In line with the celebration of National Heroes Day, on this day, 25th of August 2025, the last Monday of the month in the Philippines — I would like to take this opportunity to honor ordinary people who live with extraordinary character in modern times. These are everyday citizens working earnestly and with integrity—especially those who are making an every day choice to remain true to their values even when surrounded by situations to be dishonest.

I am talking about people who stand firm against any form of dishonesty and injustice in the smallest of ways. Teachers in the public schools, for example, who treat every second of their working hours as part of their service instead of engaging in meaningless gossip with other teachers when no one is watching. Or staff in public offices who never pocket even a pen or a pencil—no matter how little its value—because they know it is not theirs and not part of their rightful compensation.

These seemingly tiny choices in the littlest of situations, when consistently practiced, create ripples of integrity that can shape a greater culture of honesty. Great things start from small beginnings, after all.

I still remember clearly what I saw during my practice teaching in a public school—the moment I realized I might never fully fit into the system.

One morning, I saw a few teachers talking in one of the teacher’s classrooms. I was there. When the first bell rang, signaling the start of class, only one teacher excused herself and returned to begin her lesson. The rest continued talking.

Having completed the other half of my practice teaching in a private school—where every minute of class time was precious—I was disappointed, though not completely surprised. Memories of my own time as a public school student came flashing back: I had sat in classrooms witnessing the same disregard for time, over and over.

I asked myself, “Is this something I am willing to deal with all the time?” At first, I might ignore it, telling myself, “At least, I am not one of them.” But such moments build frustration over time. If I kept ignoring it to avoid rocking the boat—for peace, camaraderie, or simply to fit in—I feared I might eventually tolerate it, and wake up one day realizing I had become part of what I disliked.

Another experience reinforced this lesson. One afternoon, my mentor teacher asked me to do some paperwork involving Microsoft Excel. I finished quickly and handed it back. She praised me for completing it so fast—she had expected it would take much longer. Later, the homeroom teacher approached me with the same type of paperwork for around five more teachers under her supervision. She was the subject leader.

Inside, I felt hesitant and annoyed. It screamed unfairness. Wow! This is not fair, I thought. This happens when time for work is spent on other things—tasks pile up, deadlines multiply. This isn’t my job as an on-the-job trainee anymore.

Because it wouldn’t take long, I decided to do it with a smile, telling myself it was my small contribution—and part of my learning.

It could have ended there. But what happened next left me unsettled. After I returned the flash drives, the head teacher offered me something unexpected: an instant teaching position after I had graduated and become licensed. In the public school system, permanent placement—called an “item”—usually requires going through a ranking process. But she said that because I had done her a favor, I could bypass it.

She was someone with powerful connections. I had overheard stories, and her position confirmed it. Adding to my unease, I had also seen her physically punish students in her classroom—throwing an eraser or a dustpan, you name it. I had also witnessed verbal abuses, shaming her students—which are not only prohibited but also unethical. And yet, she remained in her position.

On the surface, it was a generous offer. Yet loudly, it screamed injustice. It revealed systemic cronyism—a culture where positions are awarded through connections, not skills or merit. I knew others who had been waiting through the formal application process for some time. And what about those without connections, yet truly deserving of shaping future generations?

That moment made me realize that integrity is not just about small daily choices—it’s also about standing firm against larger systemic temptations.

These experiences shaped the job choices I made after graduation, and reinforced my admiration for those who consistently choose honesty and fairness over convenience or gain.

On National Heroes Day, while we remember the giants of history, it is equally important to honor those who live with courage and integrity every day—in the smallest acts that create ripples of positive change in our communities.

Corruption remains one of the ongoing problems in the Philippines. Many are aware of it, yet battling it is nearly impossible, given the power of those involved—and the fact that, even in small offices, it has long been part of their practice. Still, small choices to remain integrous can pave the way to a better community, especially if everyone contributes in their own way.

To that one teacher who walked out and showed the value of time in connection to her job, I am still in awe. Her lesson was engaging, her students laughing, enjoying themselves, and well-behaved even in school programs outside her classroom. Most were recognized as excellent students, and they always admired her. I can only hope that I—and many others—would be as inspiring and admirable a teacher as her.

To everyone doing their job honestly and fairly, resisting even the smallest forms of dishonesty or corruption: you are the UNSUNG HEROES of our time. People like you act with courage and integrity—not for recognition or reward, but because it is the right thing to do. No one sings your praise publicly, but your actions are seen and appreciated. As you continue to live with integrity, your impact ripples through your family, your community, and beyond.

You may not receive immediate recognition, but your life is meaningful, and your example quietly inspires those around you.

Perhaps not today, but the integrity and honesty we uphold could one day help eliminate the deep-rooted problems in our country: corruption, greed, and dishonesty.

May this be something we carry and live by every day.

—marymancee, inspired by the reflective mood that this summer season has brought—triggered by the recent four-day maintenance of a government online facility, which may one day reveal another anomaly waiting to be uncovered.

This reflection, written on August 24, 2025, around 11:00 P.M., is derived from the realization that the core problems in the Philippines are not rooted in a lack of resources nor in a lack of education. Rather, they stem from something far deeper—the mismanagement of what we already have, the absence of personal accountability in the daily choices and actions of each individual, and the lack of commitment to live an integrous life.

It is a sobering thought: progress will never come solely from more funds, more projects, or more programs, but from the integrity of both leaders and ordinary citizens.

This piece will be published after the last promised article, but for now, I leave it here as part of my ongoing reflections.

P.S. I do proofreading nowadays (unlike earlier blog posts you find here). Still, if you spot typos or grammatical slips, please feel free to comment correcting them—I’ll be grateful. Thank you.