These four books shed light on the heroes we think we know, diving deep into who they were as people and what their contributions really meant for the nation.
Looking to understand better the influential figures who shaped our nation? Or craving fresh perspectives from some of Filipino literature’s most respected minds? We’ve got just the thing. Here’s a list of books to add to your pile of history must-reads in celebration of National Heroes Day.
READ ALSO: Are Philippine National Heroes Legally Recognized? (Apparently, No.)
A Question of Heroes by Nick Joaquin
There’s no better way to learn more about the Philippines’ heroes than through the eyes and words of one of the country’s greatest literary figures, Nick Joaquin. First published in 1977, his book A Question of Heroes has since gotten a revamp (complete with a stunning cover) under Anvil Publishing.
The work examines ten Filipino heroes: Jose Burgos, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Antonio Luna, Gregorio del Pilar, and Artemio Ricarte. Through his critical essays on these prominent figures in Philippine history, Joaquin offers a fresh perspective on their contributions and their roles within the broader context of the Philippine revolutionary tradition.
Rizal Without the Overcoat by Ambeth Ocampo
The list wouldn’t be complete without the nation’s most famous hero, Jose Rizal. While he’s turned into a gargantuan historical figure, we need to remember that he was still a man—complete with all the complexities. Historian and leading Rizal expert Ambeth Ocampo, as the title of his book suggests, takes a look at the man behind the big title in Rizal Without the Overcoat.
Composed of a collection of essays from Ocampo’s newspaper column “Looking Back,” the book offers clear-sighted, accessible writing that renders the lesser-known aspects of Rizal’s life in vibrant color, turning the past into a compelling narrative for both history buffs and casual readers.
Brains of the Nation by Resil Mojares
In his book Brains of the Nation: Pedro Paterno, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Isabelo de los Reyes and the Production of Modern Knowledge, writer Resil Mojares provides an in-depth examination of the lives and works of key historical figures Pedro Paterno, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, and Isabelo de los Reyes—all of whom were part of a generation that helped forge the Filipino nation’s self-awareness.
The result is a richly layered portrait of the historical circumstances that gave rise to a modern Philippine intelligentsia, tracing the complex, unfinished, and often unexpected paths these intellectuals followed as they engaged with Western thought while grappling with the realities of the local context they sought—genuinely or otherwise—to represent.
Testament from a Prison Cell by Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
Nothing is quite as powerful as revisiting Philippine history through the words of someone who lived through one of its most tumultuous periods. This is precisely what Testament from a Prison Cell offers: a firsthand account by the late Benigno S. Aquino Jr., known to many simply as “Ninoy Aquino.” The book is a harrowing yet essential chronicle of his experiences while imprisoned during the Marcos dictatorship.
But beyond recounting what he witnessed—including the brutal torture methods used on dissenters—it also captures his reflections on politics and his hopes for the country amid a dark and repressive regime. Though these events took place decades ago, much can still be learned from the ideas he explored, as many of the issues he raised continue to resonate in the country’s current political climate.
