It must be fate, or destiny, or part of a Divine Plan, when one finds his way to where he could brightly shine.  Such is the case of Marlo Mortel, born Marlowe Pamintuan, who now ranks among the country's most promising heartthrobs after playing the role of Nicolo Cortez in the smash daytime TV hit show, Be Careful with my Heart.

Marlo started out performing in Walang Tulugan as John Miguel and was playing the role of Uno in the teen-oriented series Tween Hearts.  One day, while fetching a friend in ABS-CBN, Marlo was scouted to be one of the talents of then-upcoming TV show Apoy sa Dagat.  While he might not get the role, he was surely noticed as the same friend was asked to contact Marlo to audition for the role of Luke's best friend, Nicolo.  Bottom line: he got the part.

What started out to be a non-speaking role became a bit role, and soon enough, Nicolo was a supporting character and was paired to Nikki, played by Janella Salvador.  The viewers liked what they saw; Marnella was born.  Every day, be Careful With My Heart fans did not only follow the progress of Maya and Sir Chief's married life, but also the developments in Nikki and Nicolo's relationship --- from hating each other to being in love with each other.

Now that Be Careful with my Heart already ended after its two year run, Marlo is moving full speed ahead with his career, top-billing the upcoming Kapamilya TV series with Janella and PBB All In housemate, Manolo Pedroso.  He is also to appear in Home Sweetie Home as the young John Lloyd.  His cover videos --- singing is actually his first love ---- are garnering much attention online.  And his performance during the Rebuilding Bohol concert with Kirby Asunto, Jacob Benedicto, and Arnel Pineda was well-applauded by the audience.

From the looks of it, Marlo has come a very long way.  But while it could be said that destiny brought him to his stepping stone, it is his hardwork and love for the craft that lead him to where he is right now.

1. Describe yourself using the last letter of your first name.
Marlo: "E. Ang hirap."
deeJAY: Energetic ka ba?
Marlo: Hindi eh. (laughs) Minsan nakatulala lang ako. Minsan energetic. Siguro...exciting nalang.  'Pag kasama mo ako, pag nagkakasundo tayo.  Exciting kasi masaya, another time to look forward pag magkasama.

2. If you are not a singer or an actor, what could you have been?
Marlo: "Student."
(Note: Marlo used to study Marketing at San Beda - Alabang.)

3. The sweetest thing you did for a girl?
Marlo: "Pinagsulat ko siya ng mahabang poem.  High school pa, girl friend ko.  Masaya naman siya.  Sinend ko lang sa kanya na letter."

4. The best memory from your childhood?
Marlo: "Wala.  Normal lang naman ang childhood ko. Pero related sa tanong, only child ako. So mag-isa lang."

5. An embarrassing moment you can share?
Marlo: "Kailan lang to.  Sa Showtime, opening number. First time ko pa naman mag-opening number tapos first time to let my voice be heard but pumiyok ako ng malala.  May mga nangyari behind the scenes na nagkaroon ng adjustments before we go to stage.  Hindi nila [ng mga tao] alam na mga ten seconds or minute before we go to the stage, iniba nila ang pitch ng kanta. Tapos Mariah Carey song pa to kaya ayun."

Here is that opening number.  Still a cute performance, though.


6. A song that you are guilty of singing but you're shy to admit?
Marlo: "Guilty? Ako naman kasi I'm very vocal, sinasabi ko kung ano yung mga kinakanta ko. Pero siguro dati, nung panahon ng F4, kumakanta ako ng kanta ng F4...pag trip ko lang."

7.What makes Nicolo different from Marlo?
Marlo: "Hindi naman ako ganun katorpe kasi si Nicolo, OA naman.  Pinayagan lang manligaw, ayun tuwang-tuwa, kala mo kayo na, kala mo nag-anniversary na kayo.  Pero hindi naman ako ganun in real life na talagang naghintay ng ilang years para lang payagan manligaw.  Siguro, nanliligaw ka tsaka ka sinagot after ilang years pero hindi naman ganun."

8. Dream destination?
Marlo: "Kahit saan actually kasi once palang ako nag-out of the country (Note: In Dubai, for the Be Careful with my Heart tour).  Pero mahilig ako sa theme parks.  Siguro sa mga Disneyland, mga ganyan.  Gusto ko yun."

9. What is your dream proposal?
Marlo: "Proposal agad? Actually hindi ko alam. Wala pa sa isip ko yan pero syempre, gagawin ko something special."
deeJAY: Intimate ba o yung mag-effect effect na mob dance?
Marlo: "Ay wala na! Ayoko ng ganun. Gusto ko ng simple lang. Pero siguro kaunting effect, maiba lang."

10. Trademark pick up line?
Marlo: "'Ano, cactus ka ba?"
deeJAY: Bakit? (Pinipilit hindi kiligin. LOL)
Marlo: "Kasi handa akong masaktan, mayakap ka lang."
deeJAY: Eh ano naman ang reaction ng mga girls na sinasabihan mo nyan?
Marlo: "Yung iba, sasabihin nila 'Ang corny mo. Ang corny corny mo.' Pero yung iba, natutuwa."

11. Favorite street food?
Marlo: "Kwek-kwek. Masarap, masarap siya."

12. The song that describes your lovelife?
Marlo: "Nyay! Oh my God.  Hindi ko naman masasabing yun...siguro pwede, yung Thinking Out Loud ni Ed Sheeran. Although hindi naman siya...tinutukoy dun na parang kahit seventy years old na kayo, I'll still be loving you. Syempre, ganun talaga 'pag true love."

Watch Marlo's cover of Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud.


Bonus Question: First thing you do in the morning?
Marlo: "Check my phone."

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