It’s been 116 years since the declaration of Philippine independence, but much of the country and its people are still enslaved by all forms of abuses – from corruption, poverty, to environmental problems, and even the influence of oppressive thinking which continue to make life hard for most Filipinos.
As the country relives the valor, struggles, and sacrifices that our national heroes have made to attain freedom for our motherland, the Students and Campuses interns ask youth leaders on how they can become modern-day heroes in these challenging times.
“In this modern age, I want to become an everyday hero – someone who acts not just because he needs to but because it’s part of his daily routine. I believe that our simple everyday actions and decisions can actually contribute to the bigger picture. At the end of the day, the smallest actions create the biggest changes in our society.” − Tim Nguyen, fourth year Organizational Communication, De La Salle University
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘hero’ because I think that romanticizes it too much. I’d say we become a good person in these modern times when we don’t let the luxuries of our generation get in the way of what really matters. The challenge, therefore, is to look past the selfie and see the other people in the picture.” – Roy Stephen Canivel, fourth year Journalism, University of Santo Tomas, prime minister of Faculty of Arts and Letters Debate Parliament
“Being a hero doesn’t mean that you have to possess Superman strength or any of the league’s superpowers. Being a hero, for me, is being involved and being a part of the change that’s happening within a person. When you choose to become a hero, you don’t simply walk around the city and expect everyone to know you but rather, you walk around the city and make everyone be known to you. Challenges these days are quite harder than those of the past few years – people get too attached to technology and detached to life and relationships. The problem now is how we can bring back the significance of life and love around us. Being a hero for today’s generation means saving a person’s life from depression, addiction and such things that could make life worse. Being a hero means showing other people their worth and significance that would lead to their growth. Helping a person grow into someone better than who they are means saving a person and developing the person in you.” – Khamylle Castillo, third year Fine Arts, St. Scholastica’s College Manila, internal vice president of SSC Student Council
“I believe that heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers that they are bestowed with. Therefore, I think I can be a hero in this modern time by being a teacher. Like most heroes that we know, teachers have the power to change the world by educating one student at a time. And as Henry Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he/she can never tell where his/her influence stops.” – David S. Roxas, fourth year Broadcasting, University of the East, president of Association of Broadcasting Students
“Giving the reserved space to PWDs (Persons with Disabilities) when they ride a jeepney, properly falling in line, or politely saying “Excuse me” when getting off a train or bus full of people—in doing these acts, we think of how the people around us will feel. And I think it’s one of the rare things in the world today. By being a considerate person, I (or we) can become a hero of these modern times.” – Arah Villenueva, fifth year Accountancy, St Scholastica’s College Manila, senior correspondent at The Scholastican
“Being a modern-day hero takes a lot of guts because you put your idealism to the test and strive to make a better society. The world is changing at an incredible pace, and the real modern-day heroes are those who can dream and build the kind of world they’d want to live in.” – Lorenzo Capinpin, fourth year Management, Ateneo de Manila University, AIESEC
“By being who you are! Your strength is your power, especially when you have the capability to do it while others can’t. Sharing and helping is your way for them to see it.” − Mary Dioso, fourth year Fine Arts, St. Scholastica’s College Manila, editor-in-chief of The Scholastican
“Live not for yourself alone. Selflessness is bravery. Transcending one’s desires and making genuine sacrifices for the welfare of others is the ultimate manifestation of bravery.” – Allan Pangilinan, fourth year Philosophy, University of the Philippines-Diliman, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy representative of University Student Council
“In my opinion, I can be a hero by staying true to myself and by having the dedication to serve my fellow students. Also, doing my responsibility as a son, a student, and as a citizen can make me a hero in these modern times.” – Michael Santos, fourth year Electrical Engineering, Bulacan State University, president of BulSU Student Government
“Every day, we make the choice to be heroes. In doing so, we find ourselves doing heroic things. And in being heroes, we grant those who surround us the chance to be heroes, too. So make the choice. Choose to be a hero.” – Rissa Colayco, fourth year Management of Applied Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University, AIESEC
