Heroism is About Living, Not Dying

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON

For quite a long time, heroism is always associated with death.  Adults used to say that anybody striving to be hero is usually killed nowadays. (Pinapatay ang nagpapakabayani ngayon)  It is very popular that it has become a common knowledge and a warning.  In return, ordinarily, people just remain silent in the midst of evil occurring even within their doorsteps.  They have become afraid, paranoid, and passive.

Whenever we do things in the best way that we can,
we are heroes. (Photo courtesy of google search.)

The majority could be unaware of this fact but it could be observed on how we are delighted to learn news of we perceive to be extraordinary deeds of heroism the media usually reports.  As such the media are always in search for heroism that could be reported such as taxi driver or janitor returning million peso worth of properties left by their clients, exceptional type of public servant’s performance,  or whistle blowers brave enough to expose evil doings both in government and the private sector.

Those deeds mentioned are ordinary practice of citizens abroad but appear to be uncommon in our society this type of hype shows. Is our country in search of modern day heroes? Does heroism has become seldom and an extraordinary affair among ourselves?

The truth is its not!  There are various types of heroism ordinarily happening out there but are just clouded by the evil doers because of our passive stance to ward off these evils. Heroism isn’t only about dying because heroism is a natural gift to every one of us.

Farmers and fishermen who honestly, patiently, dedicatedly and industriously doing their jobs to support their families until they are able to slowly get out of abject poverty no matter how long and difficult is an extraordinary heroism already.  Teachers, policemen, soldiers, and all public servants who undyingly serves our people in the best possible they can all portray an extraordinary type of heroism. All government officials including politicians whose dignity remains untainted, honesty uncorrupted and service above self rendered is an extraordinary heroism.  Private individuals, who honestly pay taxes due to them, proudly follow the laws of the land; participate in all undertakings for the common good are all heroes.

They are all our MODERN DAY HEROES.  So who says therefore that heroism is difficult to do?  Who is saying that anybody who is striving to be heroes is usually killed?  Yes there are instances.  But we should not forget, we will all die if it’s our time already wherever we are.  There could be dead heroes but there are also lots and lots of living heroes.  All we need is to open our eyes and look for ourselves inside out.

As the lyrics of the song by Mariah Carey which became popular two decades ago, we just don’t have to be afraid of doing so.

“There’s a hero.  If you look inside your heart, you don’t have to be afraid of what you are.  There’s an answer, if you reach into your soul, and the sorrow that you know will melt away.”

The song further says that, once the hero comes along, it goes with it the strength we need to drive away all our fears including the knowledge that we can survive.  It furthers, “So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong, and you finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you.”

Evils should not be happening within our doorstep for evils to occur is for few good men to do nothing.  Being a hero isn’t about dying for it is more about living.  It is about living a good, godly righteous life which is as easy and natural as breathing because we are all designed to be good and live the best and righteous way that we can.

Kudos brothers and sisters out there!

Watch out for stories of heroism particularly among our teachers in the succeeding post as we celebrate the World Teachers Month.

The Making of a Filipino Hero

By Gilbert M. Forbes

As I look at how things are happening in the country and Filipinos react and act with it young and old, I am upbeat doubtful if Ninoy’s statement of us worthy of dying for is still relevant.  More on the statement being popularized by one of the national TV network which aptly says the reverse, “Filipinos are worth living for.”

How can we both worthy of dying and living for when apathy, irresponsibility, corruption, ignorance, selfishness and materialism are all that can be seen.  The youth in particular are mesmerized by different genre of all sorts except nationalism, patriotism, and humanitarian concern.

The olds however who failed to move our nation forward and in fact left a damaged culture and values are rewarded. Everyone of them, even the bad guys is given senior citizens discounts now losing the government coffers billions.  In fact, one popular comment is that, they have corrupted our values and yet they deserve rewards!

And what are these damaged culture and values that they successfully left after all?  Some of these are apathy, selfishness, poor sense of community in favor of the family interest, low regard to manual labor, mediocrity,  peddling, use of influence, political patronage, insensitivity, and a lot more.  All these are not taught and learned at our schools but from the adult citizens of today and of the past.

What is saddening and more alarming was the result of a study done three decades ago by Dr. Malu Doronila of the UP College of Education.  The education community was practically shocked upon knowing that the average Filipino kid would rather be a citizen of another country, rather than be a Filipino.

Is the average Pinoy not at peace with himself, his country and his identity?  Consider the following manifestations as taken from the previously posted article entitled Functional Literacy and Nation Building amidst the Challenges of Globalization

• Getting a “green card” or gaining American citizenship has become a high measure of success in life that is well admired and worthy of emulation.
• Penchant for anything “stateside” even if some local products are highly comparable, price competitive and contextually appropriate
• Obeisance to or greater cooperation with a foreigner boss; many local managers may not be able to exact the same amount and level of work discipline. Or most Pinoys excel in whatever they do when working in other countries but may not be as productive or effective in local workplace
• Obsession with the white skin and the whitening of skin.  Just see how many advertisements and products openly cater to this physical delight. Take note also of the preference to have a Caucasian-looking espouse to marry and having mestizo children.
• Sometimes “suicidal” attempts to “try one’s luck” in other countries even if they are already making good in their profession or livelihood in their country. Oh, such true stories of Pinoy professionals and non-poor who were chased by guard dogs while crossing state borders, who hid for days in windowless container vans in freezing weather to get inside European countries, etc.  Other citizens migrate due to political turmoil and civil stripes in their home countries just like the Africans but Filipinos don't. 

And where are all these influences emanated from? How could then we be able to make a hero out of all these?

Learning the humble yet excellent and untainted political career that Ninoy had,  I just can’t help but feel sad for his generation who are still alive today have failed to emulate him including our political leaders.

Hence he started young, how could the young politicians of today fare with him.  Ninoy who’s utmost concern is the emancipation of his countrymen not only from the quagmire of poverty but most importantly from total ignorance which led them to be victimized by self-serving politicians they themselves put to power.

But as ordinary citizen of this seem to be forsaken country, managed to be governed by hell of its citizens as prophesized by the former Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, I am still hopeful.

Until there are ordinary citizens who can still put their faith in practice, until there are still who can manage to remain humble and righteous in the midst of unrighteousness.  Godly in the midst of the ungodly, innocent children, unborn and yet to be born—only the end of time is enough for the hopeful to cease in having faith in the Filipinos.  This could be where Ninoy’s statement of the Filipino is worth dying for refers to.

The making of the Filipino hero should be in the hearts of this privilege few whom all what they wanted are to see a country they could be proud of.  The Making of a Hero is within our unselfish hearts.  And this could be done in a single step, in simple things that we know will create a bigger impact in the future.

It all starts in a simple equation of 1+1.  May we all find a hero in ourselves.  What about you, in what equation do you belong?