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Marlo Mortel surprised some of his fans when he uploaded his photo with Mars Pa More hosts Camille Prats and Iya Villania on his business page on Facebook recently.

GMA Network.com and select entertainment media were able to ask the singer-actor about this during the virtual conference for his newly released single "Bituin" under PolyEast Records on Wednesday, August 4.

Marlo smiled and said, "Yung guesting na 'yon is just a guesting... also, of course, to promote the song."

The 28-year-old actor-singer was also tight-lipped when asked if this was a hint about a change in his career.

He explained, "I can't really tell right now kung ano ang mangyayari sa career but definitely something is happening. Kapag final na, I'm gonna update you, guys."

When asked if it's going to be a big change, Marlo answered, "Parang hindi naman, I don't really know… Change in all aspects na lang. Better. For improvement."

He added, "Basta ito lang, I'm in 'speaking terms' sa management. Soon malalapat ko 'yung mga sagot sa mga tinatanong n'yo."

Marlo was a contestant of GMA Network's reality-based artista search program StarStruck during its fifth season.

He formally entered show business through the late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno's weekly late night variety show Walang Tulugan With Master Showman.

Then, he became part of the youth-oriented show Tween Hearts (2010) before he moved to another network.

Music for his mental health

Meanwhile, Marlo opened up about suffering from anxiety during the early months of the pandemic.

He related, "When the pandemic happened, 'yung vlogs ko nasa 100k, 200k views agad-agad kahit first time ko lang.

"I also have my Silver Play Button. Pero because of the anxiety, tinigil ko lahat talaga.

"I stopped releasing music. I stopped doing vlogs. I just stopped everything."

He also admitted that even before the pandemic, he had a hard time when he lost his mom due to cancer.

Marlo confessed, "Siyempre, isa sa pinakamahirap na nangyari sa akin was when I lost my mom.

"I lost inspiration and motivation kung bakit ko ito ginagawa. Kasi, I offered it to them, kung bakit ako nag-aartista.

"There was a time na ayaw ko na talaga dati. Napapagod ako sa pressure ng industry, especially noong nagkaroon kami ng sariling show.

"It was hard for me. I've been telling them, 'I don't want to do it anymore.'"

He further stressed, "When I lost her, medyo na-confuse ako, na-frustrate ako kung bakit ko nga ba ito ginagawa when I couldn't even share it with my mom."

However, Marlo said, "Siyempre, magpadalos-dalos at saka, yun nga, I'm the breadwinner of the family.

"So, I really strived to be the best version of myself and to be a great artist because of them."

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Marlo Mortel (@marlomortelmusic)

Marlo then turned to music, his first love, to cope with his mental health struggle.

The music artist released his emotions by writing songs, including his two new singles "Mahina" and "Bituin."

Marlo said, "I've been writing songs since I was in Grade 3.

"Yung mind ko, may pagka-creative talaga siya. I could write a song [in an instant] and hindi ako mahihirapan.

"If I really want to write a song, I could really write in an instant.

"Pero this one ["Bituin"], ito talaga yung masasabi kong my baby as a singer or artist."

He also mentioned that the inspiration for his second single this year was his best friend. "Siya yung namili ng title.

"Ang title talaga na binigay niya ay 'Stars' kasi nakakahanap daw siya ng healing, motivation, after a long day at work.

"Kasi, kapag nakakakita ka [ng mga bituin], parang nare-relax ka."

He further added about maintaining a connection to a friend, "If we just appreciate the things that we have and trust the process, na kahit maraming problema, parang 'yung mga bituin sa langit, they will just shine kahit na madilim. They're just gonna be there."

Now that he's back creating music, Marlo said, "I'm just genuinely happy now, I could say, kasi parang dati masyadong busy 'yung life ko sa mga hindi talaga essential for me.

"Ngayon, gusto ko naman gawin 'yung para sa sarili ko and what my soul is craving, which is music."