DOMINGO, REANNE MAY A.

CAB2-DMD
ACTIVITY 3A. CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL HERO

1. Select at least four criteria for national hero and enumerate some reasons, of each criteria,
why it was mandated by the government as a prerequisite to be declared as a national hero.

I. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle
for the nation’s freedom.

SOME REASONS:

1. Because heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom (they must have desired the country’s freedom in any
situation especially when there’s a threat of invasion in any form). 

2. They fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and
not out of revenge.

3. They have a great leadership by taking risks and never fearing of death to able to
defend his people and nation.

4. Because they recognize and accept the potential risks or sacrifice made by taking
heroic actions to gain the freedom what the nations deserve.

5. As historian Teodoro Agoncillo wrote in his History of the Filipino People that the

Philippine national hero, unlike those of other countries, was not "the leader of its
liberation forces". Agoncillo noted the sentiments of certain quarters calling for Rizal's
replacement as the national hero by Andres Bonifacio, since Rizal was interpreted as
ultimately a reformist content to be under Spain, not a revolutionary wishing for
independence.

6. In the attainment of the ideal, heroes are those concerned sacrifice purely and
exclusively for the welfare of the country and such methods are employed in the
attainment of the ideal are morally valid.

7. Because whatever the role of heroism in the mind of man when it grows up, it
preserves its educational essence through a set of virtuous qualities, most notably the
prevention of despair as much as possible in the face of difficulties and altruism
necessary for the good of life in society.

8. Because a hero is someone who has a strong sense of justice and goodness and
acts upon that sense. A hero should not seek fame for the sake of it. When life becomes
too stressful, painful or corrupt, many people begin to wish that 'unsung' heroes might
act to bring things back to a more sensible equilibrium.
 9. It is as if the hero is required to have a picture that is unanimously respected, and
society must rise to its level in the face of its challenges.

10. This criteria was mandated by the government because heroes are those who are
prepared to face difficulties to the limits of self-sacrifice for the interests of his society, or
to defend his values and beliefs, which are often biased to the interests of the majority
of people around him.
II. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom
and order for a nation.

SOME REASONS:

1. No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially

proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of their
significant roles in the process of nation building and contributions to history, there were
laws enacted and proclamations issued honoring these heroes.

2. According to Proclamation No. 510, issued by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on November

30,1994, declared the year 1996; Heroes gave meaning and impetus to the cause of
freedom, justice, Philippine independence and nationhood.

3. Hero fights for freedom as an expression of love to his country. One must fight for
reforms in his own ways instead of revolution.

4. Heroes are those who make the nation’s constitution and laws, such as Mabini and
Recto. To the latter, constitutions are only the beginning, for it is the people living under
the constitution that truly constitute a nation.

5. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order
for a nation (one who helps in the orderliness and betterment of the country).

6. Because heroes are those being entrusted to have the power to govern in our
country.

7. The legacy left of heroes are still valid until the present time as they were yesterday.
The political ideas have been achieved and because of the change in the institutions,
the wisdom of their counsels or the value of their doctrines have ceased to be
opportune.

8. Heroes have recognition of their sterling character and remarkable achievements for
the country.

9. The position they now hold in Philippine history is a tribute to the continued
veneration or acclamation of the people in recognition of his contribution to the
significant social transformations that took place in our country.

10. Despite the lack of any official declaration explicitly proclaiming them as national
heroes, they remain admired and revered for their roles in Philippine history. Heroes,
 according to historians, should not be legislated. Their appreciation should be better left
to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough.

III. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
(As defined by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz) 

SOME REASONS:

1. The position he now holds in Philippine history is a tribute to the continued veneration
or acclamation of the people in recognition of his contribution to the significant social
transformations that took place in our country.

2. Because they sacrifice for the welfare of the country.

3. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.

4. There are laws that are being mandated which recognizes their contributions to the
country’s nation building.

5. Because they are capable in expressing their vocation, discoveries and explorations.

6. Because they find the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming
obstacles.

7. Heroes have good heart for the nation and loyal in serving people.

8. Because they not only think for the welfare of people around him but also to the
whole nation.

9. Because they perform actions without any expectation of reward or external gain.

10. They acts voluntarily for the service of others who are in need, whether it is for an
individual, a group, or a community.

IV. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations. 

SOME REASONS:

1. Because they are also great leaders and a role model that future generations will look
up.
2. Their motive and methods employed is for the attainment of the ideal (was his ideal
purely for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-interested motives,
most of all the method of attainment should be morally valid).
3. Heroes are those who raises what he wants for the youth like promoting patriotism,
encourage to read books and use education as a tool to become successful.
4. Because heroes are those like Rizal who will stand and use his power to win and
defend the nation.
5. They are also a leader that everyone strives to be. Hero is a type of person that
future generation can look up, try to emulate and look in times of distress.
6. Because they remain admired and revered for their roles in Philippine history. 
7. Heroes are not just admired in the society yet they serve as an inspiration for future
generations to be like one of them in the future.
8. Because heroes are those who criticize the wrong practices of youth today and
empowers and strengthens them for the prosperity for the generation.
9. Because heroes show concern for the future generations and it can be seen in their
decisions and ideals. Hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations, his
concern for the future.
10. Because heroes are capable of standing by the side of young people, supporting
conscious and bold choices.