Tacloban’s young hero given Boy Scout’s highest award

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Boy Scouts of the Philippines has posthumously awarded its highest honor for bravery to one of its own.

Scout Chris Lorenz Fabian was conferred the Gold Gallantry and Heroism Award after he lost his life protecting his classmates during the shooting incident at San Jose National High School on June 22.

According to the BSP, the 15-year-old Grade 10 scout showed extraordinary courage in the final moments of the attack. Witness accounts said Chris rushed to close and block the classroom door to keep the shooter from entering.

“With unwavering courage and definitive resolve, he placed his own body directly in harm’s way, physically blocking the attackers to prevent their entry, and his split-second decision and resolute stand successfully shielded his teacher and classmates, absorbing the fatal assault,” the award citation read.

His action bought critical time for his classmates to hide and stay safe. Because of him, 30 students inside that room survived.

“He acted not as a boy afraid, but as a scout who lived by the Scout Law: A scout is brave, loyal and helpful to others at all times,” BSP officials said during the awarding.

BSP leaders personally visited the Fabian family in Tacloban to present the medal and certificate and to offer condolences.

The Gold Gallantry and Heroism Award is the BSP’s highest recognition for a scout who risks or sacrifices his life in the service of others.

For his parents and fellow scouts, the medal is both a source of pride and pain.

Erbea Fabian and her husband thanked everyone who reached out and prayed for their son, whose heroism resulted in a family’s sorrow being carried by a whole community.

“Chris always said a scout must be ready to help,” a family member said. “We never thought his readiness would cost his life. But he died doing what a true scout should do.”

The BSP said Chris’ story will be included in its values and leadership training for scouts nationwide, a reminder that courage is not about age, but about character and choice in critical moments.

His name joins the roll of Filipino youth who chose others over self, in the scout’s creed: “Once a scout, always a hero.”

Fabian was among three students killed in the incident, which left 20 others injured after two Grade 9 students opened fire inside the school. The other fatalities were 15-year-old Joyancee Separa, Grade 10 and 14-year-old Ayessa Nicole Dazo, Grade 9.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a resolution declared Fabian as the “Pride of Pampanga.”?Fabian’s parents are originally from Barangay Lourdes, Minalin and Brgy. Dau, Mabalacat City.

Resolution 10319 of the provincial council cited Fabian’s “extraordinary courage, selflessness and noble sacrifice in protecting his classmates and teachers during the tragic shooting incident.”