MANILA – The country will once again honor its patriots as the nation observes National Heroes’ Day on Monday, August 25, 2025, with the main commemorative program to be held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
The event, organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in cooperation with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the City Government of Taguig, carries the theme “Isang Diwa, Isang Lahi, Isang Bayanihan.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will lead the ceremony as Guest of Honor, alongside top officials including Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr., and Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni “Lani” Cayetano.
A highlight of this year’s commemoration will be the unveiling of the monument “Unsung Heroes,” dedicated to Filipinos whose sacrifices and contributions may not be widely known but remain integral to the nation’s history.
A Holiday of Remembrance
National Heroes’ Day, a regular non-working holiday, is celebrated every last Monday of August under Republic Act No. 9492. The law, enacted in 2007 under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, fixed the date to its current schedule.
The holiday itself has a storied past. It was first introduced in 1931 through Act No. 3827 during the American colonial period, designating the last Sunday of August as National Heroes’ Day. During the Japanese occupation, President Jose P. Laurel moved its observance to November 30, coinciding with Bonifacio Day. After World War II, President Elpidio Quirino restored it to the last Sunday of August through Administrative Order No. 190 (1952), until RA 9492 set it on the last Monday of August in 2007.
Honoring All Heroes
While historical figures such as Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, the Gomburza martyrs, and Apolinario Mabini are among the most recognized names remembered on this day, the NHCP emphasized that National Heroes’ Day honors not just prominent leaders, but all Filipinos who have fought and sacrificed for freedom, justice, and democracy.
The observance also serves as a reminder that heroism is not confined to wartime struggles. It extends to those who resisted oppression and dictatorship, as well as to everyday heroes whose quiet sacrifices contribute to building a better nation for future generations.
