Legaspi: Unsung or unsang heroes?

THE Unknown Soldier symbolizes the purity of intention of one to fight for his country. Nationalism and patriotism are two things that motivate the Unknown Soldier to go into battle to either save his country or defend his fellowmen.

His purity of intention and will for the majority make him a hero and not a legislation or resolution from Congress. Let us look at the present-day heroes.
My daughter asked me who the unsung heroes of the Philippines are. I told her that these are the people who have fought bravely for her freedom. She further inquired. "Do we still have them now?" "Why do government call the OFW's as heroes?" and "Are our presidents heroes?" These were her queries, which I really expected. So, I told her these...

Since going abroad became a fad in the country, government encouraged the Filipinos to go abroad and earn foreign currency to boost the economy. My pardon to the Overseas Filipino Workers but sending in dollars does not qualify you to be modern-day heroes. You went on your own to a foreign land leaving your families not to help or defend the country but you did it for the country could no longer provide you with opportunities to earn. It is more of a personal reason than of the greater good of the community. You fall victims of government for they are making you agents to bloat the coffers, so that they have more to steal. Your leaving your families is an indication of sacrificing values for money. Together, we should shout and demand from government to provide equal opportunities for every Filipino.

The ordinary laborer in the farms and fields are the unsung heroes of today. They provide food for our tables. They brave the heat of the sun just to give food not only to their families but also to people whom they do not know. In doing this, they are often oppressed and are not paid well. They receive salaries that are much lower to even buy the family a meal. Yet, they still continue to work in that condition for they really want to deliver food on our tables.

Every worker who works for the good of the community is considered a hero. Look at the public transportation driver. He brings his passengers to the point of destination with a meager pay. The security guard protects a business establishment that is not his own. A maintenance personnel works on a house that is not his. These are some of the professions that are not paid well but they continue to work.

Do we need to die in order to be heroes? This was one of the questions raised in one summit. One speaker said that in order to be a hero one should offer himself for the community - this means that he has to offer his life. This was the age -old belief but there is no need to waste one's blood. Advocacies and action are some of the things that would make one a hero. Death is not an assurance or guarantee for heroism.

Heroes are remembered because of their good deeds to the community and not of the laurels he received while in power. The hero does not need any resolution or recognition to be one. His acts are beyond question. He does not need to wave a flag. He does not need to be shot in a plaza. He does not need to have a bolo on his hand. He does not need to behead a foreigner. He does not need to die of a plane crash. He does not need to lead a revolution nor he is killed in battle. A hero is within each one of us. Once we do something for the good of the community, that's the hero in us.

I would like to invite you to watch "TAWO" an environmental dance drama performed by the UNO-Recoletos Kasadyahan Dance Company. The show will be September 7, 2010 at the UNO-R Gym.

For comments, send email to ecaloy1@yahoo.com
St. Ezekiel Moreno, Pope John Paul II and Sir Faraon Lopez, pray for us.