Teen awarded for fire rescue

CEBU, Philippines - Not all heroes wear capes.

This was how the Bureau of Fire Protection-7 described 17-year-old Justine Baybay, of Magsaysay Extension, Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City, who saved a woman and her one-month old baby after a fire hit Sitio Tagutungan, Barangay Suba, last October 25.

Baybay, was invited by BFP-7 to attend their flag-raising ceremony, yesterday morning where he was also awarded for his exemplary act.

Recalling the incident, Justine said after he heard screams of an ongoing fire, he put his trisikad aside and rushed to get water.

Eventually he saw the woman and her month-old son trapped in the terrace of the second floor of their house.

After the mother would not risk throwing her baby down to him, Baybay said grabbed a pile of laundry and some soft drink cases and stacked them to make his way up to the two. He received the baby, allowing the mother to climb down to her own safety.

"Naluoy ko ba, ako nalang g'yud siya gitabangan, kay duol naman kaayo ang kayo niya, ako gi-ana ''Nang, i-itsa nalang bata 'Nang kay ang kayo duol na kaayo, naa na sa inyong luyo' dili man niya i-itsa ang bata basin, maunsa niya ba, nakakita ko'g bulingon ug case sa softdrinks ba akong gisapaw-sapaw iyaha dayon gibuhi ang bata pero duol na kaayo," Justine said.

The fire razed 66 houses and left 542 peoples homeless. It was blamed on a candle left unattended by a 10-year-old boy. However, thanks to him, there were no casualties.

BFP-7 Regional Director Senior Superintendent Samuel Tadeo, said Justine is a modern-day hero because not all young people have the courage to do what he did.

Tadeo hopes, the heroic deed of Baybay will inspire the youth.

Justine was given a plaque of recognition and groceries worth P5,000 as an award for his bravery, he was also given a scholarship for his education.

"Kaya ang sinabi ko sa atin kanina, modern hero po siya talaga, gawa ng bibihira po 'yung mga ganun na mga kabataan po na makikita po natin ngayon, sana po, sabi ko kanina, sana marami pang kagaya niya na susunod sa kanya," he said.

Justine said he is very happy his actions were appreciated. He added he is the type to offer help to anyone who needs it without hesitation.

 "Nalipay ko, nga gitagaan ko nila og ingon ba (award), nga gitabangan mi nila, wala gyud ko magdahom ani, kalit-kalit lang ba, ang ako ato makatabang kog laing tawo ba, ako gyud sila gitabangan kay naluoy sad ko ba, andam gihapon ko motabang og naa'y manginahanglan," he said, adding he hopes other youths will also helping others without asking for anything in return.

His mother, Alicia Baybay, 50, a single parent with 9 children, was also there during the awarding.

She said their family was not expecting to get anything and were just shocked after they received a text message from fire department that Justine was to be recognized and awarded.

She encouraged her son to continue helping others and at the same time be cautious to avoid accidents.

"Wala mi mag-expect, na-shock gani nga gitextan ang akong anak nga naa kuno'y ihatag nga award, nagpasalamat g'yud ko ang akong anak nakatabang gani," she said.

 "Pasalamat ko, daghan baya kay kog mga anak, siyam kabuok wala pa ko'y bana, wala koy ikapa-eskwela sa akong anak pero naay laing tawo nga mitabang pasalamat ko," she added.

Justine's sister, Mercedes, 20 year old, also said she was very proud of her brother.

The BFP-7 is now considering including Justine as Volunteer Fire Brigade member. (FREEMAN)