Research about the criteria for heroes according to the National Historical Commission of the

Philippines and What are the characteristics of a person to be examined before he could be
considered a hero. (Please indicate your references)

According to the National Heroes Committee Under the Office of the President that was
issued by then President V. Ramos in 1993 through Executive order No.75 that seeks to study
evaluate, and recommend Filipino national heroes due to their sterling character and
remarkable achievements for the country. First characteristic in the criteria for national
heroes is that they shall be those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation's freedom. Second characteristic in the criteria for a national hero is
that they are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for a
nation. Third characteristic in the criteria for a national hero is that they are those who
contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation. Three more criteria were added in
1995 which was the fourth characteristic in the criteria for a national hero is that they are
those who is part of the people's expression that takes time with the youth forming a part of
the internalization. Fifth characteristic in the criteria for a national hero is that they are those
who think of the future, especially the future generations. Sixth characteristic in the criteria
for a national hero is that they are those who have undergone an entire process that made
them as a particular person a hero. This is in all reference and accordance to the criteria of
the National Heroes Committee that has been regarded by many as legitimate and closely
congruent with the standards of what a national hero should be.

On March 28, 1993 , President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No.75 entitled
“Creating the National Heroes Committee Under the Office of the President”.

The principal duty of the Committee is to study, evaluate and recommend Filipino national
personages/heroes in due recognition of their sterling character and remarkable
achievements for the country

According to the 1993 Technical Committee, the National Hero shall be people who has
characteristics

 Those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation's
freedom.
 Those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for a nation.
Heroes are those who make the nation's constitution and laws.
 Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
Three more criteria were added in 1995: [2]

 A hero is part of the people's expression. But the process of a people's internalization of
a hero's life and works takes time, with the youth forming a part of the internalization.
 A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
 The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history,
but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.
Why do we need to study the Life, Works and Writings of Rizal? For you, how will the works
and writings of Rizal become significant in the present? 

We need to study the life, works, and writings of Rizal because his life, work, and writings
have beautiful and meaningful lessons imparted in them like patriotism, courage, wit,
excellence, and freedom. We also need to study them in order for us to know the sufferings,
pain, and struggle that our Filipino ancestors have overcome through in order to derive how
they were able to go through that and apply their effective actions in our lives when going
through difficult conundrums and also appreciate and cherish the independence that our
country has achieved after facing colonial occupation from so many colonialists. We also
need to study them in order for us to know the history of our country in a close and
interesting perspective for which Rizal sees the world so that we can see how the past have
affected us in the present and see how the past is something to look onto for more
clarification in the world by learning how to do things differently and avoid the mistakes that
has been done in the past and follow the winning strategy and effective principles of our
Filipino heroes. We need to study them also because we need the youth to be instilled with
renewed vigor and love for the country like the way Rizal has for the well-being of the
Filipinos back then because if the youth forget and loses their love for the country then our
country would not be taken care of so much in the future and not treated with the highest
dignity like the way our Filipino ancestors fought for back then. We also need to study them
also for us to take pride and dignity in the way how our fellow compatriots back then held
themselves in a high standard in that we can say to ourselves that we can also make massive
changes in the system also and that we have tremendous capabilities and greatness that we
only need to uncover and let out in ourselves.

For me, the works and writings of Rizal will become significant in the present if it’s not that
significant anymore due to social media distractions and disinterest of young people from
reading and learning about history through reimagining and readdressing the Rizal ideals
and lessons in such a way that caters to the social media centric and artsy captivated youth
nowadays like creative posts and content about Rizal through videos, images, audios, and
texts in the Internet that is easy to understand for the layman people. We can also create a
new content that is parallel with the ideals, lessons, and paradigm of Rizal’s writings like Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in a modern way that is parallel to the modern world in
order to have an impactful and relevant story to tell to the youth and the modern people that
have the same creative themes and plot devices that has invigorated Filipino rebels back
then. As long as we don’t forget to retell the ideals and principles that Rizal has then it will
always resonate with people as his writings are very truthful and relevant in any time for it
reflects the human condition that is the same in every human era in history.
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which
our heroes lived and died
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present

conditions and situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems
and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died
for. 
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.