It's been sometime since the entertainment business last saw a loveteam like Marvin and Jolina. To be specific, it was way back in the early '80s, when Regal babies Maricel Soriano and William Martinez made headlines with their antics. They were cast in many movies and television shows, made their audience and fans laugh and cry with the various roles they played. They even showed their dancing prowess in many occasions. The Martinez-Soriano onscreen partnership even paved the way for a personal liaison, which unfortunately was short-lived.
Now come their most likely successors, Agustin and Magdangal. Both products of ABS-CBN's stable of young stars, the two have been so visible lately, appearing in many of Channel 2's top rating shows. He does drama very well, as proven by his interesting character in the early-evening series, Esperanza. Marvin is also very much at home with comedy, with stints in Onli in da Pilipins. Both appear in Gimik and are honing their hosting skills in the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP for their home studio.
Marvin's life is an open book to some extent. Everyone in the industry knows what happened to his father and everyone knows how Marvin has bravely faced up to the truth, no matter how much it hurts him.
"Kung titingnan mo si Marvs, aakalain mong happy-go-lucky, walang pakialam sa mundo, pero in reality, he is very responsible. Ngayon pa lang, may vision na siya sa buhay, 'yung tipong he knows what he wants in life and is clear on how he can reach his ambitions," says Jolina with pride.
Marvin admits that his best friend is Judy Ann Santos. But he says it's not fair to compare Juday and Jolina. The three of them are buddy-buddies. "'Yung sa amin ni Jolina, ibang level 'yon," he explains. "Kung gusto nga niya, puwede ring maging mas ibang level pa, eh!" he teases his partner.
She reacts right away. "What do you mean? Ha?" But when you're face to face with the two, you'll feel a chemistry that is so transparent, a feeling of fondness between the two that is so obvious.
Both stars have appeared in a few movies together, the first of which was Flames, The Movie. Their voices were also used in the first Filipino animated movie which was entered in the last Metro Filmfest, FLT Film's Adarna. But they most often meet in their home studio where taping and shows are being held on a regular basis. "Kami ni Marvin, there are times when we don't have to say a thing anymore, alam na namin 'yung iniisip ng bawat isa. Isn't that nice? When he's sad, I feel it right away. When I'm down, siya 'yung joker ko, 'yung nagpe-perk up ng mood ko."
Marvin shares that between the two, Jolina is more moody. And he lets us in on Jolina's other outlet which is singing. "Maganda ang boses niya, gagawa na nga iyan ng album, eh!" Jolina blushes a little and becomes modest, "Hindi naman."
Marvin exclaims, "I'm so comfortable with Jolina. We hit it off very well, on and off camera. Ang galing pala talaga nung pareho kayo ng wavelength, kasi spontaneous ang mga actions and very natural too." Jolina adds, "Pareho kasi kaming makulit ni Marvin. Seriously, I'm very happy na kami ang mag-partners kasi we know each other very well. Sabi nga nila, "Huli na namin ang kiliti ng isa't-isa."
Marvin and Jolina have been seen together in the malls lately. "We enjoy going to the malls - shopping kung may pera, window shopping kung wala," he jokes. "No, we both like to eat." He adds, a statement that gets an immediate frown from her. She retorts, "Ikaw lang ha! Ako, I'm so conscious with my figure." True, their actions seem spontaneous and natural to me, hardly any trace of put-on like a famous young loveteam I know which always takes the press people for a ride with their statement and public display of sincereless affection.
Marvin has come a long way from being a food server at Tia Maria's in Alabang and a staff at the ACA Video store. He had to work early in life to be able to go through school because of some unexpected twists and turns in his family set-up. He realized the value of hard work and is now reaping the fruits of his labor. For a teenager to have saved enough money to buy a townhouse and a van is something most noteworthy.
"When I first moved into our new house, I was speechless for a few minutes. Iba pala ang pakiramdam nung makita mo kung saan napunta lahat ng pinag-ipunan mo, parang lahat ng hirap ko, nawala. And the smile on the faces of my family members, hindi puwedeng ipagpalit ng kahit na pinakamalakas na applause na natatanggap ko," Marvin's voice starts to crack a little.
Jolina's forthcoming album is in the preparation stage, where songs are being carefully chosen to ensure that it becomes a hit.
When we shift to their current projects, they, without cues, flex their bodies at the same time and get excited. "We 're co-starring with Maricel Soriano and William Martinez in a new movie called Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag MO," enthuses Jolina. "Sabi nila, kami daw ang successors nina Taray and Kulit, sana we can live up to the expectations of the fans," adds Marvin.
Meanwhile, the two continue to get serious with every project, for they believe that everything is a training ground for bigger jobs ahead. If their chemistry goes beyond work and gets personal, who among us should stop them? They seem to be a real nice tandem, so full of youthful dynamism, and so devoid of any hang-ups or pretenses. Get ready for the big time, you two!