A true Filipino hero, he saves 30 – then dies

The last heroic attempt of Muelmar Magallanes, a young Filipino man trying to save as many people from the rampaging flood in the Philippines on September 26.

He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live.

“I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar,” said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself.

“He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice.” “I didn’t know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die,” said Penalosa, her eyes swelling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

“Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone.”

“He always had a good heart,” said his father, Samuel.

“We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl.”

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

“He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself.”

He is an 18-year-old construction worker. His name is Muelmar Magallanes. He is a true Filipino hero. An epitome of a real life hero. Hats off to Muelmar!

Updated: 2009-11-08 — 05:29:19