BEYOND being a top athlete, Mark Barroca is also a hands-on family man to his wife Ruselle, and children, Natalie and Nathan.
Part of his motivation is to have his kids experience a childhood much better than his.
Now one of the most established guards in the PBA, the 34-year-old Magnolia playmaker traveled far for his dreams, leaving the impoverished town of Recodo in the Zamboanga region at an early age to try his luck in the Big City.
Barroca was never embarrassed about the fact that he had to endure a tough childhood after losing his father an age 8, forcing Andy Mark - the only boy and the youngest in a brood of five - to help bring food to the table.
“Grade Two ako nung namatay ang tatay ko, kaya maaga kaming naulila ng mga kapatid ko," he told SPIN Life. "After school noon, nagtatrabaho ako, naglalako ako ng kangkong, tapos ng mga panggatong, kinukuha namin yon, tapos sako-sako nabebenta. Tapos ‘yung kita, pinambibili ko ng ulam namin para sa araw na ‘yon."
He added: ‘Pag Sabado’t Linggo, walang klase kaya dun kami bumabawi."

That hard life forged the resilience that has since burned inside the 5-foot-10 guard, who braved every hurdle that stood between him and his dream of a better life.
As a kid, Barroca found a way to continue his education by joining the track and field team just to get a scholarship.
“Matagal na ‘ko interesado sa basketball syempre. Nakahiligan ko na ‘yan bata pa ako, ‘yung tatay ko nung buhay pa sinasama ako sa panonood ng mga liga. Pero, ang habol ko lang dati makapag-aral," Barroca said.
"Eh yung takbo, individual ‘yan eh, alam ko kaya ko. Tsaka maliliit kami dati kaya sabi ko, 'Ah wala talaga akong future sa basketball,'” he said.
From third grade in elementary to fourth year high school, Mark was a consistent scholar and varsity member of the athletics team.
Entering high school, his sisters managed to find a job overseas and worked as OFWs to provide for their family. But even then, he could recall a couple of times when the family couldn’t pay the bills on time.
He shared: “Minsan kanin lang pagkain namin, walang ulam, pero okay na. Tapos madalas kami napuputulan ng kuryente. Ang tubig naman namin, igib-igib na lang.”

When he enrolled at the University of Zamboanga, he tried his luck at basketball. Their team competed in the Palarong Pambansa and he recalled having an impressive performance, enough to get the attention of Far Eastern University.
That’s where his unexpected basketball journey began.
His first few years in the UAAP were promising, but as he got mixed up in an alleged game-fixing issue in 2009, Barroca’s collegiate career took a strange turn. He has denied all allegations and stood his ground to his day.
It was in this dark chapter of his life that he met the love of his life, Ruselle Alinea.
“Si Ruselle, siya talaga ‘yung may pinakamalaking impact sa buhay ko. Sa mga oras na hirap na hirap na ‘ko, siya lang makakapitan ko," he shared. "Supportive ‘yan sa akin. Malaking factor din na ang center ng relationship namin is a strong faith."

Just when his basketball career looked over, Barroca's prayers were answered. He got a call-up to be part of the first-ever Gilas pool put together by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. That raised his profile ahead of the 2011 PBA draft, where he was drafted fifth overall by Shopinas before being traded to B-Meg (now Magnolia).
Six years later, Barroca enjoys success he never even imagined possible.
Barroca has now won six PBA championships, including a historic grand slam in 2014. He has won two Finals MVP awards and seven All-Star appearances. He became a member of the Mythical Team, Second Team and All-Defensive Team and, just last year, made a sentimental return to the national team.
All this time, Barroca remained humble and true to his roots. And he's so devoted to family, making sure to be a hands-on dad and partner to Ruselle, especially during the quarantine period.

“Ngayon nga, may online classes ang anak ko, kaya ako gigising nang maaga. Papaliguan ko siya, pakakainin, at sasamahan sa classes niya. Ito'ng way, kahit papaano na natutulungan ko si Ruselle," he said. "Syempre buong magdamag na pagod ‘yan sa pag-aalaga kay baby Nathan, kaya bigay ko na sa kanya ‘yung tulog."
And his haters? He has learned to roll with the punches.
“Hindi natin maiiwasan na magkaroon ng opinion ang ibang tao. Part na ‘yon ng career na ‘to. Pero ang sa amin, hindi namin siniseryoso. Hindi naman nila kami nakikita kung paano kami sa bahay,” the tough Magnolia Hotshots guard said.
But the truth is, nothing fazes this guy anymore. Not trolls, not a bad game, not a tough loss. He will always be thankful, for he considers himself blessed.
"Minsan ‘pag talo kami, tinatanong ako, ‘Bakit nakangiti at masaya ka pa rin?' Sa loob ko, laro lang ‘yan, maraming dahilan para maging thankful pa rin,” he said. “Nakangiti ako kasi masaya ako sa ginagawa ko simula’t sa huli.
"Kung ano ako noon, hindi ako iba, ‘yun pa rin ako.”
Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph