“Tol, Bayani Ka Ng Bayan”
"Tol, Bayani Ka Ng Bayan"
By Al Biala, TIKOB
The Philippines had celebrated its 111th Independence Day this month and Overseas Filipinos around the world commemorated this annual event as early as June 4 through cultural presentations, parades, flag raising ceremonies and shows which most of them are portraying our culture via photographs, paintings, stage plays, exhibits and literature and other benevolent programs to impart the nationalism of our sector. Overseas Filipinos is acknowledged by the Philippine government as the new heroes of the present society. This sector has been an inspiration to our countrymen because of the hard work they shared, rebuilding the fallen economy of our country.
Hero criteria’s are really complex to follow on but need to undertake that energy, to excel in chosen field of endeavor, to justify responsibilities for families, loved ones and government and to breathe as part of a brave citizenry.
This 111th year independency from our captors brings us back to the time when Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled, ignited the Filipino community to find democracy through peaceful action and he was convinced that the youth’s are the nation’s future. We had survived the occupations of the whites and fellow Asians, the Japanese. Former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. once said that "Filipinos Are Worth Dying For" resulting to the sudden departure of the then residents at Malacanang in 1986. A much upgraded version was the climactic erosion of Mt. Pinatubo, blanketing most part of Central Luzon with white lahar but the Strength, Volunteerism and Brotherhood of Filipinos, surviving the threat but had to contend with death to hundreds. Above Filipino principles are akin to Triskelion Grand Fraternity’s.
Simply Overseas Filipinos are conquering the world in terms of socio-economic, but our detractors are calling this sector the human export of our country. In Bahrain, Engr. Marcelo Ticzon was part of the pioneering batch of workers in 1980 and was away from his family but he bravely finished his tour of duty, helping the Philippine government with his remittances, adding billions of dollars to the nation coffers. Toastmaster officer Sis. Mahalina Penaflor, the first scholar of Triskelion Charity Fund (TCF of Triskelion International Kingdom of Bahrain) and presently works in a Corporate Communications firm believes that Overseas Filipinos does not only help in the economy but are the country’s ambassadors, developing good relations with hosts countries, worldwide, displaying the good culture of our people and ensuring better and comfortable life to our dependents back home.
Recent statistics shows that 1 out of 10 Filipinos are outside the Philippines with huge numbers in North America, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and in Europe, Australia and selected cities in Asia, gaining the 2nd best Asian country in dollar remittances.
Triskelions a true blooded Filipino fraternity had been always in the forefront of Philippine Independence celebrations outside the Philippines as they value the principle of our people.
In New York, members of Northeast Triskelion Inc. (NTI) marched down Madison Avenue in Manhattan, the 5th consecutive participation at this annual event. A non-profit organization NTI is composed of members of Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma had awarded scholarship grants to Basilio Salao, Jr. of University of the Philippines and Jessa Malabanan of World Citi College.
Triskelions and Overseas Filipinos are just one and the same in principle. We have that inner strength, sense of volunteerism and a trait of every Pinoy of being brother to fellow man. "Tol, Bayani Ka Ng Bayan".
http://www.triskelionsingapore.com/main/projects-and-events/68/triskelion-singapore-in-pidc-09/
