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MANILA, Philippines – The recent decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to replace World War II heroes with the Philippine eagle on the new P1,000 polymer banknote drew heavy criticism.

Descendants of Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim were disappointed, urging the BSP to retain the heroes on the P1,000 bill, which was first printed three decades ago.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno clarified that they will still print the portraits of the heroes on P1,000 paper bills, but not on the upcoming polymer banknotes, which are due for circulation by 2022.

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History at stake: P1,000 redesign angers World War II heroes’ families

In this Rappler Talk episode, Desiree Ann Cua-Benipayo, award-winning author and great-grandniece of Abad Santos, discusses the importance of images in remembering history, as well as the lives and sacrifices of the three martyrs who were killed during the Japanese occupation.

Benipayo is the author of Honor: the Legacy of Jose Abad Santos, which won Best Nonfiction Book at the 2019 National Book Awards. The book was adapted into a movie and was given the highest rating of A by the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines. – Rappler.com