Envisioning For A Nation of Heroes
 The year was 1994, A Filipina domestic helper in Hong Kong was run over by a car in the pursuit of saving her ward, a Chinese boy. The child was saved but the Filipina did not make it. The late known philanthropist and then ABS-CBN Chairman, Don Eugenio Lopez, heard the news. He was so inspired with the heroic act that he called up Fr. Nilo Tanalega, SJ of the UGAT Foundation to conceptualize a project geared for these Filipino heroes. Fr. Nilo, along with Mr. Raphael Ocoma, also a Board Member of the foundation met up with Mr. Lopez. It was through this meeting that the Bayaning Pilipino Awards was born.
The main focus of the award is to give recognition to struggling Filipinos who in spite of their own difficulties and shortcomings still manage to rise and emerge as role models in their communities. Initially, there were three categories namely the Individual, Family and Institution. The criteria were
mainly based on their personal integrity and contribution to the community. UGAT Foundation with its many network groups took care of the promotions and screening while the ABS-CBN took care of the funds and media exposure. It was a fruitful partnership.
The first awarding ceremony happened in July 1995. The whole search process, taking up more than a year was not easy. Careful task was done in
the promotion, screening and selection of finalists. But it was all worth it, for in the roster of nominees nationwide three final winners emerged. They were Librada Galeon from Agdao, Davao in the Individual Category; the Santos family of Laoag, Ilocos Norte; and the MOFAMCO of Benguet in the institution category.
The initial venture somehow gained recognition as it saw print on various broadsheets and tabloids. Promotions were continued especially in the
schools, parishes and different sectors even after the awards night. As envisioned, many people were inspired that it was no longer hard in looking
for nominees in the succeeding search events. From then on came the awarding ceremonies in 1997, 1999, 2000 and this November 2001.
 And the project continues to grow. In 1997 another category was added which is for the Filipino overseas workers. Countries like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore sent their nominees. Filipinos from the Middle East including the countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai were recognized in the year 2000. Another category this time for teachers nationwide is also being given starting also last 2000.
This year, it will now be aptly called the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr., after Don Geny who passed away last year and whose legacy of simplicity and heroism still lives on in the hearts of many people.
Thus, the vision lives on. Now on its fifth event of giving recognition to our heroes nationwide and beyond, the Bayaning Pilipino Awards- Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. continues to search far and wide for living heroes and the project has not failed. Heroes do abound in our midst and it is just proper for them to be recognized and applauded not only for them to be emulated but also for the simple reason that they do deserve to be hailed.
It began with a simple story of heroism that inspired one simple hero himself. Now we do not only have one but numerous stories to tell our people and the world that the Philippines is indeed a nation of heroes.
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Our Purpose
 The Bayaning Pilipino Awards , which is envisioned to be a yearly affair, comes as a fitting tribute to fine Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry, determination and dedication to public service.
It is intended to hold in high public esteem ”existing heroes who have rendered exemplary service to the Filipino people.”
“The heroes that we want to recognize now are those who are living and those whom the ordinary people can emulate”, ABS-CBN management stressed.
As envisioned, the annual search for the Bayaning Pilipino awardees will promote Filipino values by highlighting their accomplishments in the field of
public service. It is difficult to be a living hero. One may still commit mistakes. But, mistakes is only for what we do, not with the kind of heart we offer.
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Through The Years (The Bayaning Pilipino Awards Profile)
 The Bayaning Pilipino Awards is an annual search for modern-day heroes and shall continue to make a difference in spite of their limitations. Launched in 1995, it was envisioned by the late Don Eugenio Lopez, Jr. for which this award is now named, to give recognition to ordinary folks who had done heroic acts and extraordinary deeds. Thus with his acquaintance with Fr. Nilo E. Tanalega, SJ Executive Director of UGAT Foundation, Inc. this noble project was born.
The Bayaning Pilipino Awards, which is envisioned to be a yearly affair, comes as a fitting tribute to fine Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry,
determination and dedication to public service.
It is intended to hold in high public esteem “existing heroes who have rendered service to the Filipino people.”
