There comes a time in every person’s life that they just get so desensitized with almost all the trappings of a mediocre life that a person should really do something that can best be classified as “uplifting” or “sublime”, like maybe helping out or pitching in for a worthy cause.  I tried it once, and feeling was indescribable.  Had to admit, at first my skin was crawling with the knowledge I was touching and surrounded by people who bathed significantly less than I did, but when their faces lighted up while I was handing out the grocery bags to them, that was something that you could never put a price tag on.  The people who do this on a regular basis must be feeling great all of the time.  It should be something we all do more often.  The worthy cause I helped out with was the GK Philippines group, which primarily helped people build their own home, and reduce poverty wherever they see it.

GK Philippines is a group that believes in solving a problem by addressing it from the source.  The source of a lot of the troubles of the people living in the slums is precisely that, living in the slums, and living in extreme poverty.  These people sleep with barely anything in their stomachs at night and wake up to pretty much the same conditions, and this constant struggle for survival often ruins their sense of self and their dignity, prompting them to commit crimes, just so they could eat.  I understand now that GK Philippines fixes that, and I really believe I have to help.  It really makes sense, the people living in the slums could have been anyone, even me.  I just had the fortune of being born to a family that allowed me to live a better life and equip me with the needed tools to be able to seize the opportunities presented to me and lead the life I am enjoying right now.  These people simply had the misfortune of never having any opportunities in life to make something better of their lives.  I’m sure if given the choice, they would definitely not want to live the way they do right now, being forced to commit crimes just to be able to survive.  More people should really start learning about what GK Philippines does for these people, rather than just saying a lot of loud talk about helping people in need, the members and volunteers of GK Philippines actually do something about it.

Ramon Magsaysay is a name that is known through out the world. He wasn’t rich. He belonged to the masses. Born on Aug. 31, 1907 to a blacksmith and a teacher, he had to work hard to sustain himself through college. He was an engineering student of UP while working as a chauffeur but was not able to finish the course due to an illness he got inflicted with. Instead, he continued his studies in Jose Rizal College where he finished a degree in Commerce.

President Magsaysay was known as the “guy of the masses”. He was popular among the farmers and among other people who lived very simple lives. He was dedicated to helping his country and his people. Magsaysay was known for his humility and his greatness. He did not wear anything extravagant. Instead, he wore a simple Barong Tagalog during occasions when his contemporaries would most likely get dressed according to the dictates of fashion. He loved staying with the oppressed, gave them priority and made them feel they were important. Magsaysay chose to become president because he was convinced that by being so would give him the opportunity to serve more. During his term, Magsaysay opened the Malacanang Palace to the people such that anyone could go in to talk to “his president”.

For me, the most significant among Magsaysay’s achievements was that he made the communist insurgents – the hukbalahap – surrender. Negotiations between the government and the huks started while Magsaysay was yet Secretary of Defense. Finally, when he was president, the Hukbalahap leader, Luis Taruc, not only surrendered unconditionally, he also served his sentence in prison. Upon his release, Taruc continued to work for the Agrarian reform and pushed for changes in the tenant-landlord situation.

As if to add icing on the cake, Magsaysay paved the way for the returning insurgents to start their lives with their families anew. He setup the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR) which addressed the problem of settlement for tenants, farm workers and the former rebels.

But Ramon Magsaysay’s time was then. Some 50 years ago. In 2006, another hero was recognized by the Magsaysay Awards Foundation in the person of Antonio Meloto who dedicated his life in service of the common “tao”. Antonio Meloto is the founder of the Gawad Kalinga, an organization that provides homes to the poorest of the poor in cooperation with some generous individuals and the various sectors of the society. His life, like Magsaysay, was plain. He had humble beginnings. As a scholar, he studied in Ateneo where he developed a great career in business. He joined Couples for Christ and after a visit to the slums, his life was never the same again. He was convinced that prayers alone would not help the indigents. He knew it was his calling to do something for the underprivileged.

Meloto realized that the indifference of the people prevented them from progressing and thought that it was necessary to bring dignity back into the lives of the people he wanted to help. His idea was to build decent homes for them. The recipients of the houses, in turn, were asked to help build the other homes that were to be given to other recipients. The thought of being helped by others and helping others became so contagious that more and more people came and joined them. The first ever project of Gawad Kalinga was in Bagong Silang. Now, there are about 850 communities in the whole Philippines that Gawad Kalinga has built. Not only did Meloto provide homes for the people, he taught them some industries from which their sustenance would come. He also taught them to pray and be closer to the Almighty. After all, he knew that all good things could only come from Him.

Meloto dedicated his life to the poor. He turned his back from the material opportunities that were waiting for him to reap. To me, he is a great hero too like Magsaysay. He made a choice to become a hero.

Heroes are indeed made because of their choice to do good to their fellowmen. Ramon Magsaysay did it. Antonio Meloto still does. The Filipino youth – we can do it. We can be heroes if we decide to be so.