Honouring Our Heroes: From Myth to Family
- opulencevision
- Aug 29
- 11 min read
On Monday, through a content creator I follow, I found out that it was National Heroes Day in the Philippines. National Heroes Day is a day of remembrance—for both known and unknown heroes whose courage and sacrifice shaped our nation. It’s celebrated on the last Monday of August, commemorating the Cry of Pugad Lawin of 1896, the spark that ignited the Philippine Revolution. On this day, Filipinos remember not just one name or figure, but the collective strength of all who have carried the nation forward.
I thought it was fitting that National Heroes Day landed on Superhero Monday, and though I’m days late, I wanted to base today’s post around this holiday of my culture.
Below is a video outlining the broad history of the Philippines. To be honest, I create these types of posts mainly to help educate myself on my own ancestry, and perhaps to help inspire others to do their own research on their ancestry as well. We are the sum of thousands of lives that came before us - all of those stories of adversity, rebellion, struggle, love, resilience, it all lives within our own DNA. I am a firm believer of understanding our history in order to truly understand ourselves individually and the culture(s) we were born from.
Modern Filipinos are the product of centuries of migration, trade, and colonization, so their ancestry is diverse:
Indigenous Austronesian roots: The majority of Filipinos descend from Austronesian peoples who arrived in the islands thousands of years ago. This forms the core “native” Filipino identity.
Chinese influence: Trade with Chinese merchants dates back over a thousand years. Many Filipinos today have some Chinese ancestry, especially in coastal and trading communities.
Indian influence: Indian traders and Hindu-Buddhist culture impacted early Philippine societies, particularly in language, art, and religion, before Spanish colonization.
Spanish influence: 333 years of Spanish rule left marks in language, religion (Catholicism), surnames, and some genetic contribution, particularly among urban and elite families.
Portuguese and other Europeans: While less significant than the Spanish, some intermarriage and exploration did bring Portuguese and other European genetic and cultural influence.
Other Southeast Asian interactions: Trade and migration with Malay, Indonesian, and other nearby islands also contributed to the gene pool.
Filipinos today are a beautifully mixed population, shaped by indigenous roots plus centuries of cultural and genetic exchange. The mix isn’t uniform — some regions have more Spanish or Chinese influence, while others retain stronger indigenous lineage.
I asked Atlas for a list of important heroic figures who shaped the Philippines, and below is the list that was generated. I’ve included links for anyone who wants to dive deeper into these stories (albeit most of which are from Wikipedia, since the goal here is to provide an overall introduction). For me, adding these links also creates a reference point so I can return, reread, and slowly piece together the history in my own mind. This feels like an important exercise, as I grew up learning mainly Canadian history—which I admittedly didn’t connect to deeply as a child (and I didn't learn things like Residential Schools until University).
Now, I feel it’s my responsibility to rediscover my own roots, especially if I want to return to my Motherland and make a positive impact there.
Historical Heroes
These are the real-life men and women who gave their lives, voices, and vision for freedom:
José Rizal – National Hero, writer, and reformist whose works stirred revolution.
Andrés Bonifacio – Founder of the Katipunan, Father of the Philippine Revolution.
Emilio Aguinaldo – First President of the First Philippine Republic, revolutionary leader.
Apolinario Mabini – “Brains of the Revolution,” symbol of intellect and perseverance.
Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora) – “Mother of the Katipunan,” who sheltered and cared for revolutionaries.
Manuel Roxas (1946–1948) - First president of the Third Republic of the Philippines, which began on July 4, 1946 after the U.S. formally recognized Philippine independence following WWII.
Gabriela Silang – First female revolutionary leader, symbol of courage and defiance.
Diego Silang – Her partner in resistance in the Ilocos region.
Marcelo H. del Pilar – Journalist and propagandist, voice for reform.
Juan Luna – Painter and nationalist, whose art inspired the people.
Antonio Luna – Brilliant military general of the Philippine-American War.
Lapu-Lapu – Datu of Mactan, first hero to resist colonization by defeating Magellan.
Mythological & Epic Figures
These are the beings of story and spirit—symbols of the Filipino imagination and soul:
Bathala – Supreme Creator in Tagalog mythology.
Mayari – Moon goddess, symbol of beauty and battle. I have also written about Mayari in a previous post here.
Apolaki – Sun god, patron of war and strength.
Tala – Goddess of the stars, guiding light.
Lakapati – Fertility goddess, bringer of abundance.
Malakas and Maganda – The first man and woman, born from bamboo, origin of the Filipino people.
Maria Makiling – Diwata (spirit) of Mount Makiling, protector and giver of bounty.
Bernardo Carpio – Legendary giant of strength and resistance.
Lam-Ang – Epic hero of the Ilocano Biag ni Lam-Ang, gifted with supernatural powers.
