ENTERING MARVIN'S ROOM

Like Leonardo DiCaprio's and River Phoenix's post-hippie parents, Marvin's family is a poignant reflection of the times we live in. Marvin's parents married in the 70's, and got fractured when the father went into that familiar 80's scourge, shabu. Like Keanu Reeve's dad, Marvin's father eventually ended serving time. Marvin grew up in classic Pinoy 80's suburbia: the family is based in those compounds cum subdivisions in Muntinlupa. The eldest sister is an OCW in Singapore (a liner's restaurant co-manager). Another sister is struggling thru the "uso" quickie degree, a computer course. Marvin is the youngest, yet the breadwinner, the only man in the house.

His childhood is spent in the most endearing slice-of-life struggles: years as a sacristan in the local church (his mother thinking that church service will pull him away from the suburbia "petiks"), no play but all part-time jobs selling tocinos and new year torotots, even some weekends wherein he would organize "paripa"-barangay raffles with groceries as prizes. When he was old enough, Marvin went thru the succession of part-time contractual-laser disc polisher in ACA Video, margarita shaker in Tia Maria and the boy inside a Shakey's mascot! ---Passing himself off as 18 years old when he was hardly 16, just to get the job.

An audition for SuperLaffin paved the way for eventual discovery. He did not make it to the audition, but was recruited instead to Star Circle (Director Johnny Manahan's star discovery project which shifted the current TV viewing habits of the Filipinos from veteran stars to neophyte bagets.) Marvin is now jointly handled by Joji Dingcong's Garibaldi Entertainment (same hands behind Martin Nievera, G Toengi, and Eric Quizon) and ABS CBN Talent Center.