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One of the many valid reasons why we must watch Repertory Philippines’ re-staging of “Sweeney Todd” is that new kid on the block named Marvin Ong. He is portraying the role of Tobias, the part played by Raymond Lauchengco in the company’s first version of the stage musical in 1982.

Marvin Ong is not actually new on the legitimate stage scene. A graduating student of Ateneo University, he played the title role in Ateneo Blue Repertory’s “Bat Boy” last April 2008. His performances in “Sister Act” (2007) and “High School Musical” (2006) with the same company were all well-acclaimed.

He was also featured in the main cast of “Mr. Noah’s Big Boat” (2004) and “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” (1998), both for Trumpets Inc. Marvin was a delegate/performer in the World Expo Bidding in Paris, France (for the Department of Tourism) in 1998.

When Repertory Philippines hosted a press conference last week, all the media people attending the affair were impressed by Marvin’s performance of a song from “Sweeney Todd.”

Veteran showbiz writer/music critic Ernie Pecho exclaimed: “At long last, here is the voice and genuine talent we have long been waiting for.”

Another respected and credible scribe, Ronald Constantino of Tempo added: “Well, Marvin has that very rare golden voice.”

Those who heard the comments agreed and it appeared that Marvin Ong will be known as the “Man with the Golden Voice,” from then on.

The multi-talented tenor has such an incredible vocal range, so he is comfortable with any musical genre. He is appreciated performing Broadway numbers as well as he is interpreting current pop hits; and even his own compositions.

Marvin was featured in the Philippine premiere of “Monday Nights, New Voices,” which was later staged in New York, last year. He was well-applauded in live concerts like “Friends of Repertory” (2008), “Inang Mahal, Umasa Ka (with the Manila Symphony Orchestra 2002), “My God, My Famiy, My Life” (2002) and “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” (2002).

Among his television works are “Epol/Apple” of the ABS-CBN Foundation, where he played Tino; “Pamasko ng Bayan” a TV ad directed by Rowel Santiago and as host of the Sky Cable Foundation’s Knowledge Channel show from 1998 to 2000.

Marvin was already very active in showbiz at a very young age, when his dad imposed that he must finish his high school first, before anything else.

“I actually started singing in family affairs when I was only five years old,” Marvin recounts. “I won in a school (Xavier) singing contest when I was 9. The next year, I was already in demand for professional engagements.”

As a recording artist, Marvin did solo parts for the “Song and Praises to Jesus,” “Lucest Lux,” and “Pamasko ng Bayan” albums.

When he was a college freshman at the Ateneo, Marvin revived his musical stage career and was appearing in at least two plays a year.

Now he is focusing on finishing his first solo album, as step to be in the mainstream music scene, in addition to playing “Sweeney Todd” and the title role in PETA’s “Juan Tamad.”

“This album is one of my pet projects at the moment,” Marvin declares. “I’m including at least two of my own compositions in the package, and we hope to release it early 2010.”

We have heard a few cuts from the forthcoming CD and we are pretty sure that Marvin Ong will be a hitmaker very soon.

• MB
• Pinoy Music

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