P-Noy: Wake up the hero in you

MANILA, Philippines - Every Filipino should “wake up the hero in him” and “heed the call of duty” as the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo did, President Aquino said yesterday as he led the National Heroes Day rites.

“In times of trials, the cry for each and everyone of us is: wake up the hero in you and heed the call of duty. Big or small, you can contribute something and in the name of the country and fellowmen, you need to do what you can,” Aquino said at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

He called Robredo, who is set to be buried today in Naga City, a “hero who kept a simple life, who focused on the welfare of others before himself, and whose principles prevailed over transactionalism.“

As mayor of Naga City, Robredo was known for his innovative programs and for empowering his constituents.

He was in the process of promoting good governance at the local level as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) when he died in a plane crash on Aug.18.

“Your good example will give birth to more heroes,“ the President said.

He said heroism “runs in the blood” of Filipinos, hence they should continue fighting for great causes for their and the next generation.

The President also paid homage to unsung and modern-day heroes, stressing that true heroes are measured by their principles and not by medals, wealth or position.

He said many Filipinos became witness to the heroism of their countrymen at the height of typhoon “Gener” and during the heavy flooding in Luzon triggered by monsoon rains.

“Thousands responded to help those devastated by the calamity. They did not even know the names of those they helped. They risked their lives to show concern for others in need,” Aquino said.

He said the widespread display of heroism during disasters showed that bayanihan (community spirit) among Filipinos is still alive.

“A just society will give meaning to the sacrifices of our heroes; this is what we want to achieve in following the straight and righteous path of governance, and our legacy to future generations. Let us all fight for this,” he said.

National Heroes Day specifically commemorates the Cry of Pugad Lawin, the first open declaration of war by Filipino revolutionaries led by Andres Bonifacio against the Spanish colonial rulers in 1896. It is celebrated every last Monday of August as provided for under Republic Act 9492 and reinforced through Proclamation 295 signed by Aquino in December 2011.

Before his speech, the President led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Also in attendance during the ceremonies were Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano, National Historical Commission chair Maria Serena Diokno, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III, Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, and members of the diplomatic corps led by Ppal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.

Veterans of World War II also attended the event.

School discussion

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Armin Luistro has instructed regional directors to disseminate a module developed by DepEd Region V covering Naga City on the life and achievements of Robredo.

“It is important for our students to understand why the whole nation is mourning the loss of Sec. Jesse. There is much to learn about his life, his principles, his commitment to public service and his dedication to the common good,” Luistro said.

Two modules have been set for distribution to schools – one for Araling Panlipunan and another one for Values Education.

The module for Araling Panlipunan includes topics on good governance and public service.

To demonstrate the importance of the family as an institution and its role in building better community relationships, the module for Values Education will highlight Robredo’s example as a family man.

“If our students recognize honest and dedicated public servants as the norm rather than the exception, this will help accelerate the process of social transformation, then Sec. Jesse would not have died in vain,” Luistro said.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, for his part, said the assassination of former Sen. Ninoy Aquino on Aug. 21, 1983 was a turning point in the life of Robredo.

Abad said Robredo was living a quiet and comfortable life as a corporate executive until Ninoy’s martyrdom.

“The turning point in Robredo’s life happened on Aug 21, 1983, the assassination of Ninoy. He (Robredo) left a quiet and comfortable private sector life and decided to devote his time to the uncertain field of public service and politics,” said Abad in an interview with ANC.

Ninoy’s assassination triggered almost daily street protests that eventually led to the EDSA People Power uprising in February 1986.

Abad called Robredo “truly an inspiring leader” and expressed hope that just like Ninoy’s martyrdom, the demise of the late DILG chief will inspire the youth.

“If that’s (the effect)... of Ninoy’s death on a person like Jesse Robredo, I think for many young people, Jesse’s passing away will have the same effect on them, I hope that that’s going to be the case,” said Abad. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rainier Allan Ronda