On July 2, 1993, 13-year old Sajid Bulig earned the respect of the Filipino nation for his martyrdom in rescuing children from drowning during the Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy. Then-President Fidel Ramos signed Executive Order No. 393 (1997) establishing the Sajid Bulig Presidential Award for Heroism in Bulig's memory.
Born in Bocaue, Bulacan on January 24, 1980, Bulig was a student of the Bambang Elementary School at the time of his martyrdom. His father, Francisco O. Bulig, was a native of Hagonoy, Bulacan. Their surname Bulig is reminiscent of a noted species of fish (bulig) in the Bulacan dialect of Tagalog and in Kapampangan. According to (S.) Bulig's mother, Erlinda T. Santos, the name “Sajid” was derived from Sajid Khan, a noted Indian actor in the late 1960s to the early 1970s and starred with Nora Aunor in the movie "The Singing Filipina" (1971). Bulig' was also known for his nickname “Tansi” (nylon thread use in fishing), said to be ascribed to him by his grandmother, Purita.
It was a feast day of Mahal na Krus sa Wawa of Bocaue, a noted Bulacan festivity, and Bulig was aboard the traditional pagoda of the said Holy Cross. The pagoda was reportedly overloaded and sunk in the Wawa River of Bocaue. Bulig and his friend, Scout Richard Celestino, assisted in the rescue of kids who were drowning in the river. Undeterred by Celestino's warnings that the situation was becoming too dangerous for them, Bulig returned to the river and rescued a total of six children before debris from the pagoda fell on his head, causing his death.
A member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Bulig posthumously received Gold Medal of Honor, BSP's highest award, for his heroism. Numerous citations were conferred to Bulig. His story was also featured on ABS-CBN's Bayani series and enshrined in the Museo Pambata in Manila.
Details are courtesy of Billy Joe B. Marciano, Project Saysay's Design Director. These were verified by Bernardo G. Bulig, older brother of Sajid Bulig), with the assistance of Argel Bunag Bulig, Bernado's son. Special thanks to Jazzymine Cruz, whose work on Sajid Bulig inspired Project Saysay to feature the honoree on Project Vinta.