A tiny 5.5 pounds baby, yet healthy, normal with little hands and silkiest hair. This was me when I was brought into this world by my parents namely Alice Manansala from Pampanga and Bayani dela Cruz from Samar. I was named Mark Wendell given to me by my aunt. 

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My mother really suffered from an intense pain when she delivered me last October 11, 1980, 11:05 AM at Howard Hubbard Hospital in Polomolok, South Cotabato. A very severe, scary and exhilirating experienced, she said. Indeed, the pain was forgotten when she firstly laid her eyes on me. She said that it was like having a nightmare turn into a wonderful dream. She cried with feelings of mixed emotions seeing me as a precious, fragile and cute child she never imagined.

The first five months of my life was of total care. All I did was eat, cry and sleep. Sometimes it was my father who diapered me and fed me when my mother is busy. My mom stressed, she often had sleepless nights because I usually cry in the middle of the night. I was a problem for my first five months. But though I exhibited this kind of behavior she continuously pampered me with too much love and care that made our attachment intimate and closer.

During my next six to ten months, I became the center of attention in my family. I am always held and carried most of the time. My mother mentioned that during those months, I became so active, I rolled everywhere and I begun to love playing toys, balls, and airplanes, where I spent most of my time. It was also during those period when I learned to make noises, saying some words like "mama" and "dada".

I was not also spoiled by my parents in some negative behaviors that I had. They started to teach me about good morals and right conduct.

On the next eleven to eighteen months of my life, I became so mobile. This was my very critical months, wherein my mother had to supervise me constantly in whatever I do in a greater degree to promote and enhance my safety and development.

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When I was on my 18 months, I went through extraordinary changes, and I learned a lot of things in the environment. My mother told me that she really enjoyed watching me running, walking, saying new words, learning and trying new things. This was also the stage where I had developed an overwhelming curiosity. I started to wonder and ask a lot of questions. My mother said that, the most typical problem that I have during this stage was of "temper tantrum". I sulk and make a fuss when given an order, dragged my feet and always insists of having my way. Whenever I begun throwing a tantrum, my mother always waited until I calm down. There were times that she may even spank me when things get out of control.

During my two years, I really like doing many things like creating a mess with my toys and some stuffs inside my room. In similar way, I enjoyed also playing repetitive games such as peekaboo or hide and seek. It was also in this stage where I displayed some independent behaviors like removing socks, shorts or pants on my own. I started to eat and drink by myself during those years.

My mother took control of my behavior during my 3 years. She always see to it that all my actions must be in good ways. Like enforcing me to have a right time in playing and sleeping. She also began teaching me about toilet training during those years, particularly bladder training, because of the fact that I always get wet in bed.

Indeed, proper training and caring was my parents concern in my development during this stage.

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This was the period of my independence. Independent in such away that I learned how to do things on my own. My mother said that all the things that she did for me during my past development was exercised, like the act of dressing and feeding myself alone. I also started to show definite personality traits like humor, intelligence, and play preferences. Nevertheless, some problems occurred. Like the problem of “fear”. I could still remember that I was really afraid of a dog, of thunder and lightning, and of the dark during those years. And I certainly cry on these. But my mother was always beside me, helping me to cope up and understand such problem. She explained to me the causes of thunder, lightning and why it gets dark, for me to get manage of myself next time.

Some troubles came along with me on those years. That's why enforcing good discipline was also one of the most important concern of my parents. Whenever I did something wrong, my father will call me up to give me a lesson. Sometimes he might just approached me and talked to me in a reasonable manner, but there were times where I could get slap when he can no longer control the situation. They wanted me always to be good, and so they ended up too much in control of my behavior.

At the age of four, I attended my first nursery program in our town. My mother said that at first she found it hard to leave me in school alone by myself. But later when she saw me enjoying the company of my classmates, exploring and making new discoveries with them, she said schooling for me is not a big deal.

In addition during those years, my mom said that I became more needy and demanding. Whenever I saw something new with my classmates in school, I easily get jealous and of course demand the same sort of things to my parents. Since my mom had set some limitations on my desire, some of my demands were not given to me, because in the first place, she does not want me to become materially spoiled.

Prior to my early school years, my learning developed into an overwhelming curiosity of asking a lot of questions about so many things. If ever I encountered something that was unfamiliar, I will definitely ask question about it. Sometimes my mother get annoyed with me. But she said, all of those things was also a reward for her -- seeing to do things and think on my own.

During my six years, I begun to enjoy going to school, making new friends, learning to read and write which made me gain many recognitions that can surely be proud of. This was basically the stage when I begun and started to participate in many school activities like dancing, singing and particularly playing sports. Concerning my problems in school like assignments and other stuffs, it was my father who really took time in helping and assisting me. It was also him who encouraged me to try a little even harder in order to get a  high mark.

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During my six years, I was sent by my parents to a religious elementary school also in our place. From there I learned a lot of things academically and spiritually. I could still vividly remember that every night, I need to open the Holy Bible to memorize some assigned text that was a usual assignment. It helped me a lot to discover the real significant of God into my life.

My mother said, when I reached my elementary stage, she did not experienced to worry much about my behavior because she saw me being open, friendly, frank, loyal and easy to get along with.

Concerning my grades, I really excel too much and did extremely well in my academic performance that somehow made me become an outstanding student.

At the same time, I had also this negative behaviors during. I was a noisy type of student in school, talking and talking, sharing new stories and jokes with my peers especially during class hours, enjoying all kinds of boisterous and bustling activities in playing. I was forgetful to some extent and restless most of the time. For all these insipidity, I was still able to assert and maintain my status as an outstanding student for about five consecutive years until I graduated from grade six as fourth honorable mention.

On my ten to twelve years, the problem on my body image and personal appearance became my matter of concern. I started to ask my parents about why was this so and why was this changes occur particularly on my voice and face as what pre-teen normally experienced.

Practical curiosity about sex and other matters had also bewildered me, though I already know during those years the basic facts about where I came from. When I asked my parents about it, they answered me in a general way as if I am a gift from God, formed in my mother’s womb. As a case in point, they diverted my attention into another way of understanding by saying it indirectly to me. Perhaps, they valued sex as a sacred thing needed only to be discussed by adults.

Concerning my relationships with my peers in school, I am this kind of person who really wanted to be superior always in many things. Like in playing, I mostly insist to be the leader. Consequently, this behavior brought me to develop my leadership.

Indeed, this stage was a period of emotions and challenges in maintaining my relationship to my parents. This was also a period of changed, fear, anxiety, curiosity, exploration, concepts and discoveries in the reality of my life and on my true identity as a growing child.

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It was in this stage where the love-hate relationship between me and my mom existed. There were a lot of test happened between us. In my high school days at the General Paulino Santos Memorial Institute, though I could say that I am very good concerning my grades and performance, these all turned upside down. Mood swings and peer pressures occurred because also of the influenced of my barkadas. I learned how to drink and smoke. Normally, all these resulted to a lot of yelling, and disciplinary punishments which made me realized the standards and morals of my parents. On the other hand, my father set-up rules for me to follow. Like I should come home before 5:00 in the afternoon, which I myself considered it as an unfair rule. As if I am being locked-up and control so much.

This was the stage where I became close to my brother. And the feelings of being jealous disappeared. Our relationship also became much closer in sharing thoughts, feelings, emotions, and problems. If ever I had a problem that I can't overcome by myself, he would be the first person to give me some advices and moral support in order for me to surmount it. And I could say that I really loved and valued him in many ways. When misunderstanding would occur, we tend to overcome it in a less violent way.

During this stage, I started to learn taking responsibilities on my own and decide about what I want for the future. Furthermore, this was also the stage where conflicts arose between us. I mostly considered my self for being Mr. Right in whatever things that I am doing, even if it was wrong. But after all, behind such attitudes, I now realized that it was not a good example. So, I changed it.

To be in love for the first time was one of my most profound and unforgettable experienced in high school. I really became so obsessed with this girl most of the time in school and almost anywhere I go. She was beautiful, sexy. I like her a lot. Without a second thought I decided to court her. I send her letters and flowers everyday. At first, I thought she did not like me because in the first place she did not respond to my letters ever just ones. For a long months of courting her, I was fortunately answered. And this I considered to be the happiest moment of my life.

Morever, the girl served as my inspiration in studies for a couple of years in high school. She showered me with comfort and love that I need, and the companionship that I always long for. Until we parted ways when I went here in Davao City to study. But the memories and laughter are still here deep inside.

During my college days, I lived independently. This was the time when I deeply missed my parents a lot. When I am sick here, no one would comfort me, when  I need an advice, no one would strengthen me. From then, I realized how important they were into my life.

On my first three years in college, my life became more meaningful and challenging. I learned how to budget my allowance and my time in studies and in some personal activities that I have. My academic performance developed. I was a dean’s list for half a year. Yet, I am always aiming to maintain it. It only requires hardwork and perseverance.

Taking up Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication in the Ateneo de Davao University was a great achievement that I considered and valued. This course is my own choice because from the start, when I was still in high school, I really admire people appearing of TV as a newscaster. And I eagerly wanted to become like them, devoting service for the public interests.

Finally, I could say that I am successful and satisfied person physically, emotionally and spiritually for what I have achieved right now and blessed with a loving and caring parents. And there is nothing that I could ask for.

At present I am the president of Ang Teatro Ng Ateneo (ATNA), the only theater group in AdDU, a member of Samahan ng Mag-aaral ng SIning ng Komunikasyon, Humanities Cheering Squad, Artist Club of the Humanities and a Campus Correspondent of Sun Star Davao, Davao's leading newspaper.

To be continued.....