25/08/2025
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ฒ: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ
๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ฒ
National Heroesโ Day or โAraw ng mga Bayani," is dedicated to commemorating the lives of our fellow countrymen who bled and fought for our independence. Observed every last Monday of August under Republic Act 9492โit is meant to honor both the named and unnamed heroes who shaped the independence and history of our motherland. In the past, heroism meant spilled blood, sacrifices endured, and resistance forged against oppression. Today, the narratives have changed, but the purpose of remembering remains the same, to reflect on courage and sacrifice in face of adversity.
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐
When we think about heroes, names like Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Gabriela Silang immediately come to mind. But when we dig beneath the surface, there are always those in power, planting ideals โ the government and institutions. They are the ones who decide who should be labeled as heroes, villains, and the ones to be forgotten. Statues are erected, holidays declared, and commemorations written into law. But are these gestures born out of pure sincerity, or are they simply political stunts designed to gain admiration and approval?
๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ
National Heroesโ Day is usually observed with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, and speeches โ gestures that praise heroism. Yet oftentimes, these speeches delivered by the same people who commit the very deeds those heroes once condemned. They gush about admiration for heroes while perpetuating neglect, corruption, and injustices that continue to make the public suffer. What was meant to be solemn remembrance risks becoming an empty ritual, stripped of meaning.
๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฌ
In todayโs society, heroes can also be found in those who quietly and persistently make sacrifices for the greater good. Doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners endure long hours and meager pay to keep the public in good health condition. Educators devote not only their time but also their personal resources to safeguard the future of the next generations. Journalists risk their safety to shed light on truths that power seeks to suppress. Activists, branded as โterroristsโ for daring to give voice to the marginalized, continue to fight despite vilification. And countless ordinary citizens, who survive each day in a flawed system riddled with poverty, neglect and corruption โ embodying resilience and courage in ways that often go unnoticed.
๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Even globally, we see the same contradictions. In a war-torn Gaza, citizens scrape for food to survive famine while the rest of the world turns blind eye. Healthcare professionals continue to operate in vile conditions, and journalists risk their lives exposing atrocities and inhumane treatment. Closer to home, the rising tension between Philippine Navy and China shows how heroism depends on perspectiveโone side calls them protectors, the other brands them aggressors. Heroism has never been neutral, just like a coin โ the side you see depends on where you stand.
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
National Heroesโ Day should be a time for reflection โ not just to remember those who brought glory to our country, but also to recognize and applaud the living heroes who continue to fight, often silently, despite ridicule or neglect. On this day, we must contemplate the true essence of heroismโsomething that goes beyond what any government or institution can define. And if no one else shows up, perhaps the call is for us to be the hero who does โ for the people, and for the nation.
Written by: Christine Dolom, Associate Editor
Layout by: Trisha Aleja Padua, Arts and Graphics Editor
