[1] Mariano's first experience with art was at four years old, when a cousin taught him how to draw simple shapes.
He and his brother, Jonathan Ching, who would also grow up to become an artist, spent most of their time inside drawing instead of playing outside.
Mariano was greatly influenced by the anime Mazinger Z and Voltes V which were widely popular during his youth.
While he was an engineering student at the University of the Philippines, Mariano also enrolled in a lot of art workshops to hone his skills.
He was on his fourth year in engineering when he attended an art workshop headed by Elemer Borogan and Gina Morales.
His illustration work for the book entitled Mayroon Akong Alagang Puno won the Alcala Illustrators' Prize, the grand prize awarded by the Philippine Board on Books For Young People (PBBY), a nonprofit and non-governmental organization committed to the development of children's literature in the Philippines.
[3] The award included a cash prize of P25,000.00, a gold medal, and an opportunity for the book to be published.
[5] [right side table style with following input lower part] Cover Illustration for Bakit Matagal ang Sundo Ko?"
[6] In 2006, Mariano Ching received the Thirteen Artist Award given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).