SELFLESS service, thinking about others’ welfare before one’s own—these are traits usually imprinted in the hearts of heroes. These same traits were in the heart of Hanz Paolo Lopez, a first-year student of the Faculty of Civil Law. These were the same traits that drove him to risk his own life in saving two young girls from electrocution in the flood in Sampaloc last month, which resulted in his own death. Jastin Turiano and elder sister Maria Joan, who accidentally stepped into a puddle in front of Hanz’s computer shop owned, are alive today thanks to the unselfish 24-year-old. An exposed electrical wire in the water immediately killed Lopez.
Young Hanz
Hanz attended Albert Elementary School in Dapitan, Sampaloc. He grew up with his grandmother in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Like any child, Hanz was stubborn and hyperactive. He would always experiment with his toys and detach the pieces until he could not put them back together.
But there was one thing about Hanz that made him stand out among other children.
“He was the usual kid, malikot, medyo matigas ang ulo. But even when he was young, nakikita ko na na mapagbigay siya. Kahit mawalan siya, basta lang mabigayan iyong kanyang kaibigan o kapatid,” Hanz’s mother, Lourdes, said.
“Noon, nag-uwi ng tickets sa Enchanted Kingdom iyong father niya. Noong nakita niya, pinamigay niya sa mga kalaro niya, telling them that they should go there instead.”
Hanz never envied other children. He was contented with what the family could provide him.
In 1982, the family moved to Sisa St. in Dapitan. He transferred to Letran College in Intramuros during high school.
Although an average student, he was never delinquent and never skipped classes. In fact, he got good grades, as shown by his performance in the National College Entrance Examinations (NCEE).
He later joined the varsity swimming team of Letran even though his mother admits he did not swim well. But this did not stop him from practicing his swimming skills. His innate perseverance later won him a medal in a swimming event.
He later majored in Economics at the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters. Computer and Economics were his favorite subjects. He even put up a computer shop in the corner of E. Quintos and Dapitan Streets.
A naturally warm person, it was not surprising that Hanz had friends wherever he went. His friends would call him “Aga”, in reference to the Aga Muhlach-smile that he imitated.
This trademark smile also made him second runner-up in the Mr. Economics personality contest in the Faculty.
He also became a print ad model for Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and Dunkin Donuts when he was in second-year college. An active participant in various activities, Paolo was a Comelec representative in AB.
When he graduated in 1998, he worked for Abscore as product demonstrator for computers, and later at the Beer Division of San Miguel Corporation. He combined his social skills and love for computers.
Ideal son
When his father died of colon cancer in January 2000, he took over as the family’s breadwinner. He worked double-time to help his mother, who works as marketing director of the UST Publishing House, his elder sister Anna Loricia, an employee at the UST Hospital, and his youngest sister Toni Lou, a grade six student at UST High.
A very sweet and thoughtful son, Hanz slept beside his mother when his father died.
“Noong unang suweldo niya sa Abscore and San Miguel, namili siya ng gamit para sa amin,” his mother relates.
He prioritized his family more than anything else. He planned out-of-town trips for the family when not busy.
“Minsan, he even borrowed a car from a friend para sa outing namin,” Lourdes relates.
Hero Hanz
When the family faced problems, Hanz would tell her mother not to worry, “for God will provide.” His Christian values were visibly expressed in his character.
His grandfather and uncle inspired him to study law, despite his interest in business.
“Hindi siya titigil hanggang hindi nagsa-succeed sa isang field,” his mother said.
He kept assuring his mother and sisters that they would prosper through his hard efforts. He had in fact planned of investing in the stock market. He also assured them that he would continue whatever plans his father had left.
His characteristic tendency to put the welfare of others before his own showed in his selfless act on that fateful July 6 afternoon.
He was manning his computer shop when he heard the cry of the elder Turiano who felt the electricity current creeping through her body when her foot touched the water. She was calling out to her sister. The knee-deep flood had an exposed electrical wire from an electrical post. Hanz immediately rushed to the scene and lifted the girls from the water, thus saving them. He and the girls were then rushed to the Santo Tomas University Hospital. Hanz was brought there by a tricycle but was declared dead on arrival. The girls were admitted to the intensive care unit and survived.
He made everyday calls to her mother, but he failed to call on that fateful day. She was shocked to hear of the freak accident, as the family was still recovering from his father’s death.
“Masakit ang loob ko hanggang ngayon kasi I was not able to talk with him before he passed away,” his mother said. She passed out twice when she saw Hanz’s body at the UST Hospital morgue.
A life lived for others is one thing not most of us can do. Hanz excelled in such a life. He performed deeds that marked a true Christian.
