Filipinos were enjoying the victory of Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao over Mexican boxer Oscar dela Hoya on Sunday, December 7, when the shocking news spread, just hours after the fight, that young actor Marky Cielo, 20, or Mark Angelo Cadaweng in real life, had passed away that morning.
The stunned public never expected the popular young actor to die so soon. Marky Cielo was just starting to make a big mark in show business.
Although the first StarStruck Ultimate Sole Survivor lasted only two years in the entertainment scene, Marky already brought pride to the Mountain Province, his birthplace, and to Baguio City where he spent his student days. Marky was openly proud of his Igorot roots.
To his fans, he has left an inspiring life for those who want to try showbiz.
In Marky Cielo's memory, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) enumerates the highlights of his short-lived career in local showbiz.
StarStruck: Nationwide Invasion. Marky was a freshman engineering student at Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City when his classmates and close friends encouraged him to join the third batch of GMA-7's artista search called StarStruck.
Under the screen name, Marky Cielo, the native of Mountain Province outshone his fellow StarStruck "avengers" in dancing. His training with the SLU Dance Troupe paid off when the popular choreographer and StarStruck judge Douglas Nierras noted his dancing skill.
Although Marky did not bag the Best Male Dancer title, he received a biggest prize at the end of his StarStruck journey. He was proclaimed the Ultimate Sole Survivor, winning following prizes: a house and lot worth 2.5 million pesos, a business package worth 1.5 million pesos, and a cash prize of 1.3 million pesos. His success, of course, signaled the start of his career in show business.
The Actor. Marky was launched as an actor in the telefantasya program called Fantastikids (2006), which premiered shortly after StarStruck. He was chosen to play one of the lead roles in this fantasy television show.
Eventually, he worked with his StarStruck batchmates as an actor in the "Young at Hearts" episode of Love To Love Season 10. TV projects continuously came his way-the primetime teledramas Encantadia: Pag-Ibig Hanggang Wakas (2006), Bakekang (2006), and Asian Treasures (2007), Joaquin Bordado (2008), Codename: Asero (2008), and the most recent, LaLola (2008).
Marky's popularity rose when he got one of the three the lead roles in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. As Alexis del Mundo or Zaido Green, the young actor worked with fellow Kapuso hearththrobs Dennis Trillo and Aljur Abrenica.
Other TV series where he appeared were Boys Next Door (2007) and Kaputol ng Isang Awit 2008)
In 2006, YES! magazine Readers' Choice Awards chose Marky as one of its nominees for The Next Big Thing category. The followng year, the Kapuso star was hailed as The Most Promising Male Artist by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
Dance Heartthrob. The third batch of StarStuck was able to produce another dance idol through Marky. If Mark Herras of StarStruck Batch 1 was called "bad boy ng dance floor," Marky was dubbed the "ultimate dance floor heartthrob" when he won the online poll conducted by a local entertainment website. Marky's votes were in close competition with other celebrity dancers like John Prats, Mark Herras, Rayver Cruz, Gerald Anderson, and Mart Escudero.
This year, Marky showed off more of his dancing skills when he became a regular in SOP's "Sayaw One." Here, he was always featured in a dance "showdown" along with Migs Eugenio, Mark Herras, and Mart Escudero. Also part of this group were SexBomb dancer Rochelle Pangilinan, fellow StarStruck finalists Ryza Cenon, LJ Reyes, and actresses Chynna Ortaleza and Jenny Miller.
Marky's Firsts. Despite his brief career in show business, Marky already tried different stints aside from acting and dancing In two years, he also became a beauty pageant judge and a regular host in several TV shows.
In 2007, Marky was chosen as one of the judges in the 43rd Binibining Pilipinas Pageant. This was the year when Anna Theresa Licaros was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe while MTV VJ Margaret Wilson became the country's representative to Miss World Pageant.
Marky's hosting skill was first seen in Startalk's segment called "Struck Attack." This is where StarStruck finalists are usually placed to see their potential as a host by giving showbiz news bits. Marky hosted with other StarStruck finalists like Jan Manual, Chuck Allie, Jesi Corcuera and Chariz Solomon, among others.
Later on, he joined other young celebrities in hosting the spin-off show of the Sunday variety program SOP. Marky and the other young contract artists of GMA-7 also performed regularly in the show SOP Gigsters, hosted mainly by showbiz twins Raymond and Richard Gutierrez.
Earlier this year, Marky went back to his roots in the Cordillera region for GMA News and Public Affairs Presents Kalam. In this documentary, the proud Igorot was able to show the public the problems faced by indigenous rice farmers. He also discussed the effects of the high yielding rice varieties on the native land, and the costly farm products.
Role Model for the Youth. The latest and probably the most important role that Marky played in his life was his being the youth spokesperson of the Department of Health for its anti-smoking campaign.
Aside from inspiring other people, particularly the new generation, in achieving their dreams and being proud of their roots, Marky has also influenced his co-actors to quit vices like smoking.
Marky may have left the world but his life has taught us different lessons in life. As his mother, Mrs. Mildred Cadaweng, said in an interview, "Sana sa maiksing panahon na nakatrabaho niyo siya, na napanood niyo siya, sana nakapag-iwan siya ng magandang loob, magandang aral. Sana nakapagbigay siya ng inspiration... Lalo na sa mga nakatrabaho niyang mga artista, mga fans niya."
By Igorot tradition, Marky was laid to rest at his home's backyard in Sinto, Bauko, Mountain Province, today, December 15, at 2:00 p.m.