The country continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and no other sector of society has carried this burden more than the health-care system, led by medical front-liners who put their lives on the line daily. As everyone looks forward to recovery, there are still many who need help.
The Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) has long honored outstanding young men and women, whose selfless dedication has resulted in significant contributions to their countrymen’s welfare.
TOYM is leading an initiative to raise funds to benefit the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), in recognition of its efforts in providing quality health care for Filipinos from all socioeconomic classes.
“Heroes Unmasked” is the campaign that benefits the Panatag na Kanlungan Project of PGH, which provides necessary assistance for medical front-liners and volunteers. The endeavor is highlighted by an original song composition and music video created through the collaborative efforts of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Lea Salonga and Gary Valenciano.
Historic for being the first song ever that Lea and Gary have worked together on, “Heroes” is inspired by and dedicated to medical front-liners. The touching piece is also meant to galvanize the nation to show solidarity with these modern-day heroes.
“TOYM is honored and grateful to have three of the biggest names in music collaborate to offer their talents, time and voices to drive awareness and support for the ‘Heroes Unmasked’ campaign,” says Donnie Tantoco, TOYM chair. “As an institution that recognizes young individuals who have positively impacted larger society, we think it is time to take bolder action, and we hope that our call can be answered by the entire nation.”
The campaign presents many ways to support the cause. Both corporate and personal donations are welcome, the details of which are available on toymheroescampaign.org. The music video is on YouTube.
For those who would like to show their support in a more creative manner, TOYM has also launched the Heroes Unmasked Song Challenge. Open to anyone 15 years old and older, the challenge invites people to create a video and dedicate it to a front-liner they consider their hero.
Video entries may be a song cover, dance, slideshow or any animated format, played to the song “Heroes,” and uploaded on their preferred platform, whether Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, with the hashtags #HeroesUnmasked #TOYM #PGH. Grand prize is P20,000, with P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 for first, second and third runners-up, respectively. The challenge runs until Dec. 31.
Follow @TheOutstandingYoungMen on Facebook, @TOYM_Ph on Twitter, @toym_philippines on Instagram; visit toymheroescampaign.org.
