All of us have central figures in our lives who we look up to, inspire us to do better and help us power through, especially during the darkest times.

As part of Inquirer’s 37th anniversary, Lifestyle previously featured some of the most inspiring groups and personalities we’ve come across who made such an impression for the past two years. This time, we asked people for their heroes during the pandemic, from prominent characters to ordinary individuals who kept them sane and made living through a health crisis more bearable.

“My heroes during the pandemic are Project PEARLS communities staff and volunteers who continued to make and serve at least 500 hot meals, six times a week. They empowered themselves by helping their own communities who were more worried about dying from starvation than from COVID-19. We were serving at least 25,000 meals a month in our three serviced communities. They did the budgeting, procuring, meal preparation and distribution. They also educated the people in line for food about the health benefits of getting the vaccines.”—Melissa Villa, founder and executive director, Project PEARLS“

My heroes are the health workers, especially the front-liners. Also, the scientists and tech people who were involved in the development of test kits and the vaccines. I realized how fragile life is because of COVID–19. I lost some dear friends and relatives. My personal hero is Dr. Cesar Cedullo. He’s one of my best and loyal friends. He’s a front-liner and a COVID survivor. He’s dedicated to his oath, inaral niya ang bawat anggulo and kept us informed about the disease, pati yung experience niya. When the vaccine became available, nung takot pa ang mga tao na magpa-vaccine, sinabihan niya kami na mas mabuti na may vaccine kaysa wala. And siya mismo ang nag-administer ng vaccine sa akin.”—Ferdinand Cacnio, visual artist, designer and engineer

“As I was in China during the pandemic and in particular during the harsh lockdown in Shanghai, I have to say that I really admired those volunteers who were helping to deliver the food provisions from the government to your door and supporting the old people with the regular testing.”—Luca Chinello, managing director for Asia, Viabizzuno“

My heroes and central figures during the pandemic: LGU mayors like Isko Moreno, Vico Sotto and others. The LGU mayors stepped up their game, providing not only relief packs and ayuda, but also informing people about COVID-19 and ways to prevent the spread of the virus. It was important also, as leaders, for them to inspire their constituents to use government services and facilities, like when Isko contracted the virus, he had himself admitted at the Santa Ana Hospital. He was also proactive in terms of the procurement of anti-COVID vials, which saved a lot of lives.”—Ian Velasquez, writer and educator

“I think that the front-liners were the true heroes of the pandemic. Within the government, I would point out Secretary Carlito Galvez, Secretary Vince Dizon and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez.”—Switzerland Ambassador Alain Gaschen

“My sister, Delara. She’s been keeping me sane since the pandemic. I got used to being so busy and traveling for our family business. When the pandemic hit, I felt like the world totally shut down in front of me. Everything felt so terrifying and hopeless. The pandemic has been so cruel to everyone, not just physically but mentally.

“That’s when I started thinking about Delara, my 11-year-old sister and the youngest in the household. If I feel so frustrated about the things that are happening outside, how much more an 11-year-old girl?

“My baby sister is still young and should be enjoying her childhood rather than thinking about surviving a global pandemic. That thinking grew the sense of responsibility within me and made me decide to cautiously navigate our lifestyle into a more bearable one.

“My mom, Raquel—she’s a woman with the strength of a man. I believe she raised me to be prepared to survive any challenges in life, just like the pandemic.—Carlo Eliserio, chief operations officer, Raquel’s Pina Cloth Products“Unang-una siyempre mga medical front-liners. Sila ang humarap sa panganib ng virus para ligtas tayong lahat.

Bilang isang artist naman, tinuturing kong hero si Robert Alejandro, isang kilalang artist na naglaan ng oras araw-araw noong lockdown para magbigay ng art and wellness sessions para sa lahat.—A.G. Saño, artist and conservationist“The pandemic caught the whole world by surprise, shock if you will. But on a personal level, a pleasant surprise awaited me. Prematurely, I semiretired from the grueling grind of the corporate world to take it slow … At the height of the pandemic, the opportunity to join Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) came—my “Would Be Hero.”

“From a rat race to the human race, ALI provided me with a new, meaningful purpose … Indeed, it is a privilege to be part of an organization where I could be an instrument of change. Heroes come in many forms. Mine comes in an employer which makes each and everyday a vision in action—to enhance land and enrich lives for more people.”—Chrissy Roa, head of marketing and communications, Ayala Land Estates“My all-time hero, pandemic or not, has always been Mother Teresa. Her dedication to helping the sick and the poor has always inspired me. Helping the voiceless animals can be very very overwhelming, but her words continue to remind me that we can always do something.

“I started the stray-feeding program during the pandemic with the sole intention of just feeding the strays in Bacolod for two weeks. Over two years now, and we still continue to feed strays, we rescue and rehab and fix some when we can, and by God’s grace, we have inspired many more to do the same.

The strays continue to be my heroes. They continue to remind me of our realities and our purpose—that we share this world with other living beings and so we have to continuously be mindful and kind. Their resilience is like no other, but it is also a reminder for us not to romanticize it, but to act on our compassion because it can definitely save and change a life.”—Malou Perez, founder, Pawssion Project Foundation Inc.“I give credit to Hound Haven’s everyday heroes—advocates, philanthropists, donors and sponsors. They are regular people who, in their own personal capacity, helped us keep our center up and running during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While on lockdown, all our fundraising initiatives were placed on an indefinite hold. We ran the risk of exhausting our savings and halting shelter operations.

“We posted a call for donations on our socials and were surprised to have monetary and in-kind donations pour in. Through the generosity of friends and even complete strangers, we rode out the worst of the pandemic and came out of it with a solid tribe—a community who believes in our cause. For that, we are immensely grateful.—Maxin Arcebal, co-founder and CEO, Hound Haven Philippines