Tuesday, September 19, 2006
HISTORY WEEK
Wrong values are being taught in history education. One is the overidealization of dying for the country. Though this may sound lofty, it is actually morbid and self-defeating. Jose Rizal speaking as Filosofo Tasio in Noli Me Tangere once wrote, “A dead hero is no use to his countrymen.”
His living countrymen may build monuments to him or deliver flattering speeches in his honor, but when asked to do the same, most likely would say, “What am I, stupid? Do not be a hero, because heroes are shot at the Luneta.”
Dying for the country might be ideal but living to fight for what is right and moral is preferable. History teachers must teach the students the value of struggle, not just for material things but also for the conviction of what is right and moral. The people who fight for these ideals are truly heroes, not necessarily the dead ones.
We can also pick lessons from another great man, US Army Gen. George S. Patton, who said to his men: “Don’t die for your country, let some other son of a bitch die for his!”
Read entire article:
Neglect and abuse of history: A sign of our waning patriotism
by Augusto V. de Viana
The Manila Times
September 15 to 21 is History Week in the Philippine Archipelago
Source: MLQ3
posted by Señor Enrique at 8:00 PM
21 Comments:
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said... History week? Wow, that's amazing. I wish we have that here though.
I really do agree wholly with the article above. Living to fight for what is right and bring justice to all is definitely better than dying for the country. At least, the wrongs can be corrected to bring good to all countrymen.
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Iskoo said... i suddenly remember a quote in 500 peso bill, according to Ninoy Filipino is worth dying for... di ba pwede worth living for? :)
by the way nce picture of the Luneta, gusto ko kumuha din ng ganyan dati kasi katakot maglabas ng camera sa luneta.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, I like that, too, Kyels -- fighting for what's right and moral. What these two things boil down to is "common decency amongst men."
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Señor Enrique said...
I never thought of that before, Iskoo, but I like it your way ... "worth living for."
Thanks and don't do it alone if not comfortable. Better take a friend along so you can shoot pics in peace.-
Senorito<- Ako said...
Never really had any appetite for history. Somehow your narrative style just makes it 'digestible'. I guess the nice pix helps :)
I was shocked SHOCKED to find out that somebody dared 'APO' in fistfighting. I BET he wasn't president then.-
Señor Enrique said...
And that man who challenged "APO" was in turn challenged to a gun duel by a man named Mr. Cabangbang (no pun intended, for that was the challenger's real name according to Amadeo).
Thanks, S.A.!-
said...
History week is amazing here! But with the issue of dying for the country, I wouldn't die for it and won't be sacrificing my life for those corrupt politicians, it's absurd and I value life.
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Señor Enrique said...
Yes, right you are JV! I mean why sacrifice one's life and just see those politi-pros fatten their pockets ... lol!
But fighting for what's right and moral is good not only for one's self but for fellow Pinoys as well.-
said...
It is said that it was the Americans who installed Rizal as the national hero because he was a harmless figure - educated, fought his struggle in a non-violent way. The Yanks would rather have Pinoys emulate a mundane hero than a fiery revolutionary like Bonifacio. Put the gun away - just go to school and be like Rizal. Well, looks like the American strategy worked. Every Pinoy wants to have a college degree like Rizal by hook or by crook. We've exceeded our expectations that nowadays we're stuffing our malls and shops with sales clerks with college degrees.
That Patton guy rocks man.-
said...
In honor of History Week, I will at least Wikipedia Jose Rizal =)
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said...
I agree with you fully Eric.
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Señor Enrique said...
A lot of sad truths in your comment, BW.
Also, there's such a glut of learning schools churning out degrees in our country that a college diploma has somewhat lost the value it once wields.
Yes, Patton was quite a character; a perfect match against the incorrigble Russian ally during the end of WWII.-
Señor Enrique said...
That would be an interesting start, Aurea.
Yup, Kyels :)-
Rey said...
Patton, was for me, the best General ever. Better than McArthur. Not surprisingly, he's a great admirer of Alexander.
Though Rizal wielded his pen rather than his sword, is still worthy of the hero honor in more ways that I can try to enumerate.
... I better not try.-
Señor Enrique said...
IMHO, despite their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their successes and failures, all our heroes ought to be emulated for their patriotism, courage and idealism.
Yes, Rey, Patton was definitely worth his salt, so to speak!-
Gayzha said...
I think history will prove that the real heroes of today are the ordinary citizens and countrymen who chose to find jobs in other countries and send funds back home.
It is like pumping the needed blood back to our ailing economy!-
Señor Enrique said...
Know what, Jase? While I was exploring that whole area of Avenida, Plaza Goiti and Quiapo, a hunch told me that it's the OFW money that is mostly supporting the malls/stores in most of Metro Manila!
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said...
I've got the chance to talk with some DH downstairs, and u know what? we were talking bout what u just have said before this comment....without the OFW especially who held jobs like DH, Phil economy will not rise up, definitely not for now.
“Don’t die for your country; let some other son of a bitch die for his!”<<---so now I understand, why half of Phil's population died from the hands of these Americans after Spanish Colonization. That information was according to the historian Renato Constantino.-
Señor Enrique said...
That seems to be the basic truth, Melai -- who else could be supporting all these stores and malls? I don't see as many tourists around as the millions that flock to New York at any given month. Serious!
Alam mo din, Melai? Magmula ng nawala na ang halos na isang bilyong dolyar na tulong ng mga Russo (Russians) sa Cuba, ang mga dolyar na padala ng mga Cubano na nakatira sa Amerika sa mga pamilya nila sa Cuba ang nagpapaangat ng ekonomiya nila. Kung wala sa mga overseas dollars, tagal ng lubog ang Cuba!
"Let some other son of a bitch die for his..." -- there you go! Kanya si Rizal mismo ayaw ng rebolusyon, pero ang sinusuportahan niya ay "revolution of the mind." Palubog na din naman ang Espanya noon, eh. Ang mga Kastilang nasa simbahan na lamang ang mga makukulit. Noon pa lamang sa simula, wala ding masyadong interes and Espanya sa Pinas -- mga pari lamang!-
said...
Once again a very interesting post. I guess its time to change people's mentally on being a hero. I guess the idea of "self-sacrifice" is embedded in being a hero. Maybe we should expand that vocabulary and consider the living heroes doing something for our country.
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Señor Enrique said...
I agree, Ferdz. We ought to acknowledge those living and fighting for our common good.
