20 Everyday Filipinos Honored for Extraordinary Acts of Courage Through “Hero For All”

First announced on the Day of Valor April 9, 2026, Hero For All shines a light on Filipinos who choose to help others despite their own circumstances—demonstrating that heroism can be found in everyday people who simply choose to do what is right when it matters most.

The initiative is supported by Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and championed by the AR Foundation, with Alden Richards serving as Hero For All Lead Advocate.

Driven by the belief that positive experiences can create meaningful impact, the initiative reflects the values of Empowered Courage and Integrity by recognizing individuals whose actions uplift others and helping sustain the communities connected to their stories.

Recognizing Heroes, Strengthening Communities

Each of the 20 honorees will receive a commemorative trophy alongside a total award of ₱1,000,000: ₱500,000 awarded directly to the recognized hero in recognition of their personal sacrifice and bravery, and ₱500,000 provided to their partner community organization to help support and scale their local advocacy efforts.

The initiative was inspired by living examples of heroism such as Rhodora Alcaraz-Toñacao, a 28-year-old overseas Filipino worker from San Pablo City, Laguna, who was named the campaign’s first awardee.

On her first day at work in Hong Kong on November 26, 2025, Toñacao shielded her employer’s three-month-old infant with her own body through thick smoke on the 13th floor, wrapping the baby in a bedsheet until rescuers reached them.

“Hindi ko inaakala na may kakayanan pala akong tumulong pagdating sa ganung tragedy. Nasa puso ko po talaga na, ikaw ’to. Matapang ka, kaya mong tumulong,” she had said.

Her story embodies the spirit of Hero For All: that heroism does not always come from people seeking recognition, but from ordinary Filipinos who choose to act with courage and compassion when someone needs help.

“We want to normalize how people see heroes—today, they are everyday Filipinos who, despite their own struggles, still choose to help others,” said Alden Richards, Founder of the AR Foundation and Hero For All Lead Advocate. “Rhodora’s courage is a powerful reminder of the inherent goodness in our countrymen that deserves to be celebrated.”

Alden emphasized that Hero For All looks beyond the scale of an individual act and instead recognizes the intention behind choosing to help.

“What we really look for is intention more than the impact. Kindness and goodness, may it be big or small, can go a long way,” he added. 

A Nationwide Search for Everyday Heroes

To ensure nationwide inclusivity, nominations were gathered digitally across social media and web portals, as well as offline through physical nomination postcards distributed across the country to reach communities without reliable internet access.

All submissions underwent independent verification before advancing to a distinguished multi-sector jury panel composed of respected leaders across government, media, civil society, and academia:

• Joy Flavier-Alampay — Director, Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation

• Tina Arceo-Dumlao — Business Features Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer

• Ma. Teresa Habitan — Vice Chancellor, Philippine Tax Academy

• Daniel Cecilio — Senior Vice President for Land-Based Operations, PAGCOR

• Alden Richards — Multi-awarded actor, founder of AR Foundation, and Hero For All Lead Advocate

Nominees were evaluated based on selflessness, courage, sustainability, and “story transferability,” considering how an individual’s act of service could inspire similar community-led solutions across the country.

Hero For All is a celebration of Filipinos who do good not because they expect recognition, but because helping others is simply doing the right thing.

By recognizing their courage and supporting the communities behind their acts of service, Hero For All seeks to amplify stories of integrity, empathy, and meaningful social impact—and remind Filipinos that there are heroes all around us.

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