Marlon certainly has matinee idol good looks and admits people say he looks like a young Albert Martinez. Born at Makati Medical on April 4, 1991, he’s the eldest of three kids, with a Pinay mom and a German-Swiss dad who’s into financing and tuna business. “They met here in a Manila through common friends. It was love at first sight daw for them,” he says.
He grew up at the Syquia Apts. on Roxas Blvd. and studied at the British School. He started racing as a hobby at 9 with go karts then moved on to senior classes and has since raced in Macau, Monza, Silverstone. “I started college but the racing took over,” he says.
He has landed on the top 5 overall in the GP3 series held in Barcelona. Monaco will be next for him and his aim is to be a Formula One racer. He’s not averse to showbiz but he’s prioritizing racing now. “There were offers na before, but I want to focus on racing muna, then later on, if the door is still open for me, then I’m willing to try it. But I have to prepare for it. I know what artistas do and it’s hard, from all day shoots and dealing with the fans. I’ve worked with Marian Rivera and Lovi Poe in a fashion pictorial and they’re both very nice. I’m glad I got to work with them kahit pictorial lang.”
What does he like in racing? “It gives you a great high, especially when you win and then you want to race more and more and again and again.”
A lot of athletes now do underwear modelling on the side. Is he willing to do this? “It’s not surprising kasi, as an athlete, people know you keep fit and you have the body. If it’s related to racing, why not? If it’s done tastefully, I’ll do it. Even David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have done underwear ads.”