Heroes of Hinilawod – Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, Dumalapdap, sons of Alunsina, epic warriors of the Visayas.
Darker Forces in Filipino Folklore
Tikbalang – Trickster spirit of the forests, guide and misleader of travelers.
Aswang & Manananggal – Dark figures of folklore, teaching caution and resilience.
Familial Roots
It's important to honour the heroes of your culture and ancestry, yes, but it's equally (if not more) important to truly honour your direct ancestors, starting with your parents.
Again, I thought it was fitting that on Tantra Tuesday this week, the day that immediately followed National Heroes Day, my parents celebrated their 51st anniversary. They are my true heroes, and I'd like to take the time to acknowledge and appreciate their commitment and story here.
They met in the small town that they grew up in - my mom was a teacher at the time, and my older cousins happened to be her students. As the youngest sibling in his family, my dad was responsible for picking my cousins up after school - that is where he saw my mom each and every day. They knew of each other before, as my dad went to school with my aunt (my mom's younger sister) - yes, my dad scored an older woman lol.
My dad once told me that he always admired my mom because she was the eldest in her family and carried herself with such drive and responsibility. When her father passed away at just 13 years old, she stepped up to help my grandmother care for her younger siblings while still pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher. At the time, getting a higher education was especially difficult in the poorer provinces of the Philippines, but with the support of her uncle, who helped pay for her university, she persevered. Through determination and hard work, she fulfilled her goal of becoming a teacher. My dad always had a crush on her as a teenager, and watched from the sidelines as she continued to take care of her family and go to school.
In the Philippines, there is a very sweet and enduring courting process that happens when teenagers express their affections for each other, especially back in the day when my parents were young and in love. This process is very layered, wholesome, respectful, and can be quite intense compared to Western dating norms. I asked Atlas to outline the typical traditional panliligaw (courting) process in the Philippines:
Traditional Filipino Courting Practices (Panliligaw)
1. Harana (Serenade)
One of the most romantic and iconic forms of courting. The suitor would bring friends, often with guitars, and sing love songs outside the woman’s window at night. It wasn’t just about music — it was a public declaration of feelings, and the family (and neighbours!) would witness it.
Sometimes, the young woman would listen from behind a window or balcony, signaling acceptance (or rejection) with gestures or words.
2. Pamamanhikan (Formal Asking of Permission)
Courting wasn’t just about winning the heart of the girl, but her whole family’s. Once things got serious, the man’s family would formally visit the woman’s family to ask for her hand. This included bringing gifts and food, symbolizing respect and willingness to take responsibility.
3. Paninilbihan (Service)
The suitor would serve the woman’s family to show dedication and sincerity. This could mean chopping firewood, fetching water, helping in the fields, or fixing things around the house. It was his way of proving he could take care of their daughter.
4. Courtship Was Slow and Intentional
Unlike the fast pace of modern dating, courting in the Philippines traditionally unfolded over months or even years. Patience, persistence, and respect were key. A woman’s parents (and sometimes even her grandparents or aunt/uncle) often played a big role in approving or denying a suitor.
5. Use of Symbols and Gestures
Letters, flowers, handkerchief exchanges, and subtle nonverbal cues were all part of the courtship. Even a glance could be loaded with meaning.
6. Community Involvement
Courtship wasn’t private; it was often witnessed by neighbours and extended family. This created a layer of accountability — a suitor’s reputation mattered.
My dad tells me that many boys had their eyes on my mom, but he was determined to win her affections. At first, my mom wasn’t interested because of their age gap, but he was persistent. He found little ways to make himself present in her life, often using his artistic skills to help with her school assignments and classroom decorations. Slowly, my mom began to see his sincerity through these gestures. And of course, as my dad would say with a grin, being the handsome basketball player in their town didn’t hurt his chances — in his words, she was bound to fall in love. I should pull more stories of their courting process out of them, but that is the one my dad always talks about!
As their relationship grew more serious, my dad was given the opportunity to move to Canada through the sponsorship of his eldest brother, my Uncle Romeo. If it hadn’t been for Tito Romey and his wife, Tita Marie, none of my family would be here today. When my dad first arrived, he had very little and spoke only a small amount of English. He slept on my aunt and uncle’s couch, and he still remembers how sweet my Tita Marie was — buying him a brand new blanket, pillow, and a few essentials to help him get started in this new country.
His first job in Canada was at a retirement home, where he worked very long hours and assisted the residents. He always talks about that time fondly, remembering how kind the residents were to him. Some even helped him learn English, and he says it was during those years that his language skills really began to grow.
My dad worked tirelessly until he was able to pay off his debts and finally get a place of his own. Fun fact: years later, when he came to visit me in Toronto, I happened to be living on Triller Avenue. When he picked me up for dinner, he laughed and told me that Triller Avenue was where his very first apartment was, back when he was a bachelor fresh in Canada — long before my mom joined him here.
