YOUNG VOICE
Hero versus Superhero
In 1938, a farm boy named Clark Kent landed on the cover feature of Action Comics. In 1962, Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, thus he became the front liner of Marvel Comics' issue number 15. A few years went on, and the world was hooked on how telephone booths can become instant dressing rooms for a man who wore his briefs over his pants. Just after enough endorsement from the press, and the world was trapped in a human spider's web, bedazzled at how a newspaper photographer roamed around the city jumping from building to building. Superman and Spiderman, these are two of the most loved superheroes, which have captivated the hearts of
enthusiastic comic book collectors and average citizens alike.
Since the birth of flowing capes and neon-colored underwear, everyone can't seem to get enough of superheroes. When I was a child, I started looking up the sky for a bird, or for a plane, or for well, Superman. I could not resist admiring those spider-like reflexes and outstanding x-ray vision, and for every triumph each superhero had against one's archenemies, I became one with the roaring crowd who showered them with praises. Mary Jane and Louise are among the luckiest women on earth after they captured the iron hearts of these men.
The growing obsession for superheroes had become evident with the dozen remakes on the big screen and a 10-year old's fantasy called action figures.
But then, what exactly is a superhero? Encarta Dictionary defines a superhero to be a fictional character, who has superhuman powers and uses them to fight crime or evil. Fictional. I stared at that word for a couple of moments and realized how it became a detour for my damsel-in-distress days. Superheroes have taken over the heroes we once knew, those, to the greatest extent, died for the country's independence or a simple woman who endured nine months and half a day of labor for her most awaited first baby. Nowadays, most children would rather spend hours reading a multi-colored comic book than watch a documentary on the trials and tribulations of our national heroes. Some would opt to view the latest franchise of an action-packed superhero movie then spend a night chit-chatting with the less known hero who brought him to life.
I may sound negative with comic book exposure but frankly, as idealistic as I am, I also enjoy reading comic books as it would broaden one's imagination to heights that have never been reached. But, I am growing concerned at how some fellow youth would ignore the real heroes they should treasure.
Even before 1938 when Clark Kent realized he was from a glowing planet called Krypton, was the historical 1896 Revolution of the thousands of Filipinos called the KKK who initiated our sovereignty from the Spanish rule. Yet, their significance is just limited in the history textbooks that some students would barely dare to open. Just a year after 1962, when Peter Parker started to climb walls, gave birth to the two most special persons in my life, my parents. Yet, often times I disregard their value and worth all because I have forgotten that I owe my life to them, that they are my heroes.
It would be nice to have some super human flying back and forth saving one person at a time; the law enforcers would have an easier job at that, but because nobody has yet discovered a planet called Krypton or mutated a radioactive spider that could alter DNAs, let us just be grateful of the not so super heroes we have who are just lurking between the pages of our history textbooks and tucking us all to bed with warm good night kisses. I also realized that if indeed Spiderman, Superman, Darna, Captain Barbell or any of the superheroes do exist, they can't possibly be our own personal superheroes because they belong to the world. You could just imagine if you'll ask Superman to help you with cooking lunch; he'll just use his laser vision to heat up your mixed vegetables and right after that he'll be off to assist your spinster neighbor whose cat got stuck on a tree branch.
Our freedom fighters, revolutionary heroes, idealists, although they can't swoop over by our side to assist us in times of need, they will always be concrete and feasible influence. Our parents, friends and significant others, there won't be any reason in the world why they wouldn't set us on their first priority; they will be there always to help us solve trigonometry problems, share some pieces of advice on emotional breakups, or stay awake with us when we couldn't sleep. No red or blue capes, no neon colored underwear, no x-ray vision or spider-like reflexes, just the full heart to care.
It's a bird
No, it's a plane.
No, it's…
Who's your hero?
(For comments and reactions please send an email to reylangarcia@gmail.com or an SMS to 09186363090. View my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)