“Everyone can be a hero in their own simple ways. Being patriotic, selfless, and nurturing of your unconditional love for our motherland is enough for you to become a hero in this generation. Those things are often disregarded, because we are being blinded by all of those foreign influences that we are instilling in ourselves. It’s not just about holding a “bolo” or “itak,” and screaming your heart out; it’s by reliving those forgotten values that makes one a hero in these modern times.” – Weislogel Salde, fourth year Business Administration, major in Human Resource Development Management, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
“Be a hero by constantly reminding yourself that you don’t live just for yourself but for others as well. By then, you’ll be motivated to do the things you are supposed to do because you know that if you don’t, you’re not only failing yourself but also the people around you.” – Clarisse Inao, fourth year Journalism, Bulacan State University, associate editor-in-chief of The Pacesetter
“Today’s definition of a hero is no longer just a person who is willing to die for a cause or who does chivalrous acts, but someone who can simply change the world in his or her own way (no matter how big or small it is) without any hesitation or condition. I still believe everyone can be a hero, especially the youth. Though they are into self-absorbed acts on social media like selfies, the youth can also use their creativity to help solve the problems that the world is facing now. And with that, new heroes arise.” – Medrell De Jesus, fifth year Chemical Engineering, University of Santo Tomas, president, Becarios de Santo Tomas, UST Scholars Organization
“I think I can be a hero by making a change in my own community.” – Nicole De Vera Pelaez, Mass Communication, fourth year New Era University, executive secretary at Communicators’ Guild
“The youth will inherit the future; therefore it is a must to be involved in the social issues that challenge our nation. We must firmly stand and never compromise our rights. These shall make us heroes of our day. Huwag matakot manindigan sa panahon na gumagawa ng kasaysayan ang kabataang Pilipino!” – Ma. Jann Lazo, fourth year Journalism, University of Santo Tomas, president of Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council
“One can be a hero by doing simple tasks like throwing your trash into the proper place, helping an elder cross the street, and many more. There’s always a hero in every one of us, it just needs to be nurtured and released,” – Erick Jhon Carlo Santos, Aeronautical Engineering, PATTS College of Aeronautics
“To be a good citizen can be easy if we put into action the Herculean task that we need to do. Simple as it may seem to some, yet if we ignited a spark, the flame will begin to glow. You and I can show nobility to the country if we accept the challenge and become heroes in these modern times. I did. Will you?” – Rommel Montaño, second year Behavioral Science, University of Santo Tomas
“I can be a hero by doing simple things. First is to share what I have to those who are in need. I can be a good follower or citizen by being well-disciplined and abiding by the rules. Lastly, I have to live not just for myself, but also for others.” – Basil Lester Zafico, third year Marine Engineering, Technological Institute of the Philippines
“I can be a hero by teaching street children basic education and imparting ways to help them have a livelihood.” – Jossel Cayasa Diaz, fourth year BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, System Technology Institute (STI)
“Being a hero is not easy because it takes a lot of hard work, patience, and responsibility to influence others to do noble things and create a change in society. Our country needs people who can fight for what is right and just. We need servant leaders and disciplined followers, at the same time, who can inspire and help people to change their lives for the better. Heroes are selfless, they are willing to sacrifice without expecting something in return. I believe that in order to become a hero in these modern times, I must begin the change through my own little way, which starts in my home, school, and my community.” – Kristine Krizzia Castañeda, second year Commerce and Business Administration, UST
“Small things might be unseen but they can change the world. Una, magkaroon ng disiplina sa sarili. Magtapon ng basura sa tamang lugar o magpulot ng kalat. Nakakalimutan na natin ito dahil nga maliit na bagay lang. Second is proper usage of social media and gadgets. Kadalasan kasi, nagagaya nating mga kabataan ang napapanood at nababasa sa social media. Kaya tuloy lahat ng trending alam natin just to fit in. Nagagamit din natin ito sa mali tulad ng cyberbullying, cybersex, etc. We have to communicate personally with people. We can do small things that could affect a person’s life. We can be a hero by doing what is right.” – Jeichelle Mahinay, fourth year Mass Communication, New Era University, auditor of Dulaang Silaw