Marc Abaya


Ramon Marcelino Diaz Abaya, known professionally as Marc Abaya, is a Filipino singer, musician and actor. He is known as one of the former frontmen of the alternative rock band Sandwich and is currently a member of the rock band Kjwan. He is the son of actor, director Manolo Abaya and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Career

Musical career

Abaya was a member of band Shirley Beans before becoming part of the original lineup of the alternative rock Sandwich in 1998 as vocalist and guitarist, alongside Eraserheads drummer Raimund Marasigan, Diego Castillo, Myrene Academia, and Mike Dizon. Abaya provided vocals on three of the band's early albums: Grip Stand Throw, 4-Track Mind, and Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull. He left the band in 2005.
Abaya, along with Dicta License bassist Kelley Mangahas and Boogie Romero, became a member of the rock band Kjwan, which was formed in 2003 and is known for its iconic track "Daliri." That same year, he also ventured into becoming a video jockey on MTV Philippines.
In 2013, he collaborated with Gloc-9 on the song "Tsinelas sa Putikan", for the album Liham at Lihim under Universal Records.

Acting career

Abaya first appeared on television in the 2008 drama series Ligaw na Bulaklak as Francis, followed by the musical drama anthology Your Song, where he played Rafael "Raffy" Valero. He also became a host of a segment on the variety show It's Showtime, and later hosted Pilipinas Got More Talent, a spin-off program of the reality show Pilipinas Got Talent. In 2010, Abaya starred in horror film Dagim, for which he won "Best Supporting Actor" at the Cinema One Originals Awards.
In 2011, Abaya transferred to GMA Network to guest in the television variety show Party Pilipinas and to appear in the drama romantic comedy series I Heart You, Pare! as Joel. He played Gido in the action horror film Aswang. In 2012, he appeared in television drama series Faithfully, as Kevin Quillamor.
In 2019, he returned to ABS-CBN to appear in drama FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Jacob Serrano, followed by action drama The Iron Heart in 2022 as Gaspar Kintanar, and drama FPJ's Batang Quiapo in 2024.

Discography

With Sandwich

;Studio Albums
YearTitleLabel
1999Grip Stand ThrowGreater East Asia Music & BMG Records, Inc
20014-Track MindBMG Records, Inc
2004Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational PullPlay For Serve Records

With Kjwan

;Studio Albums
YearTitleLabel
2004KjwanSony Music Philippines
20062StepMarvPolyEast Records / Barnyard Music Philippines
200913 Seconds to LoveMCA Music Philippines
2012Kjwan IV Volume OneMCA Music Philippines
2014Kjwan IV Volume TwoMCA Music Philippines

;Other appearances
YearSongLabel
2003"Drizzle" Rx Band Breakout Finalists CD
2005"A Different Kind"ROK ON! Music Inspired by the Ragnarok Online Game
2007"Daliri"LIVE AND RAW
2009"Pause"Kerplunk! DEFIANT
2009"13 Seconds to Love"Nokia 5800 Express Music Phone MCA Music
2012"Kjwan IV Volume 1"Independent
2014"Kjwan IV Volume 2"Independent

Filmography

Film

Television