Its been only 5 days to Christmas. We, Filipinos, loves this season more than any other holidays. It has always been a joyful time wherein we can spend with our families & the people we loves the most. But Christmas doesnt always worked that way. Christmas, I think, imparts a more valuable lesson in life more than gifts, foods, the songs, and all the material things that we received. We should remind ourselves that Christmas is celebrated because it is the time that we can become a better person by virtues of generosity and greatfullness. Christmas always gives us a chance to shine and display our greatness.

While I was watching the TV earlier, the ABS-CBN station ID for 2010 caught my attention. Their theme on this years Christmas plug is "Ngayong Pasko Magniningning ang Pilipino", which is interpreted by Gary V & Toni Gonzaga. Aside from its catchy tune, I think it also emphasizes that all Filipino deserves a fair chance to shine this season.

The chorus is very apt on the concluded matched between our very own Pacquiao and Mexico's pride Margarito, wherein the Filipinos shine once again. Pacquiao proved to the world how great fighter he is. Aside from that he also gave all Filipinos around the world of something to be proud of. But what is more admirable to Pacquiao was when he showed inner strength when he refused to inflict more damage to his opponent. In one of his interview he said that, "boxing is not for killing each other" and for that impressive statement he stood out one more time.

It is not only Pacquiao that makes our country proud, there is Charice Pempengco & Arnel Pineda, who does not tired on proving how talented the Filipinos are. Another is Efren Penaflorida, the CNN's 2009 Hero of the Year. He also showed how compassionate Filipinos are and for giving the importance of education, when he used his kariton being a classroom to teach the less fortunate children on the streets. And the AZKAL's, the Philippines National Football team, without the government support, still, they struggle to fight to show to world that Filipinos can excel even on football. They are just among the many ones who continously gave us something to be proud of and something to believed in. Their successes gives us hope that everyone can achieve more than what they achieved. One more reason why we shine throughout the world is because of our OFW's, the what we called the newest Hero of our time. Their dedication to their job, talents & intelligence, hospitable & care for others, also the determination to succeed are some of the many things that other countries & cultures admires of. No greater love than being apart from love ones just to give them a good life & future.

They are just among the many ones who continously gave us something to be proud of and something to believed in. Their successes gives us hope that everyone can achieve more than what they achieved.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

&

MABUHAY ANG FILIPINO!!!

10. MUELMAR MAGALLANES

REMEMBER THE TYPHOON ONDOY(KETSANA) THAT HIT MANILA & SOME NEARBY PROVINCES LAST OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. THERE ARE SOME STORIES OF HEROISM THAT IS FLUSHED AWAY AS THE RAVAGING FLOOD PASSED BY & ONE OF THOSE IS MUELMARS STORY. DOZENS ARE PERISHED IN THIS CALAMITY & ONE OF BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE EMERGED...AND TIME HONORED HIS BRAVERY...

TO THOSE WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE STORY READ THIS...

An 18-year-old construction worker braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box

Family members and people who Muelmar Magallanes saved have hailed the young man a hero, as his body lay in a coffin at a makeshift evacuation centre near their destroyed Manila riverside village.

"I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar," said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself. "He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice."

Mr Magallanes was at home on Saturday with his family when tropical storm Ketsana unleashed the heaviest rains in more than 40 years on the Philippine capital and surrounding areas.

At first the family, long used to heavy rains, paid little attention to the storm.

But Mr Magallanes and his father quickly decided to evacuate the family once they realised the river 800 metres away had burst its banks.

With the help of an older brother, Mr Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached it one-by-one to his three younger siblings, whom he took to higher ground. Then he came back for his parents.

But Mr Magallanes, a strong swimmer, decided to go back for neighbours trapped on rooftops.

He ended up making many trips, and eventually saved more than 30 people from drowning, witnesses and survivors said.

Tired and shivering, Mr Magallanes was back on higher ground with his family when he heard Ms Penalosa screaming as she and her baby were being swept away on the polystyrene box they were using in an attempt to cross the swift currents.

He dived back in after the mother and daughter, who were already a few metres away and bobbing precariously among the debris floating on the brown water.

"I didn't know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die," said Ms Penalosa, her eyes welling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

"Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone," Ms Penalosa said.

Ms Penalosa and other witnesses said an exhausted Mr Magallanes was simply washed away amid the torrent of water.

Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with 28 others who perished amid Manila's epic flooding. The official death toll stands at 100 with 32 missing.


Standing next to his coffin, Mr Magallanes' parents paid tribute to their son.

"He always had a good heart," said his father, Samuel.

"We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl."

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

"He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself."


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