Awards for modern heroes

MANILA, Philippines - A Davao policeman, a recycling artist and a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who founded a skills-training program are the first-ever Cobra Energy Drink Pinoy Heroes. These men rose above all odds to help others build a better tomorrow. The three grand prize winners of the Cobra Pinoy Hero Awards received special trophies and P100,000 each in cash. They were selected from over 2,000 inspiring stories submitted nationwide.

Leonilo Beltran, former OFW engineer in Saipan, volunteered to teach Bilibid inmates a trade on his return and was inspired to find the Skills Caravan, teaching jobless adults in far-flung barangays a trade.

P/Supt. Dionisio Abude of Davao City set up a youth camp to teach basic values for “troubled youth.” Some 52 youth have been rehabilitated through this program which is now recognized by TESDA.

Mark David Cerezo of Marikina is known as “Rubberman” for creating ingenious toys, sculptures and Christmas decorations from recycled rubber soles donated by the shoemakers of his hometown.

Also present were Efren Peñaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year; Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga; and Maj. Gen. Renato Garcia, executive director of the Help Educate and Rear Orphans (HERO) Foundation, to which Cobra Energy Drink has committed sizable donations over the next five years.

Abe Cipriano, Asia Brewery marketing manager, said: “Ginawa namin ang kampanyang Cobra Mga Kwentong Tunay na Lakas dahil naniniwala kami sa tunay na lakas ng Pilipino. The campaign is our way of taking a step towards nation-building to inspire Filipinos to be everyday heroes.”

Jef Mendoza, Cobra brand manager, added: “With this tremendous response from Luzon to Mindanao, it was only fitting that Cobra pays tribute to the men who inspire us to become better as a nation.”