Lifestyle
Marlo Mortel Knows Exactly What He Wants In Love And Music
Clear on his goal, Marlo's going all in.
Published on Jun 9, 2025
Marlo Mortel is a revelation. While most of us remember him as Nicolo in the hit series Be Careful With My Heart alongside Janella Salvador, that feels like almost a lifetime ago. It's 2025, and we're finally seeing Marlo in an entirely new light—one that's more honest, more evolved, and entirely his own.
That's not to say he's forgotten where it all began. He remembers it all too well until now. Marlo's still deeply grateful for his start as a singer on Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, and he looks back fondly on his acting projects. But now, his eyes are set on the future—as a musician, and as someone ready to take his next big leap.
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Marlo Mortel for Cosmo Crush June 2025. Photo: JL Javier.
He is undeniably passionate. That was the energy he radiated the first time we met at the Cosmo Summer Party 2025. There, he performed and had fun with the La Union crowd, right before our exclusive chat back in the VIP area. He was on fire, with top-notch fan service that got the crowd squirming with kilig on their sandy seats on the beach.
But Marlo keeps his feet on the ground, saying he's just doing what his heart wants. "Alam mo, wala akong mindset na, 'Oh, I have to do this.' Hindi ako trained singer. Hindi ako trained performer. Lahat 'yun (performance), by heart. Lahat ng atake ko is what I feel at the moment—and I love performing. I feel like I was born to do that. Ayun talaga 'yung masasabi ko na, I was born into this world to be a performer and a singer and a songwriter," he openly told Cosmopolitan Philippines.
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Our Cosmo Crush Marlo Mortel wooed the crowd at the Cosmo Summer Party 2025 held in La Union last month! Photo: Troy Ang
No one's more sure about what he's supposed to be than himself. And for him, what feels right and where he feels happy is where he's meant to be. Amid the earlier pressure and clamor for him to return to acting as he claimed, Marlo's set on the path he wants to pursue: music.
"I'm at this point in my life, na gusto ko kung saan ako masaya—and ang masaya sa akin is when I perform and I give energy to the people. I receive their energy, and people can relate to me through my songwriting," Marlo expressed.
He shared that he's been busy with several projects behind the scenes, including three (!) unreleased tracks recorded under Star Music. When Marlo spoke about his music, it was with the kind of passion that made it clear: these songs, alongside his fans, are what truly set his soul on fire. Curious to get to know Marlo on a deeper level? Dive into our intimate convo below.
Marlo Mortel Is Cosmopolitan Philippines’ Cosmo Crush For June 2025
Marlo Mortel
On navigating through happy crushes, relationships, and admiration
What does it mean for you to be a Cosmo Crush right now?
Marlo: I'm gushing because I really do appreciate everybody who's admiring me as a person, for my talent, and some people say my looks. So, to be a role model like that is definitely inspiring.
How do you act when you're around your crush? Do you have a happy crush?
Marlo: Alam mo, mas madami pa rin nga ako mga happy crush lang eh. Tsaka medyo hindi kasi ako ganun ka-aggressive. So, pag may gusto ako, tahimik lang ako. Bihira ako yung nagpapapansin talaga to catch attention. So, that's why mas naniniwala ako sa energy. If the energy and the personality match, that's the time when you get to connect with that person, kahit silently.
When do you make the first move?
Marlo: Siguro kapag mapapansin mo, they glance at you—'di ba kung nasa isang place kayo. If you get that chance or opportunity that they're spending a bit of their time to maybe check on you (on social media), then why don't you just make the first move? And ask anything, maybe just be friendly. Nothing's wrong with that.
Speaking of crushes, would you mind telling us your first crush?
Marlo: First crush ko talaga when I was young, elementary days or pre-school days ‘yun. Yung crush ko na ‘yun, hanggang high school siya pa din ‘yung crush ko. I really like intelligent people over looks, and then personality na yung next. Gusto ko kasi very insightful 'pag nakakausap ko siya. Hindi naman kailangan parang lagi genius levels, pero I appreciate deep talks. I appreciate learning from the partner and from the crush as well.
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Photo: JL Javier.
How do you react when somebody tells you that they like you?
Marlo: Like what I said kanina, I'm gushing inside. Kasi hindi naman madali na umamin sa crush mo. I know kung gaano kahirap umamin. It takes guts. At the same time, dapat ma-appreciate ‘yun ‘nung person na sinasabihan. It's an honor to be admired. And it's hard to live up to. May experience ako na ilan taon na crush pa rin ako. So I'm not trying to live up to their expectations, but [I’m] just being me—kung paano nila ako nakilala.
What's your ideal first date?
Marlo: Ako kasi mahilig ako mag-kape. Ayoko naman ng sobrang impossible na first date. Kahit simpleng coffee date lang with good food and good ambiance. I really appreciate a nice atmosphere.
What's something about you that people might find surprising when it comes to dating or relationships?
Marlo: I can say that I'm a keeper.
Are you currently a keeper?
