Modern-day Heroes
What does it takes to be considered a hero?
What does it takes to be considered a hero? According to many, a hero is a person who is remembered and honored for his courageous life and deeds. A person distinguished for valor, fortitude or bold enterprise or anyone regarded as having displayed great courage or exceptionally noble qualities.
Most heroes we knew were dead. We have learned about them in schools. Tributes, monuments, statues, busts, memorials, paper bills, coinages, name of streets, towns, states, institutions, buildings and many others are constant reminders for us for their heroic deeds.
Most of the heroes we knew were leaders during times of wars, leaders who fought for independence (like George Washington, Simon Bolivar, etc.), there were only a few who didn’t actually engaged in battles (like Jose Rizal, Mahatma Gandhi, etc.), leaders who succeeded (if they failed they would had been declared bandits not heroes) in overthrowing a corrupt regime and many others.
Have you ever heard of an ordinary soldier who died fighting for his mother land or an ordinary citizen who did a courageous act declared as a hero? Maybe, for a day or two, after that they are totally forgotten. Did they put up a single monument for them? These unsung heroes who actually fought and died face to face with the enemies were easily forgotten. On the contrary, recognitions, tributes and venerations for leaders whom they declared heroes are never ending.
Now that we are at peace, (except in some places), how can one person be a hero? Aside from those who are working and sacrificing in foreign lands for the welfare of their families, for me, modern-day heroes are the likes of Aris, Rona, Chrisanta and Maria Fe. Who are these people? They are just ordinary people with nothing but unconditional love. I was so touched by their individual story that’s why I wanted to share it to everybody. Here are their brief heroic deeds that are worth remembering and emulating;
Aris Espinosa
On January 30, 1994, Aris Espinosa, a 13-year-old boy from Lanao del Norte, Philippines, did something for his friends. A grenade on the ground was about to explode near the children, Aris quickly jumped and covered the grenade with his own body. The children were saved by the courageous and unselfish act of Aris. I am sure that his soul rest in peace with the Lord in Heaven.
Rona Mahilum
On May 26, 1996, a fire broke out inside a house in Divina Colonia, Sagay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Rona Mahilum, a young girl, sustained third degree burns on her back. Despite the pain, she rescued her five brothers and sisters out of the house on fire. Then she tried to put out the fire with water from the nearby well. In 1997, Rona was cited for her bravery and heroism. After that, nothing is heard about her.
Chrisanta Seboc
Chrisanta Seboc, a mere four-year old girl of Sta. Teresa in Jordan, Guimaras, Philippines saved the lives of her three-year-old sister and two-year-old brother from fire which engulfed their house at a time their parents were away for work. She was about to rescue another sister, an infant, when her neighbors stopped her from going into the house on fire. She cried because she could not help her. This incident happened on July 5, 1996.
Maria Fe Sotelo
Ma. Fe Sotelo, a lady security guard, achieved her dream of becoming a police officer when the national police waived its height and age requirements just for her. This was after she returned five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to a Chinese businessman who left his bag at the comfort room of the Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines on January 7, 2003. The businessman tried to gave her money as a reward but the honest lady guard politely declined the offer. She said she did not think twice about returning the money.
Whether you are somebody or just an ordinary citizen, you can be a hero in your own way by helping others and doing good deeds not because you want to be rewarded or because you want people to remember you as a kind person but you do it because it’s the right thing to do, it’s what you want to do, and you’re happy in doing it and not expecting anything in return. That’s a hero, a real hero.
I am sure that there are thousand others who are like them out there. I salute all of you. Forget all about the rewards and recognitions, fame and popularity, the most important thing is, every good deed you’ve done no matter how small, it is recognized by no less than our Almighty God.
For a related read see
The Unsung Heroes
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User Comments
nobert soloria bermosa
On May 4, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hello guys, hope you like this one, if you do please share to others.
tracy sardelli
On May 4, 2008 at 4:54 am
so beautiful and inspiring Nobert, I loved this, my heart goes out to all the brave and selfless souls out there, those you have mentioned and those not mentioned. Brilliant work. Well Done.
salvatore
On May 4, 2008 at 4:55 am
excellent work buddy, good job.
Unofre Pili
On May 4, 2008 at 5:49 am
Very thoughtful. They certainly deserved it.
Patz
On May 4, 2008 at 7:38 am
That good idea bud. Heroes need not be well known. Each noble deed we make to help other people is worthy. Actually, I don’t agree with the idea that heroes should be dead.
… a living dog is better than a dead lion. – Ecclesiastes 9:4
Anne Lyken-Garner
On May 4, 2008 at 9:36 am
This is true, it’s the real people who are true heroes. It aches my brain when people say that celebrities are their heroes. Why? What have they done?
