Joseph Marco on Rhen Escaño, new passion after ‘My Husband Is a Mafia Boss’

MANILA, Philippines — Joseph Marco didn’t have to do much preparation for his viral kissing scene with Rhen Escaño in the Viva One series “My Husband Is a Mafia Boss.” Instead, he simply “dove into” the moment.

“There’s no preparation for that, I guess. You just dive in. Tsaka, gina-guide naman ako ni Rhen,” Joseph said when asked about the scene during OWNDAYS’ Cases for Change campaign launch at the brand’s SM Megamall branch.

“Wala kaming pinaguusapan ni Rhen eh. We usually throw lines but then again, free-flowing kami pag nag-action na si direk (Fifth Solomon). We just really rely on our instincts,” he added.

As for their intense kissing scene during the wedding sequence, Joseph explained: “They are a couple in the series and sobrang sabik nila sa isa’t isa.”

“Nakakatuwa lang,” he said with a laugh. “I’m happy to read the comments of the fans. Direk Fifth was the one who started it. When we first watched Zeke (Joseph’s character) and Rhen’s character, talagang binabad niya so parang ginagawa niyang comedy somehow.”

“My Husband Is a Mafia Boss” has just aired its final episode. The series is based on the Wattpad phenomenon of the same title, written by Diana Marie Serrato Maranan, known as @yanalovesyouu to her followers.

Joseph plays billionaire Ezekiel “Zeke” Roswell, a brilliant engineer and CEO who, unbeknownst to many, is also the powerful and intimidating boss of the Roswell Mafia. Opposite him is Rhen’s Aemie Romero, a college student adored by everyone on campus.

Joseph poses with Marlo Mortel, who is also one of the brand ambassadors.

Joseph expressed his gratitude to the fans for the show’s success and the overwhelming reception it has received.

Reflecting on their experience from filming through the series’ conclusion, the actor told The STAR that he and Rhen have also grown closer. “Right now, we’re super close. We became really close because of this project.”

Joseph also noted that “My Husband Is a Mafia Boss” has been the most challenging project of his showbiz career to date.

“When it comes to Wattpad adaptation, napakahaba ng mga lines. So even during our rest days, wala akong ginagawa kundi mag-memorize, mag-memorize at mag-memorize,” he explained.

“Technically parang mga four, five months kaming naka-lock-in sa project talaga. I gained from 165 pounds to 182 pounds. I had to maintain that body for five to six months. So I was eating five meals a day. That’s why I could say that this is the most challenging project I’ve done so far.”

After “My Husband Is a Mafia Boss,” Joseph is gearing up for another project, although he has yet to divulge any details as it remains confidential.

While he is on a break, Joseph is keeping himself busy by exploring his interest in product photography.

“I’m very simple. I’m such a homebody. I just stay at home. I enjoy studying right now. I’m studying product photography. I make sure I get to do something while I’m on break.”

His interest in product photography was sparked when he started a podcast two years ago. “I learned so much about lighting, editing, sounds, microphones. Nahiligan ko na pag-aralan yung product photography ‘cause there’s so many opportunities out there na pwedeng ibenta. So I just wanna look, parang gusto kong maging professional ang paggawa pag may ila-launch.”

As a doting fur dad, Joseph’s favorite subjects to photograph are his cats. He recently rescued a kitten he found and named her Cosmo.

“May napulot na naman ako, coming from the gym, and meron akong nakita na kitten sa taas ng vending machine. And then I called the cat. Sobrang dehydrated and I had no choice but I had to take her in,” he recalled.

He now has 19 cats at home. “I have a huge place so nakakaikot-ikot sila dun. May mga tumutulong naman sa akin na magaalaga.”

Meanwhile, Joseph is one of the brand ambassadors of Japanese eyewear brand OWNDAYS, alongside Marlo Mortel. The brand’s Cases for Change campaign is part of its corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.

“I love how they collaborated with these companies. Nakaka-proud lang kasi may ginagawa sila for the community. It’s such a big thing especially with everything that’s happening right now. At least, may ganitong mga initiatives,” Joseph said of the campaign.

The biennial environmental campaign, according to the media release, transforms the humble eyewear case into a canvas for creativity and a vehicle for positive change. Each year, the campaign brings together artists and causes to create specially designed cases that not only complement its collection of eyewear but also help support organizations and initiatives dedicated to environmental protection.

For this year’s cases, OWNDAYS Philippines has collaborated with local artist Dani to create three limited-edition eyeglass cases. Each design reflects a distinct creative interpretation while supporting organizations working to protect three essential elements of our environment: air, land and sea.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the limited-edition cases will be donated to OWNDAYS Philippines’ partner organizations, including Clean Air Asia’s Bike-to-School Project, Masungi Georeserve’s Power-a-Station Program and Save Philippine Seas’ Pating Patrol workshops.