Marco Gumabao on what he’s like as son, friend, boyfriend

Marco Gumabao is first to admit that people oftentimes perceive him to be arrogant which, he says, is the polar opposite of his personality.

“It’s the biggest misconception about me but everyone who knows me always says, ‘Marco is kind.’ And whenever I think about it (the wrong impression about him), the explanation is my being an introvert,” Marco said when he sat down for Batalk Channel’s The Interviewer Presents on YouTube.

The actor believes everyone has a different personality and the idea that an introvert is being arrogant for staying quiet is seemingly an unfair judgment.

“Since I am quiet, kasi tahimik ako by nature, people think it’s either I am grouchy or difficult to approach, I am not. I just, in a way, prefer to stay quiet — less talk, less mistakes. But if you talk to me, I will properly address you back.”

The actor revealed he only came to realize that he’s an introvert during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most people, including him, were left without work and had no choice but to stay at home.

“I was surprised by what I’ve discovered about myself, that I’m much more of an introvert than an extrovert because I enjoy being alone. I have four sisters and I’m very close to my friends growing up so I thought I’m an extrovert with the fact that I don’t want to be alone. I hate the feeling of eating alone in a restaurant. But the pandemic made me realize na ang saya palang mag-isa.”

Marco also finds joy in doing such activities as feeding his cat and playing with it, working out in the gym and eating good food. “Ako naman as long as I get to do whatever I need to do for the day, okay na ako. But making my family happy is what makes me happiest.”

Fans of the actor are equally delighted to see him on the big screen through the Philippine adaptation of the top-grossing South Korean romantic-comedy film Spellbound. Marco said it took three years to wrap up the film under Viva Films and directed by Jals Zarate.

Find out more about Marco as he further talked about life, love and career during our one-on-one interview. Below are excerpts.

Sa buhay mo ngayon, what do you know about love?

“It’s one of the best feelings to have. It’s a source of inspiration, a source of happiness in life.”

Are you in that state now?

“Maybe, (I’m) getting there. Ayoko naman pangunahan. I don’t want to expect too much but I’m happy.”

What’s your preference for girlfriends — non-showbiz or showbiz? I said girlfriends, plural, hahahaha.

“I don’t wanna say in this interview that I only like non-showbiz girls because what if I date someone who’s from showbiz (laughs), then I’ll eat my words.”

What is it like to be you?

“I look at myself as just a normal guy.”

What’s the best thing about you?

“Marunong akong makisama sa mga tao, marunong akong mag-basa ng situation and I know how to react accordingly. So, I think that’s one thing very important in showbiz, ‘yung pakikisama, and at the same time, your ability to adjust on the spot.”

What is it like to be praised?

“Of course, everyone loves to be praised. If you do something good in a project, it’s nice to hear a little bit of praise from other people. But hearing praise too much can affect (negatively) so it depends on how you handle yourself once you’ve already reached success.”

What is it like to be bashed?

“It’s painful to be bashed so you must be extra careful with your words and also with your actions.”

What is the world like for you now?

“Very complicated. I think a lot of people are losing a grip of what life really is.”

What means to you the most?

“The overall health of my family.”

What is your family like?

“My family is very simple. I think we all get it from my mom that as long as we are all together as a family, we’re happy. I’d rather have a happy family than a super-rich family.”

What are you like as a son?

“I’m very close to my mom and dad, especially to my mom. I’m a mama’s boy so makulit ako, I’m very playful at mapang-asar. But I don’t do things that would make my mom sad or feel ashamed of me.”

What are you like as a friend?

“I’m one of the best guys to have as a friend because I protect my friends.”

What are you like as a boyfriend?

“Very malambing ako, very touchy but not in a ‘bastos’ way. I’m not the toxic type of boyfriend who restricts his girlfriend on things she wants to do na parang masasakal na kasi ako ayokong gagawin rin sa akin ‘yun.”

What do you want right now?

“First of all, I want our movie, Spellbound, to become a hit.

“In love, I want to meet the person whom I can jibe with, yung pareho kami ng gusto in life. Ayoko ng girl na sobrang maarte at high-maintenance.”

Are you single right now?

“I am but I’m dating someone.”

What is it that you don’t have that you want so badly?

“I think I have everything that I need right now but, of course, who doesn’t want more material things like a new car, a new house, a new condo? It’s already a given that we want all those things but right now, there’s nothing on top of my head that I really, really want (to have).”

What if you were not you?

“Honestly, I also ask that question a lot because it’s not my first choice to be in showbiz or to be an actor because I was more into sports when I was younger but then, everything just lined up like all the opportunities were presented to me. So, I told myself, okay I’ll just trust God at kung ito talaga ‘yung calling N’ya para sa akin then I’ll take the chance. It turned out, well, I can say that it was His calling for me. Perhaps, if you ask me if I’m not Marco Gumabao, for sure, I’m just gonna be a simple guy, mag-bi-business ako.”

What do you think about life?

“I think of life as temporary. I always think we should always be nice to other people because all of us here are just transients, we’re just passing through. Hundred years from now, no one will know about Marco Gumabao. Everyone will be forgotten.

“Life is very temporary so if you think too highly of yourself, na parang ikaw ang Diyos na walang mangyayari sa ‘yo na masama, it’s time to check in with yourself.”

What is your love language?

“It’s really touch and time.”

What name is written inside your heart if I were to open it, aside from your mom?

“Wala pa naman. It’s not time yet, Tito Boy (laughs). When it’s time, you’ll be thefirst one to know. My mom is my priority as of now.”