Develop your own list of historical figures that you consider to be national heroes.

Justify your chosen list and recommend which historical figures may or may not fall
within the criteria set by the National Heroes Committee.

Philippines have a rich historical background, and it’s no surprise that the
Philippines recognize prominent figures that fought for the country. From writers to
soldiers numerous people have sacrificed their lives to help the country gain and
maintain independence. But what makes a person a hero? Heroes are those who have
a concept of nation, and aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom, and they
contribute to a system of life and order for the country. Heroes think of the future,
especially of the future generations. They have their own set of principles and
ideologies and are not easy to be swayed by influences for they stand firm on what they
believe. I have enumerated below a list of my standards in choosing a national hero:

1. The extend of a perons’ sacrifice for the welfare of the country.

2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal. (was his ideal
purely for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-driven motives.)
3. The person should not have any immorality issues that affected his ideal.
4. The influence of the person concerned with his age and or the succeeding ages.

It is common for Filipinos to look for someone to idolize (e.g. saints, politicians,
celebrities, etc.) somebody they will glorify and imitate. Since the time of the Philippine
independence, 109 years ago, many were acknowledged as Filipino more so today. The
essence of the word “hero” is past declining, today one need to die or such gallant act to
be given the noble title. Time has really evolved and so does our standard in defining a
hero. Below are some Filipino personalities that I suggest to be regarded as a hero:

1. Juan Luna is a hero who defines and contribute to a system of life of freedom
and order for a nation. Luna was painter, sculptor and political activists of the
Philippine revolution during the late 19 th century. He is also considered a Philippine’s
master artist for paintings, often depicting his country sentiments. Luna’s most
revered work of art, “The Spolarium” is on display in the National Museum. Of his
most sought-after masterpiece, “¿A Do...Va la Nave?” sold for 46.8 million at an
auction in Makati.

2. Apolinario Mabini he is a Filipino revolutionary leader, educator, lawyer, and

statesmen who served first as a legal constitutional adviser to the revolutionary
government, and then as the first prime minister of the Philippines upon
establishment of the First Philippine republic. He is regarded as the “brain of the
revolution” and is also to be considered to be as the national hero in the Philippines,
he was able to persuade other heroes. Mabini’s ideologies shaped the Philippine’s
fight for independence over the next century.

3. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., According to the Ninoy and Cory Aquino
Foundation, Ninoy Aquino was the youngest mayor at 22, the country’s youngest
vice governor at 27, then governor of Tarlac 2 years later. He became the youngest
senator in the Philippine History at 34. His assassination in 1983 eventually led to
the 1986 revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed his wife Cory
Aquino as president.

4. Manuel Quezon he was a provincial governor of Tayabas from 1906-1907.

Heworked as an aide-de-camp of Emilio Aguinaldo. With his two terms, first as
the2nd president of the Philippines (from November 15, 1935-December 30,
1941),and First President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, from (December
30,1941-August 1, 1944), he would be the third-longest serving president with
nearly9 years in office. (Marcos served for 21 years; Gloria Arroyo for 9-and-a-
halfyears). He was born in Baler, Aurora on August 19, 1878 and died in New
Yorkon August 1, 1944. He placed 4th in the 1903 Bar exam. The choice of
himinvolves not only the recounting of an episode or event in history, but of the
entireprocess that has made this particular person a hero.