No matter how big or small the act is, a hero should always be recognized.
In a simple ceremony held in the office of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc., Lorraine Pingol was feted the Manok ng Bayan Award for her extraordinary work, heroics, and the selflessness she showed, Saturday afternoon.
Her heroic act happened back in August 18 when the 29-year-old Medicard Philippines nurse was on her way to work.
When she passed by General Estrella Street and Osmena Highway, Pingol saw Jeca Mae Rausa, 31, on the sidewalk and about to give birth.
With the nearest hospital seven kilometers away, Pingol did not hesitate to help. With her backpack still on, she facilitated the birth of a healthy baby girl right then and there.
The photos went viral, and through the initiative of Chooks-to-Go ambassador Kobe Paras, he made sure that BAVI and its president Ronald Mascariñas recognized the act.
“I was browsing the internet when I saw what happened on Facebook. It inspired me since it was Lorraine’s day-off, her vocation did not stop,” said the 22-year-old Paras.
“I immediately looked for a way to connect her and Bounty.”
Besides the award, Pingol also received a cash incentive and a one-year supply of Chooks-to-Go chicken.
It was something she did not expect.
“For me, I just did what I had to do as a nurse. Mas marami pang tao na deserving na tawaging bayani like our policemen and soldiers. And those medical frontliners who are working in the hospital attending to COVID patients,” she humbly said.
“Ako, I’m a nurse, but I’m a company nurse so I’m really not the exposed to COVID. Hindi ako makapaniwala na tinatawag ninyo akong bayani, pero thank you! Nakakataba ng puso ang lahat ng nga papuri.”
Pingol joins the likes of Gabe Norwood, Terrence Romeo, Kai Sotto, and Captain Triston Simeon as recipients of the Manok ng Bayan award.
