Empoy Marquez

Julius Erman "Empoy" Ramos Marquez^[1] (born July 3, 1981^[2]), also known mononymously as Empoy, is a Filipino actor, comedian and host. He is best known for playing the male lead in Kita Kita (2017), the highest-grossing Filipino independent film of all time. His performance earned him a nomination for the Gawad Urian for Best Actor.

After winning the Mr. Suave look-alike contest on Magandang Tanghali Bayan, he was awarded a minor role in the 2003 comedy film Mr. Suave. From 2003 to 2008, he had small roles in several films and television shows, where he was typecast as the comical sidekick. He also appeared in some independent films.

Marquez then appeared in TV5's Lokomoko (2008–2013), Tropa Mo Ko Unli (2013–2015), and played the titular superhero character in Kapitan Awesome (2012–2013). He also portrayed Chiz in the 2015 sitcom Mac & Chiz. In 2018, he had a supporting role in the television drama Since I Found You and also co-starred in the film Kusina Kings.

Life and career

Julius Erman Ramos Marquez was born in Baliuag, Bulacan on July 3, 1981.^[2] He is the eldest among seven siblings, and his parents separated when he was in sixth grade. He earned his college degree in mass communication with the intention of becoming a DJ.^[1]

In 2003, Marquez won the Mr. Suave look-alike contest on ABS-CBN's Magandang Tanghali Bayan. Aside from the cash prize, he was also awarded a role in the film, which starred Vhong Navarro as the title character.^[1][3] He also became a co-host of MTB Ang Saya-Saya for a year.^[1]

Marquez was signed to Star Magic from 2003 to 2007, and moved to TV5 in 2008.^[4] During this time, he had small roles in several films and television shows where he was typecast as the comical sidekick.^[1][5][6] He also appeared in the independent films Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan (2005) and Carnivore (2008), both directed by Ato Bautista and starring Carlo Aquino.^[4][7][8]

In TV5, Marquez appeared in the sketch comedy show Lokomoko, which aired from 2008 to 2013 – the network's longest-running comedy show.^[9] He then played the titular superhero character in Kapitan Awesome (2012–2013), and became a cast member of Tropa Mo Ko Unli (2013–2015).^[10][11] He considers the 2015 sitcom Mac & Chiz as his "big break", where he co-starred as Chiz, alongside Derek Ramsay who played Mac.^[1][12]

In 2017, Marquez returned to ABS-CBN and became part of the sketch comedy show Banana Sundae.^[13] He also appeared in the suspense thriller film Bloody Crayons (2017) as Gerard, the "clown" of the group of friends who travel to a remote island to make a short film, until they get killed one by one by a masked individual.^[14][15][16]

Afterwards, Marquez co-starred in the romantic comedy film Kita Kita (2017), opposite to Alessandra de Rossi. He portrayed Tonyo, a plain-looking but kind-hearted OFW in Japan, who falls in love with a blind woman played by De Rossi.^[1][17][18] According to the film's co-producer Piolo Pascual, the role of Tonyo was "tailor-made" for Marquez.^[19] Against expectations, Kita Kita went on to become the highest-grossing Filipino independent film of all time, earning ₱300 million (approx. US$5.88 million) within three weeks of release.^[20][21] Due to the film's popularity, the entertainment media dubbed Marquez and De Rossi's pairing as "AlEmpoy".^[22] For his performance, he was nominated for the Gawad Urian for Best Actor. He also co-hosted the 41st Gawad Urian Awards ceremony with De Rossi and Butch Francisco.^[23]

In July 2017, Marquez opened Wayback 90's, a 1990s-themed restobar in his hometown, Baliuag, Bulacan.^[24]

In 2018, Marquez and De Rossi had supporting roles in the ABS-CBN series Since I Found You, which aired from April to August.^[25] That same year, in the comedy film Kusina Kings, Marquez and Zanjoe Marudo starred as a pair of chefs who attempt to save their restaurant by joining a reality show.^[26]

Beginning in 2019, Marquez appeared in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Domingo "Domengsu" Suarez, an aspiring actor who is mistakenly arrested in a drug raid and later becomes a police informant.^[27] Also in 2019, he was reunited with De Rossi in the music video for "Pag-ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat" by Orange and Lemons.^[28]

Marquez again co-starred with De Rossi in Walang KaParis, an Amazon Prime Video original film released in March 2023. The romantic drama is set in Paris and was directed by Kita Kita director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.^[29]

In 2024, he joined Susan Enriquez as the newest co-host of GTV's news magazine show iJuander.^[30]

