Rizal as a
Bayani
HIS LEGACY AND HEROISM
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION
Hero
vs
Bayani
Hero
The term hero originates from Greek, Latin, and Old French, often
referring to
“A person possessing great strength, bravery, or moral
excellence”.
A hero can be seen as someone who defends others, often with
superhuman abilities or courage. In a broader sense, it represents
anyone who shows exceptional valor.
Origin of “Bayani”
The term “bayani” originates from Austronesian roots, referring to
warriors who defended their communities from threats.
Derivatives include bajani, majani, and bahani.
In early Filipino culture, a bayani’s heroism was measured by courage
and the number of enemies they defeated.
Bayani
It is a person who did exemplary acts for his community(bayan).
According to Ambeth Ocampo, bayani includes;
• strong communal aspect - signifying someone who offers selfless
service for the good of the people (bayan).
5 Levels of Bayani
• Maniklad: Lowest level, having killed 1–2 enemies (wore red and
yellow headbands).
• Hanagan: Underwent rituals with the war god Tagbusaw,
consuming enemy organs (wore red headbands).
• Kinaboan: Killed 20–27 enemies (wore red pants).
• Luto: Killed 50–100 enemies (wore red jackets).
• Lunugum: Tagbusaw’s favorite, who killed enemies in their homes
(wore black).
Rizal as a
Hero and Bayani
Education as the Path to Freedom:
• Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891) are prime
examples of how Rizal used his pen to ignite the collective
consciousness of Filipinos. These novels exposed the abuses of the
Spanish colonial regime and the friars, encouraging Filipinos to
stand up for their rights.
Advocacy for Peaceful Reform:
• Rizal’s leadership was intellectual, and he believed that through
education and civic-mindedness, Filipinos could gradually free
themselves from colonial oppression without resorting to
bloodshed.
• La Liga Filipina - an organization that aimed to unite Filipinos in the
peaceful pursuit of reforms.
Promoting Filipino Identity:
• His works also emphasized the importance of unity and
solidarity among Filipinos to stand against oppression, inspiring
future generations to continue his legacy.
Classifications
of a Hero
Pre-Colonial Heroes:
• These heroes were often portrayed in myths and oral
traditions as larger-than-life figures with superhuman strength
or mystical abilities. They were celebrated for their role as
protectors and defenders of their communities.
Colonial Heroes:
• Native Heroes: Early Filipinos who resisted the integration of
Spanish rule and fought to maintain their indigenous ways, culture,
and land.
• Revolutionary Heroes: By the late 19th century, they took up arms
in the fight for freedom, launching organized revolts to expel the
Spanish colonizers.
• Martyrs: These are individuals who faced brutal punishments and
even death for their beliefs, much like Jose Rizal, whose execution at
the hands of the Spanish marked him as a martyr.
Post-Colonial Heroes:
• Realistic Heroes - are figures continued to fight for justice, equality,
and national progress after the end of colonial rule. For a "realist",
real plans must be carried out immediately to obtain certain results.
• Idealistic Heroes - believed in peaceful means of change, while
Realistic Heroes advocated for more immediate, often radical,
solutions.
Modern Heroes:
• Athletes: they are those who rise to global prominence and
bring attention to the Filipino identity on the world stage.
• Artists: They elevated Filipino culture through their artwork
and were recognized internationally.
• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Today’s modern-day
bayani, sacrificing personal time and family life to support their
families and contribute to the Philippines' economy.
Jose Rizal as our
National Hero
END
Recognition by Filipinos and Foreigners:
• Throughout his life, and after his death, Rizal was recognized as
a hero by both Filipinos and international figures.
• Renowned scholars like Ferdinand Blumentritt called him
"the greatest man the Malayan race has produced."
Rizal's intellectual contributions were admired, and his
commitment to peaceful reforms made him a universally
respected figure.
Impact of His Works:
• His novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo not only
exposed the injustices of the Spanish colonial regime but also
ignited a collective desire for reform among Filipinos. These
works inspired the Filipino people to demand change and helped
set the stage for the Philippine Revolution.
Rizal’s Martyrdom:
• Rizal’s execution by firing squad on December 30, 1896, at
Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park) served as a powerful symbol of
self-sacrifice for the freedom of his people. His death galvanized
Filipinos and strengthened their resolve to continue the fight for
independence.
American Recognition:
• The American colonial government, led by Governor William Howard
Taft, recognized Rizal’s influence and declared him the official national
hero. The Taft Commission, after much deliberation, acknowledged that
Rizal’s intellectual and peaceful advocacy was a more suitable model
for the nation than a revolutionary leader like Bonifacio, whose approach
involved armed struggle.
• On June 11, 1901, Act No. 137 established the "Province of Rizal,"
marking the Taft Commission's first official act to honor him. While the
commission formally named Rizal the foremost Filipino hero, this merely
affirmed his already widespread recognition as a national hero and
martyr among Filipinos and global scholars.
SUMMARY
Contributors
Elijshaumel Z. Valdez
Joshua Sebastian Arcaina
Jayson Madriaga
© 2024 Saint Ferdinand College - Ilagan
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
