More Modern-Day Heroes
While our past became rich and
meaningful because of the efforts and bravery of notable men and women,
so is our present. We may not have the same wars and revolutions of the
olden times but our present time is faced with equally challenging
battles - against discord, poverty, sickness.
As you inspire
your students with the heroic efforts of our ancestors, let them learn
also about the efforts of modern day individuals who, in their own way,
helped address (and still continuing to do so) some of our nation's
problems and concerns.
Below are just a few of the many inspiring individuals worthy also of our acknowledgment and respect:
Efren G. Penaflorida Jr.
– He is an adviser of a youth aid group named Dynamic Teen Company
(DTC), aimed at reaching out and helping impoverished and troubled
children. Kuya Ef, as he is fondly called, has established the group
himself since he was in high school and has been striving at improving
the state of the distressed youths of our nation ever since.1
Larry D. Itliong
– Through self education, he became the United States labor leader in
1929. Aside from that, he worked and got involved in unions causes in
both the states of Alaska and California. Through his commitment and
hardwork, he founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in California. OFWs
still reap the benefits of his advancements in labor union even up to
this day.2
Lt. Col. Martin Pinto –
He is the commanding officer of the 46th Marine Battalion deployed to
poverty-stricken areas in Cebu during the Asean Summit. While he was
there, he utilized available manpower and resources, and set up
medical-dental missions to reach out to Cebu’s marginalized barangays.3
Roberto E. Aboitiz
– He is the president of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), a
non-profit, non-stock organization owned by the Aboitiz family
dedicated to uplifting the state of communities of this country in need
of aid. Through his organization, he provided the Missionaries of the
Poor community a four-million peso financial grant to build the Little
Lamb Center in Sawang Calero (Cebu). The Little Lamb Center serves as a
home for the abandoned, homeless mentally challenged and
physically-handicapped children.4
May your students be inspired to follow their footsteps.
Sources:
1 Global Youth Awards: Efren G. Penaflorida, Jr. A Modern Day Young Filipino Hero (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, ’07 from
http://www.globalyouth.net/humanos/efren-g.-penaflorida-jr.-a-modern-day-young-filipino-hero.html
2OFWs unsung hero. (n.d). Retrieved August 31, ’07 from
http://www.ilsdole.gov.ph/mirc/mig_hero.htm
3 Mission Impossible by Marit Stimus – Remonde: Heroes Walk among Us. December 26, 2006, Retrieved August 30, ’07 from
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/dec/26/yehey/opinion/20061226opi3.html
4 Rafi grants P4M to missionaries Saturday. March 05, 2005.Retrieved August 31, 2007 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/03/05/life/rafi.grants.p4m.to.missionaries..html
