“I started competing when I was 5. The first piece I had to recite was a prayer. I cried for days because I couldn’t memorize it,” ani Martin, 15. “The pieces got longer as I grew older. Memorizing long lines is easy for me now.”
Nag-aral si Martin sa Lourdes School sa Quezon City, kung saan niya nakilala ang kanyang talent manager na si Jun Reyes noong 2007. Sumali siya sa mga acting workshops at naging miyembro ng ABS-CBN’s Star Magic.
Una siyang lumabas sa “Star Magic Presents” ng 2008, at gumawa ng tatlong episode para sa drama anthology na “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” Lumabas pa siya sa ibang show ng Kapamilya network bago naging bida sa horror film ni Joaquin Pedro Valdes na “Dagim,” kung saan nagwagi siya ng ilang awards.
Sa TV, huli siyang napanood sa top-rating drama na “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin.”
Mapapanood siya sa “Won’t Last A Day Without You,” sa Nov. 30.
“At first, his dad and I weren’t too keen on Martin becoming an actor,” ayon sa mommy Tet niya. “But I thought, if Martin asked us at age 25 how his life might have turned out if we let him join showbiz, how would we reply? Besides, he kept his end of the bargain, finishing high school ranked second in his class.”
BOOKS
I’ve been a collector of “Goosebumps” since in Grade 2. My first one was “The Blob That Ate Everyone.” I love scary stories. I was also interested in all things yucky—goo, flies, insects—and fascinated with dinosaurs. “Goosebumps” used to cost only P100, now it’s P270.
Growing up, I wasn’t too interested in toys. The first book I read was “Children’s Book of Knowledge.” I memorized everything written about dinosaurs, insects, planets, constellations, even mythology.
These flash cards served as references and helped me in school. I also have a plastic model of the human body, complete with all the parts.
MEMORABILIA
I got into boxing last year (shows off red gloves). I needed to trim down, and someone told me that boxing was the best way to do it. I tried it, and liked the sport at once.
I wore this green cotton shirt in “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin.” The wardrobe department let me keep it. I was so happy.
TROPHIES
These trophies are memorable because they were my first acting awards (New Movie Actor honors from PMPC and Breakthrough Performance by an Actor from Entertainment Press Society, for “Dagim”).
My mom kept all my medals from school. They are mostly for academics, but there are some from elocution contests. I also received certificates of excellence in high school.
FOOTWEAR
Converse provides most of my shoes. I like this brown leather pair; it’s different from other Converse designs. I like white sneakers more than colored ones. I have a couple in black hard leather.
GADGETS
I like using the My Phone T18 for calling and sending text messages better than my iPhone. It’s user friendly, cute and lightweight. I mostly play games with my iPhone. I have an Acer laptop that I use more for homework and for surfing the Net.
SCENTS
Lacoste is my favorite perfume. Clean For Men also has a fresh scent. Green Water by Jacques Fath intriguingly smells like lemon grass; I like it. And also Acca Kappa for its sweet smell.
ACCESSORIES
I’m not into accessories, but I wear a watch if I have to. This Bench watch was one of the first things I bought with my earnings as an actor. I prefer sporty types to the more formal ones.
I collect dog tags. I have a lot in different colors and sizes, but the most memorable is the one I used in “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin.” It’s engraved with my character’s name—Norberto E. Matias. — Text at photos mula sa Inquirer