The hero within

"Give a man fish and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for life." It is an age- old adage lawyer Francis Padua Papica has been practicing in his life. A Bicolano based in the US with a lucrative law practice, he founded and has been bankrolling the Francis Papica Foundation, one that does not only see deserving kids through school via scholarships, but furthers the twin advocacy of literacy and leadership.

"Filipino kids are innately intelligent and hard- working," Francis said in an interview. "And the only reason they sometimes do not succeed in life is because they lack direction and opportunity. To give opportunity and direction to as many kids as possible is our sole aim." It’s not lip service for the 38 year-old Bayaning Pilipino awardee. When the Francis Papica Foundation started, they only had about 100 students participating in their seminars and leadership conventions. This year, they will be having close to a thousand young students in attendance.

"The seminars have successful people from different fields talk about their stories. These inspire kids and give them ideas on what path they can take to make something of themselves,"he says. "As they say, all fire comes from a flicker." Personalities who shared their stories and precious time in the past included, Martin Nievera, Dick Gordon, Leandro Muñoz, Korina Sanchez, Nene Pimentel.

In line with this, the Francis Papica Foundation has a Read to Live program that encourages kids to read books. Annually, about 100,000 titles are shipped directly from the US that Francis solicits personally from US publication houses. "Reading is important. It’s for everyone and not just for nerds," says he. "Reading broadens the vocabulary and more importantly contributes to how people think about themselves and the world. Let’s face it, not everyone can afford to travel to learn about life first-hand. Most of the time, it’s only through pages of books that people can reach all corners and cultures of the world."

The Read to Live program, Francis proudly says, has been a sustainable project for several years now. Francis also realizes follow through is what really makes the difference. An example of this is the launching of a story writing contest by kids and for kids dubbed Mga Kwentong Pambata ng Papica Foundation. Winning stories on any theme submitted by kids between six to 12 years old will be compiled into a single book to be published later this year.

All proceeds will be used to buy school supplies such as backpacks, erasers, pencils, etc. Winning authors get P10,000 each. "It’ a small amount by adult standards but that’s not the point," he says. "What’s important is for kids to realize they can make a difference."

Entries may be submitted to Backroom at Rm. 206 CRM Bldg., Kamias cor. Kasing kasing St., Quezon City up to Sept, 15. In November, Papica Foundation will launch the compilation of winning short stories via a concert featuring top artists including Pops Fernandez and Piolo Pascual.

Francis has also been sending students through college by paying for their tuition fees and some as foundation scholars. Francis Papica Foundation also offers livelihood programs providing financial assistance to those who want to go into small-time businesses. "God really provides when you are doing what He wants," says Francis. "Whenever we have a project and finances are dire, He provides." Sometimes it’s I suddenly negotiate for a settlement. Other times, strangers who have heard of what we are doing call from out of the blue offer to help. Money comes via miracles."

The vision of the Foundation could only come from someone like Francis. A success story himself, he migrated to the US when he was 16 to take up a course on Asian History in UCLA. On the side, he took up a job as janitor. "It was really hard in the beginning because I came from a middle income family," he says. "Back here, I never would have cleaned a toilet bow. We had househelp do household chores for us."

But the experience taught Francis invaluable lessons including how to value money and appreciate hard work. Later, Francis would graduate cum laude and then go on to finish Law also a cum laude. He now works in a company where he is the lone Filipino in a group of Americans who all marvel at his endeavors here. "Some ask me, ‘Why are you doing this?’ and I tell them ‘Because it feels right.’ They point out that with my hard-earned money I spend on the Foundation, I could have bought a third house or perhaps another car or use it for travels around the world. But doing my share for my country is more fulfilling than all of the above," he says.

There’s nothing Francis would like more than to live in the Philippines. Despite its problems, Francis says, he is proud of his country. To this day, he still has not given up his Filipino citizenship. But settling here is something that’s far from happening.

"I’d love to be here but what would happen to the foundation if I choose to do that?" he asks. "What I earn abroad allows me to be of help to others." It’s the classic mindset of the Overseas Filipino Worker. Of heroes. So everyday, Francis Papica looks at his Filipino passport. And he smiles.