The National Heroes’ Day holiday is not only observed to remember the heroes of old but also to extol present-day heroes, the country’s top executive officials said on Monday.
President Rodrigo Duterte, in his National Heroes’ Day message, praised Filipino frontliners, whom he said were the country’s new breed of heroes
“These past two years, we have witnessed the indomitable spirit of these nameless health workers, uniformed personnel, government employees and frontliners in essential industries who—hiding in anonymity—bravely led our battle against the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said,
“Their names will not be etched on any edifice, statues will not be erected in their honor…yet for selflessly risking their lives to ensure the survival of our society, I can confidently sau that they have more than earned their rightful place in the pedestal of heroes,” he added.
The president also urged Filipinos to celebrate the holiday not just to remember the “extraordinary heroism” of frontliners, but as an “enduring testament to our inherent capacity to rise above self-interest to fight for a cause far greater than our own.”
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said that Filipinos could exude heroism by doing things for the benefit of others, including following safety protocols against Covid-19.
“Bawat Pilipino, puwedeng maging bayani…Hindi kailangang magarbo ang pagkilos; bawat hakbang, gaano man kaliit, ay kabayanihan basta nakatuon sa kapwa. Sa panahong ito, kabayanihan ang pagsisilbi sa propesyong medikal; ang pagpapabakuna; ang pagsunod sa health protocols; ang pagbabahagi ng katotohanan at pagpalag sa kasinungalingan; ang pagtulong sa nangangailangan sa abot ng makakaya,” she said.
Heroism, she added, could be found “beyond the gallows or the battlefield.”
“Ang potensyal ng kabayanihan ay nasa loob natin, pamana ng mga kapwa-Pilipinong nauna sa atin at nagbahagi ng magandang halimbawa: Ng pagbubukas-loob, pagiging tapat at makatotohanan, pag-una sa kapwa kaysa sa pansariling interes, pagkilos nang marangal, at pagmamalasakit…Saksi ang kasaysayan: Lahi tayo ng mga bayani,” Robredo said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro