Obituary of Marcos Aquino Dela Cruz

Marcos was born in Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines on March 12, 1952. Marc was the third of seven children and grew up in Concepcion, Tarlac with his six siblings. While he was fondly called Marc by his friends, he always went by his endearing nickname Pao by family members. He studied elementary school at Holy Spirit Academy, and at Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. National High School. At age 12, he graduated from 6th Grade, and in June 1963 he briefly entered Christ the King Seminary. As have most boys, Marc had an energetic spirit, had a colorful childhood, was adventurous, and got into mischief. He skipped classes, got bored in school, but he was a brilliant student and pursued his interests with unrelenting passion. In 1967, he relocated up north to Baguio City to study Civil Engineering at Baguio Colleges Foundation. The entire family eventually moved to Baguio City where he helped in the family business, raising poultry and delivering produce to the marketplace. He got into motorcycles and dirt bikes. He spearheaded the development of a motocross racetrack in Long Long, Benguet, Mt. Province and organized both local and national competitions, on top of pioneering new dirt bike trails in the surrounding mountains. He traveled all over the country with his friends on their bikes including the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao Province. Marc came to the United States in October 1986. His first job was in wood framing in a small shop in downtown Houston, Texas. He then worked as a hotel manager in a small Texas family-owned business in Conroe, before going back home to the Philippines for a visit in 1989. After a devastating earthquake hit Baguio City in July 1990, he decided to migrate to the United States for good. This time, he stayed with his brother and family in Indiana before finally relocating to California in 1994. He pursued his interest in one day hitting the lottery jackpot. He used his hands doing landscaping, and his talent designing landscapes for family and friends. He loved fast cars. Marc lived his life according to his own values, beliefs, and political convictions, rather than conforming to societal expectations. He was his own individual person, expressed himself in the perfect projects and creations he mustered. Marc was industrious, helpful, neat, meticulous, and detail oriented. He could not stand clutter and mess. He was known to be frugal but very few knew of his generous heart. When it came to gift- giving, especially for his loved ones, he had no limits. He was very proud of his nephews’ and nieces' accomplishments and milestones, and he encouraged them to focus on their goals and achievements. He shared similar musical interests and intellectual pursuits. Despite his struggles with kidney disease, its complications, and hemodialysis in the past decade, he continued to have a zest for life. His strong will to live, a whole lot of dreams, plans, and goals in his life, were mainly aimed at providing for his siblings and family. Marc was preceded in death by his parents, Honorio Dela Cruz, Sr. and Demetria Aquino Dela Cruz. He is survived by his two brothers, Justiniano and Honorio, Jr., and four sisters, Asteria, Iluminada, Ofelia, and Teresa, his siblings in-law, Pacifico Descallar, Edna Sales Dela Cruz, Edith Dimaano dela Cruz, Renato Castillo, Jr., and Gilbert Gabat, his nephews Timothy and Kristofer Castillo, and Michael Gabat, his nieces, Kristine Morris, Kamillah Burrows, and Johanna Descallar, his nephews-in law, Ivan Morris, and Joseph Burrows, and his grand nieces, Sydney, Ava, and Isabella Morris, Elizabeth, and Katherine Burrows. Everyone will miss him dearly but will continue to keep his memory alive and know that his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved him. Eternal rest grant unto his soul, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Rest in peace, Marc.