Big Mak’s best life

Mark Andaya’s story is an inspiration. Rising up from hardship in a big family, overcoming a speech impediment and various setbacks, Andaya has become one of the most recognizable faces on Philippine television. It was never easy but, all throughout, he remained positive that good things would happen to him. After helping Letran win the 2005 NCAA men’s basketball championship, the 6’7” center entered the PBA draft.

“All players dream of a magical, colorful PBA career. Championships, national tram, medals,” he says. “But then, you don’t get playing time, you’re on a team that is not a contender. Instead of resenting the coach, maybe you should look in the mirror and see what you did wrong.”

That’s exactly what he did. He took everything that life threw at him with a good attitude and hoped that things would always get better. Inevitably the MPBL was born, and gave him a platform to show that he could compete, even against former PBA players. He became an All-Star.

But the biggest miracle was his transition from television bad guy in “Ang Probinsyano” to one of the heroes in “Batang Quiapo.” After years of one-off projects and cameos, Coco Martin gave him the break of a lifetime.

“Before Batang Quiapo started, I spoke with Direk Coco,” Big Mak recalls. “I told him that we would be together all the time. I was worried that my speech impediment would be a problem. He said not to worry about it, because that would be my character. And everyone on the set was the same. For that, I am very grateful.”

Now, Andaya is juggling myriad responsibilities. He is a member of the board of the MTRCB, owns a Regasco LPG distributorship, shoots Batang Quiapo three times a week, and finds time to sleep, eat properly and play basketball. At 44, he has to, because his schedule now as an actor is the total opposite of his routine when he was still a competitive athlete.

“This is a grace from God,” Mark explains. “If you ask me how I balance everything, I can’t tell you. For me, the secret of success is being kind to everybody. Don’t think that someone is a bad person, or did something bad to you before. No. Accept things that happen and always be positive. Treat people with kindness, and they will feel it. And always, something good will come back to you.”

And that is why Big Mak is living his best life. Always one step ahead, he knows nothing lasts forever. But he’s ready, invested in a future that he knows will be bright.

The full Mark Andaya story will be on Basketball Universe PHL on Facebook and YouTube on Monday at 7 p.m.