Daily Tribune (Philippines) - HotSpot
Unsung hero
Inspiring spirits to keep us going
Alex Labi is a T’Boli student who hails from South Cotabato. He volunteered to monitor the performance of the school’s solar power system set up by One Meralco Foundation. Like everyone else, he dreams of becoming a teacher one day. That dream, however, has proven difficult to achieve. Studying at night among the T’boli in South Cotabato is a problem
Before Meralco, Alex had to read and study in the dark. He also had to attend classes without the benefit of such equipment as electric fans and visual projectors.
For a young man with a lofty ambition, such were impediments in the daily struggle to reach his goal. But luckily for him, commercial enterprise Meralco is more than willing to be of help for communities and people with inadequate resources.
SEP — an instrument and a key
One Meralco Foundation’s school electrification program ( SEP) eventually found its way into Alex’s elementary school in South Cotabato. Its presence in the community quickly elevated hope among both students and teachers that life should prove better now that they have been provided with a steady source of electrical power. The event moved Alex even more to push ahead with his dream and seeing to it that it happens.
“This is what this job has taught me. Even as I crave for creative communication, I would still choose this line of work because telling the story of the underserved people is much better,” Jeffrey Tarayao, One Meralco Foundation president, said of Alex as volunteer worker in his school.
When Meralco electrified Alex’s school, the key requirement was to have someone to oversee the system and make sure it is performing well.
Without receiving orders from anyone, Alex promptly raised his hand and performed the duty of regularly checking on the power and lighting system Meralco set up for the school.
“I don’t want to sound mushy but the truth is, you find heroes in very difficult situations,” Tarayao said of Alex one more time.
With the simple gesture, Alex helped change the lives of many students who, for Tarayao, were also on their way to becoming another Alex.
“If you don’t have that one guy who checks it [the electrical system from time to time], what happens to the other 200- something students who are studying there. The system may encounter some malfunction,” Tarayao quickly added.
Reap then sow
It is said things happen for a reason, that nothing happens by accident. It is entirely conceivable that in Alex’s case someone or something prepared him for something bigger.
“What we’re doing might be very significant for those who will be left or doomed to darkness their entire lives,” said Tarayao who lauded Alex for the unsung hero that he is to the community.
Today, Alex is a scholar at the Sultan Kudarat University where he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. He regularly visits his alma mater and is certain that one day it will be his turn to stand before a class of young T’bolis just like him, teaching.
“Last month, we went back. He is now studying as a scholar in Sultan Kudarat and he continues to go back because he wants to teach in that school.”
When Tarayao’s team was in South Cotabato at one time, he chanced upon some of Alex’s previous instructors. They have nothing but words of praise for one they consider a hero.
“They were also fueled with the kind of aspirations Alex had,” he recalled, noting that Alex’s passion inspired people to strive for more in life.
“If they can produce many more Alex, then more helping hands may come their way,” he said optimistically.
Tarayao also recalled the time when Alex lost everything he worked for at an arcade- style computer store called pisonet.
“It fuels hope in people’s actions and aspirations. [ It is unbelievable] the attitude they have to support their own because who else can support them aside from themselves,” he said.
For many years, Alex banked on the support his community provided him with. For sure it is not much but it is something Alex can draw courage from to persist in life.
“For me, the fundamental story is still the most important,” Tarayao said of Alex and his power to inspire the country’s young.
“Think first of the developmental impact [of a campaign] then everything else will follow,” Tarayao said. According to him, a creative project is mere nonsense if it is purely for public relations purposes.
One Meralco Foundation’s School Electrification Program may not be the most creative of projects but it has a developmental impact with the power to change the lives of those who benefit from it.
“It fuels hope in people’s actions and aspirations. [It is unbelievable to see] the kind of attitude that they have to support their own because who else can support them aside from themselves.”
They were also fueled with the kind of aspirations like Alex had,” he added, saying that Alex’s passion has fueled many people to strive more in life.