Lesson 2 Concept of Hero

Lesson Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

trace the Filipino concept of hero/bayani through times;

analyze the criteria set by the nation in recognizing heroes; and

assess the heroism of Rizal using the definitions and criteria of heroes.

Lesson Introduction:

People tend to misconstrue the title "hero" as an award given to dead people.

Doing great things is likewise misinterpreted as something only heroes, like Rizal, can

achieve. WNorse, as the popular Filipino adage "Mahirap magpakabayani. Ang bayani ay

binabaril sa Luneta" implies, people become individualistic, devoid of care for others.

Such views, unfortunately, hinder their sights on the various possibilities they can

do for the country. This lesson traces the concept of hero in the Filipino culture and

history to assess whether its traditional sense is confined only to the likes of Rizal, on

one hand, or may be applied to normal people, like the "millennials," on the other

hand.

Exploration: Youth Empowerment

Through the mandate of State vested upon the Rizal Law, the youth became

powered to generate new ideas that can change and improve the society. With this

mind, the youth can actually select their new sets of heroes. These heroes may not

necessarily be dead. Ordinary or common people may be chosen.

Lesson Discussion:
Concept of Hero in Filipino Culture and History

One may notice the limited approach in the definition of the word "hero" in

traditional western dictionaries. Hero is normally defined here as an illustrious man,

often of divine descent, or with distinguished valor or enterpríse in danger, and

fortitude in suffering. who is supposed to be exalted after death. Being an extraordinary

person and individualistic is apparent. This may be seen in the synonym of hero in

Microsoft word--"Superman."

The Filipino concept of hero, on the other hand, is a much broader concept,

albet stripped of grandeur Known as Bayani, Bagani, Magani, or Wani in various

Filipino ethno-linguistic groups, a hero in early Philippine societies was just a normal

warrior of the community. His simple tasks were based on daily needs of the village.

Pangangayae or raiding into unallied territory is an example of this. According to

William Henry Scott, pangangayaw was done because of four reasons, namely: 1) to

secure resources, ranging from the occasional use goods or bounty to human slaves;

2 to avenge a personal affront or family honor; 3) to fulfil mourming requirements to

which the life of enemies must be sacrificed; and lastly 4) for personal prominence or

a mercenary reward. It is important to point out that a Bayani does not work alone; he

er she always exerts efforts together with his/her comrades in the community. Hence,

the root word of Bayani is bayan (community/town/nation). When pangangayaw is

done, the group of Bayani returns home; thus, fulfilling what Zeus Salazar said about

the bayani as a person who leaves his/her town and then returns. The tattoo, used as

the protection of kaluluwa (soul) of a Bayani, his kris/kampilan (weapon), his putong

(head gear), and other garments colored red are his iconic physical features.
It is noteworthy to mention, however, that-early Filipino heroes were neither

savages nor blood-thirsty killing machines. A Bayani is more often than not a true

kawani or lingkod-bayan (community servant) who renders his or her help to those in

need in the community without counting the cost. His/Her ultimate goal is to maintain

peace and order. The concept of bayanihan (cooperation) and the word ipabayani (free

labor offered to/by someone) proves the semantic essence of Bayani.

The characteristics of early Filipino heroes are worth emulating. The Boxer

Codex (1590), an ancient document about the early Philippine societies, defines

a Bayani as a person with a high status and dignity. Pedro Serrano Laktaw, in his

dictionary, elaborates the personality of a Bayani: a person who fears no one (oalang-

takot), courageous (matapang), firm (matibay), bold (mapangahas), but quiet (tahinik)

and calm (mahinahor). Qqualities of the main characters of Philippine epics, like Lam

Ang, Labaw Donggon, Tuwaang etc, on the other hand, represent the actual Bayani

All these qualities are clearly present in a living human. The concept of a Filipino

Hero in early Philippine societies, therefore, is not a posthumous award given to dead

people, but rather an honorific role and title in the society

Nevertheless, changes occurred when the Spaniards conquered the Philippines.

Instead of living role models, the Spaniards had introduced the image of obedience

of saints and disciples whom the Filpinos had to imitate in order to become good

colonials, Vida Sancti, or the lives of 1dead saints became the foundation

aualities of ife. Doctrina Christiana or prayer and doctrine books becam

of faith.

The Americans, on the other hand, propagated a secular view on heroes. Hero-

(then dubbed as Philippine Insurrection) like Gen. Henry W. Lawton, Col. John M.

commemoration rituals to justify the need for American tutelage in the Philippines.
worshipping of American soldiers

who died during the Philippine-American

arry Egbert, was promoted through monuments and annual

War

Stotsenburg and Col. Harry Egbert, was pri

Filipino heroes were also venerated during this period. Jose Rizal, who was executed

by the Spaniards, became the leading national hero. Mabini, Luna, and Del Pilar also

became household names. The problem to the new approach was that it coincides with

the thrust of the Americans to instill to the minds of Filipinos the American culture

This was done through the study of American heroes and past presidents like George

Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin.

A modern-day concept of the indigenous Bayani still exists today. The Overseas

Filipino Workers (OFW) are considered Bagong Bayani (new heroes). Their work

abroad is said to be a continuation of the culture of pangangayaw. The word namayani

meaning to prevail or triumph, has become well-known. The concept of the Filipino

Bayani is indeed embedded in the blueprint of Filipino well-being

Criteria for Recognizing Heroes

A hero is a social construct. Since that is the nature of the process, recognizino

heroes is always subjective. To bridge the gap, the National Flistorical Commission of

the Philippines (NHCP) released some of the criteria for recognizing heroes, through
their Project Saysay. The criteria are listed below:

the extent of a person's sacrifice for the welfare of the country (Teodoro A

Agoncillo 1965);

the motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal (welfare of

the country) (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

1.

3. the moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

4 the influence of the person concerned on his/her age and or the succeeding

age (Teodoro Agoncillo 1965);

those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for

the nation's freedom (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993)

those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for

a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);

those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D.

Corpuz 1993);

a part of the people's expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);

person who thinks of the future, especially the future generations (Alfredo

Lagmay 1995); and

the choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events

in history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero

8.
10.

(Alfredo Lagmay 1995)

Rizal as a Filipino Hero

Jose Rizal as a Filipine hero is state-sponsored through the Republic Act 1425

(Rizal Law). His heroism, however, is not a post-World War t phenomenon. Two

years after Rizal's death, the first commemoration was held on December 30, 1898

when the then President of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, declared

in Malolasy, Bulacan, a day of National Mourning. Various provinces like Tayabas and

Batangas were reported to observe the solemn commemoration in front of Riza's

portrait. But this was not the start of the long years of veneration, It is documented

that during the meetings of the Katipunan, a portrait of Rizal was hanging in the

room where members were made to believe that Rizal was an honorary member of

the secret society.

The Americans, realizing the possibilities of a Rizal cult in their colonial agenda,

seized the opportunity and made Rizal the "national" hero of the Philippines. Among

the choices they had, three criteria were used in the selection: 1) a hero who is not

violent and militant, and if possible, preferred peaceful means like education; 2) a hero

who had no qualms on American imperialism; and 3) a hero who is already dead. It

is obvious here that Del Pilar, Mabini, Bonifacio, and Aguinaldo were not qualified as

heroes. It is a no-brainer that the Americans would pick Rizal ahead of others. In 1901,

William H. Taft, President of the Second Philippine Commission, had appointed Rizal

to embody the brand of nationalism propagated by the American colonial government.

Howpvor t
However, there was no actual law during the American Regime that explicitly

declared Rizal the official hero of the country. Three steps, instead, were made by the

American colonial government to promote his heroism, namely: 1) the creation of Rizal

Province; 2) the erection of Rizal Monument; and 3) the declaration of Rizal Day on

December 30 as a public holiday. Since then, Rizal's image as a hero of the Philippines

has become a viable enterprise for stamp, chart, post-card makers, and other printed

materials. This was heightened when in 1956, the Rizal Law was conceived, since

books, textbooks, and modules were necessary for educational purposes.

In 1995, amidst the preparation of the nation for the upcoming centennial

celebration of Philippine Revolution and Philippine lndependence Day, the National

Heroes Committee created by President Fidel V. Ram0s releaseda list of recommended

national heroes. These were as followsS:

1 Jose Rizal

2 Andres Bonifacio

3. Emilio Aguinaldo

4. Apolinario Mabini

5. Marcelo H. del Pilar

6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat

7 Juan Luna

8. Melchora Aquino

9. Gabriela Silang

14
A Course Module for The LUfe, Works, and Writings of Jose Hiza

ne arorementioned list is not yet approved. The website of the

Commission on the Culture and Arts states that "this might trigger a flood ot requet

o proclamations and might "trigger bitter debates involving historical conre

apout the heroes. Various laws honoring/commemorating Filipino historica gres

were instead passed into law.

1oday there are four major national celebrations with Rizal as an important

Subject: June 12 (lndependence Day), June 19 (Birth Anniversary), last week of August

(National Heroes Week), and December 30 (Rizal Day).