What does it takes to become a hero? How should we perceive one as a hero?

Some
questions I eventually asked to myself after reading the article of Renato Constantino entitled
“Veneration without understanding”. Here he presented lots of ideas including Rizal’s
imperfections imposing his argument that Rizal is not worthy to be addressed as the National
hero due to some factors like repudiating the revolution etc. But beyond to the ideas he
presented, one seems to be very significant— before conforming with the notion imposed by the
society one should have a deeper understanding towards the root cause of that notion.
Renato Constantino wants us to realize that having a proper understanding of our history
is very important. It'll serves as a demonstration as to how our present is distorted by a faulty
knowledge of our past. Our past has a wide contribution to our present. It molds us into what we
are now. So knowing it helps us to refrain from committing the same mistakes and experiencing
the horrible phenomenon from the past again. With that, we tend to have an awareness resulting
for us to be mindful towards our actions. Moreover, he also stresses the idea that we should have
a more profound sense and level of comprehension in deciding a genuine hero. We should not
just acknowledge someone as a hero without knowing first the reason why. We should not just
be fooled by the notions imposed by the society because at the end of the day we are finding
someone who is worthy to be called a hero. Someone who can be a great example to every
individual and could inspire many. Someone who can confidently carry out the torch of bravery
and capable of raising it high inorder to illuminate the lives of many. That’s how we should
perceive someone as a hero. So if I’m going to be asked if who would be my National hero, I
would definitely stick to Dr. Jose Rizal. He is a proof that we don’t need to engaged in bloody
fights inorder to achieve what we’ve been fighting for. He’s a great example of a genius Patriot
and nationalist, indeed worthy to be called as a National hero. He may repudiate the revolution
but it doesn’t makes him unworthy. Because behind his repudiation lies a fact that during
revolution we aren’t prepared. We lack money,weapons, men etc. And bloodshed without
viewpoint, death without being sanctified to higher purpose, is pointless homicide. He wants
everything to be well panned because life was the one who’s at stake. And he might not be able
to solve the current problems and circumstances we're facing today but his work will serves as an
inspiration to how we should deal each problems. He was a living proof that unity and planning
are a great factors that helps achieve victory.
Heroes are humans too, they aren’t perfect. They commit mistakes and wrong decision
but that doesn't lessen their worth as a person. Nobody is perfect. Just like Rizal, there are some
aspects that makes him a good role model and there are some angles that makes him an opposing
one. However, what’s being significant here is, we learn from those imperfections. So we should
let those imperfections be an example of the things that we should avoid for us to become better.