Heroes Among Us
Once again, it’s that time of the year when bloggers around the world come up with a review of the events that rocked the year.
So, here’s my very own list of the people who spelled the difference for mankind (Filipinos, at least) over the past 12 months:
(No thanks to websites like spot.PH, professional heckler, Yahoo! Fit to Post blogs and TV shows like Dokumentado, etc. for stealing their idea.)
1. Raissa Laurel, the bar exam blast victim – For being an inspiration and providing us a face of hope despite losing her legs in a grenade blast last Bar Exams in front of the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila.
2. Manny Pacquiao – Now considered as one of the greatest fighters of all time, the Pacman (aka Peoples’ Champ, Fighting Congressman, Pambansang Kamao, Wapakman) has once again made Filipinos proud as he brought home his eighth title, the most by an individual in different weight divisions so far, after an impressive win against Mexican Antonio Margarito. (And also for a remarkable song number in Jimmy Kimmel Live with no other than Will Ferrell!)
You be the judge!
3. Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) Machine – Despite technical problems, the PCOS machine has done its job in the very first full automated election in the country. Plus, Smartmatics’ Cesar Flores is one hot hunk. Congress, time to ammend the constitution to make the elections happen once every two weeks… and make Cesar Flores a naturalized Filipino citizen!
4. The PH Azkals and the Golden Boys in Asiad – Our athletes hit a buzzer-beater when Biboy Rivera, Dennis Orcollo, and Rey Saludar claimed the gold medals in their respective sport disciplines to save the day for the Philippines in the Guangzhou Asian Games.
And just before the year ended, the once underdogs Philippine Football Team did the unexpected when they upset defending champs Viet Nam, 2-0 and posted draws against Singapore and Myanmar to barge in for the first time in the semifinal knock out stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The Azkals bowed however to Indonesia as Christian Gonzales scored a goal each in their two meetings that ended PH’s cinderella campaign in the biggest football tournament in the region.
But their impressive performance stirred the basketball-crazed nation as football (or soccer, as most of the Filipinos call the beautiful game) becomes more and more popular every day, urging the ‘higher guys’ to bid to host the next Suzuki Cup in 2012.
With gritty attackers and a formidable defense (and not to mention being the best looking squad in Asia), a bigger and brighter future awaits the Azkals. Their ultimate goal: 2016 world cup.
(Just in: The Philippines was awarded the Fair Play award in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Congratulations!)
5. Roel Dinglasan, entomologist
and biologist – Battling one of the deadliest diseases in the world, Roel Dinglasan made some waves in the medical community as he developed a vaccine against Malaria last January. Malaria kills one child every five seconds, mostly in Africa, and his vaccine is a major development in the field of medicine. Dinglasan works at John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, USA and was featured in Time Magazine for his big contribution in saving millions of lives.
Runner ups: Charice, Brillante Mendoza, Nonito Donaire, University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Science (UP-NIGS), Django Bustamante, and Cristeta Comerford. MM
YESSIR! 
