Filipinos had a three-day break because of the national hero Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Katipunan. His special day should be today (Tuesday), November 30, 2010; but the National Government declared yesterday (Monday) as a non-working holiday to give Filipinos an uninterrupted three-day vacation.

National heroes are best remembered in the statues and monuments erected in schools and other public landmarks. However, the younger generation generally do not appreciate or has little appreciation for what the heroes have done and what values they had that are worthy of emulation.

The country attained freedom and have shown bravery and courage to the world, despite the lack of the necessary ammunition and resources to fight back the former great rulers of the land.

But because Filipino heroes are intelligent and brave, they have outsmarted countries that have dominated the Philippines for several centuries.

There are some Bacolod City officials who shared their thoughts about the great Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio.

Councilor Caesar Distrito said that Filipinos should be forever grateful to Gat Andres Bonifacio for he was the father of the Philippine revolution, having founded the Katipunan.

He led the revolution despite the lack of education. He rose from a poor family. He was also the exact epitome of an ordinary person, doing extraordinary things for his beloved country and the Filipino people. He is worth emulating by our younger generation, as he never wavered in his principles until the last moment of his breath, Distrito said.

Councilor Archie Baribar said Bonifacio was a very much abused hero. Even in death, Bacolod City has violated his memory by naming the street after the man who ordered his murder. "Aguinaldo Street in front of Bonifacio monument in a school? How ironic!" according to Baribar.

The City and Provincial Governments in Negros Occidental honor this special day for national hero Andres Bonifacio.