In Just the Way You Are, Marco plays the role of a balikbayan. He admitted it was a challenge to act with a different accent. “Actually medyo nahihirapan ako kasi kailangan may accent ako na parang may twang nga. Kailangan ko mag-adjust and yung outfit ko Texan yung look so kailangan ko mag-research ko talaga sa character ko dito,” he recalled.
Marco saidit was also easier to do scenes with Liza because they had worked together previously. “Okay naman kasi before kami nagka-work ni Liza, naging ka-love triangle din namin siya sa LUV U and naka-work ko na rin siya sa MMK so we've worked together ng maraming beses na. Off-cam sobrang bait ni Liza. Angelic face, sobrang angelic personality so I am sure na magiging masaya kami,” he said.
Although admittedly active in the dating scene, Marco said he already has an idea of what to look for in an ideal girl. “Basta I want a girl na yung maalaga, yung kaya nila akong i-pacify, parang kung for example meron akong nagagawa na hindi na maganda, kaya niya akong pagsabihan. Hindi yung i-to-tolerate niya yung ginagawa ko. I want a girl na malakas rin yung personality na kaya makisabay sa personality ko,” he explained. One of the girls he is attracted to in showbiz is his co-star Liza. “Ako kasi type ko mga mestiza so ayan mestiza naman si Liza so okay naman,” he added.
After doing the teen-oriented weekend show LUV U, Marco admits he is ready to do more serious or dramatic roles. “Okay naman. I'm adjusting kasi dun sa LUV U medyo teenage yung roles so pa-cute, pa-cute, pa-kilig pero now na kailangan ko mag-try ng roles na medyo up na ng isang level like drama, ganyan. So okay naman. Close pa rin kami lahat. Si Igi Boy Muhlach nakasama ko rin sa She's Dating The Gangster so lagi kaming nagkakasama. Sila CJ Navato lagi kong nakakasama pero outside taping na, pati sila Miles Ocampo. Close pa rin naman kami lahat. Kahit si Daniel Padilla okay naman, super naging ka-close ko silang lahat. Si DJ madaling makasama, walang problema, barkada na kami agad,” he admitted.
This coming Father's Day, Marco looks forward to spending time with his family and visit his dad who is still currently incarcerated on kidnapping charges. “Well we're really close talaga, my dad and I. Kasi only boy ako sa house kami lagi magkakasama growing up. Now, we visit him and I get to talk to him naman also,” he said.
Marco admitted he doesn't want to comment anymore on his father's situation. “Kasi parang I don't want to be involved in the issue na. Parang ako personally parang basta i-defend ko na siya sa sarili ko okay na sa akin. I don't have to explain to everyone na,” he said.
Watch Marco Gumabao in Star Cinema's Just the Way You Are starring Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, Sue Ramirez, Chienna Filomeno, Alexander Diaz, Jon Lucas, Erin Ocampo, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Yves Flores. Directed by Theodore Boborol.