Making us see the power of compassion and selflessness

No one is born a hero. But everyone has the innate potential to be one. Such an esteemed label is not a birthright. Going through a special workshop or boot camp with laid-out course outlines, or signing up to an exclusive apprenticeship does not guarantee one will acquire it. These ordinary individuals doing extraordinary work are molded and crafted by going through life wearing lenses that are not afraid to see; lenses that are continually immersed, polished, stained, finally revealing a view typical of heroes — a view that paves the way for others too see.

Yes, by letting themselves become absorbed in the very reality they are in, no matter what the circumstances may be, ordinary folks are reborn as heroes. This is exactly what the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards has witnessed over the past years — an overwhelming number of unsung Filipinos, here and abroad, adopting the very lenses accorded to heroes. They are those who quietly live out a passion, perhaps unknown to them, and serve as an extraordinary wellspring of inspiration to so many people.

For perspective, the Bayaning Pilipino Awards was first launched in 1994 in partnership with the Ugnayan at Tulong Para sa Maralitang Pamilya (UGAT) Foundation, Inc. headed by Fr. Nilo Tanalega, SJ. The main focus of the award is to give recognition to struggling Filipinos who in spite of their own difficulties and shortcomings still manage to rise and emerge as role models in their communities. UGAT Foundation with its many network groups takes care of the promotions and screening while the ABS-CBN manages the funds and media production.

There is never a dearth of unsung heroes year after year. It was in 2000 that its name was aptly bylined the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr., after Eugenio “Geny’ Lopez Jr., whose legacy of simplicity and heroism still lives on in the hearts of many Filipinos. The vision lives on. At present, it continues to search for these noble heroes under the following categories: Individual, Family, Teacher, Institution and Youth. It also reaches out to individuals abroad like the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the USA.

The year 2009 has definitely been a moving showcase of Filipino heroism in its many multifaceted forms. Take Manny Pacquiao and Efren Peñaflorida: their exemplary feats prove that any of us can see beyond the daunting confines of any situation and creatively rise up to show remarkable courage, resilience and dedication. Taking after such stellar Filipino names, the 2010 version of the Bayaning Pilipino Awards was recently launched, aimed at bringing to the fore a fresh roster of equally stellar faces whose emergence can provide a reassurance that we do live in a nation brimming with real heroes.

The kick-off was done with a little twist by giving recognition to individuals — Mga Napapanahong Bayani — who have emerged as heroes because of their response to the tragedy and devastation that typhoon Ondoy wrought upon us, and honoring Efren Peñaflorida, a 2007 Bayaning Pilipino awardee, who was lately named CNN’s Hero of the Year.

We Need a Hero

The common definitions of “hero” describe a person of great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits and achievements, and sometimes, one who makes the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for others. True, all these describe what we use as a standard to determine who our heroes are. But we can add another standard which is the root of all other characteristics of heroism — a person of extraordinary goodness. Meet some of them.

• Rommel Mendoza. Without fear he went against rampaging floodwaters to bring victims to higher grounds. He was offered payment for his selfless act, which he vehemently refused believing that help should be given freely to those who are put in dangerous circumstances. For Mendoza, a San Mateo, Rizal resident, heroism carries no monetary value.

• Roger Cabaliw. He didn’t mind the hunger, the cold waters, the wounds in his feet and even the destruction within his own house in San Mateo, Rizal as he performed what, at that time, he believed had to be done. Two weeks after the tragedy his own life was snatched by leptospyrosis. He may not be with us now but the memory of his heroism stays in the hearts of many whose lives he saved.  

• Vicente Ordoyo. Fifty senior citizens were trapped inside an old church in Provident Village, Marikina City and it took his courage and presence of mind to bring them to safety. He mustered enough strength and, using a rope, he climbed the church’s rooftop, bore a hole through and led the old folks away from the fast-rising floodwaters.

• Muelmar Magallanes. An eighteen-year-old resident of Barangay Bagong Silangan, he demonstrated his daring by saving 30 neighbors. In the process he lost his own life. A true inspiration to his family and his community, Muelmar’s response to the devastation and tragedy wrought by Ondoy was undoubtedly heroic.

• Matthew Galang. A rope, an inflatable raft and three empty mineral water containers. With the use of these implements, he brought about 60 people in Sta. Cecilia in San Mateo, Rizal out of harm’s way.

• Catalino Mercado, Jr. His balsa (floater) made of banana tree trunks and wood, which he built in a hurry, allowed him to rush to an area in Rodriguez, Rizal where a number of people, mostly children, need to be evacuated. Catalino braved the rampaging floodwaters, reached the scene in the nick of time and quickly transported the endangered fellows to a more secure haven.

• Carlito Pabon. His own house was already under floodwater when he came home from work, but this didn’t prevent him from doing good to others. He put together a makeshift floater and courageously swam back and forth to rescue about 50 neighbors in Montalban, Rizal, including babies and young kids.

• Joseph and Joel Salvaria. They are blood brothers and are both working as repairmen in two different locations. Joseph and Joel responded quickly to the call for assistance, and without trepidation, joined in the rescue operations. Their remarkable act of kindness served as a source of inspiration to a multitude wanting to make a difference.

• Rosalyn Alberta. Would you offer your fully loaded cell phone to people you don’t know so they could text or call? Rosalyn, the only female awardee on our list, did. In an emergency situation, she made the power of SMM available to those who needed to connect to their families as they were trapped in a mall and all phone lines had gone kaput. Her act may seem ordinary, but you can’t discount the extraordinary impact it had on the connected individuals. She also distributed water from her own refilling station to neighbors in Cainta, Rizal who required potable water supply.

• Eric Boquiron. One of the stark images during the height of Ondoy’s wrath was a group of people in a rough-and-ready raft built by Eric and friends and family members, made of a mixture of galvanized iron rooftops, empty water containers, and tree trunks sailing fast and bumpy over churning floodwaters. The improvised vessel navigated swiftly, hoping to land in a more secure spot. But as misfortune would have it, the crude raft bumped into the foot of a bridge, entangling the raft and ending the push to safety. Eric survived; his wife and two daughters did not.

Through our Ondoy heroes’ acts of goodness, and whether we are the direct recipients or merely observers of their acts, we are brought in touch with our innate altruism and are moved to become kinder, better Filipinos. Situations will change, the degree of hardship will vary, but the constant will always remain the goodness in their hearts. We must thank them for giving us hope and making us see the silent yet daring power of determination, compassion and sheer selflessness that can help spur change within the very core of our society.

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