"Sometimes, heroism is trumped by ego and selfishness."
Today’s commemoration of National Heroes’ Day is underscored by the big and small acts of heroism performed by many Filipinos during this difficult time.
There is no need to use the prefix “super” to these heroes. They are not endowed with extraordinary powers that can solve problems or neutralize enemies.
What they do instead, are the very things they have been doing even before this pandemic struck—only before greater risk, and with even greater zeal.
We refer to the frontliners who keep showing up for their jobs despite their weariness, their frustration, and the constant danger they face. They are the medical professionals who carry out their work, but they are also those whose jobs keep our lives running, however much disrupted they have become. These are the workers who man the buildings and establishments, enable us to transact at the bank, bring us or our goods from one place to another, produce the food we eat, collect our trash and keep our streets and buildings clean. Among others.
These are difficult jobs that must be done so the rest of us can stay home in relative safety.
Unfortunately, these trying times have highlighted how heroism could be trumped by ego and selfishness.
Some officials find themselves in a predicament where their decisions mean life or death for others. While some shine naturally at this task, and some try by the day to cope with the challenge, there are those who have shown only that they are inept and unfit for the job.
Alas, they still act like they are heroes facing adversity, when they should have owned up to their inadequacy a long time ago.
A heroic move would be to acknowledge that their skills and inclinations lie somewhere else, and that for the sake of others, they should eat humble pie, quit their posts, and pave the way for a more competent person to do the job.
Other officials in other places have resigned for lesser breaches—breaking protocol, for instance. A momentary judgment lapse.
This week, the prime minister of Japan took the painful step of resigning for health reasons, acknowledging that he could no longer lead his nation effectively while also battling his own illness. But the ego should be nothing compared to the interest of the people who need effective leaders today more than ever.
We hope that our own leaders periodically ask themselves whose interests they are serving by clinging to their posts despite evidence of incompetence and even allegations of corruption.
While heroes do come in all shapes and sizes, we should be wary of impostors, especially those who mask their true selves.