It felt like life had come full circle in that moment, reminding me of how every step he took back then was leading toward the family we have now. True to his promise, once he was settled, he began the process of bringing my mom to Canada. Not long after her arrival, they married and started their life together, eventually welcoming my sister — and many years later, me, their unexpected but happy little surprise😜.
As a child, I watched my parents fight, struggle, and stumble through the challenges of building a life in a foreign country while raising children who didn’t even speak the same language as them. Yet through it all, they persevered, motivated by the desire to give me and my sister a better life than the one they had growing up. They weren’t perfect by any means, but over the years I saw them grow into true partners and best friends. Today, I see them as a reflection of the resilient spirit of the Filipino people—quiet yet enduring, imperfect yet unwavering, strong in love.
Roots and Shoots
History grounds us, and myth uplifts us. Together, they weave the ancestral DNA of the Filipino spirit. The grit and commitment my parents showed in building a life in a foreign land reflect the same courage as Rizal or Bonifacio. The beauty and power of Mayari, or the strength of Lam-Ang, are archetypes that continue to echo through our imagination and dreams.
This post has reminded me of a section in the book Creating Opulence, where I use the metaphors of plant Roots and Shoots to describe and understand our own Hero's Journey.
Your Roots are your ancestry, heritage, culture, the wisdom of your past and lineage — they ground you, nourish you, and remind you of who you are. Your Shoots are your visions, creations, and future dreams — the projects you’re working on, the businesses you want to build, the impact you want to have.
Both are equally important. Without roots, shoots wither. Without shoots, roots stagnate. Over the last several years, I've been feeling called to visit my roots (learning about the Philippines, ancestry, family history, and even my connection to Mother Earth), and it's taken some reflection to understand that this pull to research my heritage is not indulgence — it’s soul work. It’s feeding the soil so my shoots can grow taller, stronger, and with more direction.
I believe everyone can benefit from this process of really understanding their own ancestry, where they came from, and to honour the paths that were taken to get us all here (whether it's something to be proud of or something that needs karmic clearing). We have come to a time in history where many of us are granted this opportunity to look at our past and to heal generational trauma and also to honour those that came before us, in order to have a better perspective on how we can impact our world and be the ancestors of the future.
By remembering these figures—both real and mythical—we don’t just learn facts, we reconnect with our own capacity for resilience, creativity, and strength.
Honouring Our Ancestry
In modern society, we often get caught up in building our individual lives, forgetting to honour our ancestors. But the stories of our heroes—whether written in history books, whispered in mythology, or lived out by our parents—are the very threads of our DNA.
By learning about our culture, by remembering the struggles and sacrifices of those before us, we learn who we are, what we’re capable of, and the mission we carry forward.
Our stories are threads woven from the lives, struggles, and dreams of those who came before us. To understand who we are, we can look back — not to dwell, but to discover the roots that ground us, the courage that flows through our veins, and the creativity that has always been our inheritance.
Take a moment to step into the lives of your ancestors, explore the myths and memories that shaped them, and reflect on the legacy that lives within you. Here are some ways to begin that journey.
1. Trace Your Roots
Research your family history. Where did your ancestors come from? What traditions, values, or stories have been passed down to you? Ask older family members to share memories, photographs, or heirlooms that tell the story of your family’s journey.
2. Explore Your Culture
Dive into the music, literature, folklore, or art of your heritage. Which figures, heroes, or myths resonate with you? Reflect on how these cultural narratives have shaped your values, choices, and identity.
3. Map Your Legacy
Think about the challenges your ancestors faced and the ways they persevered. What qualities or strengths did they pass down to you? Which ones do you want to embody more in your life. Consider the life you want to create for yourself and future generations. How can you honour your heritage while writing your own story?
4. Connect Through Creativity
Write a short story, poem, or blog post about your family’s journey — including both struggles and triumphs. Draw, paint, or make a visual map of your ancestry and heritage; seeing it physically can make the connections feel more tangible.
5. Reflect and Share
Take a moment to journal or meditate on what you’ve learned. How has understanding your roots changed your perspective? Share your reflections with someone you trust — conversation can deepen your insight and inspire others to explore their own story.
By uncovering the stories of those who came before us, we can write our own with purpose, courage, and heart — continuing the legacy that made us who we are.
May this inspire you to connect with your family, your culture, and your heritage — to understand the DNA that flows through you. Thousands of lives have come before you for you to be reading this right now; that is not insignificant. Walk a little taller knowing that history lives within you, that the Earth has conspired for you to be here, and that your life has an important purpose.
Sending much love to you! Now go and make some core memories this weekend!
xoxoxo
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