Many countries celebrate national observances to celebrate their heroes. Every last Monday in August, the Philippines celebrates National Heroes Day, or "Araw ng mga Bayani," as a way for the country to honor the bravery showed by our known and unknown heroes.
History of National Heroes Day Celebration
One of the country's first public holidays is the National Heroes Day celebrations. On October 28, 1931, Act No. 3827, a law establishing National Heroes Day, was passed in the Philippines. The legislation established the last Sunday in August of each year as a national holiday. However, research suggests that National Heroes Day was observed on November 30 each year to coincide with Andres Bonifacio Day, according to the Official Gazette website.
Every November 30, President Laurel continued to observe National Heroes Day despite the Japanese occupation. President Laurel issued Executive Order No. 20 on March 20, 1942, setting the date of National Heroes Day as the 30th of November in recognition of the enormous number of fallen heroes lost during the World War II. President Sergio Osmea gave a speech in Capas, Tarlac on November 30, 1945, the year that the Japanese Occupation and the Second World War in the Pacific came to an end. In addition to remembering the town's role as a prison camp during the Occupation, this was done to honor it as "a symbol of spiritual resistance, a symbol of faith."
The commemoration of National Heroes Day was moved back to the last Sunday in August in 1952 under Administrative Order No. 190, s., which was issued by President Elpidio Quirino. In accordance with the aforementioned Administrative Order, President Quirino designated Cecilio Puton as the chairman of a committee to oversee the National Heroes Day celebration, which was held on August 31, 1952.
During the presidency of President Corazon C. Aquino, there was yet another significant event for the commemoration of National Heroes Day. President Aquino's Administrative Code of 1987 adopted and designated National Heroes Day as a regular holiday observed on the last Sunday of August.
On July 24, 2007, a law was signed that updated the regulations governing National Heroes Day and the current framework for the celebration. Republic Act No. 9492, which altered Book 1, Chapter 7 of the Administrative Code, was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The National Heroes Day holiday was moved to the last Monday of August as a result of the aforementioned law.
This is a result of the President Arroyo-initiated "Holiday Economics" program. By moving holidays to the closest Monday or Friday of the week, this program aimed to minimize interruptions to work while having a long weekend and promoting domestic tourism and leisure.
You and your family must rediscover your Filipino roots and stay in constant contact with our nation now more than ever.
Celebrating National Heroes Day At Home With Your Kids
1. Watch a movie about Philippine History
Watching historical films can also offer fresh perspectives on the past, which in turn can offer new perspectives on the present. In some cases, stories or archival material that other people would prefer to bury can be preserved through the use of documentaries or movies. In addition to improving the world's understanding of historical events, this also provides a preview of potential future challenges and how modern day Filipino heroes can learn from it. It is important that the young generation will know the country's history so they can furthermore show appreciation to their roots as a Filipino.
2. Play games about the Philippine History
Celebrate national heroes day by testing your understanding of Philippine history! Invite everyone to a quiz bee where they must respond to facts you have gathered about Filipino national heroes. You can start with the heroes names that can lead up to trivias of how the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire began with the Cry of Pugad Lawin.
3. Cook and Eat Filipino Food
Cooking Filipino recipes at home is a great way to celebrate National Heroes Day. To give your meal a tasty and entertaining Filipino flair, try any of the cuisines like adobo, lumpiang shanghai, and many more! Of course, Filipinos love food, and there are a ton of other Pinoy recipes that are currently being prepared that you can check out at any time online.
If you're looking for a spacious home to celebrate occasions like this, Vista Residences has plenty to offer. Plumeria Heights in Taft might be the one for you. Rizal Park and Intramuros, where you can learn more about history, are just a short distance from this condo on Taft Avenue, where visitors and locals can go for leisure activities.
If you're up to do activities outside of your homes, there are several activities to do as well!
4. Volunteer for Charity
Your family can volunteer for a neighborhood charity if your kids want to become modern heroes. Kids can get involved in their communities in a variety of ways, such as through organized walks for a worthwhile cause, beach clean-ups, and the donation of used toys. In the end, they'll understand what it means to be a vigilante citizen or hero through this process.
5. Visiting Local Shrines
A national shrine is a location that has fulfilled certain criteria and has been granted this honor to recognize the country's unique cultural, historical, and religious significance. There are several local shrines that you can visit in the country. For example, in Laguna, you can visit the Rizal Shrine with your children, the home where Jose Rizal grew up and where you can see the traces of how he fought for our country's independence.
6. Attend a National Heroes' Day Event
People living in the Philippines often commemorate National Heroes Day on an annual basis. Parade and planting or flowers are common ways of commemorating this holiday. Fireworks display can be seen during the celebration.
Salute to our modern day heroes
In these times when pandemics occur, many people consider themselves to be heroes of the present day. They are heroes not because of a bloody fight; they have a passion for heroic acts which today inspires people. Pandemics seem to be the end point in life. But luckily we have a hero who will fight to keep us alive, despite risking their own health every minute. Nurse physicians and medical personnel seem exhausted, especially since COVID19 is infecting our households daily.
Aside from the medical and life saver heroes, Filipino also have the OFW's. OFWS are people who choose to work away to get work that would help their families. Ofws are today’s heroes because they help support the Philippines’ economy through remittances but also demonstrate strength. OFWs endure houseickness, personal losses, and horrible work circumstances to support their family at home.
Why should we celebrate Heroes Day?
Its an occasion for remembering and honouring those who died for freedom and liberty. On these days people gather on the streets for marches and festivities, as well as speeches or performances celebrating the courageous people fighting for our freedom.
National Heroes Day serves as a reminder that there are more heroes than just those listed in school textbooks or commemorated by monuments. It is a day to pause and consider how the definition of heroism has evolved.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
