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Vice President Sara Duterte (left) presents the prestigious OVP Gawad Makabansa Award to Christopher Deluna (right) in recognition of his outstanding dedication to make a lasting impact in his community.
In celebration of the 89th founding anniversary of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) last year, two young Cebuanos were recognized for their extraordinary acts of bravery and selflessness, earning them the distinction of being among the first recipients of the OVP Gawad Makabansa Award.
In Vice President Sara’s speech, she expressed her gratitude to the awardees, “Allow me to convey my sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all the awardees of the Gawad Makabansa ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo. We recognized your exceptional commitment to make a lasting impact in your communities. The untiring efforts you have demonstrated are a testament to your perseverance to serve without reservation.”
Among the awardees was 26-year-old Christopher Deluna from Dalaguete, Cebu who bravely entered a burning house and rescued three children aged 19, 12, and five.
Deluna recounted, “Dito na banda, usok na. Di na makita ang mukha nila, iyak na lang maririnig mo,” (Smoke had already filled the room. I couldn’t even see their faces anymore. All I could hear was crying.)
The children's mother, Richel Montejo, expressed profound gratitude for Christopher’s life-saving act.
“Di talaga ako makapanilawa sa strong determination niya. Napakatapang niya na bata, hindi niya kilala, hindi niya kamag-anak pero naglakas loob talaga siya na i-save ang mga bata. I really thank God for the life of Christopher kasi kung wala siya, wala talaga parang apat na buhay ang mawawala sa akin,” (I still can’t believe his strong determination. He didn’t know my children, he’s not even related to us, but he risked his life to save them. I really thank God for the life of Christopher—because without him, I could have lost all four of my children,) Montejo said, holding back tears.
Also recognized was Jundel Escorel, an 18-year-old security guard from Toledo City, Cebu, who suddenly died after rescuing two minors from drowning at a beach resort in Liloan, Cebu.
Norena Escorel, the mother of Jundel said, “Matinabangon siya sa lain na tawo dili siya ingon gani na ting-ag og kasing-kasing na gibalewala na lang niya. Ang iyaha, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,” (He was always helpful to others. He wasn’t the kind of person with a hardened heart who would just ignore someone in need. That’s who he was—someone who truly cared and was always ready to help those around him.)
Anabel Tumongha, the mother of the children saved by Jundel, tearfully shared her gratitude and pain, “Masaya ako kasi ‘yung anak ko buhay, pero ‘yung konsensya mo bilang ina...,” (I’m happy that my child is alive, but there’s always that guilt in me as a mother,) she said.
Jundel's twin brother and their brother accepted the award on his behalf.
Both stories served as powerful reminders of the heroism found in ordinary Filipinos who rise to extraordinary challenges.
To Christopher and Jundel, we salute you!
In Vice President Sara’s speech, she expressed her gratitude to the awardees, “Allow me to convey my sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all the awardees of the Gawad Makabansa ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo. We recognized your exceptional commitment to make a lasting impact in your communities. The untiring efforts you have demonstrated are a testament to your perseverance to serve without reservation.”
Among the awardees was 26-year-old Christopher Deluna from Dalaguete, Cebu who bravely entered a burning house and rescued three children aged 19, 12, and five.
Deluna recounted, “Dito na banda, usok na. Di na makita ang mukha nila, iyak na lang maririnig mo,” (Smoke had already filled the room. I couldn’t even see their faces anymore. All I could hear was crying.)
The children's mother, Richel Montejo, expressed profound gratitude for Christopher’s life-saving act.
“Di talaga ako makapanilawa sa strong determination niya. Napakatapang niya na bata, hindi niya kilala, hindi niya kamag-anak pero naglakas loob talaga siya na i-save ang mga bata. I really thank God for the life of Christopher kasi kung wala siya, wala talaga parang apat na buhay ang mawawala sa akin,” (I still can’t believe his strong determination. He didn’t know my children, he’s not even related to us, but he risked his life to save them. I really thank God for the life of Christopher—because without him, I could have lost all four of my children,) Montejo said, holding back tears.
Also recognized was Jundel Escorel, an 18-year-old security guard from Toledo City, Cebu, who suddenly died after rescuing two minors from drowning at a beach resort in Liloan, Cebu.
Norena Escorel, the mother of Jundel said, “Matinabangon siya sa lain na tawo dili siya ingon gani na ting-ag og kasing-kasing na gibalewala na lang niya. Ang iyaha, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,” (He was always helpful to others. He wasn’t the kind of person with a hardened heart who would just ignore someone in need. That’s who he was—someone who truly cared and was always ready to help those around him.)
Anabel Tumongha, the mother of the children saved by Jundel, tearfully shared her gratitude and pain, “Masaya ako kasi ‘yung anak ko buhay, pero ‘yung konsensya mo bilang ina...,” (I’m happy that my child is alive, but there’s always that guilt in me as a mother,) she said.
Jundel's twin brother and their brother accepted the award on his behalf.
Both stories served as powerful reminders of the heroism found in ordinary Filipinos who rise to extraordinary challenges.
To Christopher and Jundel, we salute you!
Sa pagdiriwang ng ika-89 anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo (OVP), dalawang kabataan mula sa Cebu ang kinilala sa kanilang katapangan at kabayanihang ipinamalas, dahilan upang mapasama sila sa kauna-unahang mga tumanggap ng prestihiyosong OVP Gawad Makabansa Award.
