With the much anticipated arrival of the statue of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in Campbelltown on December 2012, I wonder who the heroes of today are?
As the date draws nearer, scene grabbers are already lining up trying to wangle their way to have their names etched in the Rizal Park annals.
As it is, Jimmy Lopez decided to get in early and laid a wreath at the park last 19 June, on Rizal’s birthday. Maybe it was placed next to the name of the park or next to the swing.
The definition of a hero may vary according to time and the circumstances. History, literature and the movies speak in volumes of heroes — there’s Beowulf, the selfless hero, Shakespeare’s tragic heroes, Macbeth and Othello; and Homer’s Odysseus. They are the ones who spill their blood for a purpose larger than life itself. In movies, they’re the ones who get the girl at the end and live happily ever after; the one who scores against all odds; the one who escapes; the poverty stricken character who defies all rules to change their fate. They are intrepid characters who surmount all challenges and emerge victorious. They are the eternal idealist, waiting to change the world. Then there are the super heroes, the characters who leap out of the pages of comic books to defy gravity, jump out of burning buildings and save lives.
Nowadays, overseas workers have been hailed as selfless modern day heroes whose sacrifices of being separated from their families have meant that hard earned dollars have poured into the Philippine economy.
But already, three of our past Philippine presidents have failed to pass the test, although each one still manages to extract a following for whatever reason. Based on recent news, even the officials are no longer worthy of admiration, let alone emulation. Perhaps it is for this reason why public attention and adulation has shifted to television and sporting celebrities — hooray for Pacquiao and Dolphy.
I have no doubt that there are silent achievers in our midst, but I dare say, there are no heroes to admire. We hail those who fool; turn a blind eye for a favour; we barter popularity for quality and confuse politicking for patriotism.
At a recent PCC Ugnayan session, Kate Andres facetiously exclaimed, “Where are the awardees? They should be here. I am here.” Everyone heard but those really listening also understood the unspoken words “Where’s mine? I want one.” Of course, Ms. Andres has placed in her nomination for the upcoming Presidential award. One can only hope that the 20th Anniversary (2010) Souvenir Program of the Philippine Community Council was not used as evidence. For under Kate Andres’ achievements for 2003 is listed her efforts to stop the sale of Rizal Park and as such has argued that her name be included in the history of Rizal Park. However, a check with the Campbelltown Council has revealed that the Park was never up for sale. CRFCC and Argel, VP at that time, confirms this too. While there was a meeting with the Council at some point in time, it was for an entirely different purpose.
Then there is the husband and wife Amores team who seem to have gone on overdrive filling in applications for awards — from Ambassador to the Global Bayani (hero) and most recently both have gone for the Presidential Award. And yet, how can we forget the time [when] they spent manufacturing clubs during their term in PCC, resurrecting ghosts and most of all who could ever forget the 88-98 (88 registered; 98 voted) final election result that saw Ruben Amores installed as a PCC president and no one ever complained or took the steps to oust him.
The self-proclaimed leaders simply swing where the light shines, or squeeze themselves in areas to parade or speak before an audience. They give with one hand and take with the other, only to push their own agendas of self aggrandizement. Some are so far removed from reality but manage to slip through unnoticed, head hunting and credit snatching.
Perhaps, it is us mere mortals who should be proclaimed heroes for having survived these types of leaders in our community who are deterrents to community progress.
And we sure are waiting to be inspired! — (www.filipin-oz.com)