Heroes are ordinary people who go the extra mile and do extraordinary deeds for others.
This year, there are seven modern-day Filipino heroes whose striking stories on sharing their talent and blessings to the less fortunate truly encapsulate the essence of the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards, the annual search honoring ordinary Filipinos who make a difference in their communities.
Meet SJ03 Armando Mapola of Odiongan Romblon, a jail officer who inspires prisoners that life goes on even behind bars. Armando is the winner in the National Individual category of the Bayaning Pilipino Awards for being the founder of a livelihood training program for inmates. Aside from this empowering program, Armando even organized a fun run to raise funds for Yolanda survivors in Romblon with the theme Takbo Para Sa Mga Biktima ng Bagyong Yolanda.
Special awardee Hildegonda del Mundo of Batangas showed that physical limitations can never be a hindrance in extending help to others. Although Hildegonda is blind, she serves as a shining inspiration to fellow specially-abled individuals by being a Special Education (SPED) teacher in a SPED school in Alitagtag, Batangas.
From Davao City, Benjelita Batao was recognized as the national winner in the Teacher category of the Bayaning Pilipino Awards. She teaches at the Tagasan elementary school, which is located up in the mountains where she has to cross rivers before reaching her students.
Because of her incredible dedication to transform the lives of children, she only sees her family once or twice because she devotes her weekends to teach Manobo parents on effective parenting with Christ.
Even in other parts of the world, modern-day Filipino heroes are making an impact in the lives of others.
Bayaning Pilipino sa Asya Pasipiko Saturnino Tiamson Jr., who is based in Hong Kong, organizes free one-day music workshops for the youth when he visits the country during his annual vacations twice a year. Through his own resources, Saturnino has successfully spearheaded music workshops attended by around 70 youth participants in Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Manila.
Saturnino also gives personal tutorials via Saturn free music online using Skype, Facebook and Facetime. His students come from the Philippines, Hong Kong and Brunei, among others. He also holds free musical and percussion workshops, and gives free consultancy to the Mindanao Hong Kong workers federation drum and lyre (MINFED band) composed of OFWs.
Lourdes Levi, this year’s Bayaning Pilipino sa Israel, serves as a humanitarian leader among OFWs in Israel. She gives assistance via her organization called Kalipunan ng Lakas at Adhikain (KALAHI) to OFWs who have experienced injustice and who are in dire need of medical assistance.
Meanwhile, Rita Kita the Bayaning Pilipino sa Japan, shares her time and touches the hearts of Filipino women who have fallen prey to domestic violence, labor problems and immigration issues. As a volunteer counselor of Kafin Migrant Center (KMC), she plays the role of a trainer in many KMC events that teaches Filipinas on how to conquer challenges as migrants.
Bayaning Pilipino Awards also recognized a Filipino family who has directed its efforts to be of service to others.
The Cardente family, the national winner in the family category, is active in raising funds to build dormitories called the “Yellow Dorm” for boys in the town of Kabasalan in Zamboanga, Sibugay for students who live in the mountains and need to walk six to 10 hours before they reach their school.
Through their efforts, they have also successfully founded Hope for Paddlers: Sibugay Funds for Little Kids, where they have been allocating funds to students for their school needs and have given out scholarships for deserving students with the help of various foundations including Yellow Boat of Hope.
“We have to tell your story to the world so that all men will be inspired and encouraged to live a life like yours,” said ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III during the awarding ceremony.
Fuelled with inspiration from the amazing stories of humanitarianism and determination to public service, he also stressed that the country’s step towards progress also lies in the hands of Filipino everyday heroes. He remarked, “To our heroes, you are the true treasure of our country.”
Kapamilya stars also graced the event to pay a fitting tribute to the awardees, including Gary Valenciano, Yeng Constantino and husband Yan Asuncion, Karylle and Yael Yuzon, The Voice Kids Lyca Gairanod, Elha Nympha, Esang de Torres and Reynan Dal-Anay, Kyla, Nina and Paolo Santos. It was hosted by Robi Domingo, Gretchen Ho and Atom Araullo.
The Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards was launched in 1995 to pay tribute to ordinary Filipinos who do extraordinary heroic acts of kindness towards others. It was envisioned by the late Don Eugenio Lopez Jr., with the help of Fr. Nilo Tanalega, S.J., project director of UGAT Foundation, Inc., as a yearly affair to recognize modern-day Filipino heroes.