“Allow me to convey my sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all the awardees of the Gawad Makabansa ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo. We recognized your exceptional commitment to make a lasting impact in your communities. The untiring efforts you have demonstrated are a testament to your perseverance to serve without reservation,” wika ni VP Sara.
Isa sa mga pinarangalan ay si Christopher Deluna, 26 taong gulang mula sa Dalaguete, Cebu, na walang pag-aalinlangang sumugod sa nasusunog na bahay upang sagipin ang tatlong bata na may edad 19, 12, at 5 na hindi makalabas.
“Dito na banda, usok na. Di na makita ang mukha nila, iyak na lang maririnig mo,” pagbabahagi ni Deluna.
Lubos ang pasasalamat ng ina ng mga batang nasagip, si Richel Montejo, sa ginawa ni Christopher.
“Di talaga ako makapaniwala sa strong determination niya. Napakatapang niya na bata, hindi niya kilala, hindi niya kamag-anak pero naglakas loob talaga siya na i-save ang mga bata. I really thank God for the life of Christopher, kasi kung wala siya, wala talaga—parang apat na buhay ang mawawala sa akin,” wika ni Montejo habang pinipigilan ang luha.
Pinarangalan din ang kabayanihan ni Jundel Escorel, isang 18-taong-gulang na security guard mula sa Toledo City, Cebu, na nasawi matapos iligtas ang dalawang menor de edad na muntik nang malunod sa isang beach resort sa Liloan, Cebu.
“Matinabangon siya sa lain na tawo. Dili siya ingon gani na ting-ag og kasing-kasing na gibalewala na lang niya. Ang iyaha, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,” (Matulungin siya sa ibang tao, hindi matigas ang kaniyang puso na ibalewala lang niya. Sa kaniya, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,) pahayag ni Norena Escorel, ina ni Jundel.
Nagpaabot din ng emosyonal na pasasalamat si Anabel Tumongha, ina ng mga batang iniligtas ni Jundel.
“Masaya ako kasi ‘yung anak ko buhay, pero ‘yung konsensya mo bilang ina…,” aniya.
Personal na tinanggap ng ama at kambal ni Jundel ang iginawad na parangal.
Ang kabayanihang ipinamalas nina Christopher at Jundel ay patunay na ang tunay na bayani ay matatagpuan sa karaniwang mamamayang handang magsakripisyo para sa kapwa sa panahon ng matinding panganib.
Christopher at Jundel, saludo kami sa inyo!
Ang parangal ay personal na iginawad ni Pangalawang Pangulo Sara Duterte bilang pagkilala sa mga Pilipinong nagsilbing huwaran ng bukod-tanging paglilingkod at kabayanihan sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad.
“Allow me to convey my sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all the awardees of the Gawad Makabansa ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo. We recognized your exceptional commitment to make a lasting impact in your communities. The untiring efforts you have demonstrated are a testament to your perseverance to serve without reservation,” wika ni VP Sara.
Isa sa mga pinarangalan ay si Christopher Deluna, 26 taong gulang mula sa Dalaguete, Cebu, na walang pag-aalinlangang sumugod sa nasusunog na bahay upang sagipin ang tatlong bata na may edad 19, 12, at 5 na hindi makalabas.
“Dito na banda, usok na. Di na makita ang mukha nila, iyak na lang maririnig mo,” pagbabahagi ni Deluna.
Lubos ang pasasalamat ng ina ng mga batang nasagip, si Richel Montejo, sa ginawa ni Christopher.
“Di talaga ako makapaniwala sa strong determination niya. Napakatapang niya na bata, hindi niya kilala, hindi niya kamag-anak pero naglakas loob talaga siya na i-save ang mga bata. I really thank God for the life of Christopher, kasi kung wala siya, wala talaga—parang apat na buhay ang mawawala sa akin,” wika ni Montejo habang pinipigilan ang luha.
Pinarangalan din ang kabayanihan ni Jundel Escorel, isang 18-taong-gulang na security guard mula sa Toledo City, Cebu, na nasawi matapos iligtas ang dalawang menor de edad na muntik nang malunod sa isang beach resort sa Liloan, Cebu.
“Matinabangon siya sa lain na tawo. Dili siya ingon gani na ting-ag og kasing-kasing na gibalewala na lang niya. Ang iyaha, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,” (Matulungin siya sa ibang tao, hindi matigas ang kaniyang puso na ibalewala lang niya. Sa kaniya, matulungin siya sa mga kapwa niya tao,) pahayag ni Norena Escorel, ina ni Jundel.
Nagpaabot din ng emosyonal na pasasalamat si Anabel Tumongha, ina ng mga batang iniligtas ni Jundel.
“Masaya ako kasi ‘yung anak ko buhay, pero ‘yung konsensya mo bilang ina…,” aniya.
Personal na tinanggap ng ama at kambal ni Jundel ang iginawad na parangal.
Ang kabayanihang ipinamalas nina Christopher at Jundel ay patunay na ang tunay na bayani ay matatagpuan sa karaniwang mamamayang handang magsakripisyo para sa kapwa sa panahon ng matinding panganib.
Christopher at Jundel, saludo kami sa inyo!
Ang parangal ay personal na iginawad ni Pangalawang Pangulo Sara Duterte bilang pagkilala sa mga Pilipinong nagsilbing huwaran ng bukod-tanging paglilingkod at kabayanihan sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad.