Modern-day heroes honored in ABS-CBN’s Bayaning Pilipino Awards

Heroes are the brave at heart who dedicate their lives to serve others. These Filipinos have redefined the concept of herosim. ABS-CBN’s Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards honor their extraordinary deeds annually as envisioned by the late Eugenio Lopez Jr. with the help of Fr. Nilo Tanalega SJ, executive director of UGAT Foundation Inc.

This year’s Bayaning Pilipino winner, Fructuosa Alma “Neneng” Olivo, is a social worker who has provided education to the Badjao community in far-flung communities in Davao City for the past three decades despite meager resources.

Ate Neneng, as Badjaos fondly call her, spearheaded the building of learning centers in the Badjao community just by raising funds from donors who believed in her advocacy. Her perseverance has paid off as the center has produced elementary and high school graduates through the years.

Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino awardee John Mark Odani’s heroic story is no different. His passion to serve the T’boli community in a remote barangay in Sarangani tested his determination.

Mark, a licensed midwife, would trek mountains and cross rivers for hours just to reach Brgy. Batian so he can give T’bolis access to healthcare like immunization, pre-natal check-ups, family planning consultations and basic medical treatments to common illnesses. Mark even pushed himself to learn the T’boli native language so he can better understand the community — an indication of his strong commitment to public service.

Modern-day Filipino heroes are also making a difference overseas.

Over in Canada, Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino North America awardee Loizza Aquino is the epitome of how millennials can be heroes in their own way. Loizza has devoted her time to fight the stigma surrounding mental illnesses through her organization, Peace of Mind 204.

Under Loizza’s leadership, Peace of Mind 204 has successfully mounted events that aim to raise awareness on mental illnesses. Her worthy cause has also captured the hearts of many people who have pledged their support as volunteers.

Meanwhile in Asia, this year’s Bayaning Pilipino South Korea winner is an advocate of several issues including labor abuse, inequality and migration problems.

Katherine Corteza arrived in South Korea as an exchange student from UP who later on served multicultural communities in Korea that need assistance using her knowledge from her graduate degree in Sociology. She also actively volunteers for 601 Habit, an organization composed of women who help Filipinos adjust to Korean culture.

In the Middle East, Bayaning Pilipino Qatar awardee Noli Perez is also a fighter against labor inequality. Noli placed his life in danger several times to save his fellow OFWs who have fallen victims to labor problems, including Filipinos who were deceived by local agencies in the Philippines.

 To protect his identity, Noli used the pseudonym “Veranon” whenever he rendered his duty to help fellow migrants who suffered from abuse and horror in Qatar. He also welcomed OFWs who have fallen prey to labor inequality in his home.

Besides individuals, this year’s Bayaning Pilipino also recognized the social impact of organizations.

In the Philippines, Psoriasis Philippines Online Community, Inc. was hailed as the Bayaning Samahang Pilipino winner for helping people diagnosed with psoriasis by providing access to free laboratory tests, consultations and free medicine, among others. The organization has also helped psoariasis patients cope with their illness through proper education such as ways on how patients can manage their lives, while coping with psoriasis.

Meanwhile in the States, Building Lives for a Better Future, a non-profit organization that gives financial assistance to less fortunate students in the Philippines, was named Bayaning Samahang Pilipino North America-Country winner.

Although the organization is based in San Diego, members find time to hold fundraising events to offer financial support to their beneficiaries in the Philippines. Their efforts have led many students to receive not just scholarships, but also school supplies and meals.

“What true heroes possess is their capacity to go beyond their limits and own flaws, passionate at what they can to improve the human condition,” ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III said at the awarding ceremony.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya artists also graced the event to pay tribute to the modern-day heroes including Ogie Alcasid, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, Ylona Garcia and JK Labajo.

 The 14th Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards was hosted by Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Julius Babao, Robi Domingo and Angel Locsin.