Today our country celebrates National Heroes Day. By virtue of Republic Act 9492, the last Monday of August of every year is designated a national holiday “to serve as an opportunity for the nation to remember the sacrifices and contributions of all Filipino heroes and the bravery exemplified for our people.”
Who can be considered a hero? A hero is a complex word and can vary across cultures, contexts, and time periods. However, there is a set of core principles that are widely accepted to define a hero.
“But being a national hero is about someone whose actions and ideals contributed profoundly to the formation, preservation, or betterment of the nation. Their heroism is officially recognized by the state or unofficially cemented in the people’s collective memory. “
At its heart, heroism involves at least four components: (1) courage in the face of risk; (2) self-sacrifice for a greater good; (3) noble intentions; and (4) extraordinary action.
So a hero is one that performs an act of extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, motivated by altruism and a moral imperative, that benefits others or defends a crucial principle, and in doing so, inspires people.
Being a hero is not about a single act, a one-time, big-time thing. It is about a pattern of action and character that inspires others.
Of course, there are everyday heroes like our teachers, healthcare workers, caregivers, community organizers, civic volunteers who make significant sacrifices daily for the well-being of others. Their heroism is found in their unwavering commitment.
But being a national hero is about someone whose actions and ideals contributed profoundly to the formation, preservation, or betterment of the nation. Their heroism is officially recognized by the state or unofficially cemented in the people’s collective memory.
Our Philippine national heroes are those who embody the values our nation aspires to such as freedom (“kalayaan”), justice (“katarungan”), peace (“kapayapaan”), love of country (“pagmamahal sa bayan”).
In the Philippine context, a hero is “bayani” and is often thought of as someone who serves the community (“bayan”). That is why the root word of “bayanihan” is actually “bayani” because it is the act of helping others and doing something heroic for your country.
As I reflect on who my favorite heroes are, I realize they are artists and creatives.
Just last week, I have been fortunate enough to spend time in the presence of two legendary Davaoeños, both Datu Bago Awardees, both fellow Ateneans, both my heroes — National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin and National Artist for Music Nominee Joey Ayala.
They are my heroes because they have helped me discover our rich cultural heritage and helped shape my Davaoeño identity through their music and dance. They helped decolonize my mind and heart and I became indigenized in the process. And I consider myself a better Filipino and a better human because of their influence. I believe countless other Filipinos have been inspired by them and their work.
Joey’s music and lyrics articulated the contradictions, the struggles, and the aspirations of Davaoeños in the 70s and 80s — my growing up years — when we were known as the “killing fields of Asia.” His songs held up a mirror to Davao and Philippine society under martial law. I became more socially aware listening to him sing his songs than to all the speeches and lectures from politicians and activists.
He made me care about the environment because he sang about it so beautifully and with much reverence. His love songs are both romantic and patriotic and they taught me to choose a partner who not only loves me but also our community with the same intensity and commitment.
Joey inspired my writing. He taught me how to be true to myself so I can express that self more clearly and more eloquently.
Agnes, on the other hand, taught me to respect and cherish my physical body and appreciate what it can do in whatever shape it is in. I took dance classes under her when I was already in my mid-30s and it was a life-changing experience.
She is a generous teacher who is very proud of her Davaoeño and Filipino heritage so learning to dance with her is also a lesson in history and culture.
I only learned to love ballet when Agnes made it our own with her groundbreaking neo-ethnic choreography. She re-interpreted our Philippine tribal dances, practices, beliefs, and legends into the framework of classical ballet and modern dance. This creative innovation resulted in a truly Filipino dance form that is more accessible and relatable to all.
I watched Agnes’ latest creation, “Surbaybal” (Survival), during its special preview last Thursday, the death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, at the Locsin Dance Workshop Quirino Studio Theater. I had the privilege of watching it with Joey and the experience was so profound I am still reeling from it (imagine my two heroes at the same time and place).
Agnes and Joey are each other’s favorite collaborators. Joey surprised Agnes dropping by unannounced on her preview and Agnes surprised Joey by featuring his song, “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” in one dance scene that tells the story of the struggle of two dancers working and living overseas. Joey was pensive as he watched the dancers move to his song. He told me later that the song was actually sparked by Ninoy’s assassination.
“Surbaybal” is a dance theater performance of how Davaoeños survived martial law in the 70s and 80s; how real life professional dancers coped with living and working outside the Philippines; and how Filipinos navigated the Covid-19 pandemic. It is truly a brilliant piece of storytelling through sounds, music, dance, images, objects, fashion, lights and shadows. I hope all Filipinos get to experience it and be transformed by it.
In a diverse country such as ours, art can transcend regional, linguistic, and social differences. We are now a nation divided and a work of art can create a sense of shared experience and common humanity, fostering unity. I believe our survival as a nation rests in the hands of our artists.
Our artists fight the battles of memory, identity, and aspiration. The most important battle is the battle for the Filipino mind and spirit. Art is essential and should not be treated as an afterthought or even as a luxury. It is a vital tool for our liberation. And that is why our national artists are laid to rest in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
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