MOD Magazine, May 2, 2003 Issue

This 'Kano' is Very 'Pinoy'

FIL-AMS of the world eat your hearts out but give way to 6'2", blond and blue-eyed Larry Marshall who can speak Tagalog more fluently than you.  And he can sing very well to boot - in Tagalog at that!

Larry worked for the United States Marine Corps, and he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan.  He spent a lot of time in a Filipino community there.  The handsome Virginia native immediately fell in love with anything Filipino.  He learned the language in just three months, just by reading grammar books, dictionaries and books about Filipino culture.  So Larry probably knows more about our country than the average high school student!  He even speaks Cebuano!

Right now he's busy promoting his all-Tagalog album, Katawang Kano, Pusong Pinoy.  He has formed his own production company called KKPP, the acronym of his album's title, and asked VIVA to help him in this venture.

What were the first Tagalog words you learned?

My first phrase was Kamusta Ka.  My first song was Freddie Aguilar's Anak.

Have you been around Manila?  Where do you usually hang out?

I hang out mostly with my friends.  I like going to bars with live bands, kasi I also like to jam with them.

Have you been to the beaches here? Where do you plan so spend your summer?

Unfortunately, I haven't been to the beaches.  Right now, shows and interviews take most of my time.  From May to June I'll probably be busy with mall tours, making the rounds of SM and Robinson Malls in key cities.  Hopefully, by November or December I can take a breather.

What sports are you into?

Tennis and basketball.  I don't get to play as often as before in the States, though.  The building where I live in Mandaluyong does have a tennis court.  Maybe if I have time, I'll start playing again.

Which among your songs will you serenade your special someone with?

Most of my songs are about heartbreak.  But my carrier single Ikaw Ang Dahilan isn't.  So it would have to be that one.  It's like saying kasi that she's the reason why I'm here or why I go on living.

Do you see yourself married to a Filipina someday?

Hopefully.  I've always liked Asians.  But I like Filipinas best because I have a lot in common with them, like I know the language.  I also know about Philippine history and the geography.  But, of course, I have a lot to learn pa.  In the near future I'd like to learn the other major dialects, like Waray, Ilonggo and Kapampangan.