AS we celebrate on this fourth Monday of August the National Heroes’ Day to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for national freedom, let us ponder the fact that heroism falls not exclusively on the shoulders of great men.

In the course of our short history as a nation, we have emulated the likes of great men and women like Rizal, Del Pilar, and Bonifacio, and Gabriela Silang and Gregoria de Jesus, who have shed blood, sweat and tears for love of country. From our history books, these heroes appeared bigger than life for what they have done during their time—repulsing enemies, building a government, making alliances, writing books, inspiring revolts, and even facing firing squads! But in this age of computers and smart phones, of relative peace and plenty in the society, there seems to be a huge disconnect among the younger generations on what being heroes is all about.

Situations change, but principles must stay. And so it behooves us to redefine what heroism is, and show the younger generations how ordinary citizens like us could be heroes in ordinary times. We should teach them that heroes are not only those who have given their lives to something bigger than themselves; but that heroes are also those who persevere, who stick it out five minutes more when it seemed it’s better to quit. We should tell them that heroes are those who, even in small things,  do what is right, no matter what — who in the face of temptations, remain upright; who in the proliferation of fake news and “alternative reality”, choose what is true; and who in the face of abuse and impunity, call out and resist the evil in our midst. We should show them that these “ordinary times” today call for heroes from us all.