In Good Company
by Alexis M. Dy, Rica S. Facundo on August 11, 2010
They say that the Cry of Pugadlawin signaled the start of the Philippine Revolution.
Back then, devoted Katipuneros tirelessly fought for the independence and freedom we presently enjoy. Today, the blood they shed leaves a mark every August as we commemorate their endeavors during National Heroes’ Day.
In Ateneo, the journey to heroism may be less bloody, but equally as patriotic. Here we have our own set of Katipuneros, each yelling out their own passionate cries— some stemming from a unfortunate circumstance, some growing from their natural affinity to serve.
None of them may be donned in red, but these heroes sure use their skills and passion to selflessly make a difference in the community— and we are in good company, because Ateneo has a long line of them.
Photo by Migi Soriano
Mark Gosingtian (BFA ID ’09)
The graphic designer who was inspired by, and inspired the nation
Creator of “Where I’m from, everyone’s a hero” graphic
Almost everyone has an Ondoy horror story that they bring up at reunions with family or friends held post-September 26, but Mark Gosingtian was at home when the infamous typhoon hit.
“I only figured out that it was getting bad when I heard news that friends were stranded or had to leave their houses because water had risen so much already,” he recalls.
Thousands were left devastated in the typhoon’s wake. Like a lot of people, Mark went to lend a hand in Ateneo’s relief efforts at the College Covered Courts, and he was so inspired by the outpouring of help that “in the spur of the moment,” he came up with the graphic four days later.
“I think a response like that from everyone was really something to be proud of,” he says of people coming together to pack goods, donate items and clean up. “The graphic was originally only for my personal blog. I really didn’t expect that people would like it so much, or that it would go viral.”
Because of the overwhelming response that included media coverage, Mark decided to make T-shirts featuring the graphic, and even donated part of the proceeds to Red Cross and UNICEF.
“One of the best comments I received [about the graphic] was when someone who bought the shirt wore it when she was in another country. A foreigner approached her and said that it was a positive message about the Philippines,” he says proudly.
“As cliché as it sounds, the Ondoy tragedy proved that everyone can be a hero, regardless of what they do, through their own little ways.”
Shirts are still available at http://heroshirts.tumblr.com/.
Photo by Migi Soriano
Angela Poe (II BS ME)
The super model who served
Committee for Advocacy and Externals for the Writers Guild Creative Circle, Member of Strains, Pure Fashion Faith Formator, GK Participant, Dept. VP for Ateneo MEco
Being a jack of all trades and a master of service, Angela Poe is the everyday hero, personified.
Whether her contributions are made through the many organizations she’s a part of, or through her own initiative, it’s the simple steps she takes that make the biggest difference.
When she’s not bringing Creative Writing to distressed communities with the Writers Guild, she’s organizing book drives and donating libraries to the GK Poveda Village in Pinagsama. “No one asked me to,” Angela says, “but the benefit is the satisfaction of knowing that a good idea was materialized.” With the help of her mom, the drive was successful— around 150 books were collected.
Although Angela says that she wants to “get [her] feet wet in a lot of different areas”, each step she’s taking now serves a bigger purpose. “My mom and I want to start a foundation where we make it easier for people who are really serving society to focus on their advocacy, and not worry about sending their kids to school,” Angela shares.
“I’m a supermodel, and I never thought this would happen,” she muses, referring to her role as a spiritual counselor in Pure Fashion, an international faith based program for young girls.
But with an effortless grace, a caring passionate heart and an earnest mind— to her friends, as well as her community— it’s pretty obvious to us that she is, and should be, a supermodel.
Photo by Migi Soriano
The Ateneo Rowing Team
The team that rose to the occasion
Helped Typhoon Ondoy victims
In times of calamity, it is hard to think about others. The pressing concern is for the self, and fighting that instinct for self-preservation to help others is a classic example of what it means to be a hero.
Upon hearing that relatives were stranded in Provident Village, a subdivision devastated by Typhoon Ondoy, Lee Panopio asked if his rowing teammates wanted to join him in delivering food and supplies. They didn’t know Ondoy was going to be tougher than any competition they’ve joined.
