Marvin and Jolina reunite for TV5’s ‘Mommy Guard’

MANILA, Philippines — Seeing how happy and content they are in their respective careers and personal lives, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, collectively known as MarJo to fans, have no regrets about their popular ’90s love team never turning into a real-life romance. Despite it, the two have remained good friends over the years.

“Perhaps because we have managed to maintain our friendship, we don’t see any space for regrets,” Jolina declared during the mediacon for their upcoming TV5 series, “Mommy Guard.”

“And seeing how happy Marvin is with where he is in life now, I’m happy for him. I can also see that he appreciates what I do, too. So, there’s really no room for me to think na sayang naman kung ganito. Walang ganun para sa akin.”

Marvin reacted with a playful remark, “Buti ka pa. Haha! Wala po akong masabi.”

Following their rom-com flick last year, “Ex Ex Lovers,” Jolina and Marvin reunite for TV5’s latest offering, “Mommy Guard,” which premieres on Oct. 19 and airs Mondays to Fridays at 2:30 p.m. on TV5 and ABS-CBN platforms.

Both stars are thrilled to be working together on the series, which they said evokes the vibe of the ’90s.

“Masaya, makulit, pero meron ding iyakan. Pero ang ipinapangako talaga namin sa kanila, papasayahin namin ang hapon ninyo,” Marvin shared.

During the event, which was also attended by their fans and real-life “mommy guards,” Marvin introduced Jolina as his “beautiful and one and only love team in his life.”

Jolina added that the show tackles issues affecting society today. “Especially with students, our children and what our parents go through. It’s for the whole family because there are mommy guards and a community that helps one another to make life happier. I think that’s something we have in real life, too. Para kahit ano yung problema sa paligid na nababalitaan natin, yung community natin, yun yung nag-sti-stick sa atin na masaya.”

“And working with Marvin again, masaya because ang sarap nung feeling na yung mga network landscape na nagbabago, nandito pa rin kami. Mula noon at hanggang ngayon. And of course, we’re very grateful to everyone who continues to support us.”

According to the media release, the story follows Tina (Jolina), a devoted mother determined to give her son Happy (Amo Wilding) a better future. Her path unexpectedly crosses with Pio (Marvin) after a small traffic altercation that turns into one hilariously bad first encounter.

Thinking they would never see each other again, Tina later brings Happy to meet the principal of the school she hopes can give him a better opportunity — only to discover that the principal is Pio himself. When she realizes she cannot afford the tuition, Tina takes the available job as the school guard, setting the stage for daily asaran, kulitan, family challenges, unexpected friendships and, eventually, the possibility of love.

Jolina plays Tina, a devoted mother determined to give her son, Happy (Amo Wilding), a better future, while Marvin portrays a school principal in the series.

Photos from the ‘Mommy Guard’ and TV5 Facebook pages

But “Mommy Guard” is more than a love story.

At its core, it is about families doing their best with what they have — a mother fighting for her son’s future, a father trying to reconnect with his daughter Kitty (Nathalie Apollo), children learning to understand their parents and adults realizing that love and happiness can take many forms.

The series reminds viewers that family life does not always have to be about sacrifice and struggle. There should also be room for laughter, second chances, healing and choosing happiness together.

Joining them are Cedrick Juan, Dominic Ochoa, Roxanne Guinoo, Susan Africa, Ruby Ruiz and many others, under the direction of cult director Roman Perez Jr.

When asked what keeps their chemistry and “magic” alive to this day, Jolina attributed it to their genuineness and sincerity toward each other.

“Siguro sa pagiging totoo namin sa isa’t isa. We’re really best friends,” Jolina said.

“Best friend lang? Best friend mo lang ako?,” reacted Marvin.

But Jolina continued, “Ako ‘pag may nararamdaman ako na feeling ko makaka-apekto sa pwede naming gawing eksena o kaya sa relationship namin as friends, I make sure to talk to him about it. Tapos ‘pag meron akong kailangang magpaturo or sa something kung ano man, I tell him. I can also always feel Marvin’s sincerity, and maybe that’s why… I don’t know. I don’t even want to find out what that magic is, because once I do, it might disappear. I’d rather keep that magic a secret.”

Marvin, however, quipped, “I think I know what that magic is. Minsan pag nag-e-eksena kami ni Jolina tapos titingnan niya ako, parang yummy na yummy siya sa akin. Alam mo yun. Na-absorb ko tuloy. Tapos sasabihin ko, ‘Ang yummy ko siguro talaga.’ I’ve revealed the magic. Yung nararamdaman mo for me.”

As their playful banter continued, with fans cheering for them, Jolina and Marvin admitted that they are both fans of their own love team, MarJo.

“Kinikilig pa rin ako sa Marvin, Jolina na love team,” Jolina stated. “Perhaps that’s part of the magic. ‘Pag hindi na ako kinilig, ‘Naku, teka lang, baka may something na ‘to.’ I want it to stay that way. ‘Pag maririnig ko na sila (fans) sumigaw. I think that’s the secret of the magic.”

“Of course, mahal na mahal na mahal ko si Jolina. Alam niya yun. Kaya nga yummy na yummy naman siya sa akin,” Marvin quipped. “We’re both fans of the MarJo love team kaya ganun lang din yung pag-iingat namin dun sa love team na nabuo namin mula nung ‘90s until now, 2026. We’ve been taking care of this love team for 30 years. And you know, that feeling of happiness and excitement, knowing that we can make people laugh and feel giddy with kilig.”

He added that they are both truly grateful for the love and happiness they continue to bring to their loyal fans, describing it as a blessing to have maintained the magic of MarJo for three decades.