Hello again dear readers of Special Education Philippines, let us welcome you back on this bright, sunny day with our second half of Pitong Pinoy 2.0 winners for promoting children’s education.

Like we said yesterday, if the sole basis is advocating for children’s right to education then this will be our own list of 2012 Pitong Pinoy 2.0.

2012 Pitong Pinoy Candidate Special Education Philippine Children Right to Education

4. Charito Chua and her husband started the Love the Children Foundation, an institution that helps abandoned street kids in Davao. They provide shelter, food, alternative education and most importantly, a family for these children. Currently she houses less than 20 kids aged 4 to 17 years old. Some of her adopted schools have pursued college education thanks to sponsors and the University of Mindanao. While in the institution, the older kids can learn different skills to help them earn a living such as making peanut brittle and beaded accessories.

Charito Chua 2012 Pitong Pinoy Candidate Special Education Philippines

For Charito, “Ang mga bata if you only show them love they would really reciprocate. We are really a family”.

5.  Angelo Valencia is a lawyer and a mountaineer. who built a school at Sition Balabak in Mount Pulag. The goal of building a school is to have more graduates than farmers in this mountain area. He has since patnered with TEN (The Entire Nation) to build 10,000 classrooms in public schools all over the Philippines. Recently, he has helped build schools in Puerto Princessa, Palawan.

AngeloValencia 2012 Pitong Pinoy Candidate Special Education Philippines

Speaking about his future intention, Valencia says, “I’m not into micromanagement but I want to see that money raised goes to what it was meant for.  The idea is to eventually build schools all the way to Tawi-Tawi, which is separated from the southernmost part of Palawan by the Sulu Sea.”

6. Gerry Gamez, a son of a farmer, graduated with a degree in accounting and management. In 2010, he started constructing a classroom in Oriental Mindoro with his own savings and even his daughter’s would-be tuition fee. By March 2011, thanks to cash donations and help from good-hearted private individuals two classrooms have been constructed. Gerry lost left arm due to an accident involving a rice thresher. He went to Manila to study. He almost lost his life twice swimming to the nearby town because his hometown does not have classes for grades 5 and 6. Hence when he saw that he has the capability to help, he took the heroic deed of constructing the much needed classrooms.

Gerry Gamez 2012 Pitong Bayani Candidate Special Education Philippines

For Gamez, “Kaya tinawag na bayani dahil bayan ang aani (Heroes sow the seeds; the country reaps the harvest),” he said.

7. Josephine Erece is a pastor and  missionary. She helps girls as young as 13 who work in night clubs in Isulan Kudarat get back their life away from prostitution. She founded I-Care Mission for Asia foundation to provide shelter, therapy and job opportunities for these girls.

Josephine Erece 2012 Pitong Pinoy Candidate Special Education Philippines

Ms. Josephine Erece promotes the value of education to help these girls find a decent job to help them become dependent She said “It would really help if they (the girls in her foundation) could get vocational training from TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)”.

I have always wondered why there is not much good news being aired in the television. And now because of the storm, it seems harder to find local heroes being featured. Then again, I am sure there are lots of unsung heroes out there who do good deeds even if their names never reaches the limelight. They do what they do because its the right thing. Their goodwill is brought about by their pure intention. Such people are rare nowadays.

What do you think of Special Education Philippines 2012 Pitony Pinoy 2.0 candidates? Tell us what you think by commenting below.

Source:  Yahoo! Southeast Asia.