Archival is Yahoo's Pitong Pinoy finalist

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival is among the finalists in Yahoo Philippines’ search for modern-day heroes dubbed as Pitong Pinoy.

As of 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Archival ranks third among 12 finalists.

The search is now on its second year. After a month-long search and careful screening of almost a hundred nominations from Filipinos all over the world, Archival was chosen as one of the 12 finalists.

The other contenders are Jerry Gumpad, Angelo Valencia, Gerry dela Zerna, Michael Bengwayan, Miguel Bermundo, Janella Lelis, Charito Chua, Josephine Erese, Gerry Gamez, Ted Ponferrada and Alvin Dakis.

Gumpad is on top of the online voting as of yesterday.

In a Yahoo! News Philippines article, Engr. Archival was chosen for his heroism in sending 40 to 80 children to school.

Archival supports his scholars with his own money and from a family-owned corporation.

Archival spent his salary as city councilor to sponsor scholarships and continued to support scholars even after leaving office.

He began this practice in 1998. This is to fulfill an election promise that if he is elected as barangay councilor in Talamban, his salary will be used to support poor students.

When he was elected as city councilor in 2001, he still spent his salary the same way until his term ended in 2010.

Archival helps less fortunate students by paying for bags, shoes, uniforms, as well as giving them a weekly allowance that usually means shelling out from P7,000 to P10,000 a week.

His scholars have to attend classes at his Archival Eco-House during the weekends, where they are taught catechism, music, and care for the environment.

A scholar is required to learn to read notes and play music in order to stay in his scholarship program.

“Music is the common language. It teaches them to be in harmony. It’s a way of uniting them,” Archival says, explaining that it is easier to teach the value of working together through music because it is easy to notice when someone is out of tune or out of time.

His “adopted” children serve as the choir for the barangay’s Sunday mass.     - THE FREEMAN