I like your turnaround. I'm not a fan of heroic battles. I think too many young people are entranced by the notion of heroic war and become fodder for leaders who need fighters. However, there is a time to fight. To defend family. To defend home. And this characterizes the nobility of a battle such as you have described. I loved your essay at the end and am forthwith going to look up the Battle of Tirad Pass. Best part about Steemit is there is no cultural filter--we get perspectives from all over the world. As a history buff, I am delighted by this.

Edit:
I found this well-written article The Philippine Thermopylae at Tirad Pass
Does this correspond to the way the episode is recalled in the Philippines?