National Heroes Day




THE heroes of the nation define its identity. They are the mirrors of the character of the people. A people without heroes does not deserve to be called a nation.


The Philippines is one nation that is peopled by heroes. Our oral and written histories are replete with the names of men and women who not only brought honor and glory but nobility to our country.

Princess Urduja was respected by friends and foes for her conviction and fearlessness. Kalipulaku (Lapu-lapu) signaled to foreign invaders that death awaits them. Raha Soliman of Makabebe, Pampanga; Magat Salamat, Magalat, Andres Malong, Francisco Maniago, Diego and Gabriela Silang, the women of Sitio Canbangis, Masbate, all fought for the freedom of their people; Apolinario de la Cruz fought for religious freedom. So too did Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, for which reason they were garroted by the colonial government.

The Philippine revolution produced a rich harvest of heroes and heroines for the Filipino race. Andres Bonifacio, Clarita Rubio de Celis, Rosa Sevilla, Agueda Kahabagan, Marcela Marcelo, Teresa Magbanua, Makario Sakay, Marcelo H. del Pilar, General Emilio F. Aguinaldo – and the capstone of them all, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the "Pride and Hero of the Malay race.’’

Many foreign writers gave our heroes lofty titles: Dr. Rizal was the "Tagalog Christ,’’ General Emilio F. Aguinaldo the "Caesar of the Philippines,’’ Apolinario Mabini the "Robespierre and Couthon of the Philippines,’’ Andres Bonifacio the "Soul of the Katipunan,’’ General Antonio Luna the "Author of Guerrilla Warfare,’’ and Rosa Sevilla the "Woman of Molave.’’

As we celebrate National Heroes Day today, let us preserve in our hearts and minds their great legacies. By their heroism, they dignified our nation and the Filipino race.