Janela Lelis Heroine from Malinao, Albay, Bicol-Philippines

Janela Lelis, a young girl from Bicol, is being hailed as the country’s latest hero. This after Janela Lelis saved the Philippine flag at the height of storm Juaning in Bicol earlier this week. A photo of Janela saving the flag was posted online and the rest, as they say, is history.

According to media reports, Janela’s brother asked her to look after the school’s flag after it was borrowed by one of the nearby barangays for its fiesta celebration. However, when Juaning battered Bicol, the flag was in danger of being swept away just like many of the school’s properties. That’s when Janela took it upon herself to save the flag. She can be seen carrying the Philippine flag home through knee-deep water and driving rain.

A Facebook page has already been put up for Janela, an orphan whose house was swept away when Juaning battered Bicol. As of this writing, it already has more than four thousand ‘likes’ and growing. Janela’s increasing popularity has also attracted the attention of President Noynoy Aquino. In a message posted on Facebook, PNoy lauded the young Bicolna for her patriotism and heroism.

“Thank you Janela Lelis for showing us that patriotism and heroism is alive even in the midst of typhoons and floods. Mabuhay ka!” President Noynoy Aquino wrote.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Department of Education have also hailed Janela Lelis. Both government agencies want to formally recognize Janela. The DepEd is also looking for ways to aid the young Bicolana orphan in her education. Further, the DepEd released the following message in recognition of what she did.

“We salute Janela for displaying a deep sense of citizenship and patriotism at such a young age. May she serve as a model to all Filipino students so that they may all take to heart the importance of protecting and honoring the symbol of our nation’s independence, the Philippine flag.”

JANELA’s FACEBOOK PAGE:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janela-Lelis-Heroine-from-Malinao-Albay/103529586415077

2nd photo: Janela with Cesar Apolinario of GMA News

I’m proud to be Bicolana :))