On a day meant to honor the craftsmen of the independence being indulged by the nation, we, the inheritors of their legacy, seem to have forgotten their sacrifices, allowing modern-day colonizers to regain control of our homeland. Their bravery laid the groundwork for our freedom, but we have failed to preserve what they fought for, like a neglected home gradually crumbling as cracks rapidly spread across the walls. This National Heroes' Day, it is not enough that we simply remember our heroes; we should reflect on how far we have kept their struggles alive.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Andres Bonifacio are heroes we prominently know. However, we should learn that Rizal and Bonifacio are not solely our national heroes; some were not just capable of being recorded in historical textbooks, especially those who have died for us without our knowledge. As for those heroes and heroines who are less popular but deserve recognition for their notability, National Heroes' Day exists to honor them as well.
Celebrated every last Monday of August each year, National Heroes' Day heralds a redefined heroism. Contrary to popular beliefs, our heroes did not really die; their buried bodies have already been blighted, true, but the spirit and essence of being a hero are still alive. They are within those who live by the principles of a hero; some of them are our farmers, fishermen, educators, and students-activists who are in dire need of our help. Still, little do we know, our present heroes grapple to survive and defend themselves from the pressing demands of the times.
Our farmers, although holding a pivotal role in the economy, bear more than relegation, having to ask for help so that this time we take our turn to feed them. We never realized how they saved us from famine, yet farmers, like in Benguet, were forced to give out free carrots because of the flooding of smuggled vegetables and the 608 peso minimum wage rate for the sector, while 452 pesos is the minimum income for a family to meet its basic needs, more than half of what they gain.
Similarly, there is the suppression of freedom in territories faced by our sea heroes. On April 4, China Coast Guard (CCG) ships harassed Filipino fishermen along with Philippine government vessels during a mission in Rozul Reef, within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Clearly, China's unfounded claims to waters only prove its grasping goal of looting, and therefore, exploiting resources not their own.
Relevant to our foreign oppressors, our own hegemony also has a filthy take towards freedom. This time, the freedom of our educators and student-activists to express themselves. Despite their active participation in exercising their democratic rights, Mindanao State University-General Santos (MSU-GSC) faced red-tagging by the Philippine National Police (PNP), after disclosure of alleged recruitment activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP - NPA) have been observed in the university. For years, the learning institution has followed the mandate of the government; one of which is nation-building by producing civic-minded scholars, yet the only thing the government could reciprocate with is betrayal.
Thus far, the primary reason for oppression received by our modern-day heroes today is the normality of shunning which politician deserves a seat in power, whether one possesses heroic traits or that of a colonizer dressed in modern times. Yes, anyone could be a hero, but a hero himself is clean and dignified, with integrity and anchored in veracity.
According to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Berlin-based organization Transparency International, the Philippines scored 34 out of 100 in the 2023 CPI release, below the global average of 43. There are 13 different corruption surveys and assessments that have been used to draw on at least three data sources in order to yield the rating. This means that our politicians failed to address our status quo with regards to accountable leadership and good governance, now casting serious doubt on our prospects of achieving an ideal country.
Moreover, bureaucratic corruption can often be seen openly from legislators who prattle on for their personal interests but turn muted when hearing complex societal issues, better known as 'Tra-politikos', and those who can't stand for the glory of our country. While it hurts to know, it is not the corrupt politicians, tagged as modern-day colonizers, who will cause a nation to fall into poverty and demise, but it is us, the Filipino people, who have allowed corruption to thrive over our country, which has once been fought for by our forefathers against past colonizers.
As Iskolars ng Bayan, this day, perhaps ironic, is still established to honor our heroes, and the best thing we could truly do justice to this day is to contextualize Rizal's immortalized line: “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan (The youth is the hope of the motherland)”. By means of which, we don't have to be vehement in fighting for our nation to the extent of participating in activities that overstep legalities; we just have to be revolutionary scholars in order to change the system; it involves activism, responsible journalism, and fact-anchored education.
Our country is deeply colonized again, as evident in our status quo. Modern-day oppressors are catalyzing the home our forefathers strove and fought to build—freedom—to crumble into fine dust. If our heroes were still here, they would surely regret dying for us, knowing we have allowed incompetent and corrupt leaders that perpetuate the suffering of our modern-day heroes to enter our home. But lest we forget that we seemingly reached the threshold of homeless craftsmen, one should not forget that the power of the people far surpasses the power held by those in authority.
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