Garry Noriega: Risking his life to save others' lives

Firefighter Garry Noriega, 37, does not look at what he does as merely just a job. It is his calling.

It is his passion to serve the people in any way he can without expecting anything in return. He has proven that one could still serve others even when off-duty from work.

Once on his day off in his hometown, Ilocos del Norte, a fire broke out in a house in the area. Instead of staying inside his house to make the most of his day off and rest, he instinctively volunteered and helped put out the fire.

In another instance, he fearlessly responded to a fire in the St. Martin Hospital in San Juan. Just before the fire could destroy the whole building, he was able to carry people out and save their lives.

Nothing beats the fulfillment he feels whenever he saves people's lives, he says. Never in his life has he thought of having another job besides being a firefighter. "Why would I leave something I love doing?" he once said.

In his 14 years as firefighter, he has been wearing the colors of his uniform with pride. Aside from the protection it gives him when he is out saving people's lives, his uniform also symbolizes other equally important things.

The colors of his uniform stand for his passion and calling as a firefighter. The colors represent his dedication to securing the safety of the people, notwithstanding the dangers he might face. That is why as much as he works hard to serve the people, he also puts effort in protecting and taking pride in the colors of his uniform.

He never lets the colors of his uniform fade, especially that a risky job such as being a firefighter involves people's lives. In a fire, his colors need to stand out to alert any citizen in need that help is just near.

Garry Noriega is a true hero in colored uniform. He stands out just like the shining colors of his uniform that he always wears with pride.

Let's all congratulate Garry Noriega as the very first Ariel Kulay Pinoy Awards Grand Winner! #ArielKulayPinoyAwards *ForP&G