Curious about what will happen, I went along to UP Diliman to just watch and see what that event would be. It’s primarily about a marathon for a cause arranged and hosted by an organization in UP which is Engineering Radio Guild. My boyfriend was a member so I just went along and not expecting what will happen next.
There were a lot of people when we came- young and old, men and women. All are anticipating a great run for a cause. It was almost day break when the marathon started. And then, I saw him. I saw UP Zorro making his way to the registration booth and making him available for a 5K run.
He was dressed queer, I should say. A black cape at his back with “Viva El Zorro” written on it, a black mask to hide his identity, a black cowboy hat that is similar to that of Zorro in movies that I have watched when I was younger, some sort of weapons like a wooden boomerang and a sword, and a red flag that he often waves to maybe make a statement- he is definitely Zorro that UP Diliman’s students are talking about.
I was just observing him. How he walks, he talks and how he socialize with people. He is quite harmless. People are actually overwhelmed whenever they see him. They took pictures with him without any scare and they even treat him as a celebrity. This made me realize that he is not just a simple guy there, he is someone.
An icon, an inspiration
People came to him to take some pictures. I don’t know what they are up to but UP Zorro is not hesitant to give that smile and making his own antics. Even my boyfriend’s friends went up to him to get a glimpse of this strange looking guy and eventually taking some pictures with him. He is very natural with his moves. Reading and hearing some other stories of people who had a firsthand contact with this man, it was heartwarming. He is not just an icon but an inspiration to many.
UP Zorro is not joking whenever he sees you and greeted you with a smile and says “You are beautiful” (Ang ganda mo). He helps in every way that he can to prevent traffic. He is even courteous to greet you a good morning even though he doesn’t know you at all. He would accompany you while you are walking in the dark. He could also be your crying shoulder consoling you while you are heavily burden with the situation you are into. He is a man that would be the least expected to help you in times of trouble. He is good at making people push through with what they are currently doing. Doing that extra mile for something when they are about to give up. He is a cheerleader, a great inspiration.
A determined ‘Superhero’
Strange looking as he may seem but this man was a man of great honor. Determined to be a superhero in his own way. Making a statement that he believes would change something-a simple man with his simple antics. A man dressed in a Zorro costume, acting like one and being good to people he doesn’t know at all. And that is what a superhero should be.
Seeing him even for a while made my day a good one. I was not expecting to meet him face to face but the mere fact that I had the chance to observe his ways is one great experience that I will treasure for a long time. UP Zorro is the man that should not be forgotten about. I wish I could help him. I wish I could be like him. Strong and determine to do something without any hesitations. At the end of the day, he is still a Superhero in my eyes. His picture smiling to people will forever be marked as a memory.
And by the way, as a superhero, he was awarded. He got the “Best Dressed” award. And from that day on, I will not regret joining a group of men with their activity that involved this man for an inspiration. A run that truly was for a cause.
