| Bro. Crispin P. Betita, 7th Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino 2004 Finalist Difficult times call for extraordinary people. The Gawad Geny Lopez jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2004 honor Filipinos who have risen to that challenge This year, we are celebrating Filipinos who have uplifted their communities with selfless public service. Our Bayaning Pilino awardees and finalist have been guided by the Filipino values of compassion, generosity, determination, industry and humanitarianism. Their achievements remind us not only of what we are capable of, but what our responsibilities are. The crisis we face as a country is also our opportunity for heroism. Congratlations to the 2004 Bayaning Pilipino awardess and finalist for inspiring all of us to meet the challenges of our time." EUGENIO L. LOPEZ III Today’s times are wracked by fiscal crisis and so there is more need for direction and charismatic leaders that the present society cannot provide and is bankrupt. These people will be our pillars of strength and inspiration in these treacherous times. If we cannot find it on top event from the adults and from within this country, let us find it from the bottom, even from the young and from those who are abroad. This year’s Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards continues to remind us what the human spirit can do in the direst situations. Our awardees are living testimonies that pure hearts and sincere services can still emanate even from our simplest of fellows. These are the same personalities who shun publicity yet do so much. It is our task now to magnify and celebrate their little
acts of heroism. Thus, it is my great pride to present to you these people,
our Bayaning Pilipino awardees. As simple and ordinary as most of us yet
as noble and inspiring like most of the known and famous people that we
look up to. Fr. NILO E. TANALEGA, S.J. An advocate is defined as one who pleads the cause of another. Inspired by a God-fearing close-knit family Bro. Crispin P. Betita has found great joy in exerting tremendous effort in rebuilding the shattered lives of young Filipinos. As founder of the Marcellin foundation, Bro Crispin has taken the primary lead in addressing concerns of the increasing number of street children in South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City. The Foundation saves children-at-risks by providing them with therapy, health care, education, trainings, technical and livelihood skills. Serving as the head of the Notre Dame of Marbel university, his humanitarian effort reaches far beyond the immediate needs of his foundation. As a house parent to no less than 30 young people who are under his care, he tirelessly serves, teaches and encourages them to share his vision of a brighter future for the youth. Bro. Crispin is a living symbol of a man whose integrity has won for him respect from others. In religious parlance, he makes Christ alive to many people, making them aware of God’s compassionate presence. 7th Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino 2004
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