The Rotary Balita no. 685 (November 29, 1951)

The Philippines will observe National Heroes Day, tomorrow, Nov. 30 and Rotary, of course, joins this worthy observance, for Rotary ever stands for the ideals that make men heroes. A heroic people, the Filipinos have produced numerous individual heroes - from Rizal and Bonijacio to the Unknown Soldier. Indeed, the history of the Philippines is but a saga for a people's heroic struggle for self-determination towards freedom and independence. The stuff that makes heroes of men is the principle of "Service Above Self," Rotary's slogan and way of life. There are many ways of saying this principle and there are many ways of living up to it. 1 war and in peace our great men have proved themselves worthy of pedestals. Tomorrow, we shall consecrate the day to their memory not only in grateful remembrance in order to instill in the minds of today's citizens and the generation that is growing up the great things in life for which great Filipinos lived and died. We who belong to today's generation of Filipinos and those to come after us can do no less than our normal duties to the country and to our people. We may not become as great as the heroes, but we can do our bit to perpetuate those invaluable things which they fostered and cherished so that these boons may always be with us.