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The National Hero

Once, two students were heatedly debating who should be the Philippines’ National Hero.

One was advancing Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine Revolution, and the other was defending the recognized national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Boknoy, in his defense for Bonifacio said, “Andres Bonifacio should be the National Hero. He led an uprising against the Spaniards. He was an embodiment of courage.’

“On the other hand,” Bitoy interjected. “Rizal fought in an equally important field. He made the people aware of the Philippines quandary.”

“That’s true, Bitoy. But remember, Bonifacio took a greater risk. “

“But Rizal’s novels brought no lesser effect for the struggle – it brought awareness to a slumbering people.”

“Bah, those novels were just stories!” Boknoy derided Bitoy’s argument. “Bonifacio’s call for arms led to massive uprising. Arms are for the brave, stories are for the wimp.”

“If they were stories, then let it be.” Bitoy calmly rejoined. “But remember, those stories formed the uprisings into a revolution; those stories molded a scattered people into a nation!”

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Marjonnel