Teen eyed as Quezon City hero

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City councilor wants to give a teenager who died while rescuing neighbors from the floodwaters brought by tropical storm “Ondoy” the honor of being one of the city’s “young heroes.”

District 2 Councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo, in a resolution, urged Mayor Herbert Bautista to recognize Muelmar “Toto” Magallanes as one of Quezon City’s heroes.

“Toto Magallanes courageously saved many lives without hesitation, a selfless act of a person – so young at 18 years and yet so rare in our times,” she said.

Castelo said Time magazine had already recognized Magallanes as one of its Top 10 Heroes of 2009 for his heroism during the storm.

Magallanes was able to bring seven families and 18 children in Barangay Bagong Silangan to safety before the floodwaters carried him away on Sept. 26, 2009. His body was found the next day, covered in mud.