Degrading the heroism of Andres Bonifacio

I cannot understand why the annual commemoration of Bonifacio Day, aka National Heroes Day, which used to be on Nov. 30 since time immemorial, has been moved to Nov. 27 this year. They say it’s pursuant to the so-called “holiday economics.” Alas and alack, since when has economics had anything to do with holidays?Consider this. The last Sunday of August had for many years been called National Heroes Day in commemoration of the Cry of Balintawak, or Cry of Pugad Lawin. It was when, in late August 1896, the Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio gathered in Caloocan and launched their revolt. Then, until just a few years back, it was moved to the last Monday of August; and rightly so for an obvious reason: it had somehow lost its significance as a holiday because the original date, the last Sunday of August, was already a nonworking day.

Meanwhile, not a few people have kept wondering why Nov. 30, Bonifacio Day, has also been called National Heroes Day. Doesn’t this double celebration of National Heroes Day somehow detract from the significance of Andres Bonifacio as a national hero? And worse, we have now even moved Bonifacio Day far away from his real birthday on Nov. 30! Aren’t we thereby practically degrading Andres Bonifacio who, not a few amongst us would rather sincerely believe, more truly deserves to be our national hero, not Rizal?

RUDY CORONEL, Batangas City