03/09/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๏ธ
๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฅ๐: ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐
๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐ค๐จ
For others, people recognize him merely as the CSG Presidentโthe one who holds a title, speaks confidently before many people, and stands behind a microphone. But beyond the glitter and glamour that comes with that title, who really is Mark NielRago?
Not everyone knows that President Rago once stopped schooling. There was also a time when he would tremble and his voice would shake at the thought of speaking before a crowd. He worked multiple jobs, travelled to different places, lost someone dear to his heart, and eventually found his way back within the four walls of the classroom.
People may perceive him only as the CSG President, but behind the title is a dreamer, a loving son, a student who aspires for success, a good friend and peer, a brother, and someone who is fond of travelling and hiking. Above all, he is simply someone who enjoys life and finds happiness in lifeโs season.
Oftentimes, we overlook the fact that even a CSG President has a life beyond leadership. Like every other student, he has personal dreams, goals, interests, and hobbies. Yet most of the time, all people see is a person expected to carry the weight and responsibilities of serving and fostering the school community and student body.
Mark Niel Rago is a 28-year-old from Poblacion, Catarmanโhis motherโs hometown. A fourth year student, taking up a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), Major in English. He is one of six siblings and the eldest among the sons. Despite holding one of the most recognized positions among students, he describes himself as just like any other student. His family, especially his beloved mother, played a significant role in shaping the person he is today.
However, life took an unexpected turn when he lost his mother.
Losing someone dear does not only leave an absence; it leaves a mark that remains with a person forever. For Mark, losing his mother created a deep emptiness in his life. He had grown used to depending on her, and suddenly learning to live without her became one of the most difficult experiences he had to face.
Yet, through that loss, he discovered a strength he never knew existed
Following the loss of his mother, Mark had to stop schooling from around 2019 to 2023. During those years, life took him beyond the familiar walls of the classroom. He experienced working through his relatives. He travelled to different places and provinces, including Ilagan, Lanao, Surigao, Davao, and Bukidnon.
There, he worked as a field advertiser, promoting advertising items and meeting different people along the way. With that experience He also explored entrepreneurship by starting his own small business selling beauty products and other goods.
For years, he worked, travelled, and gained experiences outside of school. Yet despite having a job, travelling to different places, and running a small business, something inside him continued to call for more.
He found himself longing for something he could not fully name.
Little did he know that the answer to that lingering feeling was the place he had once left behind: school.
Eventually, Mark realized that one of his deepest desires was to continue his education. The dream he had temporarily set aside was still there, quietly waiting for him to return. And so, after years away from the classroom, he found his way back.
His experiences outside school and through the chances of the season of his life also taught him the importance of independence. He learned how to stand on his own, adapt to unfamiliar places, and meet people from different walks of life. These were things that once scared him, especially because he was naturally shy and often preferred being alone.
Socializing was not always easy for him. Speaking with others sometimes felt uncomfortable and standing in front of many people was something that could make him tremble.
But people have a way of changing us. And experiences have their own mysterious way of molding us.
His friends played an important role in helping him become more open and enjoy life to the fullest. Through them, he learned to find joy in connecting with people and stepping outside his comfort zone. Former CSG President Cendie Bucog, also continuously inspired and encouraged him to become more confident and to speak before many people. As they once shared the responsibility of being a leader. Cendie was the CSG President and Mark as a Vice president. One of the memorable experiences he had was with himโhe had a huge influence on Markโs confidence in talking, socialising and having joy in meeting people.
Slowly, the person who once struggled to socialize began to change.
The voice that once shook before a crowd gradually became more confident.
The person who once preferred staying within his comfort zone began exploring unfamiliar places.
The student who once stopped schooling eventually found his way back.
All these experiences shaped Mark Niell Rago into the person he is today. Losing his mother, working in unfamiliar places, travelling, meeting people he had never known before, and learning to speak before many others all contributed to his growth.
Each experience taught him something.
Each challenge changed him.
And each step outside his comfort zone helped him become stronger.
Behind the title of CSG President is someone who has experienced great loss and learned how to stand on his own feet. Someone who travelled from place to place for work, pursued opportunities, discovered independence, and still found himself longing to continue his education.
Behind the confident voice that now speaks before students is someone who once struggled with shyness. Is someone who preferred not socialising to others.
Behind the leader people see is a son who carries the memory of his mother, a brother, a friend, a dreamer, a traveller, and a student still pursuing his own dreams.
Mark Niel Rago now stand confidently before a crowd, with no trace of the hesitation that once made his voice shake. But perhaps that is what makes his story more deep, meaningful, and beautiful. His story is what makes him THE Mark Neil Rago he is today.
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๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Cendie, Jr. G. Bucog
๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Shane Izzy S. Labial
