by Arcadia Ilagan |
This August 29th, the Philippines celebrates National Heroes’ Day, also known as ‘Araw ng mga Bayani.’ It is a day to pay tribute to the bravery of all Filipino heroes and heroines who fought and struggled for the nation's freedom.
Only a select few individuals, including Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and some others—who were at the vanguard of directly battling against colonial powers—are recognized on the walls of educational systems. As bold and courageous as these individuals are, there are so many more names, acts, sacrifices, and stories that contribute significantly to the growth and development of the Philippines, and to who we are now.
Unbeknownst to a number of Filipinos, history has failed to give importance to numerous individuals whose names were only glossed over in history books, or never even mentioned. Below are some of the few brave souls whose names and stories have been left behind in the past, and deserve some spotlight.
Trinidad Tecson (1848-1928)
Trinidad Tecson, known as the "Mother of Biak-na-Bato,” is the first-ever Filipina who became part of the Sanduguan. She fought alongside the Katipuneros during the Filipino-American War and organized a group of women tasked with nursing injured Filipino soldiers. During her time in battle shoulder-to-shoulder with the Katipuneros, Tecson seized firearms in Caloocan and braved 12 battles with fellow revolutionaries.
Rajah Buisan (reigned: 1597–1619)
Rajah Buisan was the Sultan of Maguindanao and commander in the third stage of the Moro wars. During the reign of Spain, Buisan called to action the other leaders of Leyte to face the Spaniard's head-on, which followed with him delivering quite a memorable speech at Dulag, Leyte. Buisan, alongside his comrades, successfully launched an invasion in Central Visayas, further leading the nation towards freedom.
Mariano Trias (1868-1914)
Mariano Trias was a Filipino revolutionary leader and politician. He served as the 1st Vice-President of the Philippines. Trias is known for leading the first uprising in Cavite and other attacks against the Spaniards in Laguna. Trias joined the Katipunan right before the revolution began and eventually became an active propagandist, defending the towns of Silang and Kawit.
The 15 Bicolano Martyrs
The 15 Bicolano Martyrs, namely being Leon Hernandez, Ramon Abella, Mariano Arana, Mariano Ordenanza, Gabriel Prieto, Severino Diaz, Inocencio Herrera, Manuel Abella, Domingo Abella, Camilo Jacob, Tomas Prieto, Florencio Lerma, Macario Valentin, Cornelio Mercado, and Mariano Melgarejo, were all sentenced to death in the 1896 Revolution for actively fighting against the Spaniards. The businessmen, priests, and officials were never given a proper burial to avoid any sympathy from the public, robbing them of a solemn and meaningful memorial.
Igorot Revolt of 1601
The Igorot natives, during the ‘Igorot Revolt of 1601,’ revolted against the Spaniards during attempts to Christianize them. Even after an effort to stamp out the revolt by sending an expedition to Cordillera, Igorot natives continued to defend their liberty and culture, leaving the Spanish unsuccessful.
This is but a magnified portion of the many notable Filipinos whose stories and sacrifices deserve to be recognized and remembered. Never forget those who have dedicated their lives to fighting for genuine freedom, true justice, and democracy. Always remember to celebrate the fighters, the change makers, and the movements that have led us to a brighter and better nation, today, always, and forever.
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