Marlo Mortel explains his reason for studying neuroscience

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Marlo Mortel explains his reason for studying neuroscience

Ann Manhit

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“I didn’t graduate.” admitted ILY 1000’s Marlo Mortel. “But I really want to study. Gusto ko pa ring matuto.”

Marlo was already in his fourth year of college, taking up Business Administration, major in Marketing, when he had to stop studying in order to attend to his family’s needs.

“Naging breadwinner ako ng family ,” he explained. “Ako talaga ang nag-sustain sa buong pamilya namin for the past decade.”

It was no secret how Marlo struggled these past years, especially because of the loss of his mother a few years ago. In 2017, Marlo staged a benefit concert entitled Songs for Mama to help support the piling expenses of his mom, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. All his savings and earnings went to her hospital bills, especially as the cancer progressed and complications arose. It was in 2018 when Marlo’s mom passed away, finally succumbing to stage four breast cancer. 

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By the time Marlo could manage to return to school, he found out that the system changed and he could no longer continue where he left off. 

“Nag-change daw ‘yung curriculum noong 2016 so I couldn’t go back to my previous school,” he said. 

Despite this, Marlo was thirsty for knowledge, and he gravitated towards the study of human psychology and mental health.

“One thing I’ve learned is may stigma pa rin talaga sa Pilipinas when it comes to mental health,” he shared. 

Marlo admitted that his interest was also brought about the fact that he has experienced mental health concerns first-hand. 

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“Nagka-anxiety ako ng matindi noong pandemic,” Marlo revealed. “I actually left Star Magic, I left Knowledge Channel… marami akong iniwan kasi hindi makapag-function ‘yung katawan ko because of my brain.”

What made things worse at that time was that he didn’t really understand or name what he was going through. 

“I didn’t know what was happening to me. ‘Yun pala anxiety,” he said.

Marlo pushed himself to find ways to cope, and one way of doing that was to find out more about his condition. 

“I had to help myself. I had to find something that would help me maintain my sanity. I wanted to find out the scientific facts behind what was happening to me,” he said. 

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Marlo revealed that, over the pandemic, he actually attended online classes from Harvard and accomplished two certificate courses on neuroscience. 

“Natutunan ko na it was just really the chemical imbalances, the traumas of a kid,” he shared. “Na-cripple man ako, ang gusto ko ay matuto sa akin ‘yung mga tao at matuto din ako sa mga experiences nila.”

Things have been looking up for Marlo. Aside from an active career, he has also been granted a second shot at pursuing a college degree, and he is excited to be back in the classroom this school year.

“With the help of Star Magic, I now have a scholarship in Enderun,” Marlo happily shared. “I’m very grateful sa partnership na ‘yun at napili ako to be one of the scholars.”

Marlo will soon be pursuing a degree in Multimedia Arts, concentrating on Film and Animation.

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Aside from being part of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, Marlo is also back on Knowledge Channel in the show ILY 1000, alongside co-star Majoy Apostol. The two Kapamilya stars play a young couple about to start a family, and they prepare for their child’s first 1,000 days by getting information on health, nutrition, and early childhood care and development from experts. The 16-episode show began airing on February 14, 2023 and will be shown on all social media platforms of the National Nutrition Council and Knowledge Channel.

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