Journey with Heroes

Over time, memories about our heroes and martyrs tend to fade or freeze into distant images that do not connect to more current concerns. This is true especially for the generation that did not live through the turbulent years of repression and resistance, the crucible that challenged and shaped the characters of the heroes and martyrs we remember here.

Those who lived through the martial law years have a comparable experience in the memories of those who lived through World War II. The stories about the Japanese occupation and the people who fought for freedom are like old movies that evoke curiosity but do not engage us beyond brief fl eeting moments of attention. The challenge, then, is how to keep remembering and how to embed the life stories of our heroes and martyrs in the continuing story of Philippine society and democracy.

The Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc., runs the Journey with Heroes Project, which seeks to promote the Wall of Remembrance and the Bantayog Museum and Library by hosting visits and study tours to the shrine, and preparing knowledgeable volunteer tour guides who can tell the stories of the lives and times of these heroes and martyrs. Visitors get a chance to view images from the martial law years and to read the chronicles and writings that provide the context for the life and witness of our heroes.

Journey with Heroes organizes activities around September 21 (that unforgettable day in 1972 when martial law was declared) as an appropriate time to remember our heroes. In year 2000, Bantayog organized a conference held at the Club Filipino with the following participants: Tañada Foundation, Chino Roces Foundation, Edjop Memorial Foundation, Justice Zaldivar Foundation, Teehankee Foundation, Gaston Ortigas Peace Institute, Amatong family, Amnesty International, and Congressman Sonny Belmonte. Senator Wigberto Tañada Sr. was the keynote speaker.

Since 2000, Journey with Heroes has launched campus forums and symposia in partnership with other groups:

Some of these forums include the following:

• “Legacy of our martyrs and heroes: Militant citizenry for genuine democracy and lasting peace.” Sponsored by the Center for Peace Education of the Miriam College Foundation.
• “Remembering martial law 28 years after: Lessons and challenges.” Sponsored by LSK of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
• “The need for more heroes and martyrs.” At the University of the Philippines, Los Baños
• “Perspectives on Martial Law.” A two-day conference at the University of Santo Tomas
• TAPAT-Youth symposia in San Beda College, University of Makati, MLQU, University of the East, and Dela Salle University

Other activities in September include:

• A series of concerts entitled “Heroes Opus,” featuring the following artists: Asin, Brownman Revival, Tropical Depression, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Grace Nono, The Jerks, Makiling Ensemble and Bagong Dugo
• Liturgical rites at the Shrine, reading of statements, offering of flowers and candle lighting
• Truth-telling sessions with survivors and relatives of martial law martyrs
• Film showing
• Exhibits and tiangge at the shrine
• Misa ng Bayan and awarding ceremonies of “Buhay na Bayani” to Sister Mariani Dimaranan and Dr. Nemesio Prudente

Various events sponsored by Alyansa 9.21 for the 30th anniversary of martial law, under the theme: “You must remember this… September 21, 1972.” Journey with Heroes promotes the installation of memorial markers like the one unveiled for Carlos del Rosario at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Journey with Heroes has organized special activities focusing on women heroes and martyrs every March 8, International Women’s Day. In 2001, Journey with Heroes held a concert at the Bantayog shrine in cooperation with Amnesty International-Pilipinas, Sarilaya, Makibaka, FQS, and the Center for Women Resources. A heroines’ mural was unveiled on that occasion.

Every February, Journey with Heroes holds events at the shrine to commemorate the EDSA people power in 1986. Journey has held a concert at the shrine (“Awit ng Pag-ibig, Alay sa Inang Bayan”) featuring Joey Ayala and Susan Fernandez. Journey with Heroes hosts monthly meetings of parents, relatives and friends of heroes and martyrs.

These activities are not mere exercises in remembrance. They challenge the youth and other participants to live their lives in contemporary times according to the spirit and ideals of the heroes.

Journey with Heroes promotes an intercampus art competition on images of martial law and concerts featuring songs of struggle and freedom from the martial law years interpreted by contemporary young artists.

Soon to be launched is a Heroes webpage, an interactive webpage that will engage Filipinos especially the young in remembering these heroes and martyrs, as well as in contributing ideas and suggestions on keeping their memory and spirit alive.

Journey with Heroes develops links with similar organizations in other countries.