H E R O E S

Selfless.For others. Duty first before anything else. They are responsible. Words are not enough to describe them.

Recently we were inspired by the recognition given by the giant network CNN to our fellow Filipino Efren Penaflorida as CNN 2009 hero of the year. His contribution to uplift the condition of the street children by giving proper education and building moral values captured the hearts of the people behind the network.

Around us are many unsung heroes. Some of them just don't want to be recognized. They feel that helping others is enough without the recognition. The fulfillment is already there without being open to the public.

The award though has opened up the minds of the many people around the world to do something. Something that could bring positive outcome especially to those who are downtrodden and helpless. Each story of the 10 finalists are indeed inspirational and worth emulating.

In us is already a deep-seated heroism. It is just waiting to be unleashed. This is what Efren emphasized in his acceptance speech. Our individualism and parallelism could not bring us prosperity. It further divide us.

I believe we can start being a hero by correcting our attitude. By instilling in us the power to do a positive change; a value that respect oneself and the others. Helping people comes next i guess...

It is indeed a great challenge and a tough responsibility for one to be recognized as a public hero. To sustain the ideals and visions are tall orders. Let us hope that their humble beginnings would go greater heights and inspire more people with or without the recognition.

In times of calamities and human divisiveness the award also remind us that we can do better and contribute for the betterment of the society we live in. Instead of pulling down the achievement of others we can be a good example by lifting what they have positively contributed. Like those heroes let us be the hope and the CHANGE that this world needs to have.