Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Every June 12, Filipinos commemorate Independence Day. And when we talk about Independence Day, we remember historical heroes – famous or otherwise – who sacrificed their lives and made their mark in history.
However, many adults and children alike learn about historical heroes only in books and in documentary films.
Children these days could identify more than a handful of superheroes than historical heroes because some of them understand heroes as the animated characters with superhuman capabilities.
Out of curiosity, CNN Philippines asked a few children below 10 years old how many superheroes and historical heroes they knew.
Their answers were really not surprising. The list of superheroes they identified appeared more prominent than the historical heroes they knew.
A 10-year-old boy even admitted that studying national history does not interest him.
Some experts believe that the influx of foreign movies and the attention they receive from media could be the culprit why some children do not have a sense of nationalism.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Camille Garcia, superheroes are visually appealing.
“They can dramatize the actions. They can see through media how they save somebody and put them out of danger,” Garcia said. “Unlike Jose Rizal and other historical heroes. Not until books introduce them.”
She added that Rizal and other heroes are only remembered when holidays are celebrated.
“Children can’t comprehend how their intelligence save people or what they can imitate that they just dress up like Rizal or [Andres] Bonifacio but don’t know their heroic deed,” Garcia said.
Children show their fascination with and enthusiasm for things that are beyond their realm of possibilities. Thus, it is no surprise that superheroes like Superman and Spider-Man are extremely popular among the youth.
For her part, psychologist Dr. Estrella Tiongson-Magno said real-life heroes like Rizal could be appealing to grown-up children if their parents are hero-admirers or in one way related.
Tiongson-Magno said: “Superheroes appeal more to children because of their constant exposure. Children would like to be like them because superheroes can do anything — they have superpowers, they could drive fast that ordinary people cannot do.”
