SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN NA ngayon si Marvin Agustin. Bonggacious ang kanyang newly open na Mr. Kurosawa (Japanese Restaurant ) in Resorts World Hotel. Palibhasa marunong magluto kaya sa food business nag-invest ang binatang aktor at dito na rin siya nag-concentrate.
“Waiter ako dati sa Tia Maria’s-Alabang Town Center bago ako nag-artista. It’s a Mexican restaurant tapos may Marga-rita drink. I make the best Margarita sa panahon na ‘yun. Of course, as a waiter, you would dream to be a manager. Eventually, I was only 16 nu’ng nagtatrabaho ako as a waiter, tuwang-tuwa sa akin ‘yung company namin nu’n, bago ako na-discover mag-artista. Nine months akong nag-waiter, na-regular ako noon nu’ng ika-six months ko. I’m the youngest regular, gusto nila akong pag-aralin.They sent me to Perpetual Help School, nag-aaral ako sa umaga, nagtatrabaho ako sa gabi. Nanghihinayang sila sa potential ko, so ‘yun. It’s just that may mas magandang break na dumating, nag-artista ako,” pasimula ni Marvin.
Karamihan sa mga Pinoy ang mahilig kumain ng Japanese food kaya ito ang naisipan nina Marvin na gawing negosyo. “After Oyster Boy kasi, investor ako du’n three branches na, ‘yung sa akin sa Araneta. It’s an Ilonggo restaurant. After I invested in Oyster Boy parang nagkakaroon na nang reality ‘yung pangarap ko na dati’y manager lang and now to own a restaurant. By that time, I had na Mr. Donut Store.
“Then nag-aral na ako ng culinary, year 2004 tapos, I left for the States. My kids (twin girls) were born there. May mga kaibigan ako roon inviting me to open a restaurant in the States kaya nga that time ayaw ko nang bumalik ng Pilipinas. In-entertain ko na ‘yung thought to be living in America. My kids are there na, they were born August 2005. I got a call from ABS-CBN with Tita Mariol, saying na may movie offer. Gusto mo bang tanggapin? Kutob, were I won Best Actor. I read the script, pinadala nila sa akin, e-mail nila sa akin, binasa ko, I got interested, it’s Direk Joey Reyes. Sabi ko nga, gagawin ko muna ‘yung movie and then I’ll just go back in the States.”
For a short period of time, nag-boom ang restaurant business ni Marvin. “Under our group, we have nine restaurants but I have Osyter Boy nga, kaya ten na ‘yung sa akin. We have four Sumasam, one in Shangri-La, Rockwell, Trinoma and Ayala Mall in Pampanga. Dalawang Mr. Kurosawa, John & Yoko in Greenbelt 5 and in Greenbelt 3, Marciano’s and Johnny Chow in Resorts World, Newport. Kailangan, hindi lang malakas ang isang restaurant. Kailangan, malakas ‘yung floor. Kapag malakas ‘yung floor mas maraming taong pumupunta. You had to have a good selection of food kaya kami we encourage ‘yung mga kapitbahay namin gusto namin malalakas. Ang perception sa floor sikat, marami lalong pumupunta. Marami silang choices kasi, they will not eat naman in your restaurant three times a week. Mayroon d’yan twice a week pero gusto namang mag-try ng iba. Kung wala silang mata-try na ibang restaurant, makakalimutan nila itong area na ito. Dapat nga, tatlo ‘yung restaurant namin, break lang muna. So far, were very very happy, we our so blessed.”
Lovelife? “Relax na relax ako. Tama na ‘yung dalawa kong anak. Right now, I don’t have anybody in my life. Last year ‘yung huli, non-showbiz. Ayaw ko nang magkuwento, it doesn’t matter kung showbiz man or hindi showbiz. What’s important, at the end of the day being with somebody through thick and thin… Marami na akong pinagdaanan na talagang sobrang in love, relax lang. Masarap kasama ‘yung taong kaya mong kakuwentuhan na pareho kayong nakare-relate….”
Ibang klase talagang mag-isip itong si Marvin, kung negosyo rin lang ang pag-uusapan. Tipong gusto naman niyang subukan, mag-real state. “May bago akong negosyo na pinapasok, magre-real state na magbi-build and sale ako, this time solo ko. Well, I like house kasi, I like fixing stuff, I like creating… small time lang, hobby lang. After fixing my house, where I live now, ako ang nag-interior katulong ng isang kong kaibigan na architect and I enjoy it. Hindi siya parang naging trabaho, hindi sakit ng ulo.I can also build a house, I can also try that business. I’m trying it now, ‘eto rin sa mga restaurant namin. They love the interior. I bought two lots, ‘yung isa 650 square meter at ‘yung isa naman 450. I’ll try my luck in real state, sana.…”
Kapansin-pansin din ang pangangatawan ni Marvin, physically fit. “Nag-archery kasi ako, that’s my sport. I’ve been seriously training under Korean coach for two years already this July. Masarap parang madali. Hindi naman pala madali, na hook na ako. Si Goma (Richard Gomez) actually ang nagsabi sa akin na i-try ko ang Archery. Kasi, nakita niya kung gaano ako ka-determine, kung gaano ako mag-training at mag-focus, ‘yun ang sport ko. Sinubukan ko, nagustuhan ko so, now I’m seriously training under Korean coach. Ang Korean coach ko, silver medalist in the Olympics. Student master talaga kaya mataas ang respeto ko sa kanya. Nakailang laban na kami, lumaban na kami sa World Championship, Asian Grand for two years. Two years na akong nagte- training, nagre-represent the country every once in awhile. I represent the country three times. Tapos, next year na ‘yung serious tournament ko. Si Joan Chan ang unang nagturo sa akin, I started with her.”
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
