Marvin Agustin (photo by WALDEN SADIRI)

This is the best year!

It may just be the first quarter of 2010 but awarded actor and restaurateur Marvin Agustin is already calling it his best year!

His reasons, aside from his lovely twins, are these – continuous TV and movie projects, nine flourishing restaurants, his passion for archery, and his being a credible endorser especially for the Calayan Surgicenter.

“I’m very happy with GMA-7. Since I moved to the Kapuso Network in 2005, hindi pa ako nagpahinga which is a good problem. I always have work. I guess you just have to take care of your work and your job will love you back,” expressed Marvin about his career as a TV actor in GMA-7. Such is also the reason he is not contemplating on moving to another TV network (like TV5) anytime soon.

Marvin’s latest TV series is “Panday Kids” where he plays the young heroes’ arch nemesis Lizardo. And playing a bad guy, especially when his role was effectively portrayed on “Ang Panday” movie by an awarded and veteran actor Phillip Salvador, challenges his thespian skills.

He explained that in playing the devil Lizardo he consciously injects humor to his role so he won’t be as scary to his young fans. Lizardo’s punch lines are to compensate the gruesome appearance of his character.

In terms of the physical requirements of his role, the actor was trained for a short period of time in Wushu for his sword fighting scenes. “Panday Kids” is Marvin’s second action TV series since “Asian Treasures” in 2007. But he has been on GMA-7’s adult dramas like “Tinik Sa Dibdib” and “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan.” He is also in “Dear Friend” with Jolina Magdangal.

With regards to his movie career, Marvin’s “Red Shoes” recently opened and it’s his first to be shown this year. It’s also a role far from what the public perceives of him – a glamorous leading man. In “Red Shoes,” he is a desperate man in love who’s out to prove his love for a woman.

At the moment, Marvin is shooting two movies – Joel Lamangan’s “Sigwa” and Marilou Diaz Abaya’s “Ikaw Ang Pag-ibig” with Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.

“Naubusan na yata ako ng mga roles. Magnanakaw ako in ‘Red Shoes,’ I’m playing a devil in ‘Panday Kids,’ and an activist in ‘Sigwa,’” Marvin laughed. “It’s a good thing I’m a priest in my other film so that balances everything.”

Playing almost every role that an actor dreams of, is Marvin preparing for a role behind the camera as a producer someday?

“Producing a movie is another career. Kung gusto mo mag-produce you have to make sure that you like the project, and the material and you want to be part of it not just your money. Parang asawa yan hindi basta-basta dumarating. Love at first sight ang pagpro-produce kapag nasimulan mo yan tuloy-tuloy na,” he replied.

Always busy, part of Marvin’s regimen in taking care of himself is a regular visit to the Calayan Surgicenter in Makati. Always exposed to set lights or the sun, he goes to Calayan to refresh and rejuvinate his skin.

“We’re honored that we have one of the country’s respected dramatic actors as part of our family,” remarked Dr. Manny Calayan. “With Marvin Agustin, we want people to know that our services are not just for women but men also. Especially for Marvin who’s afraid of injections we’re also advocating non-surgical procedures. Actually Marvin likes Tenor Laser!”

As for Marvin, he is just fortunate to be with a doctor who knows his needs as an actor. Though his billboard has just been out recently, Marvin disclosed that he has been with Dr. Manny Calayan for two years already and he’s happy!

“Dahil malakas po akong kumain dahil marami akong restaurants. Minsan uncontrollable. May Tenor Laser sila na di masakit so minsan dumadaan ako doon pinaplantsa nila tiyan ko mga pampa-cute, pampa-pogi,” smiled Marvin. “I don’t go on a diet because iinit ulo ko. I love my life. I love my business. I love smiling everyday so I can never go on a diet. Workout and Calayan is the best combination to look good!”

He kidded that if people find out that he goes on a diet, it might affect the performances of his nine restaurants. And one of the reasons they are successful is because as an owner he loves to eat!

“If people love eating in our restaurants it’s because we just make sure that we always exceed expectations when it comes to our food and service,” he pointed out.

So what’s next with Marvin Agustin?

Wait and let him surprise you. As the Calayan saying goes, to C is to believe!