HERO OR BAYANI: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Hero vs Bayani

So what’s the difference between a Hero and a Bayani?

In mythology, a Hero is someone who possesses great courage, strength, and is favored by the gods. In
modern definitions, a Hero is: someone who has distinguished courage and ability, someone who do
good deeds for the greater good of others, and mostly works alone.

While a Bayani is someone who fights with his ‘bayan’ or community. Many Filipino bayani have fought
and died for the Philippines, some of which are Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, and
many more. They can be considered as traditional Bayani, someone who fought for the people of his
community and for their greater good, and died in exchange. But in our modern world, does the
Philippines needs a bayani who needs to sacrifice his/her life for the country? I think not.

A modern Bayani can be anyone who sacrifices even the littlest of things for the benefit of others. A
good example for a modern Bayani is Efren Peñaflorida. Peñaflorida sacrificed his time and effort just to
teach out of school youths in a simple pushcart classroom. He may not have died for the country, but he
responded to the needs of others – education.

Today, anyone can be a Bayani. A Bayani who can sacrifice the simplest of things like: time, effort, and
knowledge for those who are in need. We don’t need to die like our traditional Bayani; but rather a
simple act of kindness can be worth a lot to someone.

So, how can you be a Bayani of your time?

“Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and
be the hero to the next one in need.” – Efren Peñaflorida