By replacing the images of our national heroes with indigenous animals on Philippine banknotes, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has sparked a debate far greater than design choices. This decision raises unsettling questions about national identity, historical memory, and the creeping tide of historical revisionism under the current leadership.

For decades, Philippine currency has served not just as a medium of exchange but as a canvas that immortalizes our history and values. The removal of heroes like Ninoy Aquino, Cory Aquino, Manuel Roxas, and Sergio Osmeña from the 500-, 100-, and 50-peso bills, following the earlier erasure of Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim from the 1000-peso bill, is more than a cosmetic change. It is a deliberate act that diminishes our collective memory and sidelines the very people who fought for our democracy, freedom, and independence.

The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) was right to call out this move as an attempt to rewrite history. As they poignantly asked, “Are we really going to forget those who have fallen during the night? Do we really want a country devoid of heroes?” These questions resonate deeply at a time when historical revisionism threatens to reshape the Filipino consciousness.

A Legacy of Heroism
The presence of our heroes on currency served as daily reminders of our shared past. Ninoy Aquino's assassination in 1983 was a turning point in Philippine history, igniting the People Power Revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s dictatorship. Josefa Llanes Escoda, Jose Abad Santos, and Vicente Lim epitomize the sacrifices made during World War II to resist tyranny and occupation. To erase their faces from our banknotes is to silence their stories and obscure the lessons they left behind.

For a country that has suffered through colonization, dictatorship, and corruption, these figures were more than symbols—they were anchors of hope and resilience. Removing them from banknotes threatens to sever the connection between our past and future generations, fostering apathy and ignorance about the sacrifices that built the nation.

Historical Revisionism in Action
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s justification for the change—that the banknotes now feature the country’s biodiversity—rings hollow when viewed against the broader context. While celebrating our natural heritage is commendable, the timing and the choice to entirely replace human heroes with animals cannot be seen as an innocent act. This move appears to align with a long-standing effort to rehabilitate the Marcos family’s image and downplay the dark history of martial law and oppression.

By presenting his late father’s rule as a “golden age” while erasing the symbols of resistance against tyranny, Marcos Jr. is attempting to rewrite history in the most insidious way. The erasure of our heroes is not a design decision; it is a political statement.

The Cost of Forgetting
Historical amnesia comes at a high cost. In a world where propaganda can easily shape public opinion, especially among younger generations, the removal of heroes from banknotes adds to the growing disconnect from our history. Unlike other nations that proudly display their patriots, revolutionaries, and leaders on currency, the Philippines has now relegated its heroes to the margins.

Countries like the United States, France, and India use their banknotes to honor figures who embody their national spirit. The Philippines, on the other hand, risks becoming a cautionary tale of how a nation loses its sense of self when it abandons its history.

A Wake-Up Call
This controversy should be a wake-up call for Filipinos. The absence of our heroes on banknotes may seem trivial, but it is a symptom of a deeper problem—a culture increasingly indifferent to its past. It reflects a lack of patriotism and a willingness to let others define our history for us.

The August Twenty-One Movement’s plea is timely: “May the legacy and spirit of all our martyrs and leaders about to be removed from our bills continue to be remembered and serve as inspiration in the hearts of our people.” Filipinos must resist this tide of historical revisionism and demand that our currency reflect not just our biodiversity, but the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for the nation’s freedom.

Our heroes deserve more than a passing mention in history books—they deserve to be seen and remembered every day. The blood of heroes runs in our veins, and it is our duty to ensure that their legacy endures, no matter how many attempts are made to erase it. Without them, we risk becoming a nation adrift, devoid of purpose and pride.

(Tambuli Ng Bayan-Ronnie Estrada) #NoToRevisionism