Dannyka Manangan

Marvin Agustin is proud to be a former waiter and restaurant mascot: ‘I worked wherever I could’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After building an impressive portfolio of restaurants and brands from his two decades of being in the food industry, actor Marvin Agustin looks back on his humble beginnings. The talented actor and entrepreneur had always been vocal about opening his own restaurant with his earnings from showbiz. The dream came true in 2005 when he co-founded the Japanese–American casual dining chain Sumo Sam in the country. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUFhoUJCSOa/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2708138%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="924" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>On his Instagram post commemorating his 47th birthday last January 29, Marvin wrote, “Before the restaurants and the kitchens, I was a waiter at Tia Maria’s. A mascot at Shakey’s. I worked wherever I could, learned on the job, and stayed close to food and people.“</p><div><br/></div><p>“Life took a turn, acting happened. When I earned my first real money, I didn’t buy stuff—I bought a shot. Mr. Donut was my first move.Promotion for a franchise. Fair trade,” he continued. “Years of trying, failing, baking, cooking, starting again. Until one day, we cooked cochinillo in the garage. That garage turned into a kitchen. That kitchen turned into a restaurant. The rest followed.”</p><div><br/></div><p>“47 today. Still grateful. Still learning. Still hungry. Thanks to everyone who’s been part of the ride,” he ended. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQdTCLViSYN/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A2708158.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>In a previous interview with with Bianca Gonzalez for Cinema One&#x27;s <em>B Side </em>in 2024, Marvin explained how he uses his own experience working his way up in the industry to inspire his own employees to dream big, ”Waiter din ako dati and ini-inspire at mino-motivate namin ngayon are the waiters, front of the house, even the back of the house, training  them, inspiring them to not just do a great work but honing their personality and character. Para ka ring nagbi-build up ng mga artista. I am teaching them how to perform for the customers because they are actually here, either pangit &#x27;yung araw nila or sobrang saya nila, gusto nilang mag-celebrate so they are looking for not just great food but a great service from us so that&#x27;s one thing I would always tell them, treat them with the best way you can.”</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2024/12/12/how-marvin-agustin-get-his-start-in-the-food-business-1526"><strong>READ: How Marvin Agustin get his start in the food business?</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Last October, Marvin’s Cochi received a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition by the Michelin Guide Philippines 2026. </p><div><br/></div><p>In a previous post, he wrote, “From being a mascot to receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand — life has shown me that dreams do come true. There were moments I almost gave up. But I learned that in your toughest times, that’s when you need to hold on tighter. Never stop believing — especially in yourself. ❤️”</p>

<p>Actor and restauranteur Marvin Agustin reminisces about his days as a blue collar worker before he became a successful businessman and food entrepreneur.</p>

Actor and restauranteur Marvin Agustin reminisces about his days as a blue collar worker before he became a successful businessman and food entrepreneur.