In need of heroes

In ancient mythology, a hero was a man of great strength and courage. He was favored by the gods and sometimes, like Hercules, was descended from the gods.

The root of the word “hero” is the Greek work “heros,” which means “to watch over others.” In modern times, the term “hero” is used to describe a man or woman for their perceived courage, nobility of spirit and extraordinary exploits.

In the Philippines today, we are in dire need of a hero, of a person of extraordinary courage who also looks out for others. Perhaps the most credible example of a modern hero was Ninoy Aquino, who sacrificed his life because he said, “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

The country today is in a terrible state because we have not found the right leaders who will lead us from this morass of corruption and the dominance of selfish and cowardly leaders. The need to select heroes to be our leaders in the 2028 elections is so crucial that I feel we desperately need divine intervention.

When there are heroes, there are also villains. During the Second World War, the villains were obvious. These were the Japanese invaders and the Filipinos who collaborated with these invaders.

Today, the villains are not so easy to identify and many of them are, in fact, prominent figures of authority.

In order to wage a crusade against corruption and the evils in our society in 2028, we must be able to identify the villains and the heroes in our society today.

The late nationalist writer F. Sionil Jose had a radical view that the Filipino indio is one oppressed by a new colonizer, the Filipino wealthy elite who send their wealth abroad: “… distilled from the blood and sweat of our Filipino poor.”

Andres Bonifacio also said in an English translation by Teodoro Agoncillo: “Reason tells us to be united in sentiment, in thought and in purpose in order that we may have the strength to find the means of combatting the prevailing evil in our country.”

In the Philippines, April 9 is observed as Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor. This national holiday commemorates the bravery, sacrifice and resilience of the Filipino soldiers during World War II, especially those who fought and died in the historic battle of Bataan.

On April 9, 1942, Filipino and American soldiers, after months of fighting in extremely difficult conditions, were forced to surrender to the Japanese forces in Bataan.

This surrender led to the Bataan Death March, where tens of thousands of prisoners of war were forced to march under brutal conditions. Many suffered and died along the way. This is one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history. However, April 9 is not for remembering a military defeat. It is about honoring the extraordinary courage, endurance and patriotism of those who fought and suffered for the country’s freedom. This is also the time to recognize that heroism is not limited to soldiers.

Everyday Filipinos who contribute to the country with integrity, courage and compassion also embody the spirit of Araw ng Kagitingan. As Joseph Campbell once wrote, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than one’s self.”

In the days and months to come, as we prepare and work to elect leaders of proven integrity and courage, we should be aware that perhaps Election Day in 2028 will be another Araw ng Kagitingan.

Freedom is never free. We must appreciate the liberty and the restoration of democracy. We must be ready to fight for its preservation.

There will be difficult moments over the next two years. Standing up for what is right is not always the most popular thing to do. But each and every one of us can be a hero or someone who acts with courage, even with fear, and inspires others through their actions and their values.

Heroes can be soldiers like those especially remembered on Araw ng Kagitingan. But heroes can also be teachers, doctors, parents, workers and ordinary citizens who choose to do what is right even when it is difficult and does not have popular support at that moment.

In the country today, heroes are those who have a deep love of country. Heroes are persons whose actions are guided by a desire to serve others and protect the dignity and freedom of the Filipino people.

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