“Hero” by Skillet (2009)

Independence Day in the time of Duterte

As of this writing, my country is celebrating its 120th Independence Day. The people who would take the time to celebrate are the president, his officials, and his band of supporters, commonly called dutertetards.

Dutertetards are the kind of people who would follow the president rather than God, their conscience, and their guardian angels. They will forgo their dignity, humanity, spirituality, and patriotism to emulate his attitude and way of thinking.

Dutertetards will follow the president blindly. They will be glad to do his bidding without doubt and without question. They will do everything to please their master.

Dutertetards call for Vice President Leni Robredo's resignation at a rally in Luneta Park in 2017. (Image from http://news.abs-cbn.com)

Like for example, if the president kisses the ass of the Chinese government, the dutertetards – each and every one of them, male and female, young and old – will do the same. They would even do it more enthusiastically than the president does.

Devoid of objectivity and lacking a sense of history and critical thinking, the dutertetards make my country look like a province or colony of China. They make light of the (gravely serious) matter of the Chinese government violating my country’s territory and stealing its natural resources.

The dutertetards are like the Germans who welcomed the rise of Nazism and the fundamentalists who supported the Islamic State (ISIS). There is no “hero” among them.

“Hero” and the events in June

"Hero" by Skillet (Image from https://genius.com)

“Hero” by the Christian rock band Skillet (first single from their 2009 album Awake) reminds me of or makes me reflect on many things, not just the lack of patriotism and objectivity among dutertetards. As I listen to this religious rock track, I realize I can connect the (message and theme of the) song to certain events in the month of June, first of which is the Independence Day of my country.

It is during Independence Day that I recall the heroic deeds (and some petty misdeeds) of the heroes or historical figures, such as Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Diego and Gabriela Silang, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Antonio Luna, Gregorio Del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, the Gomburza priests, Miguel Malvar, Macario Sakay, Lapu-Lapu, the residents of Balangiga, Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, the Moros of Mindanao and Sulu… the list goes on.

Philippine national heroes (Image from https://themindofthegarrett.wordpress.com/)

Despite their misdeeds and weaknesses, they loved their country and their people. Their love is far different from the love that the president and the dutertetards have.

The heroes and historical figures had genuine love for the country. The president and the dutertetards, on the other hand, act not out of love for the country but out of practicality and necessity.

The heroes and historical figures were not afraid to give up their life. They are not afraid to kill and be killed. The president and the dutertetards, on the other hand, are not ready to die but willing to change their beliefs and statements to suit their convenience.

The other “fathers”

Every 3rd Sunday of June is Fathers’ Day. “Hero” reminds me of the other “fathers” in our community: the priests, the ministers, the pastors… the men who committed themselves to the spreading of the Gospel.

On one Fathers’ Day a few years ago, a kiddie gag/comedy show on a local channel dedicated an episode to the priests, whom they called the other “fathers” not honored on Fathers’ Day.
Just recently, a priest was gunned down in a chapel while preparing to conduct a religious service. If I have counted right, he is the 2nd priest murdered in the country’s biggest island.

Christian clergymen in Morocco (Image from http://eurobishop.blogspot.com)

I also remember the ministers and pastors who endured political and social repression in many countries around the world. Some of them were imprisoned and their wives and families were forced to relocate abroad for safety.

Of course, the priests, ministers and pastors are no supermen too. Like the heroes and historical figures, they have their own weaknesses.

There are priests who abused minors or kept secret wives or bore children out of wedlock. There are ministers and pastors who embezzled church funds to support their opulent lifestyles. Weak men they are, they need a “hero”… the only One who can save them.

Solemnities of Biblical figures

Biblical figures of the New Testament are the other “fathers” too. They are heroes of faith. There are events dedicated to them in the month of June.

Every June 24 is the Nativity of John the Baptizer and every June 29 is the solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Read the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and you will know that they are heroes who were not afraid to speak their mind… and were also ready to die.

By the way, in one June 29 a few years ago, a classmate went to my place to invite me to his family’s beach picnic. The last time I had of him, he was studying to become a pastor. I had no news about his personal life but I was told that he is estranged from his wife.

Call to action

Include “Hero” by Skillet in your playlist.

Don’t follow the examples of the dutertetards. Swim against the tide. Learn how to think critically and think for yourself.

Include the priests, ministers or pastors in your prayers… if you pray.