By KC Santos
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA- A select group of mostly jeepney drivers from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region (NCR) were named “Bayani ng Kalsada” for their heroic acts.
Since 2006, tire company Goodyear has been conducting the yearly search for outstanding Filipino drivers.
The finalists from each region were determined after a five-month voting period. The winning finalists per region were judged based on their deeds and sacrifice, show of concern, and their role model potential.
The 2011 “Bayani ng Kalsada” awardees include jeepney driver Richard Paragas (NCR) who rushed a wounded victim of a vehicular accident to the hospital, followed by David Montenegro (Luzon) who rushed an unconscious stranger to the hospital, Herdy Bandillon (Visayas) for rescuing a victim of a robbery, and Esmeraldo Magandam (Mindanao) who rushed to the hospital a woman suffering from a severe stroke.
Romualdo Ariestotle of Cavite was named the “Bayani ng Kalsada Overall Champion” for 2011 for his selfless act of responding to a mother and her child who were caught up in a shooting incident.
Aside from the cash prizes, the winners were also given livelihood packages courtesy of “Bayani ng Kalsada” corporate partners. The remaining finalists per region also took home P10, 000 each.
Though the heroic acts shown by the winners may seem easy for others, Goodyear Philippines Managing Director Gerry Alava said the mere act of risking one’s lives for others is an act worthy of recognition.
“We believe that selfless heroic acts that save people’s lives and inspire others to do the same should not go unnoticed. This is why we are honoring today’s highway heroes, whose courage and strengths have made our roads a better and safer place,” Alava said.
This year, jeepney drivers dominated the roster of Bayani ng Kasalda awardees, Alava said.
Bayani ng Kalsada is the Philippine counterpart of a successful, long-running Goodyear program held annually in the US and Canada. The award is now held annually in Asia Pacific countries like Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Indonesia since 1983.