Marlo: Ngayon, hindi. My heart is kept away. (laughs) ‘Nung high school talagang long-term mga relationships ko. ‘Yung girlfriend ko since 4th year kami hanggang college. And then when I was in showbiz, yung girlfriend ko three years kadalasan. Hindi ako basta-basta nagtatapon ng mga memories; or basta-bastang nagch-cheat, just because, you know, temptation—hindi.
Right now, are you single, or are you pursuing someone?
Marlo: Right now, I'm single.
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Photo: JL Javier.
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone, and someone did for you?
Marlo: Well, nagagamit ko talaga yung talent ko sa music. So, sometimes I write songs for my special someone.
And then the most romantic thing someone did for you?
Marlo: Hindi masyado nanggaling sa relationship—mas nanggaling sa mga fans. Does that count? ‘Yung talagang mga pa-party nila, and then may mga pa-surprise. May mga pa-LED (ads). For me, super effort talaga ‘yun.
Photo: JL Javier
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Marlo Mortel
On his passion for music, career insights, and self-reflection
How do you find the balance between your career right now and then also your personal life? I mean, you've been in the industry for so long.
Marlo: Yes, I've been in the industry for so long, pero I really try and protect my personal space. Wala talaga masyado nga alam sa akin, ‘yung public, sa mga nangyayari sa personal life ko. I really want to keep that [privacy] between me and the people that I love.
What's one piece of advice that you would actually give your younger self right now?
Marlo: Just don't overthink it. Minsan ang dami mong doubts when it comes to being with somebody. At the end of the day, you just have to jump for it. You don't know what's next. You don't know what will happen tomorrow. So I think you really have to grab the opportunity. If you like somebody, then do something about it.
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Photo: JL Javier.
What kind of effort do you put into looking good?
Marlo: For me, really proper care. Proper sleep. Ako, growing up talagang hilamos lang ako. Wala akong masyado nilalagay na any products sa face…Kasi tamad ako mag-routine talaga. (laughs) It's really internal. Then it will reflect on your skin and your body.
What’s a beauty hack you picked up from showbiz?
Marlo: Napapansin ko tuwing nagte-taping kami before, nilalagyan ng yelo yung mga face. Before the makeup and all, just to close the pores and to feel refreshed.
What's your signature scent? What kind of fragrance?
Marlo: For me, siyempre, nakaka-pogi din talaga ang perfume. Kailangan mabango ka lagi. So, yun ang lagi din compliment ng mga naka-amoy sa akin. So, bukod sa very conscious ako sa hygiene ko, I put perfume, which is Creed. Madami siyang variants. This one is yung bago nila. Basta ang typical ko, Creed Adventus.
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Photo: JL Javier.
What's the best compliment that you've ever received?
Marlo: Aside from mabango and sa talent ko and looks, gusto ko yung kapag napupuri yung smile ko. Kasi my mom always told me that I had a good set of teeth. So, growing up, parang talaga yung dream ko magkaroon ng toothpaste commercial. Not perfect though, pero they said I have a nice smile.
How does your usual day off look when you're feeling tired or a bit down?
Marlo: Gusto ko talaga mag-unwind sa beach or kahit sa magandang villa or resort. So, para may access ako talaga, nag-member ako sa isang fitness club sa BGC.
That's where I go if I want to hibernate. Ako lang talaga mag-isa lagi doon and then I read a book and then I swim. Tapos, minsan doon ko pa naiisip yung mga kanta ko while swimming. Yung mga na-compose ko na kanta while underwater, it comes to my mind. It takes away your anxiety kapag you're just moving underwater.
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Photo: JL Javier.
Did you join Walang Tulugan with Master Showman to become an artista?
Marlo: A singer. A singer talaga ‘yung pinapangarap ko. Pero mas nabigyan ako ng break as an artista. Ang laki kasing difference ng artista sa singer eh. So, parang feeling ko nagma-matter yung overall package. Feeling ko mas doon ako nag-excel sa artista that time. Kaso, ‘nung nagtagal kasi, I really wanna follow my heart and that is singing.
What's the biggest lesson na sa tingin mo you've learned from being in this industry?
Marlo: You really have to be tough. Kasi hindi madali maging artista. And hindi din maging madali na madaming mga mata 'yung nakatingin sa'yo. Madaming mga people na nagja-judge sa'yo, waiting na magkamali ka or something, kasi everybody's entitled to their own words. And aside from that, it's a competitive environment. I've witnessed that. People come and go. So, I really think kailangan mong magtiwala doon sa talent na meron ka—that you have something unique.
What can we expect from you in the days to come? Are your fans gonna see you in a new project?
Marlo: Nag-reunite kami ni Janella [Salvador] after many, many years. Isa talaga si Janella sa mga naging super close ko sa industry. Hanggang ngayon, we're close. So, I produced a music video last year for my song, “Huling Ngiti,” para sa lahat ng fans ng “I Love You Since 1892,” which is kami ni Janella yung character doon sa book. I wanted to pay tribute para kahit hindi man siya maging teleserye, there's a story na pwede nilang mapanood.
