LESSON 2 Concept of Hero Lesson Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1, _ trace the Filipino concept of hero /bayani through times; 2. analyze the criteria set by the nation in recognizing heroes; and 3. 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. Worse, 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 empowered to generate new ideas that can change and improve the society. With this in 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.to | Agere Noaie for The Life; Works, and Writngs of Jose Rizal wofolafafam er lo 12 L oL Lesson Discussion: Ss 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 many often of divine descent, or with distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, and fortitude in suffering, who is supposed tobe 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” albeit 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: wrLesson 2: Concept of Hero | 11. Pangangayaw 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 mourning requirements to ‘which the life of enemies must be sacrificed; and lastly 4) for personal prominence or amercenary reward. It is important to point out that a Bayani does not work alone; he orshe 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 kaluluzoa (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 (walang- takot), courageous (matapang), firm (matibay), bold (mapangahas), but ‘quiet (tahimik) and calm (mahinahon). Qualities 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 Filipinos had to imitate in order to become good colonials. Vida Sancti, or the lives of [dead] saints became the foundation of good qualities of life. Doctrina Christiana or prayer and doctrine books became a textbook of faith. ‘The Americans, on the other hand, propagated a secular view on heroes. Hero- worshipping of American soldiers who died during the Philippine-American War (then dubbed as Philippine Insurrection) like Gen. Henry W. Lawton, Col, John M; Stotsenburg, and Col. Harry Egbert, was promoted through monuments ard annual commemoration rituals to justify the need for American tutelage in the Philippines.is | ‘ACourse Module for The Life, Works, aid Writings of Jose Rizal Filipino heroes were also venerated during this period. Jose Rizal, who was exe by the Spaniards, becdme the leading national hero, Mabini, Luna, and Del Pilar ak | 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 cultire | ‘This was done through the study of American heroes and past presidents like i Washington, Abraham Lincoli, and Benjamin Franklin, ‘ cuted | George | A modern-day concept of the indigenous Bayani still exists today. The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are considered Bagong Bayani (new heroes). Their wor, abroad is said to be a continuation of the culture of pangangayaw. The word nania ani, meaning to prevail or triumph, has become well-known. The concept of the Filipino Bayan 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, recognizing heroes is always subjective. To bridge the gap, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) released some of the criteria for recognizing heroes, through their Project Saysay. The criteria are listed below: 1. the extent of a person’s sacrifice for the welfare of the country (Teodoro A. * Agoncillo 1965); 2. the motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal (welfare of the country) (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965); 3. the moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoneillo 1963); 4 the influence of the person concermed on his/her age and or the succeeding age (Teodoro Agoncillo 1965); 5. those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom (Onofre D. Corpiuz 1993); 6. those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for anation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993); 7. those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993); 2 part of the people's expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995); 9. person who thinks of the future, Lagmay 1995); and 10. the choice of a hero invo in history, but of the ent (Alfredo Lagmay 1995), especially the future generations (Alfredo Ives not only the recounting of an episode or events tite process that made this particular person a heroLesson2: ConceptofHero | 13 Rizal as a Filipino Hero Jose Rizal as a Filipino hero is state-sponsored through the Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law). His heroism, however, is not a post-World War II phenomenon. Two years after Rizal's death, the first commemoration was held on December 30, 1898 ‘vhen the then President of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, declared jin Malolos, Bulacan, a day of National Mourning. Various provinces like Tayabas and Batangas were reported to observe the solemn commemoration in front of Rizal'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 riot 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 toembody the brand of nationalism propagated by the American colonial government. 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 Independence Day, the National Heroes Committee created by President Fidel V. Ramos released a list of recommended national heroes. These were as follows: 1. Jose Rizal 6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat , 2. Andres Bonifacio 7. Juan Luna 3. Emilio Aguinaldo 8. Melchora Aquino / 4. Apolinario Mabini 9. Gabriela Silang 5. Marcelo H. del Pilar’14 | ACourse Module for The Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal The aforementioned list is not yet approved. The website of the National Commission on the Culture and Arts states that “this might trigger a flood of requests for proclamations” and might “trigger bitter debates involving historical controversies about the heroes.” Various laws honoring / commemorating Filipino historical figures were instead passed into law. Today, there are four major national celebrations with Rizal as an important subject: June 12 (Independence Day), June 19 (Birth Anniversary), last week of August _ (National Heroes Week), and December 30 (Rizal Day). ~