Robredo at Bonifacio Day rites: Heroes are determined by their deeds

Former Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday said that heroes are determined by their deeds, not by their resting places. 

Robredo delivered this sentiment as part of her speech as the guest of honor and speaker during an induction ceremony by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation on Bonifacio Day, November 30, for those who opposed Martial Law.

For 2023, the six inductees in the Wall of Remembrance in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City were a social activist, a tribal leader in Mindanao, two farmer advocates and two human rights lawyers. 

The honorees are Manuel “Buyog” Sampiano (Catholic church volunteer and member of the Ata Manobo tribe), Jesus Antonio Carpio (human rights lawyer), Luis General Jr. (human rights lawyer), Melecio Marimon (Davao-based activist), Emerito Rodriguez (Davao-based activist) and Isagani Serrano (development and environmental activist). 

Also remembered for their heroism are the late labor leader Julieta Armea, farmers' rights activist Filomena Asuncion, and human rights lawyer and public servant Haydee Yorac. 

“Tama pa rin ba ang pagkaunawa natin sa salitang bayani? Para saan pa ba natin ginagawa ang pagtitipong tulad nito? Bayani pa rin ba na maituturing ang tinitingala ng ilan pero tinutuligsa ng iba? [Ngunit] hindi nadadaan sa kathang isip na kwento ang landas tungo sa pagkabayani. Hindi ito nadidikta ng kung sino ang nasa poder,” the former vice president said.

(Do we still have the correct definition for the word “hero”? What is the purpose for these kinds of gatherings? Can we consider those who are looked at by some but denounced by others as heroes? A story created by imagination is not the path that leads to heroism. It is not dictated by those who are in power.)

“Hindi ito nakukulong o napapaslang. Ang kabayanihan ay hindi tinitignan sa kung saan nilibing ang isang tao, kung hindi sa kung paano sila nabuhay, at kung paano sila nag alay ng sarili sa kawsa na mas malawak kaysa sa pansariling interes,” she added.

(Being a hero cannot be prevented by imprisonment or death. Being a hero is not determined where a person is buried, but instead in the manner of how a person lived, and how they sacrificed themselves for a righteous cause instead of self interest.)  

Robredo lauded the inductees for their achievement in their respective fields, and that history recognizes their heroism.

“I am with you today to join you in standing up for the fact that what happened, happened. Ang kasaysayan ay kasaysayan. Ang tama ay tama, at ang mali ay mali. Ang katotohanan ay hindi nadadaan sa bilang ng sumasang ayon,” she said.

(History is history. What’s right is right, and what is wrong is wrong. The truth is not determined by the number of those who agree.) 

“Anuman ang ihip ng hanging politikal, hindi nagbabago ang ibig sabihin ng pagkabayani. Hindi mabubura ang kabayanihan ng isang tao, kahit pilit silang ibinabaon sa limot. Kahit pa tanggalin ang kanilang mga mukha sa pag imprenta sa pera,” she added.

(Wherever the wind of political climate blows, this does not change the definition of what a hero is. The heroism of a person cannot be erased, even when the memory is buried. Even if their faces are removed from our currency.) 

Also at the memorial rites were former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, former Quezon City representative Christopher Belmonte and lawyer Chel Diokno.

"Let us never forget the six individuals we are honoring today and each and every person whose name is etched on the Wall of Remembrance, They are here because they stood as rays of hope... they have served as beacons of light," Diokno said. —RF, GMA Integrated News