AWARENESS
Today, we celebrate National Heroes’ Day (Araw ng mga Bayani) to pay tribute to both known and unknown heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives for our country. The day also marks the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan (Kataastaasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan), the revolutionary group founded by Andres Bonifacio which sparked the fight against the Spaniards.
Paying tribute to our heroes can be traced back to the December 30, 1898, declaration of “Memorial Day” in honor of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and all the Filipinos who suffered martyrdom for the country’s freedom. In 1921, the celebration of Bonifacio Day of November 30 was also a celebration to pay homage to the anonymous heroes of the nation.
During the American colonial period by virtue of Act 3827 signed on October 28, 1931, National Heroes Day was celebrated on the last Sunday of August of every year.
The celebration was moved to November 30 by Executive Order No. 20 signed on March 20, 1942. In 1952, Administrative Order No. 190 s. reverted 1952, National Heroes Day to the last Sunday of August. The current celebration on the last Monday of August is the result of Republic Act 9492 signed in 2007.
On National Heroes Day, flowers are offered at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, at the Mausoleum for Veterans of the Revolution (Mausoleo delos Veteranos de la Revolucion) at the Manila North Cemetery, at the Pathway to Glory in Heroes Square in Rizal Park and at other heroes’ monument. Tree-planting is held at the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac.
As we celebrate National Heroes Day, let us remember the life and works of our heroes, those listed in history books and those who names have been forever lost in history, who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.