DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Cabambangan, Villa de Bacolor 2001, Pampanga, Philippines AND PHILOSOPHY
Tel. No. (6345) 458 0021; Fax (6345) 458 0021 Local 211
ISO 9001: 2015
URL: http://dhvsu.edu.ph QMS-Certified DHVSU Main Campus, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga
E-Mail Address: cssp1861@gmail.com
Lesson 2
CONCEPT OF A HERO
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 applied to normal people, like the “millenials,” on the other hand.
Exploration: Youth Empowerment
Through the mandate of the 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.
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 enterprise 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, 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 task was based on daily need of the village. 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 fulfill mourning requirements to which the life of enemies must be sacrificed;
and lastly 4) for personal prominence or a mercenery reward. It is important to point out that a Bayani does not work
alone; he or 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 lingcod – 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 the 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
history.
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 and annual
commemoration rituals to justify the need for American tutelage in the Philippines. Filipino heroes 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 exist 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 mamayani, 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, 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. Agoncillo 1965);
4. the influence of the person concerned on his/her age and or the succeeding age (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
5. those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom (Onofre D.
Corpuz 1993);
6. those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);
7. those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);
8. a part of the people’s expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);
9. person who thinks of the future, especially the future generations (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);
10. the choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history, but wof the entire
process that made this particular person a hero (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);
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 aheld on
December 30, 1898 when the President of the First P;hilippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, declared in 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 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 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.
However, there are 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; 3) the declaration of Rizal Day on December 30 as
public holiday. Since then, Rizal’s image as a hero of the Philippines has become a viable enterprise for stamp, chart,
post-cards 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.
Vin 1995, midst the preparation of the nation for the upcoming centennial celebration of the 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. Melchora Aquino
3. Emilio Aguinaldo 8. Juan Luna
4. Apolinario Mabini 9. Gabriela Silang
5. Marcelo H. del Pilar
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 laws.
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).
MEMORY TEST:
In the blank space below, answer the following questions in two to three sentences.
1. What are the differences of the Western concept of Hero and Filipino concept of Bayani?
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2. Enumerate the criteria in recognizing heroes. Explain their meaning.
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3. What are the steps done by the colonial and post-colonial Philippines in promoting the heroism of Rizal?
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STUDENT’S JOURNAL
Reflect on the Filipino concept of hero. Now that the nature of the concept of “hero” has been clarified as not
to be posthumous award, how can a student like you become a bayani in your own way?
