MANILA, Philippines - As mushroom farmers go, Marco Lobregat is not your typical agriculturist. A model who first made his mark in college in the early naughties — it was a Coca-Cola commercial that went viral before YouTube had subscribers — Marco was a certified heartthrob. You couldn’t go around Ateneo without bumping into someone — girl, gay, ambiguous guy in stylishly cuffed madras pants — panting over him. Since graduation, he traveled the world, first as correspondent on Barcelona TV and later as a staffer for newspapers in the East. YStyle caught up with the fungus maker and CEO of Ministry of Mushrooms for some tips on farmhand trends and why mushrooms will save the world.
Most people remember you from that Coke ad when we were in college, which launched you into super stratospheric heartthrob heights. What have you been up to since then?
“Super-stratospheric hearthrob heights”?! You really do have a way with words and never fail to make me laugh. (laughs) Thank you! After college, I moved to Spain, got a job in sales (very boiler room) and on the side I would report Pinoy news on Barcelona TV. I then went for my dream job and became an advertorialist for the Japan Times and China Daily newspapers which allowed me to live in over 10 countries across most continents and interview and close deals with each country’s top businessmen and government officials. After four years, I was at my career peak — then everything crashed — and the global economic recession hit. I was at a crossroads and felt like life dropped to an all-time low. I tried to look for something even better to do, something with more meaning. I went back to my roots and re-awakened my passion for nature, the environment and science. I decided to get into agriculture and grow something for the benefit of the greater good and here I am today growing mushrooms!
You’re now known as the mushroom dude. Tell us what’s so charming about the brown nuggets. Except for the magic kind — we’re already familiar with their charms.
Growing mushrooms may be the best thing you could do to save the planet. Apart from their nutritional benefits — if you didn’t know yet, mushrooms are one of nature’s super-foods — they decompose agricultural and biological debris and make soil. Without mushrooms, we would not have the abundance of soil that is so essential to our forests. Mushrooms also hold the power to remediate toxic waste and recently a mushroom has been discovered to breakdown plastic. Furthermore many medicinal uses have been developed using mushrooms — even some therapies for cancer prevention.
How would you define your style?
I’ve gone back into modeling as it has always given me a voice and helps with my advocacies. This means I check out the latest trends today and adapt. But I have to be versatile. I can’t be thinking of style and fashion when I’m farming (I’m usually in shorts, rubber shoes and a T-shirt — functional clothing). But on a regular day, I would say I have a preppy-rugged style. I find myself attending events that require me to dress up: classic, smart-dressing but rough on the edges. A lot of my favorite clothes are gifts. Some of them I’ve had since college! If I like something, I end up using it until they’re worn out.
Your wardrobe has all the hallmarks of preppy folks: polo shirts, Ray-Bans, boat shoes — very preppy collegiate. How has your style progressed since college?
I’ve learned to dress for myself. Back in high school and college, brands seemed to be important to be cool. Now I wear whatever I think looks good on me and what makes me feel good. I am influenced by people I admire, family, friends and colleagues. I know some of the coolest people on earth!
Who taught you how to dress?
My barkada in high school and college made sure that I stopped dressing like a moron and made me look presentable to the ladies. You know who you are, guys! I’m also related to some very fashionable women, my mother and sisters, who are my biggest critics. They tell me how a man should dress for a woman.
What are five wardrobe essentials you can’t live without?
Underwear, jeans, T-shirt, watch, suit get-up.
Who do you look up to?
I have no icons. I am highly visual and am influenced by the things I see around me, whether I’m at home or traveling.
Where do you shop?
I lived in Rockwell for a long time and the Power Plant Mall has been my go-to place as it’s so convenient.
What was the last thing you purchased?
Ankle socks.
What would you never be caught dead in?
Heels.
Who’s your hero?
Right now, Paul Stamets, the Steve Jobs of fungi.
When are you happiest?
When surrounded by friends and family after a productive and fulfilling day .
A few of his favorite things
City: Manila, Barcelona, San Francisco
Drink: Gin and tonic
Mushroom: Matsutake
Label: Diesel never fails.
Gallery: Louvre
Sunday afternoon haunt: I’m usually dead after the Salcedo Market on Saturday or I head out of town, usually the beach in Batangas.
Vacation destination: I’m hoping to take a cross-country road trip in the USA.