HEROISM!

Heroism – heroic conduct or behavior. Heroic characteristics or qualities; courage.

No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of their significant roles in the process of nation building and contribution to history, there were laws enacted and proclamation issued honoring these heroes.

Even José Rizal, considered as the greatest among the Filipino heroes, was not explicitly proclaimed as a national hero. The position he now holds in the Philippines history is a tribute to the continued veneration or acclamation of the people in recognition of his contribution to the significant social transformation that took place in our country.

Aside from Rizal, the only an implied recognition as a national hero is Andres Bonifacio whose day birth on November 30 has been made a national holiday.

Despite the lack of official declaration explicitly proclaiming them as national heroes, they remained admired and revered for their roles in Philippine history. Heroes, according to historians, should not be legislated. Their appreciation should be better left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough.

On March 28, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued an Executive Order No. 75 entitled “Creating the national Heroes Committee under the Office of the President”.

The principal duty of the committee is to study, evaluate and recommend Filipino national personages/heroes in due recognition of their sterling character and remarkable achievement for the country.

Criteria for National Heroes:

1.  Heroes are those who have concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom. Our own struggle for freedom was begun by Bonifacio and finished by Aguinaldo, the latter formally declaring revolution’s success. In reality however, a revolution has no end. Revolution is the only beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink back into bondage.

2.  Heroes are those who define and contribute to system or life of freedom and order of a nation. Freedom without order leads to anarchy. Therefore heroes are those who make their mation’s constitution and laws, such as Mabini and Recto.

     3.  Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.