As a young boy, Floren Herrera was orphaned by his farmer-father in the rural farming community of Cagayan in Northern Philippines. Herrera would overcome the odds against him, and in May graduated with honors. He is back in the Philippines as second lieutenant of the Philippine Army and soon he will embark on a 6-month instructor duty at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
“Kahit anong hirap makakaya mo, kung talagang gusto mo,” he said in an interview, adding immediately that this was something he learned each day in military school. (You can endure any hardship, if you really want to.)