Are You A Hero?
By: Russet
Date: August 14, 2002

H-E-R-O… sinong hero? Hero Bautista? Bayani Casimiro or Bayani Agbayani? Lemme check… (press shift+F7).. hmm… the word hero means a "brave man" or an "idol".. ah.. idol.. si April Boy! (ngek!)… baka yung tinatawag nilang "the wind beneath my wings"… (is that another typhoon coming?)

So, why this article about "hero"? Well, for your information, on the 25th day of this month of August, we celebrate National Heroes Day. Or do we really celebrate it?

With over three hundred years of Spanish colonization, followed by American invasion then Japanese occupation, our history have shown how the Philippines have been subjected to a lot of battles and have resulted to a long list of "heroes" for this country. Indeed, many may have tried to conquer this group of islands in the Far East, but sadly, they all had to confront the strong opposition of its people.

The words from our very own National Anthem -- "Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo" - clearly speak of how our forefathers would compromise their lives for our beloved country. Who would ever forget the aggressiveness of Lapu-lapu, Sultan Kudarat, Andres Bonifacio, Diego Silang and his wife Gabriela, Emilio Jacinto, or the strength Rajah Soliman, Jose Ma. Panganiban, Francisco Dagohoy in leading their people, or the mighty pens of Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo del Pilar, Mariano Ponce and Leona Florentino, and the brain power of Apolinario Mabini, notwithstanding physical disability? Or have you forgotten?

And even the more recent events like the First Quarter Storm, the two-part Edsa Revolutions, can prove that we are a people who want to enjoy the blessings of independence and freedom, and convinced that, as Ninoy Aquino said, "the Filipino is worth dying for".

But, to many of us, this special day seems to be long forgotten. And for those who remember, we simply give a cold treatment. How pathetic that in this new millennium, a lot of our countrymen would care less to remember our rich history and the gallantry of our ancestors.

It cannot be helped though. With majority of the Filipinos hardly making both ends meet, with political warfare entering the statuesque walls of Congress, with the Peso-Dollar rate still standing at the P50/$1 level, and budget deficit ballooning, many of us are too much pre-occupied with the battle for survival.

So, we now ask, is it still worthy for us to celebrate National Heroes Day in this time and age? And whom do we consider "heroes" then?

Our country has truly evolved throughout the years, and with this goes the broader meaning for the word "hero". It does not only connote those "Filipinos who died for this country" but has likewise include "living" Filipinos who have touched lives in their simple ways and have shared their little acts of kindness to give hope for this country.

It could be your neighbor who would offer to give you a ride every morning to work; or the postman, who tirelessly delivered your mails throughout these years (despite the preference for emails nowadays); or the "taho" vendor whom you would wait every morning from your childhood days; or your teacher who is so dedicated to impart knowledge to you (even with meager income they receive); or your classmate who would supply you with a piece of paper during surprise quizzes or share his "baon" with you; or the school's janitor who would tirelessly clean the floors of your classroom each day; or the garbage collector who would pick up your trash without complain; or your officemate who would wait for you during lunch breaks so you have someone to share your stories with….. the list could go on… and on….

And if only we can stop for a while to care about what is happening around us, if we could only be a bit optimistic, if we can only be a little grateful for all those help we have received from others, then we would surely realize that we are surrounded by so many "heroes" for us to make it through yet another day.

Definitely, we still need to commemorate our National Heroes Day this August. But let us not only think of our forefathers who shed blood for the freedom we now enjoy. We must give time to thank those people who continue to provide us with the inspiration and hope that our country is indeed a better place to live in - those "living heroes" in our respective lives.

So, together with this little celebration, let us also find ways to be "heroes" to others. As that fave song goes.. (ehem.. ehem.. akina ang mic) "there's a hero, if you look inside your heart, you don't have to be afraid of who you are.."

Undeniably, this country deserves every heroic deed we can do. Now I ask, can you be my hero?

This month in the Past
August 23, 1896 - The Cry of Pugad Lawin
August 30, 1896 - First Major Battle of Pinaglabanan
August 31, 1896 - The Start of the Philippine Revolution in Cavite