Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2009

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

Dr. Arthur Tansiongco (National Winner)

• Simbuyan Island, Romblon
• Region 4-B

One does not sell the earth upon which people walk. 

Dr. Arthur Tansiongco was among the many people who walked Mt. Guiting-Guiting. Born and brought up in the town of Magdiwang in the island of Sibuyan, Romblon, Doc Art made it a personal commitment to take care of the land he grew in.

After finishing his studies to become a doctor, he went to Australia to work. It didn't take him long to realize that his heart belongs to his homeland. In the 70's, he returned to the Philippines and served his fellow Sibuyanons, especially the poor who needed medical attention. Aside from being a rural doctor, Doc Art also helped deserving high school and college students to get scholarships. He also solicited government support for pre-school and elementary education in the island.

Doc Art's battle to save Mt. Guiting-Guiting started when foreign mining investors came to Sibuyan Island. In his desire to preserve one of the many wonders of nature, he took steps to protect Mt. Guiting-Guiting against illegal mining and from possible destruction.

In 1996, Doc Art reaped the fruits of his labor, President Ramos signed a proclamation declaring Mt. Guiting-Guiting as a Natural Park.

His efforts did not stop at protecting their island’s most treasured mountain.  He also worked on improving the infrastructure of their municipality and alleviating the lives of his fellow Sibuyanons.  When it comes to loving one’s homeland, Dr. Arthur Tansiongco is truly an example to follow.

Alma Fernando Taldo (National Finalist)

• Loboc, Bohol
• Region 7

Music can change the world because it can change people.  This is true for the Loboc Children's Choir.  Music changed their lives as much as it shaped their souls.  For these, we have to thank Alma Fernando Taldo.

For more than 10 years, Ma'm alma established and managed the Loboc Music Foundation which supervises the Children's Choir.  She generously dedicated her time and knowledge to teach these children, giving them the opportunities to enhance their talents and be passionate about music.

Aside from enriching their culture and giving a boost to tourism in the province of Bohil, Ma'am Alma's love for music also affected the lives of the children in the choir, their families and their community.  This clearly shows how one person's passion can change the world.

Dr. Lilia S. Teves (National Finalist)

• Jaro, Iloilo
• Region 6

Dr. Lilia Teves dedicated almost half of her life to helping her fellowmen, especially those who are in need.  Believing in the saying that it is better to teach men how to fish rather than just give them fish, she established programs to alleviate poverty in their community, such as different livelihood projects.

Dr. Teves aslos believes in the power of education and she made it a personal commitment to provide young children the opportunity to go to school.  Through her efforts and resources, Tilipunan day Care Center was built for the children of the community.

Through the years of her life, Dr. Lilia Teves achieved more than what most of us could nonly wish to achieve in a lifetime - living a simple life while achieving meaningful goals.

Capt. Giemel O. Espino (National Finalist)

• Lipa City, Batangas
• Region 4-A

It is easy to spot heroism through Captain Giemel Espino.  He lives and breathes public service being a non-combatant pilot of the 900th Air force Weather Group (AFWG), the only rain-making unit of the air force in the country.

Putting his life on the line is not uncommon to Captain Espino.  Performing cloud-seeding operations requires him to always throw caution to the wind.  for every flight, he dedicates his life to service and his duties for the country.  In his desire to help farmers and prevent drought by creating artificial rain, he continuously does research on how to improve rainmaking technology.

To this man of honor, there is no small and big deed, as long as one performs his duties and responsibilities.

Henry Chavez Abancio (National Finalist)

• Sibulan, Negros Occidental
• Region 7

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

                      - Winston Churchill

It is the small things that people do that make a lot of difference.  One such example is how Henry Chavez Abancio pulled his community out of the abysmal pit that is poverty.  with minimal resources and great will at hand, he led a group of farmers in his community to be self-reliant by improving their farming system.

With a little help from other agencies like the Haribon Foundation and the PNOC-EDC, Mang Henry and his community were able to harvest different crops like pineapple, abaca, coffee, and others.  These became the primary source of income for the community.

Henry Chavez Abancio may have very little to give in terms of wealth, but his passion to help others enabled him to give more than all the riches in the world.

REGIONAL WINNERS

1. Remedios S. Lorena (Deceased) - Uson, Masbate (Region 5)
2. Lutgarda B. Perocho - Makilala, Cotabato (Region 12)

TEACHER CATEGORY

Gerardo A. Ampatin (National Winner)

• Poblacion Arakan, Cotabato
• Region 12

Fulfillment is found in many ways. For Gerardo Ampatin, fulfillment is found in the eyes of the people he has touched. He lives a life of service being a teacher and a community volunteer.

