Why they are Bayaning Pilipino

Lilia Diaz is a retired school teacher who finds fulfillment in teaching a community of Tagbanwa in Culion, Palawan how to read, write and count, while Leonilo Beltan is a former OFW and electrician who gives skills training to out-of-school youth.   

Diaz sought out to address the shock she experienced upon seeing the marginalization being experienced by the Tagbanwa people.  

“Naranasan nila kung paano sila lokohin. Iniyakan namin dito ang mga Tagbanwa na inaapi, sinusuntok, at binubugbog dahil hindi sila marunong mag-basa at mag-sulat,” she shared. 

Unscrupulous traders would take advantage of the Tagbanwa fishermen, who, because of their lack of education, did not know how to price their catch.

Diaz thought that by providing basic education to hopeful Tagbanwa people, the local folks would be able to improve their livelihood. She began a new teaching career that involved boat rides and treks to set up a learning program.   

“Wala akong mabibigay na kayamanan. Pero sa binibigay kong serbisyo, lahat ng sakripisyo at sakit ay mapapalitan ng kaligayahan,” said Diaz, who is preparing her “students” to take their qualifying exams to be considered graduates of elementary education. 

Beltran, on the other hand, used the experience he had teaching electrical skills to inmates as a volunteer of the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education to set up the Skills Caravan, which imparts basic knowledge on plumbing and electrical skills. 

The Skills Caravan gives courses on how to become a cook, barber or computer technician — all taught for free by its volunteer educators. 

“I stayed in far-flung areas where I saw young people suffering from poverty. I saw myself in them. Then I told myself that I would return someday to help and empower them so they could have a bright future,” said Beltran in Filipino.

Both Diaz and Beltran were honored with the prestigious 2014 Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards given by ABS-CBN and the Ugat Foundation that honor modern-day unsung heroes in our country. 

ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III said in his speech that he watches the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards in awe every year because of the abundance of Filipino heroes who are authentic in their dedication and will continue to do what they do even if nobody sees or recognizes them. 

“Without a doubt, we turned the unfortunate year of 2013 into a showcase of the most heroic acts that the common Filipino can do. The past year had been extraordinary. But I am convinced that we don’t need extraordinary events to bring out the best in us,” he said. 

Twenty years ago, the Bayaning Pilipino Awards program was established by the late Eugenio Lopez Jr., founder of ABS-CBN Corp., the largest multimedia conglomerate in the Philippines, to highlight the accomplishments of dedicated and determined Filipinos in the field of public service. 

The Bayaning Samahang Pilipino award, on the other hand, went to IDEA Philippines, Inc., a group that educates hearing-impaired children. 

In her acceptance speech, IDEA co-founder and CFO Marilou Drake happily shared that the group has been making progress year after year by making a positive impact on hundreds of hearing-impaired children and their families’ lives by educating them so they become successful citizens. 

Program director Maricris Magallones said in a video interview that the well-being of the deaf is the core of their organization and that they train teachers to become teachers for the deaf because they “want to send the message that the deaf can.” 

One of IDEA Philippines’ beneficiaries, Menandrino Pelino, said in sign language, “I didn’t go to school when I was young because I was deaf, so IDEA helped me. They were searching and they found me. And I am happy. Now that I’m working, I can support myself and help my family.” 

Meanwhile, the Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino award went to John Michael Delariarte of Zamboanga. The Bayaning Pilipino sa Gawing Japan award went to Jeppie Ramada and the Bayaning Pilipino sa North America awards were conferred to ANAK, the Carolina Medical Mission and the Filipino-American Community Development Center. 

The awards night held at the Dolphy Theater was hosted by Iza Calzado and Atom Araullo, with special guests Miss International Bea Rose Santiago, Robi Domingo, Khalil Ramos, Ella Cruz, Kitchie Nadal, Alvin and Jeron Teng, Aia de Leon, Kitchie Nadal, Nicole Asensio, Angeline Quinto, Klarisse, Tutti Karingal, Jovit Baldivino, Yeng Constantino, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon, the Reo Brothers and Azkals members Nate Burky and OJ Porteria.