UNIT V.

JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM: BAYANI AND

KABAYANIHAN
Overview
Jose Rizal can serve as a reasonable model and motivation for each Filipino. On the off
chance that one is searching for somebody to impersonate, Rizal is an entirely practical decision. He
showed adaptability and adaptability while continuing a solid feeling of ethical uprightness. What's
more, as a Filipino, he esteemed patriotism, enthusiasm, and dignity.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. interpret views and opinions about Bayani and kabayanihan in the context of
Philippine history and society; and
2. assess the concepts of Bayani and kabayanihan in the context of Philippine society.

Lesson Proper
Bayani vs. Hero
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines ‘hero’ as “a mythological or legendary figure
often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability; an illustration warrior; a person
admired for achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage.”
 The Filipino counterpart Bayani has a similar meaning but with some contextual
distinctions.
Vicassan’s dictionary (1978), gives the following:
 hero, patriot (“taong makabayan”), cooperative endeavor, mutual aid, a person who
volunteers or offers free service or labor to a cooperative endeavor, to prevail, to be
victorious, to prevail (“mamayani”), a leading man in a play (often referred to as the
“bida”—from the Spanish word for life, “vida”—who is contrasted with the villain or
“kontrabida” from the Spanish “contra vida,” against life). These words help us better
understand the word for the lifesaver, the inflatable rubber tube, or “salbabida” from the
Spanish “Salva Vida” to save a life.
UP Diksyunaryong Filipino (2001) gives three meanings for 'bayani':
 a person of extraordinary courage and ability;
 a person considered to possess extraordinary talents or someone who did something noble
(“dakila”);
 a leading man in a play (Ocampo,2016)
The reference adds that heroes (mga bayani) in the context of mythology refer to those who had the
qualities of the gods, extraordinary strengths, bravery, and ability.
 AmbethOcampo – history professor, sees it significant that bayani comes to a few words
under bayan, which is also defined as the space between here and the sky.
 Nolasco (1997), further emphasized in his essay, PinagmulanngSalitangBayani:
o The term bayani had an Austronesian origin and was brought to our country. This
term refers to warriors who led in defending their communities against invaders
and any form of danger. Derivatives include bajani, majani, bagani, bahani.
The Changing Forms and Definitions of Bayani and Kababayan
 When tied down on the definitions given by ancient dictionaries, Mgabayani may truly (and
significantly) allude to those who contributed to the birth of a country.
 Modern-day bayani- refers to someone who contributes to a nation in a global world.
 One case in point is our Abroad Filipino Worker's (OFWs) –Filipino, who are working in
outside countries.
o OFWs are frequently alluded to as mga "[57] BagongBayani."
o Working overseas may be a way of taking dangers (pakikipagsapalaran) for them as
it entails sacrifice and likely dangers, such as loneliness, anxieties, trauma, fatigue,
culture shock, and even exploitation.
o OFWs also play a vital role in the progress of the Philippines' economic condition.
o By transmitting their cash back to the nation, they help the administration pull up
the nation's monetary status with the general dollar hold.
o The cash they send gives the truly necessary hard money, sparing the nation from
defaulting on an outside obligation commitment.
OFWs also help stabilize the Philippine peso concerning the peso-dollar exchange and
contribute to the country's GNP growth.OFW is, thus, called "Bagong Bayani" (Modern-day Heroes),
and the Philippines celebrates December as the month of Overseas Filipino Workers. It only goes to
show that our concept of kabayanihan and bayani do shift and evolve. The online article, "Ang
Salitang Bayani sa Pilipinas," explains its etymology:
o Ang salitang “bayani" ay isang Austronesian na salita na dinala ng ating mga
katutubo sa atin bayan. Ang mga bayani ay ang mga mandirigma kung saan sila ay
naununa sa pagtatanggol ng pamayanan laban sa mga kinahaharap na mga kaaway
at mgapanganib.
 In Filipino culture, heroism is measure by the courage and the number of enemies killed.
The said levels of heroism are divided into:
o Maniklad, ang pinakamababang uring bayani na nakapatay ng isa o dalawang
kaaway, karaniwang siya ay nakasuot ng putong na pula at dilaw;
o Hanagan, ikawalang antas, siya ay sumasailalim sa ritwal na kung saan ay dapat
siyang sapian ni Tagbusaw, ang diyos ng pakikidigma at kainin ang atay at pusong
mga kaaway. Karaniwang nag susuotang ng itong pulang putong.
o Kinaboan naman kung tawagin ang makakapatay ng dalawampu hanggang
dalawamputpito at karaniwang nakasuot ng pulang pantalon.
o Luto naman kung tawagin ang makakapatay ng limampu hanggang 100 na kaaway
at karaniwang nagsusuot ng pulang Jacket;
o Lunugum naman ang pinakapaboritong diyos na si Tagbusaw dahil ditto maipakita
niya ang kaniyang katapanagan sa pakikipagdig na kung saan na patay niya ang
kanyang kaaway sa sarili nitong tahanan. Itim ang karaniwang suot ng mga ito.

(“AngSalitangBayanisaPilipinas”)
 Dr. Zeus A. Salazar(Filipino history specialist and
PantayongPananaw defender) –offers a both another sense of
the term bayani and accepts that mga bayani are distinctive
from "heroes."

Zeus A. Salazar: Filipino Historian and proponent

of Pantayong Pananaw, credit to bing.com

“The summary of all of these differences could be distilled from the individualism and
preoccupation of the heroes with his own "persona," as compared with bayani, who belongs to his
group and focused and distinctly on advancing the interest of the group. …The action of the bayani
is based on the character of bayan, wherein humility and being equal with others are valued more.”
(Salazar 1997, 3-4)

Who Made Rizal Our Foremost Bayani?

 Esteban A. De Ocampo's article "Who Made Rizal Our Foremost National Hero,"
 Has become well-known in defending Jose Rizal's being the Philippines ' foremost hero.
 Essentially, it denies the claim Rizal is a made-to-order national hero manufactured by the
American chiefly by then civil governor William Howard Taft.
 Rizal said to have taken an "admirable part" in the Propaganda Campaign (1882-1896), and
his Noli Me Tangere (Berlin 1887) was supposed to be far superior and more significant
than published by Pedro Paterno, Marcelo Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez, and Antonio Luna.
 Cong. Henry Allen Cooper of Wisconsin (in 1902) delivered a eulogy of Rizal and even
recited the hero's last poem at the U.S House of Representatives to justify Filipinos' capacity
for self-government.

Utilizing the moment cited meaning of “hero" – De
Ocampo claims that no Filipino has yet been born and can
be equal to Rizal as an individual recognized. De
Ocampo employs as legitimization the depiction by Rafael
Palma and Dr. Straight to point C. Laubach(an American
biographer of Rizal) of Rizal's respectable self-
denial, courage, ethical boldness. Tying down on the third
cited definition of "legend" – De Ocampo proposes that Rizal
could be a man honored after passing by open adore, since of
the remarkable benefit to humankind.

