What if all heroes need to wear capes?


NO PHONE booth like Clark’s, twirling like Diana’s or bat cave like Bruce’s, no hammer or axe to wield, no “Ding, ang bato!”, just the everyday persona we wear doing what is instinctively right.

At any time we turn into heroes and make someone’s lip curve skyward or make the heart flutter with joy—the woman you helped cross the street, the lost man you pointed to the right direction, the time you spent volunteering for a worthy cause, or even just wearing a smile and sharing the good vibes. Deeds you may say “Oh, that’s nothing” may be perceived as the opposite and have a profound effect to the recipient, a good act is never too small. At the end of the day, will we ever know if we have inspired, changed or even save another person’s life?

The magiting (heroic, brave) extends help and expect nothing in return.

What turns the random act of kindness into super is when it becomes viral— it’s called paying it forward. Imagine what a wonderful world this would be if the chain of heroism stretches one link longer each day.

1. What makes a hero? 2. Who is your hero you? 3. What make me a hero? Here are some shared thoughts…



Kat Serrano
Events Executive, Starwoood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide 


What makes you a hero?
Anyone who wants to make a difference in this world, big or small, is a hero. 


Who is your hero?
My mother who has gracefully balanced work and raising five stubborn kids without showing any signs of aging, and my husband who has stuck it out with me in a foreign land and given in to all my desires. 


What makes me a hero?
OFW—ang bagong bayani—that's me!





Dennis Salvador
Executive Director, Philippine Eagle Foundation 






What makes a hero? 
People may make a big deal of seeing one serve others—persons, community, environment— as if it was an unnatural act, but we all do what we can for the betterment of our people. Most would have done that at one time or the other.








Art Boncato
Region XI Tourism Director 




Who makes hero?
A hero is one who saves.

Who is your hero?
My hero is the one who saves.

What makes me a hero?
When I save myself from myself.







Addie Borbon
Agent, Manulife Financial 





What makes a hero?
Being a hero should be an everyday thing, incorporated into your routine. Heroism, for me, would mean your willingness to give others the credit.










Otoy Mercado
Make-up Artist




What makes a hero?
A regular person who can make a change.

Who is your hero?
My mom. Though she never exerts any effort, you know that there will be a big change.

What makes you a hero?
I’m a far cry of becoming a hero but I try very hard to give my best in whatever I’m doing and create something beautiful.





Juan Mitra Sarenas
Asst. Manager, Global Services Center, The Peninsula Hotels 




What makes a hero?
Selflessness.

Who is your hero?
My Mama. She has done everything for me and my siblings with no reserve.

Who makes me a hero?
By exemplifying what my Mom did for us.






Kail Bundalian
Budding entrepreneur 





What makes a hero?
A hero has a dream for the majority and selfless.

Who is your hero?
Venerable Burin of the Dammakaya foundation. He graduated with a degree to land him a good career but chose to live a life of a monk—to meditate, teach, and spread inner peace to the world. 






Rene Lumawag
Photojournalist 




Who is your hero? 
My mother and I think it is true to the majority. A mother's concern for the child never ceases until she passes away. The image you will see in the mirror is the reason why your mother is a hero.










Celina Le Niendre
Food and Beverage Consultant






What makes a hero?
Someone who brings strength where there is weakness, hope where there is none, believes when others have given up, continues to walk forward in spite of fear, in spite of judgment, despite himself, despite failures.








Patty Basa-Tan
PR Officer, Marco Polo Davao 





What makes a hero?
A true hero's deed doesn't really need to be extravagant. It can just be as simple as offering help. He is someone who helps without question and does not feel the need to seek a token of appreciation for every good deed done.









Luisito Garcia Rabat
Law student, Arellano 



What makes a hero?
A hero must be a symbol of unity and must never fail to inspire.

Who is your hero?
My dad. He has never failed to unify and inspire our family.

What makes you a hero? 
I think what makes me a hero in my own way at this point in my life is my ability to follow and learn from other heroes.







Erwin Tan
Fashion Designer, Kasuotan 




What makes a hero?
Unconditional love makes one a hero.


Who is your hero?
My mother for the unconditional love and care she has given us. She gave us good education and values that enabled us to be successful in our lives.

What makes me a hero?
By giving my best in what I do.





Eric Cembrano
Orthodontist 



What makes a hero?
Men for others.

Who is your hero? 
My parents. They created, nurtured and molded me to be the summation of what a responsible decent, God fearing individual I am now.


What makes me a hero?
It never crossed my mind that I am one.






Rovic Cuasito
TV Personality, ABS-CBN 




What makes a hero?
 
When you think of others more than yourself.

Who is your hero?
 
Jose Rizal
. I’m amazed at how he used his connections abroad for his homeland the Philippines. He didn’t use arms to show he’s fighting for his country.

What makes me a hero?

Doing little things for others without them asking.





Langga Ramos
Nurse, Mt. Sinai 



What makes a hero?
Hero = Darna. She thinks of others before herself & she has her super powers.

Who is your hero? 
My grandmother, Chi-chi. She cares about her family's well-being and tries to protect us in her own heroic ways 24/7. Super powers: 1. Miles from home I can hear her soothing voice and feel her warm hug just thinking of her; 2. Her powerful prayers and endless novenas keep me safe every time; 3. She has an excellent 20/20 vision at her age; 4. She zip-lines at 86 young years.




Garimon Roferos
Designer, Michael Cinco Haute Couture 



What makes a hero?
Strength and power.

Who is your hero?
My creative director, Michael Cinco.

What makes me a hero?
To be creative, come up with new ideas each season for Michael Cinco Couture and sharing it to the world.







Jessica Patricio
Cabin crew 


What makes a hero?
Someone who makes a simple gesture of kindness everyday.

Who is your hero?
My father, he is my strength. Although he passed away 2004, he still lives in me.

What makes me hero?
In my profession, our priority is the safety and security of the aircraft and its passengers. It’s fulfilling whenever I see passengers happy from the moment they enter the plane to getting off it.





Kenneth Ong
Lifestyle Section head, EDGE




What makes a hero? 
The person who’s like a glowing candle in the dark, a beacon for others.

Who is your hero?
Doraemon. He is a steadfast friend to Nobita even if at times Nobita takes advantage of him.

What makes me a hero?
Heroes don't realize they are heroes. They just are.





Saddie Andrada
Entrepreneur




What makes a hero? 
Heroism, for me, is sacrificing and putting aside your own fulfillment and satisfaction in order to serve, help and uplift the life of others.