Coach Mark “The Machine” Sangiao founded Team Lakay in 2004, and came into the waves of existence in 2006. He is a positive person and everything he does, he does it by heart. Perhaps this is the reason why Team Lakay now is world class.
Coach Mark began his journey via Kickboxing in 1995. Then, he moved to Taekwondo at 1998, and then made it to the varsity Wushu Squad at BCF (Baguio Colleges Foundation), which was later renamed as UC (University of the Cordilleras).
He won national titles, joined the Philippine Wushu Team in 2001 and won a gold medal at the SEA Games that same year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
When the team grew in numbers, Coach Mark decided to focus on managing the team and began coaching the members. His intention was evident: To further cultivate the talent of his teammates, one of them is Eduard Folayang, and develop the best talents in the region.
“I never, never foresaw that it would become like this. Now, we are dominating the national MMA scene in the Philippines. Then, along came the international promotions and the biggest promotion in Asia, ONE Championship.”
The influence of Coach Mark was not only in the field of the mixed martial arts scene, but also as a father figure to the new bloods / talents of Team Lakay. His guidance developed discipline among the members and both mental health and confidence was built among them.
“I am very happy seeing that they are succeeding in their fighting career and in their studies,” he says of his students. “That is why maybe they treat me as their second father — I am also concerned with their futures. That is what I love. I love what I am doing.”
Facts about Coach Mark “The Machine” Sangiao
House Tour to Coach Mark’s House:
Coach Mark “The Machine” Sangiao talks about how Team Lakay was formed.
Sources:
Team Lakay Miles
One Championship
www.bjpenn.com, Tom Taylor