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards

References

1. ^ Lo, Ricky (August 6, 2017). "Kitang-kita: Kita mo, kita ko!" (in en, Filipino). The Philippine Star. Archived October 6, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
2. ^ Espina, Cheska (July 8, 2017). "Kaye Abad gives Empoy a birthday surprise!". Star Cinema. ABS-CBN Corporation. Archived February 22, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
3. ^ "KILALANIN: Empoy, dating kontesero, ngayo'y patok na leading man" (in Filipino). ABS-CBN News. August 1, 2017. Archived February 22, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
4. ^ Bonoan, Reggee (July 7, 2017). "Empoy: Wala po akong anak…pero may kalaro ako!" (in Filipino). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Bandera. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
5. ^ Fernando, Jeff (August 3, 2017). "Alessandra, Empoy, binigyan ng malaking bonus" (in Filipino). ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
6. ^ Cruz, Oggs (July 28, 2017). "'Kita Kita' review: brisk, whimsical and always delightful". Rappler. Archived July 31, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
7. ^ "Indie film takes realistic glimpse of Filipino youth". The Philippine Star. April 21, 2005. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
8. ^ "Carlo Aquino wins Best Actor for "Carnivore" in Cinemanila". Philippine Entertainment Portal. October 21, 2008. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
9. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (June 10, 2013). ""Lokomoko U" cast and crew thankful for 5-year run on TV5". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
10. ^ Vibal-Guioguio, Peachy (December 1, 2014). "Paying it forward with Sari-Sari Stars". The Philippine Star. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
11. ^ Blanco, Eunice (October 8, 2013). "'Tropa Mo Ko Unli' members give tips on doing gag shows". The Philippine Star. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
12. ^ Sibonga, Glen (December 4, 2014). "Derek Ramsay will have Empoy as his twin brother on Mac & Chiz". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
13. ^ Amoyo, Aster (August 5, 2017). "Empoy nag-ikot muna sa lahat ng network bago sumikat" (in Filipino). The Philippine Star. Pilipino Star Ngayon. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
14. ^ Cruz, Oggs (July 16, 2017). "'Bloody Crayons' review: So bad, it's fun". Rappler. Archived August 11, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
15. ^ Abunda, Boy (July 1, 2017). "Bloody Crayons: Worth the wait". The Philippine Star. Archived July 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
16. ^ Hsu, Marty (June 19, 2017). "Empoy shares details about his character in 'Bloody Crayons'". Star Cinema. ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
17. ^ Severino, Howie (August 5, 2017). "In 'Kita Kita', a win for plain-looking strivers with nerve". GMA News. GMA News. Archived August 8, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
18. ^ Villano, Alexa (August 3, 2017). "5 fun facts about the Alempoy movie 'Kita Kita'". Rappler. Rappler. Archived August 7, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
19. ^ "How Piolo almost took Empoy's role on 'Kita Kita'". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. July 18, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
20. ^ "'Kita Kita' sets new record at the box office as highest grossing indie film". GMA News. August 10, 2017. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
21. ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (August 10, 2017). "'Kita Kita' now PH's highest grossing indie movie, surpasses 'Heneral Luna'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived August 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
22. ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose (April 17, 2018). "WATCH: Funny 'kilig' moments with Alempoy". The Philippine Star. The Philippine Star. Archived February 20, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
23. ^ "Full list: Winners, Gawad Urian Awards 2018". Rappler. June 14, 2018. Archived May 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
24. ^ "Empoy, ipinasilip ang kanyang resto-bar sa Bulacan" (in Filipino). ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. August 10, 2017. Archived August 11, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
25. ^ "WATCH: 'Since I Found You' ends with Piolo-Arci wedding, 'AlEmpoy' engagement". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. August 11, 2018. Archived January 26, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
26. ^ Hallare, Katrina (July 10, 2018). "WATCH: Empoy Marquez, Zanjoe Marudo bring humor to the kitchen in 'Kusina Kings'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived April 14, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
27. ^ Dela Cruz, Liezel (May 28, 2019). "Behind-The-Scenes: Empoy Marquez bilang Domengsu sa FPJ's Ang Probinsyano". ABS-CBN. Archived January 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
28. ^ Bodegon, Kara (July 22, 2019). "Orange & Lemons hit the beach with Empoy Marquez and Alessandra De Rossi in new 'Pag-ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat' music video – watch". bandwagon.asia. Bandwagon. Archived February 20, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
29. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (March 19, 2023). "Alessandra, Empoy revive their tandem in Walang KaParis". The Philippine Star. Archived May 6, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
30. ^ TDT (2024-08-11). "'Pambansang' leading man: Newest ka-Juander". Daily Tribune. Archived August 11, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
31. ^ "LIST: Kapamilya stars who won at the 49th Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards". ABS-CBN News. 6 May 2018.

External links

• Empoy Marquez at IMDb