A Reflection on National Heroes Day Through an Unexpected Package

A Past Revisited, Connecting the Dots, Part 20

A Reflection on National Heroes Day Through an Unexpected Package

Today, I received a package from Mila, a long-time friend with whom I recently reconnected at Walden Bello’s book tour reception in San Francisco last June. It had been years since we last saw each other.

Enclosed was a card from her that read:

“Hello MC,

I apologize for the delay in getting this to you. While decluttering our house, I uncovered this long-lost item belonging to our good friend George Villegas. It was a fitting moment to remember George and our youthful adventures. I have seen your Facebook posts and appreciate your contributions to the Filipino community, particularly in San Francisco. It was wonderful seeing you at Walden's event.

Let’s reconnect soon.

I am seeking further community engagement in my retirement.

Best regards,

Mila”

To my great surprise, the package contained a memento from George: a book titled "Bonifacio Siya Ba Ay Kilala Ko" by Ed Aurelio C Reyes, along with two 11” x 17” posters featuring Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipunan.

The arrival of this package was a poignant reminder of the significance of National Heroes Day—a time to honor fellow revolutionaries and comrades who have passed on.

I recalled George’s unwavering passion and advocacy for environmental sustainability. Our last exchange was in 1996 when he kindly accommodated me in his apartment in Cubao for two weeks.

Ed, too, was a valued colleague. His wife collaborated with us during the early days of the Institute for Popular Democracy post-1986. Additionally, I worked with Ed’s younger brother in Los Angeles on the musical “Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa,” alongside former Patatag singers Paul Encarnacion and Telly Nacpil. This production, organized by Solidarity with the Nationalist Alliance in 1985, commemorated the anniversary of the Martial Law declaration in the Philippines.

Ed was the driving force behind the KAMALAYSAYAN campaign and movement.

This National Heroes Day, let us honor our departed comrades and recognize their invaluable contributions toward building a just, free, and prosperous nation.

It is essential to reacquaint our people with and foster the virtues embodied in Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipunan for the youth of today.

Post: Facebook Series 8/28/2025