Sir Ampatin believes in worthy causes even if this act relieves him of worldly incentives. He has provided service to indigenous groups like the Manobos and the Bagobos. He also finds more accomplishment in using his profession to teach children who lack a good chance to quality education.

Barangay Sinayawan is one of the far-flung areas of Arakan, Cotabato. Children in this barangay brave harsh conditions like crossing a river to be able to go to school. When the river overflows, the students have no choice but to miss their classes. Through Sir Ampatin's efforts, enough funds were raised to build a new school in an area that is easily reached without crossing the river. This is a clear indication that his concern for the students goes beyond the walls of the classroom.

Sir Ampatin believes that one can always offer more than what is expected of a person and he extends this belief in his efforts to help the people in his community. Aside from being a respected teacher. he also volunteers to teach different livelihood programs for the women living in the depressed areas of Arakan, Cotabato. His livelihood trainings include making bags, doormats and artificial flowers. He even has manicure and pedicure trainings. These projects give women the opportunity to earn and help supporting their families' needs.

At present, Sir Ampatin continues to teach less-fortunate children. He thrives in providing help to those who need it the most. For Gerardo Ampatin, success is not measured through financial wealth but through the service he provides to his community and his fellowmen.

Maricar C. Pascua (National Finalist)

• Caridad, Cavite City
• Region 4-A

When it comes to teaching from the heart, much can be said about Maricar Pascua.

Ma'am Maricar chose to teach younger children in a school in Caridad, Cavite because she believes in shaping these young minds.  She believes that a better society depends on the youth and she would like to play her part in building that future.

Ma'am Maricar is an active volunteer in a values formation outreach program in Cavite City Jail.  She fearlessly shares her time and teaches values to the so-called menaces of our society.

She also teaches street children and hopes to take them out of the streets someday.

Maricar Pascua teaches with love, and with love, her heroism continues to grow.  with what she's giving, she has gained even more the love and respect of the people who knows her.

Rhodora B. Barojabo (National Finalist)

• Salong, Calapan City, Mindoro
• Region 4-A

Our passion drives us to do great things.  For Rhodora Barojabo, passion lies in the art of dance.  Her love for the art and her desire to preserve cultural wealth enabled her to share her talent by teaching old and new techniques in dancing.

This feat did not come easy.  Teaching the cultural dance of Calapan required tedious research and Ma'am Rhodora was up for the challenge.  After completing her study, she was able to develop steps and movements which were passed on to her students.

Through all these, her greatest achievement came when she gave deaf and mute students the chance to appreciate dancing despite their inability to hear.  The deed might have sounded impossible, but for Ma'am Rhodora, nothing is unattainable, especially if an endeavor is guided by a steadfast heart and an iron will.

FAMILY CATEGORY

Monto Family (National Winner)

• Sta. Cruz, Cavite City
• Region 4-A

Families are bonded by love, respect and shared values. For Monto Family, their bond is made even stronger with their desire to help others. Each member of the family dedicates their time and effort to serve their community.

The head of the family, Tatay Medy, volunteers in building their community center.  He also busies himself with kariton classroom, a worthy project for street children, spearheaded by his children, Michelle, Melay and Mako. 

Nanay Adela, regulary gives some Of the fresh fishes she sells to street children and those who are in need for free.

The Monto Family is not well off.  They earn barely enough to financially support their own family. Despite this the Monto couple taught their children the value of charity and did not allow their lack of financial wealth to stop them from giving whatever help they can to the community they Iive in. They earned the love and respect of many people because they gave without expecting something in return. They are indeed richer than most people in the world.

Balmores Family (National Finalist)

• Basco, Batanes
• Region 2

The great scientist, albert Einstein once said that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. for the people of Batanes, living and working in an area frequently hit by typhoons are never easy.  However, amidst these difficulties, a family of heroes shone through.

The Balmores Family is a family of farmers.  Like all the farmers in their community, they are not spared from the farming nuisances brought about by the weather.  What makes them stand out is that they not only do things for themselves, but also help their fellow farmers and the fishermen in their community to get by doing their everyday living.  for example, they let their neighbors borrow their own fishing boat.  They set an example to the entire community and taught them that through helping each other, challenges will be easier to face.

with all that they face in everyday living, the Balmores family found an opportunity to help and give back to the community.  they are true inspirations that however hard life is, we can always weather any storm.

