Brian Jules Campued
Acknowledging that a “hero” is a product of public acclaim and time, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Board of Commissioners has issued a resolution adopting the criteria for a person to be declared as one.
In an announcement on Monday, the NHCP said it recognizes the codified criteria of a hero set by the Philippine Historical Committee and the National Heroes Commission in 1965, and by the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee in 1993 and 1995.
“The Commission has been using the said criteria in identifying personages of historical significance, which the Board of Commissioners have officially codified in a resolution signed on Dec. 13, 2023. It should be noted that while it was inspired by the criteria set by the predecessor committees, modifications were also made by the Board of Commissioners,” NHCP said.
The criteria include an individual’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country, the motives and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal, the moral character of the person concerned, and said person’s influence on their age and/or succeeding age.
NHCP added that heroes are those who have a concept of nation, aspiring and struggling for its freedom.
“Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for a nation. Freedom without any order will only lead to anarchy,” it said.
According to NHCP Board Resolution No. 21, Series of 2023, heroes are also those who are part of the people’s expression; those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation; and those who think of the future, especially the future generations.
“The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero,” it added.
Meanwhile, the historical commission clarified that the adoption of the criteria would not lead to the officialization of heroes. – avds
