"How I wish!" said Marco jokingly. "I like to think that I’m getting the breaks because I deserve them."
In his two years in showbiz, Marco has done two soaps, ABS-CBN’s It Might Be You and Kampanerang Kuba; and three movies, namely Ang Birhen ng Manaoag, the 2005 Metro Filmfest Regal Films entry Shake, Rattle & Roll 2K5 (in the Poso episode, directed by Uro dela Cruz, in which he plays a dual role) and Star Cinema’s Don’t Give Up On Us, starring Piolo Pascual and Judy Ann Santos, opening on Jan. 8 next year. He’s also in the QTV Channel 11 sitcom Ganda ng Lola Ko (with Bella Flores, Gloria Sevilla and Baby O’Brien), aired Friday nights.
A native of Cebu, Marco, 23 (July 12, 1982, a Cancerian), is the eldest of six children. He finished two years of a Communications Engineering course at University of San Carlos and moved to San Sebastian College (in Manila) where he hopes to graduate next March.
"I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player," said Marco. "That’s why I came to Manila. I wanted to be like my idol, Dondon Hontiveros (a player also from Cebu)."
Instead, he landed in showbiz.
Told that not many basketball players turn out to be good actors, Marco said, "I don’t think so. Look at Benjie Paras. He’s a good comedian, isn’t he?"
Marco stands 6’2", weighs 180 lbs., has a 33-inch waistline and wears large-sized shirt and size 12 shoes.
As a basketball player, you should be health-conscious.
"Yes, I should be. I am."
Do you take a bath immediately after a game while still drenched in sweat?
"I take a quick shower. I don’t think it’s bad like what some people think."
It’s advisable to take a rest before a game, isn’t it?
"As much as possible. A day before the game, dapat light practice lang; not so strenuous."
Is it bad to have sex before a game?
"Case-to-case basis. Some players say they play better when they have sex before a game. But with me, I’d rather ‘abstain’ and have it after a game."
What sort of diet do you follow?
"I eat anything, except oily and fatty food. If I have to do a sexy pictorial, I eat less two weeks before. I don’t skip meals. What I do is eat less for five days and then pig out one day. Luckily, my metabolism is fast."
What’s your favorite food?
"Filipino food, especially kare-kare."
Snacks?
"A little bread with konting palaman."
What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?
"Multi-vitamins, vitamin C, Nitrutech and Celtech."
How much water do you take every day?
"Eight to 10 glasses."
What about soda?
"Coke Lite, every now and then."
Do you take hard drinks?
"Occasionally."
Do you smoke?
"I don’t smoke."
Do you take drugs?
"No, I don’t."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"If there’s no work, I sleep 10 to 12 hours per night. Otherwise, I get much less than that."
What’s your favorite sleeping wear?
"Sando and boxer shorts."
What workout do you do?
"I go to Gold’s Gym (at Robinsons Galleria)."
Favorite sport (aside from basketball)?
"Badminton."
How do you cope with stress?
"I pamper myself at Bioessence. I get a massage and facials."
Do you read books?
"I do but I never get to finish it."
What movies do you watch?
"Movies about sports, like Goal which was the last movie that I saw."
What kind of music do you like?
"R&B."
Favorite singer?
"Usher."
Are you a worrier or an optimist?
"I worry a lot. My parents have been asking me to change that attitude. I worry about the future, about so many things."
Do you pray?
"Yes. Every night. I never go to sleep without first praying. I go to church on Sundays without fail. If I don’t hear Mass, I feel like my week is not complete."
What’s your favorite hideaway?
"My room. I keep busy with my Play Station."
How’s your nightlife?
"Just enough. I usually go to Siamma on Jupiter St. in Makati, owned by Paolo Trillo. Or I watch movies at the mall."
Your love life?
"None. I don’t have a girlfriend anymore. I broke up with the last one only recently. I’m broken-hearted."
And your sex life?
"Average."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My eyes. Expressive daw, sabi nila."
What part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My left knee. It’s damaged, not yet fully recovered. That’s why I couldn’t play as hard as I used to."
And what part of your body do you think needs some improvement?
"My legs."
What part of a girl’s body do you look at first?
"My fetish ako, eh, the feet. Yes, the butt."
What other qualities do you like in a girl?
"‘Yung mabait ang mukha – you know, ‘yung parang hindi gagawa ng kasalanan."
What turns you off?
"Girls who lie."
Down?
"No, who tell a lie!"
Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?
"Kristine Krauk (of Smallville)."
What’s your kinkiest sexual adventure?
"Is doing it at the back of your car, with the driver not looking kinky enough?"
Are you vain just like most good-looking guys?
"I have to be. Part of the job."
Do you apply anything on your face?
"Moisturizer."
What’s your favorite cologne?
"Aqua (by Giorgio Armani)."
What’s the last thing that you do before you sleep?
"Pray."
And the first thing you do when you wake up?
"Check my cellphone for missed calls and messages."
Name three guys who you think have nice bodies.
"Marc Nelson. Christian Vasquez. Brad Pitt."
And three women...
"Kristine Krauk. Brooke Burke. Cindy Kurleto."
Using body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire/like her?
"I look at her in the eyes."