BALIK-LINGKOD CATEGORY

Mary Tarnate Tumapang (National Winner)

• Sagada, Mt. Province
• Cordillera Autonomous Region

Around the world, we can find Filipinos who made the great sacrifice Of being away from their families to seek better opportunities. One of them  is Mary Tumapang. She left her home and her family in Sagada, Mountain Province to work as a caregiver in Israel.

As a single parent who is used to struggles in making ends meet, Mary knows how hard it is for her fellow Filipinos who are experiencing poverty to provide for the education of their children. She wanted to do her share in giving back to the community she left behind.

Involving her fellow-OFWs to her worthy cause, Mary started a scholarship fund drive to aid the financial and educational needs of the children of Sagada. They were able to send deserving children to elementary and high school. At present the scholarship fund drive continues to grow and its worthy cause remains.

Mary also headed the Mountain Province OFW Federation as the organization's president. The primary function of the said organization is to provide livelihood programs in various municipalities of the province for balikbayans and the family they left behind in the Philippines.

At present Mary Tumapang continues to find ways to further help her community - truly a hero in every right.

Allan P. Murillo (National Finalist)

• Inayawan, Cebu City
• Region 7

Allan Murillo lives and worked in Australia for several years before he decided to go back to the Philippines and pay it forward.

Famous for export-quality furniture, Cebu City is home to Mr. MUrillo and his own furniture manufacturing business.  More than the success and growth of his business, Mr. Murillo fulfilled his dream of helping his fellow Cebuanos by generating jobs for them.  He wants his success to be theirs as well.  He was more inspired to make the business grow because it would also translate to financial opportunities for his kababayans.

Allan Murillo wanted to contribute to the society he lives in, and when he did, he did not look far.  Indeed, for Allan, charity begins at home.

YOUTH CATEGORY

Crisofel G. Matore (National Winner)

• Looc Romblon, Km. 3 Baan, Butuan City
• Region 13

We are constantly looking for our life's purpose.  Crisofel Matore found her calling at a young age.  She was still in college when she found her mission in life, and that is to help others.

A native of Looc, Romblon, Ma'am Neneng travelled to Valencia, Bukidnon to live among the Lumads, a group of minorities in the province.  To be able to help these people, she later on joined SULADS, Inc. or Socio-Economic Uplift Literacy, Anthropological and Developmental Services Inc.

Initially serving as a volunteer in SULADS, Ma'am Neneng travesl 5 to 8 hours, crossing mountains and forests, to reach the centers for SULADS' Lieteracy Program.  Now, she supervises 8 of these literacy centers in the entire North-Eastern Mindanao composed of Caraga Regions and some provinces in Region 10.  She consistently contributes her time and effort to making the program a continued success.

Ma'am Neneng lived a simple life but she knew the value and importance of education.  This is why she made it a personal commitment to do her part in uplifting the educational system in her home province.

Raffy A. Alcantara (National Finalist)

• Caridad, Cavite City
• Region 4-A

How does one go from being a street child to being a respected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman?  Ask Raffy Alcantara, a youth leader in Caridad, Cavite City.

Growing up in poor environment did not stop Raffy to achieve his goals of living a better life.  Not only was he able to rise above his difficulties in life, he was also able to be in a position where he can help other youths like him.  Truly, Raffy is the perfect role model for the youth today.  He had great hopes and dreams and he worked hard to attain them.

Beyond himself, he extended his help to others and inspired them to become better.

Ela Antonio Saguiyod (National Finalist)

• Poblacion, Tubo, Abra
• Cordillera Autonomous Region

Being an active youth leader and an exemplary model for the youth, Ela Antonio Saguiyod earned the respect of others at an early age.

At present, Ela heads The Energetic Youth Organization or TEYO of Tubo, Abra.  she brings together the youth and gets them involved in worthy projects that would help the community.  Her charity is not limited to the activities of the organization.  She also has little projects of her own such as raising funds to buy school supplies and clothes for the poor children living in far-flung areas of Tubo, Abra.

Ela Saguiyod may seem young and inexperienced, but the extent of her service to their fellow youth and community is beyond what other people at her age has accomplished.

Gesnita Delfino-Baosa (National Finalist)

• Brooke's Point, Palawan
• Region 4-B

We are often dictated by our society on what we can and cannot do.  For Gesnita Delfino-Baosa, her culture demanded her to be a minority because she is a woman.  However, she knew that she can do more with her life.

Gesnita left home and sought her mission in life.  Even after five years of serving as a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, she continued to help the youths of Palawan.  She teaches dancing, singing and bible-reading as a means to reach out to the youth.

With her commitment to help and her untiring will to serve, Gesnita Baosa is a true inspiration for the youths of Palawan and the world.