Twenty-seven-year-old Mark Jaison N. Bustarde works as a professional senior hairstylist. Aside from that, he's also a father and keeps himself busy vlogging and sharing informative hair care tips on TikTok.
But Mark was looking for something more, he wanted to find his purpose and he was able to find it last December 25, 2020 when he decided to give free haircuts to homeless people. But that Christmas day wasn't just about him going out and giving free haircuts all by himself, he dreams of a bigger goal—a salon bus with staff that will offer free haircuts to those in need. "When I do get to monetized my YouTube channel or when someone helps me with raising funds (Kapag na monitized na ang aking youtube channel or pag may tumulong nag fund)," Mark tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle about reaching his goal.
"I want to thank the hair industry. This is where I learned to cut hair. I made this video so that there will be more people who will be inspired, that you don't have to be rich to help. This is my way of helping with my limited resources for now," he posted on his Facebook page. He also thanked everyone who supports his social media accounts, and he hopes that he will be able to monetize his accounts so that he can raise funds to build his dream faster.
Mark also told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle that he gives free haircuts every Tuesday on his rest days. He refers to this as his "mission day." With the pandemic still ongoing, he also shared that he is very careful when it comes to sanitizing his haircutting tools.
He also takes a shower before going home to his family—a five-year-old daughter and his pregnant wife. When asked how his wife feels, his answer, "She supports me, but safety first, of course."
When asked what keeps him going in fulfilling this advocacy, he says it gives him purpose. Words such as "Salamat ang bait mo, sana marami ka pang matulungan" also anchors him and reaffirms his purpose in life.