ILOILO CITY, Philippines ? Despite a year of tragedies, most notably the Maguindanao massacre that left 57 dead, Filipinos should not lose hope and instead, take inspiration from the acts of courage and heroism by ordinary citizens, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said.
In his New Year message on Sunday, Lagdameo, immediate past president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said 2009 would leave behind a ?legacy of problems, tragedies and disasters.?
They include ?the haunting memory of unsolved corruption,? the victims of typhoons and the Maguindanao massacre.
?It is no wonder that concerned people continue to cry and demand for solutions. This, sadly, will be carried over to 2010,? Lagdameo said.
?Our heroes are coming from the ordinary citizenry, who hold no political power, but have brought honor to our country through their personal charisma and talents,? Lagdameo said.
He cited the heroism of 18-year-old construction worker Muelmar Magallanes, who died saving more than 30 people from rampaging flood waters at the height of Tropical Storm ?Ondoy.? Magallanes was named one of Time magazine?s top 10 heroes of 2009.
The prelate also cited Efren Peńaflorida for his spirit of volunteerism. Peńaflorida, honored as CNN Hero of the Year, started a ?pushcart classroom? to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership.
An acknowledged fan of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Lagdameo also named Pacman as among the heroes people should draw inspiration from.
?There are hundreds of ordinary citizens, unknown heroes who make up for ?infamous? leaders who bring dishonor and poverty to our country,? said Lagdameo, a vocal critic of the Arroyo administration.
Quoting slain El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero, Lagdameo said: ?We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs; we are prophets of a future not our own.?
