The public has witnessed Marvin Agustin grow from a teen heartthrob to a mature actor, from working side by side a love team partner in romantic films to taking on serious dramatic roles. We’ve also known him as an entrepreneur and restaurateur, but we rarely get to see Marvin in the most important and fulfilling role in his life – being a father to his twin kids. In this episode of “I Feel U,” Marvin opens up about nurturing his modern family as a single dad.
But first, the actor had a nostalgic travel down memory lane as he looked back on his filmography. He said it made him feel like a teenager again. On top of the list is “FLAMES The Movie,” his first project with Jolina Magdangal on the big screen. This opened up a slew of many more assignments with his long time on-screen partner. Marvin and Jolina’s team-up started one afternoon during a live show for ASAP. “Pinagsama kami sa isang spiel and that’s when the management, the writers saw the chemistry and the potential of us being paired together.”
He vividly remembers how things seemed surreal at that time. Being an actor at the age of 17, Marvin felt like he was just daydreaming, much more when they got to work with Maricel Soriano and William Martinez for “Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo” in 1998.
In that same year, Marvin and Jolina headlined their first ever lead roles via romantic movie “Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang” where they portrayed the now-iconic characters of Ned and Bujoy. The duo
might have had apprehensions at that time but their undeniable chemistry was a hit to moviegoers, taking them to their second lead for “Hey, Babe” in 1999.
Taking a break from mushy loveteam projects, Marvin served his audiences serious dramatic chops in “Tanging Yaman” in 2000. He felt different without Jolina by his side yet he considered “Tanging Yaman” as the beginning of a new chapter in his career. “’Yung transition ko noon bilang waiter and mascot into artista, it wasn’t just work that was being presented to me. It was a new life, a new beginning,” expressed Marvin, overwhelmed with nostalgia of his teenage years.
Taking us to his life behind the cameras, Marvin considers fatherhood as his biggest and most life-changing role. He said having kids changed his perspective about life and taught him how to be selfless. His twin sons are his biggest source of motivation and the reason for all that he does.
Although he’s long parted ways with the mother of his children, Marvin emphasized that they will remain friends. They made a promise to always be on good terms, so to co-parent the kids. “Pinangako lang namin sa isa’t isa na we may not be like the other families and typical parents na magkasama palalakihin ang anak, dapat may extra effort tayo to be best friends and make sure na maganda relationship namin.”
The doting father believes that seeing his kids happy and independent is the biggest reward of being a parent. “’Pag naramdaman mong hindi sila dependent sa tao. Pag nararamdaman mong they can stand in their own feet at na-prepare mo sila sa mundo,” expressed Marvin.