Other nationalities who recognized Rizal as the leading Cong. Henry Allen Cooper: Recited
Filipino of his time were F. Blumentritt, Napoleon M. Kheil, Dr. Rizal’s last poem in the U.S. House of
Representatives in 1902. Credit to
RheinholdRost, and Vicente Barrantes. bing.com
 Prof Blumentrit–told Dr. Maximo Viola in May 1887
that Rizal was the best consequence of the Philippines. He's heading off to the world,
resembled the nearness of another cornet, whose unique magnificence appears each
other century.
 NapeleonKheil of Prague, Austria– wrote to Rizal and said “admiro en
vdnovirepresentate de España colonial”.
 Dr. Rost –recognizedMalayologist and Laborious of the India Office of London called
Rizal “unaperlahambre."
 Don VincenteBarrantes– had to admit that Rizal was the first among Filipino.
Indeed, even before the episode of the upheaval against Spain in 1896, numerous examples
can be referred to demonstrate that this century here and abroad perceived Rizal's initiative. In
early 1899, Rizal was unanimously elected by the Filipino in Barcelona and Madrid as honorary
President of La Solidaridad in January 1891. Rizal was again unanimously chosen as the
responsible(Chief) of the Spanish Filipino association; he was also the founder and spirit in the
foundation of the La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892, in Manila. History also tells us that The
Revolutionary Society Known as Katipunan likewise acknowledged Rizal's leadership and greatness
by making him its honorary President and using his Family name – Rizal as the password for the
third-degree members. A year after Rizal's execution – Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo and the other
Revolutionary Chiefs exited to Hong Kong– held a commemorative program there on December 29,
1897, on the association of the first anniversary of the heroes execution and martyrdom of utmost
significance in the public appreciation for the Rizal's patriotic labor in behalf of his people were the
tributes paid by the Revolutionary Government in his memory.
 On September 15, 1989, in his opening address at the Congress assembled in Malolos,
Bulacan. Pres. Aguinaldo –Involved the spirit of the departed heroes of the fatherland
[Primarily Rizal].
December 20, 1898, at the Revolutionary Capital of Malolos – President Aguinaldo issued
the first official proclamation making December 30 of the year of the Rizal' Day. The same
proclamation ordered the hosting of Filipino flag of half-mast from noon on December 30, 1898,
and the closing of all offices of the government during the whole day of December 30 the
impressive Rizal's day program sponsored by the club Filipino was held in Manila on December 30,
1898. The Filipino was not the only one in lamenting the less than ideal demise of their legend and
symbol for the scholarly and logical circles of the world. That felt acutely the free of Rizal, who was
their regarded associate, and companion Dr. Camilo Osias and Wenceslao E. Retañ a both talked
about the general respect concurred to Rizal quickly of his demise.
On November 20, 1897, the most significant scientific neurological services to honor Rizal
happened by the initiative of Dr. Rudolph Virchow, President of Anthropological Society of Berlin.
Rizal's work “My Last Farewell” was recited in German translation by Dr. Ed Seler. Dr. Ocampo
stated that Andres Bonifacio deserves the title to become the first national hero because Jose Rizal
did not hold any gun or sword to fight for freedom contrary to the comment of Rafael Palma in the
debate of Bonifacio vs. Rizal. Who made Rizal the foremost hero of the Philippines? The answer is:
no single person or groups of persons were responsible for making the Greatest Malayan the No. 1
Hero of his people. Rizal himself, his people, & the foreigners all together contributed to make him
the greatest hero & martyr of his people. No amount of adulation & canonization by both Filipinos &
foreigners could convert Rizal into a great hero if he did not possess in himself what Palma calls
"excellent qualities & merits." (Ocampo, 2016)
Who made Rizal the preeminent saint of the Philippines? The answer is: no single individual
or group of people were capable of making the Greatest Malayan the Legend of his individuals. Rizal
himself, his possess individuals, & the foreigners all together contributed to form him the most
noteworthy legend & saint of his individual's sum of idolization & canonization by both Filipinos &
foreigners might change over Rizal into an awesome saint if he did not have in himself what Palma
calls “excellent qualities & merits.” (Ocampo, 2016)

 Suggested Reading
Joaquin, N. (1997). “A Question of Heroes.” Other Epics/Stories of Kabayanihan in
Philippine history/mythology

References
Book

Mañ ebog J., Claudio E., Mangahas T.L, Bustamante J. (2019). Life and Works of JOSE RIZAL biography,
writings, and legacies of our Bayani. Mutya Publishing House, Inc., Malabon City, Metro
Manila.
Ocampo, A. (2010). Looking back. Philippines, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Ocampo, A. (2012). Rizal without the overcoat Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil
Publishing Inc.
Zaide, G. F., &Zaide, S. M. (1984). Jose Rizal, Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero. Philippines: National Bookstore, Inc.
Internet
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De Ocampo, E. A. (n.d.). Who made Rizal our foremost national hero, and why? The life and works
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