JOURNAL | Why "Hero" Is A Social Construct and Should Be Re-Examined

 

It's National Heroes' Day in the Philippines.

Something I would have overlooked if not for some related posts in Twitter. Right now the Philippines is starving for heroes they can look up to - at least sensible heroes who fit the bill, and not some self-proclaimed hero who promises to liberate the poor and implement changes (e.g. corrupt politicians) but a hero who looks after the welfare of the land before self. 

I can't think of anybody else aside from ex-Vice President Leni Robredo. She's such an inspiration to most Filipinos who have dreams of making our lives a better one. Although she has not won last presidential election, my hope did not die that maybe someday through her works and inspiration something good will come out of it all. 

Stuck In The Rut

Heroes are not just people who die and immortalized like some kind of saint. Far from it, heroes are people - and just like many of us heroes are flawed and that's why they resonate many of us struggling people who continue to fight despite the disadvantage. Think of poverty, unemployment, unequal opportunities, peace and order, corruption, moral decay - these are all very real demons that we keep on fighting and without a hero to inspire us to move forward, we will all be stuck in the rut.

When Ferdinand Marcos was suddenly brought to the Libingan ng mga Bayani, I questioned the integrity and purpose of the supposedly sacred resting place of our country's heroes. Who decides what a "hero" is highly politically motivated - in other words, self- serving. Therefore, hero or bayani is no longer a credible title because after all, why should we believe something that we do not agree with.

Life Is As Real As We Experience It To Be

So we now turn to anyone who may shine as a beacon of hope for the rest of us who believe that good deeds are still rewarded and bad deeds shall be punished one way or another. Heck I would even wish that Darna is real so she can punish the corrupt and evil. But life is not a make believe comics fantasy; life is as real as we can experience. We are always at the mercy of those who have the power and influence.

In the end, Leni Robredo has started to ignite the fire of nationalism which hopefully can breed more heroes in our time. A time I look forward to seeing after this darkness the Philippines is facing in the next 6 years. #