Marvin Agustin

Marvin Jay Marquez Cuyugan was born on January 29, 1979, in Paco, Metro Manila. He is the youngest and only son of Theresa and Danilo Cuyugan and has two older sisters. His father worked as a lineman for the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), while his mother was a homemaker. During his childhood, his father was convicted in a drug-related case and imprisoned. As the only male child, Agustin helped support his family alongside his mother and older sisters, assisting in household work and small-scale food sales. At age 16, Agustin began working at the Tia Maria bar-restaurant, performing various roles including waiter, bartender, kitchen staff, cashier, and marketing. During this time, he was scouted for acting but initially declined, wishing to continue his studies and pursue a career in restaurant management. He also noted that neither he nor his family had a background in the arts. Agustin completed his high school education at Sta. Rita College in Parañaque. In 2016, he finished a short course in digital filmmaking at the New York University School of Professional Studies. ==Career==

At age 16, Agustin was working at the Tia Maria bar-restaurant when he was scouted by ABS-CBN's Talent Center (now Star Magic). Following his television debut, Agustin appeared in a series of projects, including soap opera Esperanza (1997–1999) and Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako (1998). He reunited with Magdangal in the romantic-comedy series Labs Ko Si Babe (1999–2000), regarded as the Philippines’ first romantic-comedy television series. Agustin also starred in a series of films, including Tanging Yaman (2000) and ''Dekada '70'' (2002), earning recognition for his versatility in both drama and comedy roles. After Labs Ko Si Babe ended in 2000, Agustin became part of the trio Whattamen with his close friends Dominic Ochoa and Rico Yan. The trio served as replacement hosts for Willie Revillame on the noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan from 2001 to 2003. In 2001, they also starred in the sitcom Whattamen, which ran until 2004, even after Yan's death in 2002. Agustin received his first film acting award, Best Actor— for his role as Lemuel in the horror‑thriller Kutob at the 31st Metro Manila Film Festival. In 2007, he became an exclusive talent to the network and took on his first antagonist role in the action series Asian Treasures. After his role in Marimar (2007) as the antagonist Rodolfo Sta. Ginez, Agustin portrayed the hunchback Gabriel in Mga Mata ni Anghelita (2007). He later joined the cast of Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (2008) as an antagonist Agustin also hosted the musical‑variety show SOP Rules and the youth‑oriented drama anthology Dear Friend on GMA Network. He also hosted the comedy informative show, Outrageous & Courageous. Agustin was also part of the drama mini‑series SRO Cinemaserye: Ganti Ng Puso (2009) as Jacob Manansala. In 2009, Agustin starred in the romantic-comedy series ''Adik Sa'Yo alongside Magdangal. He later appeared as Lando in the drama mini-series Tinik Sa Dibdib'' (2009–2010). He also played the villainous Lizardo in the children's action‑fantasy show Panday Kids. Among his hosting credits, he was formerly a co‑host of the variety show Party Pilipinas. and Beauty Queen. Later that year, he portrayed the role of Anton Marco in the drama series, Iglot. In 2012, Agustin transferred signed a two-year contract with TV5. In October 2014, Agustin returned to ABS‑CBN, reuniting with Magdangal in the drama series Flordeliza. In 2017, Agustin returned to GMA Network and signed an exclusive contract to star in the primetime drama Kambal, Karibal. ==Other ventures==

Business Agustin is involved in numerous restaurant businesses. In 1999, as part of an endorsement deal, he received a franchise outlet of Mister Donut, marking his first business venture. He subsequently launched Ricecapades, a chain of rice-based food stalls, which became his first entrepreneurial foray into the restaurant industry. Agustin later established Oyster Boy Restaurant, a seafood-dining concept that expanded to multiple branches in Metro Manila. In December 2005, he co-founded Sumo Sam, a Japanese–American casual dining chain, with its first outlet at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. Agustin co-founded Oh Crop! in 2021, a social enterprise focused on promoting adlai— a locally grown Philippine grain, by partnering with farmers to improve their income and highlight underutilized local crops. In 2023, Agustin launched Cochi Bistro, a fine‑dining concept in Bonifacio Global City that centers on roasted suckling pig (cochinillo) prepared in a Spanish style and paired with modern Filipino and international dishes. The concept traces its roots to his cloud‑kitchen brand Secret Kitchen, which opened a mall stall for cochinillo and baked goods in 2022. He described the venture as a pandemic‑pivot inspired by his in‑garage baking experiments while developing his oven‑based cooking. In 2025, Agustin's Cochi was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide Philippines. Aside from his food ventures, Agustin owns Futuretainment Inc., a company specializing in the production of concerts and live events. The company has produced shows for both local and international artists and expanded into television content, including the singing competition Kanta Pilipinas on TV5. Philanthropy and advocacy In a 2000 interview, Agustin stated that he had established the small foundation Kaibigan ni Marvin Agustin Inc. (KAMAI), which operated for two years. Its early activities included visits to Golden Acres to interact with the elderly and a birthday‑party outreach for street children. In 2012, he organized a birthday-party outreach for children from Operation Smile Philippines at Enchanted Kingdom, providing food and presents during the event. The following year, Agustin expressed his intention to organize a volunteer group for relief operations following Typhoon Yolanda. He also supported a children's character‑building campaign by Bear Brand, emphasizing the importance of teaching children resilience and leadership skills in 2014. In 2016, Agustin established the Entreplab School, a senior high school focused on entrepreneurship education. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Agustin urged restaurant owners to donate food to hospitals and frontline workers, suggesting that perishable stock be cooked and given to those in need. He offered his restaurant kitchens to support a fundraiser for street vendors affected by the pandemic, organized by Bela Padilla. In 2021, he marked August 10 with a food distribution event for community members, playfully referencing the meme connecting his surname with the date. In 2022, Agustin was appointed as an agri-aqua ambassador by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST‑PCAARRD), promoting agricultural and aquaculture awareness and education. In this role, he creates content, shares information about native agricultural commodities, and highlights the use of local produce to benefit farmers, business owners, and consumers. In 2025, Agustin served as ambassador of WorldSkills Philippines. He also took part in ABS-CBN Foundation's Kapamilya Golf Fundraiser, Swing for a Cause. Endorsements Agustin has endorsed numerous products throughout his career, ranging from food and beverage brands to personal care and household items. In the late 1990s, he served as brand ambassador for Mister Donut, a partnership that earned him his own franchise. In 2008, he signed endorsement contracts with clothing brand Urban Edge and Lana de Herba Oil and Ointment. He has also promoted products such as Del Monte and Tupperware. In 2012, he was named a celebrity ambassador for Knorr cubes and later that year became an endorser for CarbTrim. ==Personal life==

Agustin practiced archery in hopes of making it to the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November 2010. In a 2012 interview, Agustin stated that he had no plans to pursue a career in politics. ==Filmography==

Film Television == Accolades ==