Heroes then and now

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

What would Andres Bonifacio say if he were to meet the people we call "heroes" today?

Even if the government, for convenience, has moved the observance of his birthday from November 30 to December 1, Filipinos still know that this day is dedicated to one young man who, born to a poor family, and who stayed poor all his life, was the richest of all when it came to love for his country. For Andres Bonifacio, seeing his people free from the yoke of foreign domination was so important, he did not mind risking his life and eventually giving it up for his Motherland.

It is saddening to note that the younger generation is gradually getting a different concept of what is a hero. The word seems to be so loosely used nowadays. We talk of heroism when our fellow Filipinos leave for other shores to seek greener pastures for themselves and to give their loved ones more comforts and privileges in life. We credit as heroes those who win competitions, even if the quest for success is triggered more for fame and material gain than for benefits and honor for the country. Even the act of people returning money found is tagged as heroic when it is supposed to be something that should be done as a matter of course.

Andres Bonifacio and the other heroes of our past, are, alas, gradually fading from the minds of our young people because there is less emphasis on holding them up as models and examples to the youth. While it is true that government allows time to mark their special days, even the speeches made at programs and celebrations for them often appear to be no more than lip service.

This is a great pity because the future of the following generations, and our country as well, could be so much more hopeful if we focused more on lives and deeds of our heroes and point them out as role models.*