Randy
Halasan, this year’s lone Filipino recipient to the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay
Award, is a Dabawenyo. Halasan worked his way up until his noble deeds were
recognized. Who would have thought that his sacrifices would pay off and have
him hailed as the only Filipino who ranked number one in the score cards of
jurors under Emergent Leadership category? Ramon Magsaysay Award is considered
as the Nobel Prize of Asia. It was established in 1957 the same year when the
Philippines lost a good President due to plane crash.
Many
lessons can be derived from Halasan’s unconventional teaching experience in a
very remote area in Pegalongan, some kilometers away from the highway. While
many graduates consider going abroad to look for greener pasture, it is so
surprising others stayed in their native land with one thing in mind: to help
their fellowmen. This too paves an inference that Halasan did not escape
himself from his critics upon the thought that it is close to suicide working
in such poor condition. Remember, he has to travel close to eight hours just to
reach the impoverished village of the Matigsalugs.
Our
awardee ignored his detractors as his ways may be against all odds. He brushed
aside the idea of lavish lifestyle. At first look, teaching was his stimulus to
ambition. His zeal and dedication is the power that wields such major decision
but making him to be in his best form to connect with the lumads. Why is he not
anxious to adjust to his newfound environment? Think of the remoteness to city
life and the deafening silence in the night with a seemingly total darkness
around due to lack of electricity in the area. It is simplicity and humility
rolled into one to the life of Halasan. It is a saintly gesture worthy of
emulation, especially to this generation.
If
our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal were alive today, he must have praised this
young teacher from Davao the way we did. For Rizal taught us in this wise: “It
is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone
wasted on the field without becoming a part of a great edifice”. Halasan is now
a part of that great edifice mentioned by Rizal and what he emulates as part of
the sacrifices for his fellows would resonate to those who desire for
greatness. There is truism too that if the condition does not permit, then by
all means create that condition. Halasan chose that kind of life and his
transformative leadership has gained surprising results. He nailed hard to the
lumads’ head the importance of education by pushing hard to acquire more
facilities for the school. He introduced life skills and implemented community
projects for the lumad to veer away from being subservient as this caused them
to be wanting in many ways.
Halasan
is now enjoying same prestige as those previous Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. Past
awardees include former Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo (2000); former
Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. (2002); politician Haydee Yorac (2004);
and former President Corazon Aquino (1998). On top of all these observations
and lessons from our young mentor, it is not too late to show who we are in the
face of adversity for as long as we do it right. Thus, we can all be heroes in
our own ways, even without having to think about awards. For our good deeds if
not recognized in this temporal world will surely be given credit by the One
who made us. May we have a hall or gallery in the city purposely showcasing the
lives of those who made great contributions to our city so that children will
always be reminded of their duty to their city.
