Three Filipino

Adolescents, Three
Heroes
Gregorio del Pilar
 Gregorio del Pilar
• Gregorio del Pilar was fondly called “Goyong” by his family.
Goyong was born in Bulaccan on November 14, 1875. He
graduated from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila with a degree
on Bachelor of Arts at the age of 20. At the same age he joined
the revolutionary forces against the Spaniards headed by
Bonifacio. He was called “Boy General” by his fellow
revolutionary for being the youngest ever to be commissioned
as such by the Filipino revolutionary forces that fought the
Spaniards and Americans. He was killed in the Battle of Tirad
Pass in Ilocos Sur fighting the American colonialist forces. He
died on December 2, 1899 at the age of 24.
Edgar Jopson
 Edgar Jopson
• Edgar Jopson (“Edjop”) was born on September 1, 1948, of
middle class parents who owned a small grocery store in
Sampaloc, Manila. He graduated as the valedictorian of his high
school class in Ateneo. He was an active high school student,
joining organizations such as the Ateneo Catechetical Instruction
League. Solidarity of Mary, and the Student Catholic Action.
While taking up law, he became the Student Council Precident at
UP and the President of the National Union of Students of the
Philippines (NUSP). He was also honored for his achievements as
one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines
(TOYM) in 1970.
 Edgar Jopson
• During the martial law years under Marcos, he became a
moderate activist. Stories abound about his dialogue with
Marcos in Malacañang during the First Quarter Storm where
he asked Marcos not to seek third term. Its was said that
Marcos rebuked him with a sarcastic statement, “Who are you
to tell me what to do? You are only a son of a grocer!”. Edjop
eventually became more radical with his political views after
having been exposed to various situations depicting the
excesses of martial law. He joined the revolutionary forces of
the underground movement. In 1979, he was arrested and
tortured in prison. He managed to escape imprisonment and
continued his underground work. In 1982, while eluding
arrest, he was gunned down his way out. He was 34 years old
when he died.
Efren Peñaflorida
 Efren Peñaflorida
• Efren Peñaflorida (“Efren”) started an organization called
Dynamic Teen Company comprised of his fellow students to
keep adolescents like him away from trouble when he was just
16 years old. The organization went into youth awareness
project, talent and self-development activities, and community
services before it eventually discovered a way to help poor
children who could not afford to go to school. His innovative
project was termed as “pushcart classroom,”also termed
locally as the “kariton classroom,”because they use pushcart
to carry school supplies and books, which they use for the
classes that they hold in unusual places like dumpsites and
cemeteries.
 Efren Peñaflorida
• Efren’s parents were of humble means. His father is a tricycle
driver and his mother is a housewife. They lived in an open
dumpsite somewhere in Cavite City. He grew up in the midst
of poverty, and was even a recipient of the intenational welfare
organization, World Vision. He graduated from grade school
and high school with the help of scholarships and financial
assistance. He graduated from San Sebastian College-
Recoletos de Cavite with a degree in Computer Technology.
He continued his studies at the Cavite State University with a
degree in Secondary Education and graduated as cum laude in
2006. On November 22, 2009, Efren was awarded as the CNN
Hero of the Year attributing this honor to work he had done in
his pushcart project.
As Filipino adolescents, what do you perceive as your responsibilities?
In defining your responsibilities, your self-identity should be made clear to you.
By defining your responsibilities, your values should be clearly defined too. Your
role in society should also be defined in order for you to define your
responsibilities.

What are your roles right now as a Filipino adolescent? First of all, you are a
citizen of the world and of the Philippines. Second, you are a resident of your
city, town, and barangay. Third, you are a member of your family and
probably have siblings and a set of parents. Fourth, you are a student in a local
public or private high school. Fifth, you are a friend to somebody, and this
relationship may be romantic or friendly. Sixth, you are probably a member of
an informal friendly group or student organization. Seventh, you are a child of
the universe. Lastly, you are you, and you have responsibilities to yourself as
your own personal caregiver.
 Summarizing the Big Ideas in this Chapter
1. There are special challenges faces by adolescents which
result from the changes that are happening to them

2. These challenges are also related to the crisis during the

adolescence phase as theorized by Erik Erikson concerning
identity and role confusion. If this crisis is not resolved, it
will continued to persist and may continued even into
adulthood.

3.Attitude plays an important role in facing these challenges.

If these challenges are taken as necessary stepping stones
toward greater maturity, the adolescent can transition more
smoothly to adulthood with more confidence and self esteem.
4. These are the challenges a middle and late adolescent may be
experiencing:
a. attitudes and behavior toward sexuality and sexual
relationships
b. Academic concerns
c. Group belongingness
d.Health and nutrition
e. Developing or regaining self-esteem
f. Roles
g. Material poverty
h. Absentee parents
i. Career choices
j. Relationships
k. Values and beliefs
l. Other challenges
5. Expectations are tied to one’s roles and
responsibilities. People’s expectation of you are
clarified and can become manageable if your
roles and responsibilities are well defined.