It’s been said that there are two ways you can go with pain. You can let it destroy you or you can use it as fuel to drive you. Actor, singer and TV host Marlo Mortel has been through a lot in the last couple of years, but instead of letting his pain destroy him, he used it to fuel hisdreams. On October 26, Marlo will stage his first major solo concert at the Music Museum. The last time he performed in that venue, he did with Bryan Santos, Joseph Marco and Michael Pangilinan—the other members of the boy band Harana.

As part of the group, Marlo had hit singles and a sold-outconcert. Now that he’s finally striking out on his own, he hopes his first solo outing on the local concert scene will draw as big a crowd as Harana’s show did. Not only is he eager to show people the full range ofhis talents, but he also wants to make his family proud.It’s no secret that Marlo and his family have been through a lot inthe last year or so. He has opened up many times about his motherMerlie Pamintuan and her battle with stage 4 breast cancer.

To his credit, Marlo is holding up well under the circumstances.He could have let pain overwhelm him, but he didn’t. Instead, he found a way to use his feelings regarding his mother’s condition to spurhimself on to greater heights. Marlo has been working harder than ever to help his family. Asidefrom hosting a segment on Umagang Kay Ganda, he has also been working on movies as well as recording material for his debut solo album. Earlier this year, he released a single dedicated to his mothertitled “I Pray.”That song will be one of many Marlo will perform during the show.