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Photo: JL Javier.
Are you open to acting again?
Marlo: Alam mo, hindi ko kino-close yung doors ko dyan. Pero talagang, I've turned down projects na acting. Kasi ayoko munang ma-brand forever as the matinee, heartthrob. When in fact, ang talent ko ay singing and songwriting. I want to be remembered as respected singer-songwriter in the industry. That's why I release my original songs consistently. Recently, talagang pinapakita ko sa mga tao na this is who I am.
Meron akong tatlong unreleased under Star Music. One song is about my personal life—about being a public figure or just a person in general, where ang daming mga tao na feeling entitled sa paligid mo. So, how are you gonna craft yourself? Are you gonna work your way around your own values or to please people?
And then, the two songs are love songs. ‘Yung isa, about someone na alam mong mawawala na, alam mong maghihiwalay na kayo pero hindi mo matanggap. So, you just want to stay in that moment forever ng relationship niyo.
The other one is “Laro Laro, Habol Habol.” It's about that cat-and-mouse game na consistent na paulit-ulit lang kayo. Ano ba talaga? What do you want? Do you want to be together, or do you want to be just like this forever? Alam mo yung situationships—it's really trial and error or no labels, tapos they're just gonna leave you hanging.
Do you believe that all your songs have to be based on your personal experience?
Marlo: Hindi ako naniniwala na dapat based on your personal experience. Kasi of course, you're a creative. You can write whatever you want. Pero kadalasan sa mga songs na sinulat ko, even yung first album ko na ako lahat nagsulat ng kanta galing sa personal experience ko. If you listen to my songs, you're gonna know more about me or you're gonna know me fully as a person.
How do you stay authentic in this industry?
Marlo: Number one, hindi talaga ako plastic. Ayoko talaga yung parang posting just for the sake of you know, beautifying everything. Ako, what you see is what you get. I just stay true to who I am and then be nice to the people I meet as much as I can. Pero, sa songs ko talaga ako pinaka-authentic. Talaga doon ko nare-release yung mga hindi ko madalas masabi or kayang sabihin.
What's the message that you want to tell your fans right now?
Marlo: Sa mga fans ko who have witnessed my ups and downs, who have witnessed the peak of my acting career, I just wanna say thank you up till now, you're still there. And whatever I might do sa mga choices ko sa industry, I hope you guys still show some love. I appreciate na hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin kayo.
Mas natutuwa yung puso ko na through my metamorphosis, you're gonna be there for me. Because that really shows who you are as a person, loving someone, 'di ba? When you love somebody, kahit ano pa ang gawin nilang changes sa life nila, you know them to their core. So, you have that open heart for them. Pero talagang singing yung focus ko. Ang dami nangihinayang, kasi they really wanted me to push through with the acting, mga love team.
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Photo: JL Javier.
If you're gonna take another acting project, are you open for a love team again?
Marlo: As an artist, I'm really open to that. Whatever that will give me that fulfillment sa pagiging creator ko, I'll take that. I'll take that as a challenge. Kung love team man yan, or hindi, but if it's a good project that can open something more sa akin, I'm super down for it.
So love team, okay lang?
Marlo: Okay lang. And I think madaming magiging shift kasi throughout the past months, makaroon din ako ng shift ng management. So, I think they're gonna be surprised by what's gonna come next.
Complete the sentence: Marlo Mortel is _____.
Marlo: Marlo Mortel is a geek. Sa mga hindi nakakalam, during the pandemic, I studied and finished certificate courses like neuroscience sa Harvard Online. I'm really passionate about the brain and mental health, kasi nagdaan din ako sa matinding anxiety. So one way I coped was to study.
Recently, I also went back to school. Naging scholar ako sa Enderun Colleges, course ay Multimedia Arts. Magkaklase kami ni BINI Aiah. At the moment, naka leave of absence ako kasi, gusto ko talaga munang yung focus ko nasa music.
Sometime, in the future, that's the goal [to finish my studies]. But I think I have everything I need right now—to really accomplish muna yung mission ko sa music. And nag-aral na din ako dati. Isa-isa mga nakakahinayang na nangyari sa life ko. Four years na ako nag-aral ng Marketing sa San Beda University. Kaso, napunta ako sa Be Careful with My Heart. Tapos, nagtuloy-tuloy na yung projects ever since.
Photographer: JL Javier
Art Director: Ica Del Mundo
Executive Editor: Ida Aldana
Producer: Alyana Olivar
Styling: Dave Arden Cruz
Grooming: Mycke Arcano, assisted by Jam Jacobe, Joy Reyes, and Arn Esguerra
Story: Kate Sarmiento
Videos: Cherrie Julian and Jino Del Mundo
Social Media: Aina Lizarondo
Special thanks to Mercator Talent Agency
Kate runs on caffeine and K-drama cliffhangers. She also thrives on plot twists—on screen, on the page, and, of course, in the group chat.