My top 5 modern Filipino heroes

Have you noticed? More and more Filipinos are being recognized as heroes despite not having risked their lives like guys like Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino. These modern Filipino are recognized not for their martyrdom but for their passion and contribution in nurturing and teaching their fellow Filipinos especially the less privileged.

Here is my top 5 modern Filipino heroes:

1. Antonio P. Meloto. He is the founder of the anti-poverty and nation-building charismatic movement Gawad Kalinga (GK). Through GK, Meloto has inspired many Filipinos to rise and to work for the eradication of poverty through a pioneering movement of volunteerism. Because of this, he became the first Gawad Haydee Yorac Awardee.

2 and 3. Dr. Christopher and Ma. Victoria Bernido. The Bernidos who were professors at the UP National Institute of Physics left the UP Campus and established the Research Center for Theoretical Physics in Jagna, Bohol, a sea-side fourth class municipality. Because of this, the couple were given the third Gawad Haydee Yorac award.

4. Efren Penaflorida. This young man started a "pushcart classroom" in Cavite in order to bring education to poor children and keep them away from gang membership and gang wars. Because of his passion, he was chosen as the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year which he received with great humility.

5. Joey Concepcion. Born to a well-to-do family, he has extended himself from just being successful businessman to being a prime mover in teaching and encouraging entrepreneurship to Filipinos through the Go Negosyo movement. The success of Go Negosyo, both in terms of support and impact, is but an award in itself and a recognition of Mr. Concepcion's passion for encouraging entrepreneurship.

Philippine Independence Day, June 12

On June 12, 1928, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo (who later became the Philippines' first Republican President) declared Philippine independence and proclaimed the sovereignty of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

The United States recognized Philippine independence only on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila.  Because of this, Independence Day was observed in the Philippines every July 4 until, upon the advice of historians and at the urging of nationalist politicians, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 on August 4, 1964, designating June 12, previously been observed as Flag Day, as the country's Independence Day.