Golf, cooking and Marvin

MANILA, Philippines—Marvin Agustin’s 5-year-old twins are seriously into golf—a sport that he couldn’t afford to play when he was young.

That’s why, he said he’s been working hard so his sons Santiago and Sebastian can pursue such an expensive game.

“They started playing when they were 3,” Marvin recalled. They’re now working with one of the best coaches for kids. They recently got an invitation to compete at a tournament in the States,” the proud dad told the Inquirer.

The bankable actor, who successfully ventured into the restaurant business, talked about his twins in connection with the coming reality show, “The Search for the Kitchen Superstar,” which he will host.

“The program aims to showcase the talents of people who love to cook but weren’t able to study culinary arts,” explained Marvin, who took up the course in 2001 at the International School of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management but failed to finish it.

“Kitchen Superstar” premieres next month on GMA 7. Twenty-one contestants, picked from screenings held in Manila, Cebu, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Iloilo, Naga and Davao, will compete for the P1-million cash prize. They will be housed in one venue during the competition. Elimination rounds will be held each week.

Life-changing

“I keep telling aspirants that this show is for people who have something to prove. It doesn’t matter if they didn’t have enough money to take up a culinary course. We will guide them along the way. This program will change their lives,” Marvin pointed out.

He added: “I noticed that the contestants either dream of being chefs or hope to put up their own restaurants. One of them will fulfill that dream through this show.” He said he is willing to “collaborate” with the winner: “I am willing to impart the knowledge I learned from my restaurateur partners.”

Marvin’s restaurant business began with Ricecapades, a food cart chain that sold affordable rice toppings. He then opened Oyster Boy and then Sumo Sam. Currently he is part-owner of Cafe Ten Titas Bistro, Marciano’s, Samurai Chef, John and Yoko, Mr. Kurosawa, and Johnny Chow. Marvin revealed that he plans to put up more Sumo Sam branches in the provinces.

“I accepted the offer to host the show because I could empathize with the contestants. I remembered how I struggled when I was just starting in show business and with my restaurant business,” he said. “This is my chance to give back to the people who helped me and served as my mentors. I want to inspire more people. I want to tell them that anyone can achieve success at any age. They just have to work hard and believe that they can do it.”

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