I had one of those “stop the clock” moments today. My son’s school held a Grade 7 Career Symposium, and honestly? I’m still reeling. Talaga ba? Are we actually at this point already? I look at him now—with the height, the changing voice, and the facial hair that’s been sprouting since May last year—and I’m in total denial. Somewhere between the lockdowns and moving to “big school”, that clingy baby disappeared.
When I asked him how the symposium went, I expected a deep takeaway about his future. Instead, he looked at me and said the only thing he really remembers are the 6-digit tuition fees from the “Big 4” unis! But, being the athlete that he is, he quickly added that he’s not worried because he can just get a sports scholarship. I love the confidence, even if the thought of thinking of those fees gave me a minor heart attack!
The Evolution: From Coco to Marcus
It’s fascinating (and a little heartbreaking) to see how much he has changed.
The “Coco” Days: Pre-pandemic, he was all about the spotlight. He enjoyed modeling, dabbled a little in acting, and was always “playing” his guitar or singing. Back then, he dreamed of being a famous musician or a film director. The “Marcus” Era: Now that he’s been “shoved” into the real world, those stage dreams have taken a backseat. Never will be found for life, he says. Today, he’s a football boy through and through. He wants to play professionally and is already eyeing schools like Ateneo or staying at San Beda. But his big dream? Studying in the UK.
The Tug-of-War: Mom’s Dreams vs. His Reality
I’ll be honest—I have my own selfish dreams for him. I want him to go to the UK too, partly because it’s the dream I never got to achieve for myself. I also imagine him as a flight attendant, traveling the globe and getting to cities where F1 races and FIFA matches are just a hop away. He could easily go to the world’s biggest sporting events and, of course, bring us along for the ride! As for the football? I’m not entirely sold on a pro-athlete career, but the entrepreneur in me sees a vision. I’d love to help him start a football center or a sports-related business. I want him to do what I’m doing—be his own boss—while pursuing his passion. But I know the reality. We aren’t “easy money” rich, and as I struggle through the hurdles of opening my own business, I know it takes more than just a dream.
Breaking the Cycle
The most important thing to me isn’t the title on his business card; it’s the voice he has in his own life. Looking back at my own journey, I didn’t have a voice to decide for myself, and because of that, I still find myself having “what if” talks with my mom even now. I don’t want that for Marcus. Where decisions were once made for me, he will make his own decisions with our full support. He will decide his own fate and his own life, and no matter what path he chooses, I will be his #1 cheerleader.
He’s recently shown interest in Sports and Wellness Management at San Beda after seeing it on social media. Whether he pursues that, becomes a flight attendant, runs a football center, or get into a corpo job in London, his Dada and I will be there to provide for that future. I want to make sure he never looks back with the same regrets I carry.
Even as I write this, I’m looking at him and searching for that little boy who used to carry Woody around. Now he’s talking about college courses and international applications, even just for a day. I know it’s part of life. I know it’s a beautiful progression. But still… I simply cannot comprehend that we are already at this point.
WanderWoMom 