I’ve been asked to get autographs of actors with whom I come into regular contact. I still don’t understand the fascination with someone who’s rich and does nothing for humankind.
I’d rather get a nurse’s or a firefighter’s autograph (or one of the children’s you mentioned)
Ruby Hawk
On May 4, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Most of the real heros we never here about, thanks for telling about a few of them. they are most certainly “real heros.”
Lucy Lockett
On May 10, 2008 at 2:28 am
Beautiful article, the unsung heroes mean a lot to me too!
paintcrush17
On May 20, 2008 at 7:30 pm
tnx for the information,,,,,
… a living dog is better than a dead lion. – Ecclesiastes 9:4
rain
On July 31, 2008 at 3:19 am
searching for modern day heroes is easy
Vigilantie Justice
On August 8, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Thank you so much for writing this article, ive looked for so long trying to find the actual heros in this world. People arent heroes because they are famous or rich, they are heroes because they care enough to do something right for the world. Bravery and courage are the qualities of our heroes, the people you wrote about in this article deserve to be remembered and their stories should be told to our children. Thanks again, someday someone will stand up and make a difference in our lifetime.
lloyd austin francisco
On August 24, 2008 at 4:21 am
Thank you so much for writing this article, ive looked for so long trying to find the actual heros in this world. People arent heroes because they are famous or rich, they are heroes because they care enough to do something right for the world. Bravery and courage are the qualities of our heroes, the people you wrote about in this article deserve to be remembered and their stories should be told to our children. Thanks again, someday someone will stand up and make a difference in our lifetime.searching for modern day heroes is easy,Beautiful article, the unsung heroes mean a lot to me too!
bea white
On September 14, 2008 at 2:49 am
can u give more heroes such as heroes in bohol and many places in the Philippines
Casey
On September 23, 2008 at 10:39 am
These are such touching stories. they really tell the unselfishness of some people and what they would do just to save someone close to them or even someone they dont even know.
michael
On October 17, 2008 at 9:38 pm
i’m inspired and touched..
willie arrington
On November 4, 2008 at 6:55 pm
hi teache i have a question how i can use my elt i can´t enter its say that you have to supply me a code please help me im in b07 room 201
trix
On November 18, 2008 at 2:28 am
this shows how brave FILIPINOS are. Thi is very inspiring…
This also shows how unselfishness,bravery & honesty are important to our anybody’s life…
Thank you for writng this article,forr its educational lessons………..
jhet
On December 11, 2008 at 5:13 am
Hi!!!!!!!!!!!
I congratulate tis heroes for what they had done!!!!!!!!!!!
I salute you……………
You can be a great inspiraton to many young children but not only to children but also to adults……
Wherever you are now today,i believe that GOD will always bless you………..
dyosa...
On December 30, 2008 at 10:53 pm
..,heiz….
..,do they have their photos coz i need them in my project entitled “heroes”….can you put some…!!!!
..,thankz and happy new year…
Jacob
On March 3, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Love it.=)
brandon
On March 9, 2009 at 3:33 pm
this is nice and everything but it seems that the author has an unstated love for the philipenes i.e. most of the heroes being philipino
Samantha
On April 8, 2009 at 2:36 pm
This article is absolutely WONDERFUL! I am writing a paper on heroism and this is the first article that I have found that supports my ideas! I love it! I could not have found any better examples of everyday people being heros nor could I have ever put together such an article that says exactly what I beleive in such a straight forward manner. I commend you nobert soloria bermosa, you can be my hero for this article right here!
haley
On April 20, 2009 at 11:42 pm
it sucked we needed MODERN heros.
Pamela CG ^^
On April 30, 2009 at 10:07 pm
that’s interesting !!!
I like this blog
kiss and hug
><
The Believer
On June 21, 2009 at 8:01 am
Stories such as these make us understand how a human heart can go to its limits to sacrifice oneself for another one’s life. We are all made in the image and likeness of God . . . we are testimonies of Christ’s suffering on the cross.
A Hero-Wanna-Be
On June 21, 2009 at 8:11 am
These stories of heroic acts inspired us to be a hero like them in our own simple ways. These stories are very interesting. I hope i could simply be like them one day.
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On September 1, 2009 at 7:49 am
Very interesting blog bro
Juancav
On September 1, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Great tribute to anonymous heros.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
On September 2, 2009 at 9:15 pm
A nice tribute to these heroes, Nobert.
nymphadora tonks
On September 21, 2009 at 6:10 am
WOW! THANK YOU! NOW I HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT
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