"All I do every morning is thank God," reveals Marvin, excitement etched in his voice. "I never knew things would be like this."
"Like this" means everything – from a successful soap comeback on GMA 7‘s I Luv NY, to his flourishing businesses (Ricecapades, Café Tentitas and Oyster Boy) to his long-delayed reunion with his father.
Father and son are making up for the 11 years they have been apart. And how!
Marvin has introduced his dad to the wonders of buffet meals, which sprouted like mushrooms only five years ago. That was when his dad was still behind bars.
Their love for good food is only matched by their penchant for boxing. So Marvin and his father put on their boxing gloves and hie off to Elorde Gym.
They talk about everything under the sun, including a meat delivery business Marvin‘s dad has thought of starting.
"I don‘t want to impose on him. I just want him to do what he wants to do," the dutiful son says.
Now, if dear dad wants to court his mom all over again (she lives in a separate house), that would be great for Marvin. But as it is, Marvin is not one to push his dad. Marvin would rather play it by ear and cross his fingers.
He need not cross his fingers where his career is concerned. GMA SVP for Entertainment Wilma Galvante has assured Marvin he will star in a new soap opera after the highly-rated I Luv NY. Orly Ilacad, OctoArts boss and producer of Marvin‘s current starrer Oh My Ghost!, has line up another comedy for him.
Perhaps OctoArts saw how Marvin acquitted himself in comic situations with co-stars Rufa Mae Quinto, Jose Manalo and Sugar Mercado.
As the best friend who loves Rufa Mae in secret and helps her seek justice after her death, Marvin‘s scenes bring out the naturally happy side of him.
Happy is how he sounds as he touches on the significance of the day this interview was held.
"The twins (his sons, Sebastian and Santiago) are one-year-old today. We will have a celebration. But only a simple one. I don‘t go for big parties, so I will just celebrate with close friends and family this Saturday," he says.
Yes, everything is falling into place. And Marvin himself is so pleased he couldn‘t ask for more.