History Lost In Bills

By Herman M. Lagon

Filipino banknotes have always been more than just currency—they tell our story. For decades, they have carried the faces of heroes who shaped our history, taught us values, and gave us a shared identity. But now, as the new designs trade these icons for images of plants and animals, we are left wondering: Are we forgetting the very people who built this nation?

Picture this: you receive a crisp new P500 bill. It features a spotted deer and a delicate orchid, but something feels hollow. Gone are the faces of Ninoy and Cory Aquino—symbols of resistance and democracy. Critics argue this shift erases the memory of those who fought for our freedoms, while others defend it as a celebration of biodiversity. But does honoring nature have to come at the cost of forgetting our history?

In the past, our bills acted like tiny textbooks. Holding one could spark curiosity about Jose Abad Santos’ bravery or Josefa Llanes Escoda’s sacrifices during World War II. These were not just faces—they were reminders of what it means to be Filipino. Removing them risks reducing these stories to mere trivia, especially for a younger generation glued to TikTok instead of textbooks.

Supporters of the redesign point to the need for ecological awareness. And yes, protecting our environment is critical. But couldn’t we have both? Past designs balanced our heroes and natural heritage beautifully. Why strip away one to highlight the other when they both reflect who we are?

Symbols matter. When we remove our heroes from something as visible as currency, we risk signaling that their contributions no longer hold value. In an era of rampant historical revisionism, keeping these icons on our bills feels like an act of resistance—an anchor to truth in uncertain times.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas says the older hero-bearing bills will still circulate for now. But for how long? Once they are phased out, what is left to remind us of the sacrifices that paved the way for our freedoms? Most people won’t dive into the biographies of Vicente Lim or Escoda, but seeing their faces daily might inspire a quick Google search or a meaningful chat.

Our heroes represented Bayanihan—the collective spirit that defines us as Filipinos. They remind us that freedom is not free and that shaping our country’s future is a shared duty. Taking them off our money feels like losing a piece of that shared identity.

Some might say the past should stay in the past. But history is not static nor linear; it is a living reminder of who we are and where we came from. Forgetting our heroes makes us vulnerable to repeating old mistakes, as Rizal himself warned. What does it say about us if we remove the very faces that fought to keep this nation alive?

Globally, nations use currency to reflect their values. The U.S. celebrates its founding fathers, South Africa honors Nelson Mandela, Switzerland features math-wiz Leonhard Euler, and Japan highlights cultural icons. These choices are deliberate, ensuring that citizens remember the pillars of their nation. So why are we choosing to walk away from this tradition?

This is not about pitting biodiversity against history. They are not mutually exclusive; both can and should coexist. A Visayan spotted deer and Ninoy Aquino can share space on a bill, just as we can celebrate both our environment and the heroes who fought for it.

What we place on our currency speaks volumes about what we value. Are we saying our heroes no longer matter? Let us ensure that our choices honor both our past and future. Without memory, a nation loses its direction—and in times like these, that is a risk we cannot take.

***

Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.