“The heroes that we want to recognize now are those who are living and those whom the ordinary people can emulate, “ABS-CBN management stressed.”
As envisioned, the annual search for the Bayaning Pilipino Awardees will promote Filipino values by highlighting their accomplishments in the field of
public service.
The project also forms part of the network’s efforts to “reciprocate the unyielding loyalty of our subscribers and other supporters” as reflected by
excellent performance ratings given the company by prestigious industry surveys.
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Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. (Bayaning Pilipino Awards)
Mga Pamantayan
Bayaning Pilipino (Individual)
Pakikipagkapwa-tao
• May respeto o paggalang sa pakikitungo sa iba.
• May pakikinig at kabukasan sa opinion at pananaw ng iba.
• Marunong tumanggap ng puna at pagkakamali.
• May mapayapang disposisyon.
• May paniniwala sa pagkaka-pantay-pantay ng lahat (walang paghuhusga maging sa relihiyon, kulay, kasarian o lahi).
Sipag, Tiyaga at Tapang
• Binubuhos ang sarili sa mga proyekto para sa kapwa.
• May pagpupursige sa kabila ng mga hadlang.
• May lakas ng loob (courage under fire).
Paglilingkod sa Mahihirap at sa Komunidad
• May responsibilidad sa komunidad / naniniwala sa kapakanan ng nakararami.
• Ginagalang at kinikilala ang kanyang kontribusyon sa komunidad.
• Pinagpapatuloy ang mga naumpisahang proyekto at gawain (long term consistency).
Katapatan at Karangalan
• Hindi nasangkot o nasasangkot sa ano mang anomalya / iskandalo (sa komunidad).
• Ginagampanan ang tungkulin ng isang mamamayan.
• May pagkilala sa sariling halaga (self-worth).
• May takot at Pag-asa sa Diyos
• May kababaang-loob.
• May malalim na pagtanggap sa sariling limitasyon (walang messianic complex).
• May positibong pagtingin sa buhay.
• Nananatiling may pag-asa sa kabila ng krisis.
Bayaning Pamilyang Pilipino (Family)
Paglilingkod sa Mahihirap at Komunidad
• Kinakailangan na karamihan (majority) sa mga miyembro ng pamilya ay kilala bilang mga taong nagsisilbi (service-oriented).
• May mga proyektong nakalaan o may ginagawa para sa mahihirap.
• Ang mga taga-komunidad ay nakikitaan ng pagbabago tungo sa kaginhawahan na dulot ng mga proyektong pinasimulan (impact on community).
Ugnayan ng Pamilya
• May mabuting samahan ang mga miyembro sa isat-isa.
• May paggalang sa kani-kaniyang personalidad (kasama ang mga kakayahan maging ang mga kahinaan).
Katapatan at Karangalan
• Hindi nasangkot o nasasangkot ang sinuman sa pamilya sa ano mang anomalya / iskandalo (sa komunidad).
Bayaning Samahang Pilpino (People’s Organization)
Paglilingkod sa Mahihirap at sa Komunidad
• Kinakailangan na ang mga proyekto o mga programa ay a.) patuloy na pinapatakbo. b.) may magandang epekto sa kalagayan ng komunidad, at c.)
may tinutugunang pangkasalukuyang isyu ng lipunan.
• Malakas sa mga miyembro ang “spirit of volunteerism.”
May Sariling Sikap at Hindi Kailangang Umasa sa Iba (Self-Reliant)
• Pinagyayaman ang mga nalikom na pera at iba pang resources para hindi umasa sa iba o sa mga funding angencies habang-buhay.
• May tiwala sa kakayahan ng mga miyembro na magpatakbo ng samahan.
Katapatan at Karangalan
• Hindi nasasangkot sa ano mang anomalya.
• Ginagalang at kinikilala ang kanilang kontribusyon sa komunidad.
Demokratikong Pamamalakad
• Kumikilos at kasangkot sa proyekto ang mga miyembro.
