Nagulat sila when they learned that I was only 16. I looked mature for my age daw. The first thing they asked me was, "Willing ka bang i-give up ang gimmick life mo?"
I was with Tia Maria for eight months, starting as a waiter. Soon, I became the cashier, then bartender and then as part of the marketing staff. I'd go to companies to help market Tia Maria. I'd commute in jeepneys, naka-long sleeves ako at kadalasan pawis na pawis at humahangos habang nakikipag-meet sa mga clients. But I enjoyed my job which involved negotiating with various companies for our catering services.
How did I get into showbiz? By accident. I never thought I'd end up in showbiz. One time, I was assigned by Tia Maria's to appear on an ABS-CBN show to plug our promo. Somebody asked me if I wanted to join Star Circle. I found myself saying, "Yes, why not?" Before I knew it, I was already signing a contract and being presented to the press along with several others.
I quit Tia Maria's and concentrated on showbiz. (Later, when time, permits, I'm planning to pursue my college education through DECS' Home Study Program.) I'm a semi-regular co-host of A.S.A.P., and a regular member of the cast of the soap Esperanza and in the Sunday sitcom Onli in da Pilipins. I used to be regular on Gimik but not anymore. I have to cut down on my TV commitments so I can also do movies. I've done one, Flames the Movie, and another one is coming soon, Ipaglaban Mo, the Movie 2 (where I play the cousin of Wowie de Guzman).
It's hard work but I'm happy. I'm earning far bigger than what I used to and I'm able to invest and save. I'm paying for my townhouse and my car and I'm saving the rest in the bank.
Maybe you're wondering, "Has Marvin tried drugs?" My answer is a big no. From what I saw in my Dad's experience, I don't want to even smell, or touch drugs. It's hell! Before he started taking drugs, my Dad was okay. Our life was going smoothly kahit hindi kami mayaman. We could get along, so to speak. My Dad was working as a lineman at PLDT and my Mom helped augment his income by selling all kinds of goods and food. He was a good father, until he started taking drugs. Hayun, nasangkot sa kung anu-ano hanggang sa nakulong na nga.
Am I bitter towards my Dad because of what happened? No, I'm not. I still love him. before I joined showbiz, I used to visit him regularly at Munti. But now, because of my tight schedule, hindi na masyadong regular. But we keep in touch.
The last time I saw him was three weeks ago when we were shooting a scene at the Paranaque City Jail. There was a break in the shooting and I asked permission from direk (Rory B. Quintos) to visit my Dad. Malapit na kasi doon ang Munti.
My Dad is so proud of me. He was kidding me, "O, sikat ka na ngayon, ha!" Everybody was calling me Danilo, the name of my character in Esperanza. It's also my Dad's name. Coincidence lang na nagka-pareho. Obviously, pinanonood nila ang Esperanza. My Dad showed me around, introducing me to everybody. Then, he said, "Halika, ipakikilala kita kay Idol." The Idol turned out to be Robin Padilla, my Dad's "classmate" at Sampaguita. We had to wait a few minutes because Robin, now a Muslim, was praying. He was nice, very friendly.
I don't blame the government for putting my Dad behind bars. Nagkasala siya, he violated the law, so he has to pay for it. But my only wish, especially this Christmas, is for him to be free again so we become one family again. He seems to have changed for the better. At sana nga tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabago niya. Sana nga.