This weekend in the Philippines is a three-day weekend, commemorating the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. And then next weekend is another three-day weekend commemorating “National Heroes’ Day. Almost three weeks ago, we had a special national holiday when former President Cory Aquino was buried.

The Philippines has several other holidays commemorating their heroes: (1)  “Day of Valor” commemorating the surrender of Bataan and Corregidor to the Japanese during World War II; (2) Bonifacio Day, commemorating the death of Andres Bonifacio, leader of the Philippine Revolution against Spain; (3) Rizal Day, commemorating the death of Jose Rizal, national hero (who was adamantly opposed to Bonifacio’s revolution!). There’s also All Saints’ Day commemorating all the dead, hero or not. In time, Cory Aquino will be commemorated as another national hero.

What are heroes remembered for? For bravely sacrificing their lives for freedom. For their unassailable integrity and virtue. But in the Philippines, these heroes do not have any lasting effect on the public officials as well as the ordinary citizens, as seen in the rampant corruption and social ills in the culture, seemingly unequaled in the rest of the world.

Holidays and heroes are celebrated for one thing: so that people who remember them will imitate their virtues. Even the Bible tells us this:

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you… It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate (2 Thess 3:7, 9).

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith (Heb 13:7).

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good (3 John 1:11).

Let us bear in mind, then, that every time we celebrate a holiday, it is for remembering an event or a person worth imitating.

For a more detailed discussion of Philippine holidays, click here.