Heroism: Then and Now
It is quite appropriate that on National Heroes Day — a day dedicated to the celebration of all Filipino heroes and not just those memorialized in statues and history books — a Filipina tennis player pulled off a miraculous comeback to claim victory against one of the best players in the world. Here is how the Manila Bulletin article described it: “Almost given up for the dead after trailing 1-5 in the third set, the 20-year-old Eala displayed nerves of steel against her world No. 15 counterpart by forging a tiebreak before claiming the victory.” Eala’s “heroic win” made her the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era.
Modern-day Hero
The “nerves of steel” she displayed is the stuff heroes are made of. Her victory gave the Filipino nation the kind of “good news” our people deserve. This is the type of heroism that gives our nation inspiration at a time when we need it most. At only 19 years old, Alex has already made groundbreaking achievements in professional tennis, becoming the highest-ranked Filipino player in WTA Tour history, reaching No. 56 in the world. Beyond rankings and titles, her journey embodies the qualities of dedication, courage, hard work and perseverance that define a hero, especially for young Filipinos aspiring for greatness.
But for me, what makes her truly great is the fact that she uses her newfound platform to promote Filipino pride. At major tournaments, she openly celebrates her heritage, reminding the world of the Philippines’ talent and potential. In her postgame interview in the US Open, Eala said: “I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself, and it adds meaning to what I do.” That, my fellow countrymen, is the very definition of heroism.
Quezon and the Nacionalista Party
In between my meetings last week, I was able to catch a glimpse of the trailer of an upcoming movie about Manuel L. Quezon. The biopic is scheduled for release in October this year. Actor Jericho Rosales is playing the role of Quezon while Mon Confiado plays Emilio Aguinaldo, and Romnick Sarmienta will act as Sergio Osmeña, Quezon’s vice president.
Quezon is not just a stalwart in Philippine political history but also one of the architects of Philippine statehood. He was an undisputed champion of Filipino independence and nation-building at a time when our nation was still at its infancy. Quezon was also the founder of the Nacionalista Party, the political party that championed Filipino nationalism, greater self-rule, and the eventual transition to independence, and which I now lead.
Quezon, together with Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. founded the Nacionalista Party on April 25, 1907. He led the Nacionalista to political dominance, becoming the primary political vehicle for Filipino nationalism and self-governance as well as the development of democratic institutions, social reforms, and the assertion of Filipino identity and political autonomy.
I do not need to repeat Quezon’s towering achievements here. We all know that he became the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935. He is probably best known to students as the “Father of the National Language,” as he championed the adoption of Tagalog as the basis for a unifying national language, fostering cultural nationalism and cohesion. Quezon and the Nacionalista Party is often credited as having laid the foundation for the modern Philippine state, nurturing democratic institutions and Filipino identity amid the challenges of colonialism, war, and political consolidation.
But one of the most overlooked heroic acts of Quezon was his decision to provide sanctuary to 1,300 Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution. The UNHCR-Philippines website described Quezon’s bravery in this way:
“In 1934, under the admittance of President Manuel L. Quezon and US High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution were able to find sanctuary in the Philippines before Filipinos and Jews alike experienced the brunt of the Second World War. President Quezon pushed back against critics of his open-door immigration policy…He called on all Filipinos to welcome the refugees and instructed the government to assist them.”
The lessons Quezon and Eala provide is that heroism, while often regarded as being reserved only for those who lead revolutions or make historic sacrifices, can also be embodied through everyday acts of courage, kindness, excellence, and dedication. Whether in politics, the tennis courts, schools, or barangays, Filipinos can become a hero today by choosing to make a positive difference in their own way, however small, proving that heroism is a calling for us all.
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