Celebrating the country’s unsung heroes
The One Philippines (TOP) Humanitarian Awards 2024 was held recently at the Ballroom of the Lanson Place Mall of Asia. With a theme of unity, the third benefit gala and awards night gathered around 300 attendees in this evening celebrating unsung heroes.
In his welcome message, TOP chairman emeritus Raffy Garcia shared: “Every day, we wake up to a world of violence, pain and suffering. Our media focuses on the bad that men do instead of the good. We want to focus on the people who do good for their fellow men every day of their lives. We are looking for individuals who wake up every morning doing selfless work for their communities in the Philippines.”
A special presence that evening was David Harirela, founder of The One International, which gave birth to TOP.
“TOP was created with the intention to find and empower that special individual who truly epitomizes the compassion and selflessness that lives within us all. A hero. A healer. An angel. The One Philippines will be called by many names,”Harirela said.
The theme was evident in the event’s motif, the décor, even the menu. The ladies and gentlemen held their ground amid the red, blue, yellow and white representing the colors of the Philippine flag, a symbol of unity. And in the five unsung heroes TOP was honoring that evening. As vice chairman for the gala Chit Lijauco mentioned, It is not only our flag that may rebuild unity. We have five more symbols to lean on. These five are our unsung heroes… each with stories so touching, so inspirational, they could instantly bring back our lost belief in the Filipino.”
Recognized and awarded were five unsung heroes stringently selected by three panels of judges. They are Margot Atayde and Patricia Cruz who both developed a unique teaching method; rural doctor Brent Viray; Roy Moore who coaches the youth in Payatas and Tondo; and youth volunteer Mark Soriano.
Soriano was declared as the winner, with a monetary reward of P1.5 million earmarked towards his project. His sponsor, the Rotaract Club of Manila, received P250,000. Runners-up were Cruz and Moore who received P500,000 each for their advocacies. Dr. Viray and Atayde as semi-finalists received P100,000 each.
The award money came from three generous donors who have made a lifetime pledge of P1 each time the search is held, which is every two years. The donors are TOP chairman emeritus Garcia, TOP chairman Villanueva, and someone who requests anonymity.
As the celebrations ended, the words of Villanueva were an appropriate takeaway. “As we recognize their (the five unsung heroes’) achievements, let us also take this moment to reflect on how we can contribute, in our own ways, to the greater good. Whether through volunteerism, advocacy, or simply extending a hand to someone in need, each one of us has the power to inspire and uplift others,” he said.
