A morally upright person is one who has a strong set of personal values. He has high moral principles and he cannot be pressured or persuaded to abandon them. To be morally upright in today’s world can be very challenging with so many immoral things happening around us.

In films and television, a morally upright person is usually pictured as boring and unpopular. Sometimes, the character is even portrayed comically with thick eye glasses and a weird sense of fashion. The reality is that media has clouded our perception of what’s in and out and being morally upright is definitely uncool.

But sometimes, it is not only the media that has shaped our morality. Our peers also influence us to act in certain ways so that we will feel part of the group. Because of this, our values or those that were taught to us by our parents when we were younger, are ignored and taken for granted. We are sometimes pressured to do things that we know are wrong but we still do it anyway, or risk being labeled as“KJ” or killjoy by some people. We tend to lose our common sense in favor of the dangerous and the exciting unmindful of the consequences.

Another threat to a morally upright society is poverty. In a developing country like the Philippines, some people will do anything, even cheat or steal, to become rich and successful. While it is true that some of them do succeed, they lack integrity and moral values. These people are still likely to be unhappy even though they are already wealthy and successful.

What then does it take to be a morally upright person?

To be morally upright, you don’t need to dress or talk like Betty La Fea. The issue of morality should never be confined to stereotypes. It is more than skin deep. Just because a person looks and acts a certain way doesn’t mean he or she already has high moral principles. Being morally upright means you can decide for yourself and not be pressured by what others think of your decision. It transcends gender, race and even social status. A person of high moral standards doesn’t think of poverty as an excuse for doing something illegal. Instead he sees hardships as a challenge and finds ways to help people who are in need.

Read on to know more about people who exemplify the virtue of moral uprightness.

Antonio “Tony” Meloto is the founder of Gawad Kalinga, an international humanitarian organization that builds communities for the poor. He knew firsthand what it was like to be poor having been raised in humble beginnings himself. Despite coming from a poor family, he was able to finish his studies at the Ateneo de Manila University on a scholarship program which eventually led to a thriving business career. Not being content with his now comfortable life, Tony still felt the need to reach out to the poor and share his blessings with them. Tony Meloto, through Gawad Kalinga, has helped provide safe and dignified homes for the poorest in the country. He could have gone on to become a rich and powerful businessman but he chose to help the poor instead. He was given the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 for his unselfish dedication to uplifting the lives of the poor.

Another person who went beyond what is expected of him is former Senator Juan M. Flavier. Like Tony Meloto, he was also born and raised in humble beginnings. But his status in life didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. When he graduated at the top of his class from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, he could have had a thriving medical career in the city. When they learned of his decision to become a barrio doctor, he was ridiculed and laughed at by his colleagues and former classmates. Years later, this man would become the Secretary of Health and later on, a senator. Dr. Flavier chose the road less traveled and spent many years of his life serving the poor.

Isabela Governor Grace Padaca is another example of a person of high moral principles. Stricken with Polio at an early age, she didn’t let her handicap get in the way of her education. When she ran for governor of her province in 2004, she was already a respected radio broadcaster. Her opponent, a member of a political dynasty in her province, has ruled for over 20 years. Because of her contribution and dedication to her province, she was conferred the prestigious International Women of Courage Award. She was also one of the eight Ramon Magsaysay Awardees for Government Service in 2008.

The late Mother Teresa, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, was a shining example of a true morally upright person. For almost half a century, she had served the poor, the sick and the dying not only in India but in other parts of the world. Mother Teresa’s humanitarian achievements won her a Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979 and was awarded the Bharat Rana, the highest honor given to a civilian in India, the following year. At the time of her death, she has built homes and hospices for for poor people with HIV, leprosy and other communicable diseases. Through the Missionaries of Charity, she was also able to put up schools and orphanages.

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