Concept of a Hero

The Life and Work’s of Jose Rizal

MARVIN Z. SUNGA, LPT, MAEd

Instructor
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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

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 Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero

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

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
• 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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero

• 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 Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
• 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 Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 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:
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);
the moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
the influence of the person concerned on his/her age and or the succeeding
age (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the
nation’s freedom (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Criteria for Recognizing Heroes
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);
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 (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

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 when the President of the First
Philippine 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 Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero
In 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:
Jose Rizal
Andres Bonifacio
Emilio Aguinaldo
Apolinario Mabini
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
Melchora Aquino
Juan Luna
Gabriela Silang

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero

• 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).

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero

• The problem to the new approach was that it coincides with the
thrust of the Americans to instil 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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

 Concept of a Hero

• 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.

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero
Reflection
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?

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero

Activity
• Choose one
• Using differentiated instructions, using your creativity,
how can appreciate our “Modern Day Heroes”?

• Research at least 5 notable Kapampangan Heroes and give

your reaction on their accomplishments, life and their
contributions

• Reflection Paper : My Hero

The Life and Works’ of Jose Rizal: Lesson 2: Concept of a Hero