Bayaning Pilipino sa Asya Pasipiko 2003

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

Caridad O. Bachiller (Country Winner)

• Hong Kong
• Abra

Described by many as a woman of few words, Ms. Caridad Bachiller has definitely proven the old adage that "silent waters run deep."  Known for her diligence, selfless commitment and utmost dedication to the cause of Filipino migrant workers, Manang Caring, as she is fondly called, is as much the highly-respected and staunch leader that many of her peers recognize and emulate, as she is the silent worker whose long list of accomplishments make even the most respected civic organizations take notice.  Born to a family of farmers, she struggled with their meager resources and yet managed to graduate and become a teacher despite having to pack her bags to work as a domestic helper abroad.

In Hong Kong, Manang Caring became an active member of the Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS-HK) and later served as its president for ten years - a leadership that brought about remarkable changes in the group making it more efficient in achieving its goals.  ATIS-HK has been instrumental in assisting Filipino workers in Hong Kong with the usual migration concerns that plague them.  Guided by her effective leadership, with the group earning the distinction of Most Outstanding Filipino Organization overseas from the Sun Publication in 1999, ATIS-HK has further established the Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association which makes education accessible to overseas workers and their loved ones through scholarships given to deserving indigent students.

Manang Caring's achievements go beyond the borders of the former Crown Colony.  She spearheaded the collection of relief goods, including fifty sacks of rice, for the victims of the typhoon, Feria in Abra in 2001.  She has undeniably carved her niche not only in the hearts of OFWs like her but also into the hearts of the hundreds of families she helped weather the devastating storm.

From being a surrogate mother to homesick Pinays to a fearless leader fighting for the rights of distressed women migrants or to aiding kababayans displaced by a ravaging typhoon, Manang Caring has without a doubt made nurturing and protecting fellow Filipinos her one true vocation.  Suffice it to say, Manang Caring truly deserves the adulation and respect of the long list of men and women lives she has touched and made better through her truly caring heart.

Dominica P. Garcia, MD (Country Finalist)

• Thailand
• San Luis, Pampanga

Living a life of service to her fellowmen is what Dr. Dominica Garcia had decided on early in life. Although well know for her work abroad, she actually began her more than 40-year career of selfless healing and spiritual guidance overseeing one of the government clinics ran by the City Health Office in Cavite City, and leading medical missions in the country's most impoverished districts before heeding the call of service overseas. After the fall of Cambodia to Khmer Rouge in 1975, Dr. Garcia continued her medical services in a camp in Nong Khai, Thailand where more than 45,000 refugees benefited from a mobile medical clinic that she procured with the help of the Thai Redemptorist novices. She had also been part of the medical team that attended to the needs of hundreds of Vietnamese boat poeple who took refuge in Thaniland.

Dr. Garcia is as much a doctor of medicine as she is a good disciple of Christ. For aside from alleviating physical discomfort, she had also been a source of relief and strength to the many Cambodians and Filipinos whose lives she had touched and made better.

Romeo Mejia (Country Finalist)

• Guam, U.S.A.
• Conception, Tarlac

An automotive mechanic, a heavy machine operator, a construction worker, a personal assistant and a driver - may be among the various "hats" romeo T. Mejia or Mang Romy had worn in his more than 25 years of work abroad.  For the many whom he has helped however, he is quite simply, an ordinary man with an extraordinary love and concern for others.  He opens up his home to fellow Filipinos who are just starting out overseas.  Always willing to share his wisdom and with a deep understanding of their plight, he readily offers knowledgeable guidance and advice.  His concern for their welfare is remarkable in its sincerity.  Even with his regular job, he still finds time to help his neighbors, volunteering to do construction work for them free of charge.  He does not hesitate to share the meager income he receives to needy kababayans despite having to support his own family in the Philippines.  His dedication to helping others is truly heroic.  This Tarlac native is indeed, a jack-of-all-trades who has mastered the art of giving without asking for anything in return.  Certainly, in the Island of Guam lives a Bayaning Pilipino by the name of Romeo Mejia.

Lydia Rabi (Country Finalist)

• Seol, Korea
• Pag-asa Bansud, Oriental

To fight for justice and to uphold the rights of every human being is the credo that Lydia Rabi or Nanay Lydia, faithfully lives by.  With the same verve and determination as the legendary heroine Gabriela silang, Nanay Lydia single-handedly secured a successful dialogue with her Korean employers for just wages not merely for herself but more importantly, for her fellow OFWs.  As an active volunteer and leader of the Hyewhadong Filipino Catholic Community (HFCC) Center, Nanay Lydia also often takes it upon herself not only to give assistance to other Filipino migrants who are seeking employment in Korea, but also to help those kababayans who are already employed from getting exploited and abused, and losing their jobs.  In fact, one of her main priorities is to protect the rights of Filipina entertainers whom she constantly visits and encourages towards a godly life while at the same time making them aware of their civil liberties through HFCC sponsored seminars.  

A source of pride for Filipinos, as well as for all the women in the world, Nanay Lydia - a true Filipino hero in South Korea.