Is our patriotism and heroism enough?

Our history has countless narratives of heroism by Filipinos who were able to overcome enemies with more superior capabilities. One of these was the bravery and superior skills displayed by Col. Jesus Villamor and his 6th Pursuit Squadron in defeating the Japanese in an air battle during World War II.

The invaders had 54 planes composed of the more advanced Mitsubishi G4M Bombers and the agile “zeros” who greatly outnumbered the three Filipino Boeing P26 Peashooters that were fit for the museum. Seven Japanese “zeroes” attacked the group of Captain Villamor.

In the end, four Japanese planes were shot down and the bombers were scattered. Two of the destroyed Japanese planes were credited to then Cap. Villamor. For his gallantry and leadership, he was given the Distinguished Service Cross medal by no other than Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Later, he joined the defenders of Bataan and fought along with other soldiers in an epic tragedy that claimed at least 10,000 Filipino and American casualties, and more than 20,000 wounded.

After the war, he was awarded the Medal of Valor, the first in our military, for his extraordinary bravery in leading his men. Such a great feat for a man who had his humble beginnings in Bangued, Abra where he was born on Nov. 7, 1914, more than a hundred years ago today.

Series of invasions that have subjugated our country created heroes amongst us. During the Spanish colonization of our country for more than 300 years, we witnessed the armed uprising of Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Aguinaldo, Antonio Luna and many more who were more than willing to die for the motherland. The Katipunan had been the clandestine home for all those who understood the urgency of risking one’s life to protect and defend the greater interest of the entire country.

The same heroic anecdotes were recorded during the 1899-1902 revolution against the Americans who took over from the conquistadores. And in our recent history, from 1941-1945, we did not rest in fighting the Japanese who, under the banner of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, launched their deadly campaign to occupy the Philippines and our neighbors.

As if not getting tired of