Jose was walking on his usual path to school. He kept on walking, absent-minded, till he reached his destination. He didn't bother looking up the whole time, he relied on his peripheral vision while trying to dodge strangers rushing towards him. It's like his muscle memory is working flawlessly that he navigated to his school with ease. He does this everyday.
It was 1869.
Little Jose was barely 8 years old. He was called 'Pepe'.
Pepe was very good in his studies. He was home-schooled at a very early age. Did things none of his age can do - he was basically a genius. Too ahead of his time. He excelled in literature, became distinguished in writing contests and his professors are all giving him praise...
"Jose!", shouted Andy. This little kid from across town - always wearing a wooden stick; pretending it was a 'bolo'.
"Yes, Andres?" Pepe called Andy with his real name, which he always does, he prefers calling him that. Andy was younger than him - by 2 years. They were playmates ever since they can remember trying to walk.
They're families are not the same though, Pepe's family is of the 'elites' while Andy's parents are farmers and merchants. However, these two families kept close ties and whenever possible - help each other out. They live in the very polar corners of the town. Pepe's house was built up North of town 5 decades ago, while down South is Andy's little bungalow.
"Why do you always call me that? I told you to call me Andy." he exclaimed while holding his fist up his friend's face.
"I like that name - the sound of it makes you bigger actually." Pepe laughed.
"I've been training a lot with my ever-trusting weapon", raises his wooden stick then continues: "I will defeat our enemies with this!".
"That's good for you Little Andy Boy, I've been practicing too.", said Pepe: "See this book here? It's called the Seas of the South Empires".
"I've been reading it for 2 days now and it's really amazing - the plot, the settings, especially the characters!", he continued.
"That's boring, what will you do with that book? Slam it on their faces?", Andy started laughing.
Heroes' Song Forgotten
While the seas crumble in despair
The heroes have run and only two are left
The battlefield cries for the pair
Another, a spear through the chest
Their blood now covers the land
The heroes we consider the best
Claiming victory before it all started
Now all we hear are the shouts so loud
Of those that were not defeated
The crowd has seen their truths
A bigger fight will now begin
The heroes' song bearing fruit
The two boys grew up as years passed. Having their own paths but remained intertwined. They became each other's best company and counsel. They lost their nicknames along the way.
"Jose, how are you? Been long my friend." Andres reached out his hand to congratulate his 'kababata'.
"Good to see you, Andres!" Jose shooked his friend's hand firmly.
They're in Europe. Discussing things along with a few other people, Filipinos trying to fight for their beloved motherland. They've spend a week in Barcelona separately before they met in this meeting.
La Solidaridad | La Liga Filipina
They have started a reform movement and the two are one of the founders. Seeking to put out this 'Double-faced Goliath' they're facing.
The meeting finished - they all had a long night. They're ready to face tomorrow's battles again.
"Gregorio! How did Jose get arrested?! Are you sure there's no traitor in this group!?", shouted Andres.
"Watch your mouth, we're all faithful to our goal I'm sure no one here will do what you said. Jose is our brother as much as yours. We all share the same blood. We will find a way.", answered Gregorio trying to calm their comrades mind.
"He's fighting for our freedom and now he's losing his...". A week passed and most have gone back to the Philippines. Most trying to help Jose get out. They visited him until he got exiled, where nobody can see him.
They hoped he will be freed - for what he was fighting for is right. That's what everyone deserved. Jose deserved better...
They lost a good friend. Andres lost a brother. A hero fallen... but Andres continued on his path. To fight for the rest of his brothers - it's what Jose would have wanted. Their paths still intertwined - he now has Jose watching his back from above. He remembers the poem Jose read him back when they were both just kids. Somehow he knew - it was their path described there.
"Our beloved brothers Jose and Andres, both are good and honest men, they are our heroes. We will remember them from now on until we die - we will pass on their stories to the coming generations and make them our inspiration. They fought for us and we will fight for them till the end. We will never forget their names, their heart, their bravery... They're the song of heroes never forgotten."
This is a work of fiction.
Sorry, I'm not really a writer. This piece was based upon 2 of our National Heroes: Jose Rizal & Andres bonifacio. These stories are not historically correct and were only used as reference. Sources Wikipedia: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio.
Thanks for reading, poetry "Heroes' Song Forgotten" an original by yours truly.
Why "Heroes' Song Forgotten'? I think we're already forgetting about our own history and what those before us have done and have sacrificed for us to taste the freedom we're having today. Most people will not know what to answer if you asked them about Rizal or Bonifacio, let alone other heroes. We do celebrate them on their Holidays and on some occasions. We do study their biographies at school and when we're required to do so. I believe that isn't enough. We have to remember their song - what their heart fought for - relate it to modern times. Most people are just riding the waves - bandwagons - trends. We need to be more like those two heroes - fight for what we believe in - and do it well. Don't be keyboard heroes, be real ones!