Lee, his sister Elizabeth, and his teammate Paolo Encarnacion had to make do with three rubber boats tied together with rope. Only an emergency lamp and the glow of cellphones the residents waved from rooftops lit their path.
“The water levels were so high that we could actually hold onto the electric lines,” he says of that night. “And it was drizzling, so it was really cold.”
Adding to their troubles was a tree line that punctured Paolo’s boat. “He had to transfer to my boat. While cutting the rope to release the boat, my sister accidentally punctured hers and she had to hop onto mine as well,” Lee recalls. “We were three in a boat designed for one person. The entire journey back, people were asking for help and we told them we couldn’t. We said we’d try to go back.”
True enough, they returned the next day.
Team captain Ari Salud wasn’t surprised by the brave act. “I’m very proud of the boys for going out of their way and for putting to good use the very skills we hope to further improve on,” he says.
Photo by Migi Soriano
Bea Osmeña (II BS MGT)
The Green Atenean
Sanggunian Fahrenheit Project, Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition, Environmental Science Society, Trilogy Boutique, Volunteer for ICanserve Breast Cancer Foundation
Bea Osmeña is a fun-loving Atenean with a green heart. Not that she crossed over to the boundaries of Taft; rather, she’s having the time of her life on the green pastures of Mother Earth.
“I don’t think I’m any special compared to anyone else,” she says nonchalantly. Being environmentally aware is something that Bea “just wants to do”— exactly the reason why she stands out.
And that’s because going green isn’t only her advocacy, it’s her lifestyle too. “Personally, I segregate at home, buy local products, use canvas bags and buy organic whenever I can. I also limit my meat intake to seafood,” she shares.
To support these beliefs of hers, Bea is always set to rise to the occasion. Apart from being active in the Sanggunian Fahrenheit Project, the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition and the Ateneo Environmental Science Society, she also collected hundreds of signatures for the cleanup of the Guimaras oil spill back in high school. In between her efforts, she also found time to campaign for the “veganization” of her high school cafeteria.
For her the choice was simple. “It wasn’t anything that struck me— just the gradual realization that everything you do has an effect, and [that] it is our responsibility to minimize the harmful effects our consuming results to,” Bea says.
“Iron shapes iron,” she says. “It’s how the people you surround yourself with shape who you are.”
If that’s the case, then with people like Bea around, we can definitely expect more Ateneans to walk green and proud along campus.
Cheenee Otarra (AB DS ’09)
The tireless advocate for Filipino farmers
Co-founder of Sumilao Agri-Enterprise
The Sumilao farmers’ plight is an ongoing story of overcoming obstacles. For Cheenee Otarra, their story has also become hers.
“Our teacher showed us a documentary on the Sumilao farmers. I remember being so moved that I cried like a child— as in, hagulgol,” she shares candidly.
Cheenee was inspired to help in any way she could. She listened to the farmers’ stories as she shared their 15km walk through Laguna, and wrote entries and posted photos on her blog. When they returned to Manila in January 2008 to follow up on the progress of their case, she joined them again.
It was then she committed herself to the cause, knowing she would not stop until their lives definitively improved.
Recognizing the importance of helping the farmers now that they have part of their land back, she helped establish the Sumilao Agri-Enterprise, which aims to increase their income by helping them create and market products like organic corn coffee.
The Sumilao farmers are still in need of assistance in different areas, but the progress they’ve made keeps her going. “Whenever they get their income and gratefully say that the money will truly help them— those are times I feel we are indeed helping.”
On Ateneans who wish to make a difference, Cheenee says, “If you really want to serve your country and your people, start now. Remember that each of us has a unique talent that we can use to help in various ways. Everything big starts small.”
In the case of the Sumilao farmers, all it took was a single step.
For more information on the Sumilao farmers and their organic corn coffee, visit http://sumilaofarm.com or e-mail contact@sumilaofarm.com to place an order.
