The Strength of Following One’s Heart

By Jovit D. Caballero

What does it take to stay true to oneself when life keeps pushing out of course? This is a story of resilience and clarity—of discovering strength in knowing and following one’s heart despite life’s challenges. Even when setbacks threaten to derail the path, the drive to return to what truly matters stays strong. This is a journey about the power of purpose and the relentless will to bloom where one is meant to grow.

Mark John Vitug—better known as Macky—is the Talent Engagement Manager and an HRBP Lead under the Human Resources and Administration Division. A proud native of Quezon City, he’s known across the organization for his naturally jolly personality, often seen as a ball of joy, especially when he’s in his element—hosting events and showcasing his many talents. An only child to a taxi driver father and a sari-sari store owner mother, Macky grew up in a lively household. Despite not having siblings, he never felt alone, having been raised in a large family home shared with his lawyer grandfather, nurse grandmother, aunts, uncles, and six cousins.

As an only child with parents who earned enough to support the family—and grandparents who generously indulged their wants—Macky and his cousins never felt the weight of financial hardship growing up. They weren’t wealthy, but life was comfortable. Like many children of his generation, Macky enjoyed the simple joys of street games like patintero and Chinese garter, making his childhood both lively and grounded.

During his elementary years at Sienna College, Macky began to discover more about himself. As a young boy still unaware of gender norms, he naturally gravitated toward what many considered “girl stuff.” Among his six cousins, only the eldest was male—and much older—so he mostly grew up alongside five girl cousins close to his age, which shaped much of his early interests. He vividly recalls his childhood obsession with Polly Pocket, cooking and grooming toys, Miss Universe pageants, and being a fan of global all-female group band, Spice Girls.

Macky also excelled in the school activities he was passionate about. He frequently volunteered for singing presentations—especially during field trips—led and choreographed dance performances, and stood out in spelling bees, Scrabble competitions, declamation contests, and school publications. Most importantly, he took on supporting roles in the student council, such as serving as secretary. These experiences brought him genuine joy and helped nurture both his talents and interpersonal skills. While he wasn’t a constant presence on the honor roll, Macky still earned his share of academic recognition and performed well in his studies. Life then seemed bright and full of promises—but nobody knew that from that point onwards, their lives would soon face unexpected and difficult changes.

Continuing in the same school during his high school years, he is still drawn to the activities where he naturally excelled. However, in his second year, life took a difficult turn when his grandfather suffered a third cardiac arrest, which ultimately led to his passing. The financial toll of the medical treatments hit the family hard, forcing them to sell the private elementary school owned by his grandfather, along with all the family members’ cars. Fortunately, his parents’ steady income was still enough to support his education.

When Macky entered college at Manila Central University in Monumento, he initially planned to pursue Medical Technology or Physical Therapy, driven by his love for science. However, nursing was a popular choice at the time, and with his grandmother and elder female cousin both nurses, he decided to take that path instead. In his second year, tragedy struck again when his grandmother passed away from a blood infection. This loss deeply affected the family, not only financially and emotionally, but brought them to the brink of living with their own families separately. After graduation, the family was forced to sell the home they cherished most—the place filled with their core memories—through a bank. Though it was a difficult decision, they viewed it as an opportunity to move forward, especially since the area was prone to frequent flooding and each member was ready to start their own family lives.

In 2009, Macky passed the nursing board exam and chose to take a short break, working as a freelance events coordinator for family gatherings and school programs. The following year, he took a job as a private duty nurse at St. Luke’s Medical Center, caring for a bedridden Chinese school principal. During this time, the patient’s daughter—who happened to be a Vice President at Sun Cellular Telecommunications—took notice of Macky’s dedication and compassion. When the patient passed away, the patient’s daughter offered Macky a role as her personal executive assistant. Though initially hesitant to step into the corporate world, he decided to give it a try, planning to test the waters for a few months.

This opened up a whole new world for Macky—one he never imagined he would come to love. While working at Sun Cellular, he was often tapped to host corporate events, rekindling his passion for performing and engaging with people. In 2012, when Sun Cellular was acquired by PLDT, Macky feared that his role would be made redundant. However, with his growing rapport with the HR team, he took the initiative to apply for an internal vacancy in the HR Department, confidently expressing his willingness to learn everything about the job. His energy and people skills eventually caught the attention of the HR team at Smart Communications, who welcomed him aboard the following year. This new role would become his most valuable training ground—shaping his professional path in ways he never anticipated.

On an ordinary workday in 2017, Macky’s father dropped him off at the bus terminal as usual. But before noon, a call from his mother shattered the routine—his father had suffered a stroke. He still recalls the feeling of floating, numb and anxious on his way to the hospital. As a nurse, this had always been his greatest fear: that one day, his own parents would become his patients. Thankfully, his father recovered after a week. However, when the family’s taxi business began to decline with the rise of ride-hailing apps like Grab and Uber, the stress took a toll on his father’s fragile health. On New Year’s Day 2018, he was hospitalized again. Macky, exhausted from work, decided to go home and rest—but soon after, a nurse called to say his father’s body had become half-paralyzed. Macky was consumed by guilt for not staying. From then on, throughout his father’s month-long therapy, he never left his side—sacrificing everything, even the career he loved.

From that point on, Macky’s priorities shifted—focused on finding a job with better pay and a location closer to home. Fortunately, he landed a position as a junior manager at the Penshoppe Group. But just as things seemed to settle, fate had other plans. In 2020, the pandemic shook the world. Because of his background in nursing, he was tasked to lead the company’s healthcare efforts—an unexpected but vital role. After the crisis subsided, he took time to reevaluate his goals and decided to resign. It was then that NLEX Corporation came calling. At first, he was hesitant—he had no experience in the tollway industry—but true to his nature, he boldly embraced the opportunity and took on the challenge with courage and determination.

Here at the tollways group, Macky found his love again—event organizing and hosting. He made crucial contributions to enhancing existing HR programs, bringing in his signature energy and creativity. His first major assignment was leading the MVP Olympics. Overseeing everything—from training and logistics to food and support systems—he managed the role with excellence, together with the whole HR team, event leads, players, immediate superiors, and his teammates Josh and April, ultimately securing a podium finish for MPTC. But more than just a win for the company, it was a personal victory for Macky. He witnessed a thriving culture of camaraderie and shared passion. He saw how the management balanced competitiveness with genuine support. And for him, it was never about exposure or recognition. It was about igniting the fire in every employee—the same way his own peers helped him rediscover and unleash his own.

So, what does it really take to stay true to oneself when life keeps pushing you out of course? For Macky, it took loss, detours, and moments of self-doubt—but through it all, he never let go of his joy, his purpose, and the quiet voice inside that told him who he really was. His journey isn’t about fame or titles—it’s about connections and the courage to follow his heart. In rediscovering his passion and helping others do the same, he proved that following your heart isn’t a luxury—it’s a strength. Because in a world that constantly asks you to change, staying true to yourself is the bravest thing you can ever do. Like a seed buried under the weight of storms, he didn’t wither—he bloomed. And in doing so, Macky didn’t just grow—he inspired an entire garden to rise with him.

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