• Bawat miyembro ay bahagi ng malakihang desisyon ukol sa pamamalakad ng samahan.
• Pantay-pantay ang pagtingin maging sa miyembro o sa mga tag-komunidad.
Bayaning Gurong Pilipino (Teacher)
Limitasyon
• Hindi kukulangin sa sampung (10) taon ng naiipong pagtuturo.
• Mula sa isang Pormal na institusyon.
• Kabilang sa alinman sa mababa (elementarya) o mataas (high school) na antas; pambuliko (public) o pampribadong (private) institusyon.
Nagsisilbi Kahit Lampas sa Tawag ng Tungkulin
• May kusang pagsisilbi kahit sa labas ng paaralan patungo sa lipunan.
May Matinding Paniniwala sa Panlipunang Katarungan
• Hindi basta sumasang-ayon sa paniniwala ng nakararami.
• Matayog ang paninindigan sa sarili.
• Ipinaglalaban ang prinsipyo sa buhay.
• Tumutugon sa mga pangkasalukuyang isyu ng panlipunan.
Mapagkusang-loob
• May matinding pagtataya para sa propesyon.
• Kusang nagpapadestino kahit sa mga liblib na pook.
Katapatan at Karangalan
• Iginagalang ng mga mamamayan.
• Hindi nasangkot sa ano mang anomalya o eskandalo at sa mga makasariling gawain (e.g. pagpipilit ng mga ibinebentang bagay, pagpapalinis ng sariling bakuran para sa dagdag puntos sa grado, atbp.).
Pagkamalikhain at Pagkamapamaraan
• Nagagawan ng paraan ang paggamit ng mga katutubong kagamitan o kung ano man ang mapapakinabangan para maging mas epektibo ang pagtuturo.
Nabubuhay sa Pag-asa
• May positibong pagtingin sa buhay.
• Hindi madaling masiraan ng loob sa kabila ng mga kakulangan o mga pagsubok sa propesyon.
Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino (Youth)
Limitations:
 A Filipino citizen between the ages 15-30 years old at the time of the nomination period who is actively serving the community.
Pakikipagkapwa-tao
• May respeto at paggalang sa kapwa kabataan maging sa nakatatanda man.
Sipag at Tiyaga
• Nagpupursige sa mga gawain; May matatag na pangarap sa buhay at nagsisikap sa katuparan nito.
Paglilingkod sa Kapwa
• Laging handa; May kusang loob na tumulong sa nangangailangan (sense of volunteerism); May malayang pagtataya (sense of commitment); May
onkretong proyekto o gawain para sa kapwa o komunidad.
Katapatan at Karangalan
• Nagsisilbing modelo at inspirasyon sa kapwa niya kabataan maging sa mga mas nakatatanda.
• May Pananalig sa Diyos
• May positibong pagtingin sa buhay; May tiwala at pananalig sa Diyos.
Bayaning Pilipino sa Asya Pasipiko (South Korea, Thailand,
Taiwan & Hongkong-Macau)
Qualification
“A Living Overseas Filipino Worker Presently Working Abroad”
Social Responsibility
• Must be actively serving the community for at least two (2) years.
• Reaches out to the disadvantaged sectors by supporting projects or programs to improve the quality of life.
Hardwork, Industry and Discipline
• Has basic sense of responsibility towards work.
• Can deliver the work expected.
• Has systematic work ethics and initiative.
• Obedient to proper rules and procedures.
• Patient when necessary.
Moral Integrity and Social Acceptability
• Has no case of graft and corruption.
• Not involved in any scandal or anomaly at present.
• May have had a history of conversion / moral transformation.
• Able to separate objective tasks from emotional / personal involvement.
• Accepted by the community as a person with a fair sense of justice.
• Respected by the community.
Love for Family
• Endures sacrifices for the welfare of his family.
• Regularly communicates (thru letters, phone calls) with his family.
• Plans for the future of his family.
Love of Country
• Proud to be a Filipino.
• Proud of achievements of fellow Filipinos
• Has sense of Philippines history, language and culture.
• Plans to go back and settle in the Philippines.
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