Chapter VII: Rizal and the Philippine Nationalism

Lessons:
1. Bayani against Hero
2. Nationalism and National Symbol
3. Qualities of a Hero Associated with Rizal
4. In Search for a National Hero

Lesson Objectives
1. Appreciated the values highlighted by the various representations of Rizal as a national hero.

2. Synthesize a concept of nationalism in the perspectives of national consciousness.

3. Interpret views and opinions about bayani and hero in the context of Philippine history and
society.

4. Express one’s opinion on who should be the national hero of the Philippines in Philippine
perspectives.

Introduction

Bayani vs Hero

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal as the peoples’ national hero exhibited unprecedented character
and values which many Filipinos regarded as worth emulating. These values together with
selfless achievements actually raised him to the highest and most prestigious recognition there
is that is to be one of the greatest national heroes of the Philippines.

However, a national hero per se, to the Filipinos is something not to be compared nor
regarded as the same word as bayani. Hero and bayani are two distinct concepts which are
often interchanged and misinterpreted. Thus it is deemed necessary that such concepts be
further elicited so to determine which is the more appropriate to use.

First and foremost, hero is an English word or concept and definitely, bayani is indeed a
Tagalog a word.
 Furthermore, a better and in-depth understanding of these words would require one to
go over the etymology of each word, their full description, definitions and lastly the different
perspectives of using such word.

The word hero originated from the Latin word heros which means a demi-god an
illustrious man and Greek word heros meaning demi-god that is according to
www.etymonline.com

The word also means as defined by www.dictionary.com as a person noted for

courageous acts or nobility of character; a person who, in the opinion of others, has special
achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal: the
principal male character in a story, play, film, etc. While the dictionary.cambridge.org defines the
word as a person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved
something great. Lastly, a hero is meant as someone, especially a man, who has done
something brave, new, or good, and who is therefore greatly admired by a lot of people based
from the record of www.collinsdictionary.com.

Putting it altogether, a hero therefore, is a person with excellent qualities who is admired
and looked up to because of what he did or accomplished and that such accomplishment is of
great extent and is beneficial to the people admiring that hero.

Wherefore, the propagandists as led by the triumvirates of the propaganda movement

Rizal, Del Pilar and Luna are by all means heroes because they were and are admired by
Filipinos of their accomplishments such as enlightening the minds of the Filipinos and fighting
for their cause. Comparably, the leaders of the revolution movement, spearheaded by Andres
Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario Mabini are also heroes due to their noble acts of
fighting for the independence of the people and are admired and honored for such.

Bayani on the other hand according to the Vicassan’s Dictionary, 1978 as cited by
Ocampo, in his article “Bayani a Richer Word than Hero”, 2016 means a hero, patriot or in
Tagalog “taong makabayan” and a person who volunteers or offers free service or labor to a
cooperative endeavor. In the UP Diksyunaryong Tagalog, 2001 a bayani refers to a person with
extraordinary courage and ability; a person considered to possess extraordinary talents or
someone who did something noble; a leading man in a play. Bayani in Vocabulario de la lengua
Tagala as translated in Filipino by Almario, Ebreo and Yglopaz has several meanings: someone
who is brave or valiant, someone who works toward a common task or cooperative endeavor to
Filipino natives a cooperative endeavor also means bayanihan and there is that word bayan in
bayani which means the community or a town, a pueblo. Then again bayani would mean more
than hero it is something that extends beyond what has been done but it extends to where it has
been done in “bayan” of bayani and bayanihan as in doing great things cooperatively according
to Salazar as cited by Chua, 2018.

Thus, when we say bayani it means that it is a person who has done something great for
others and is present in that place and actively did such things with and for the people. On the
contrary a hero is a person who has indeed done great things it is not perspicuously specified
though as for whom, for how many and where such heroic acts were carried out.

Lastly, Rizal and others like Del Pilar, Lopez Laena and Luna have done heroic things
because they definitely have sacrificed their well-being or even their lives for the welfare of our
country while they were abroad. They fought for what they believed is just and right away from
the people they were fighting for and away from their nation which is the very place of injustices,
abuses and malpractices. They actually lack the venue and people’s participation factors.
Therefore they are regarded as heroes. While Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros who had
sacrificed their own selves and fought in their own country and did it for and with the Filipino
people were bayani because of the bayan and bayanihan.

Nationalism and National Symbol

Rizal’s Concept of Filipino Nationalism

National Consciousness + National Sentiment + National Action = Nationalism

Just almost everything known, understood, admired and respected be it a person, an

institution, a community or even a nation has its own distinct qualities, characters, properties
and accomplishments. People come to know them because of these worth-remembering things
or manifestations associated with them. These manifestations in the form of character, qualities
or accomplishments may well be taken as a representation of that particular person, group or a
community. This representation though may be regarded as a symbol. The color blue for
instance may represent the vast sea or more widely accepted as peace. Therefore, blue
symbolizes peace.
 Dictionary.cambridge.org defines symbol as anything used to represent something else,
such as a sign or mark, a person, or an event.

RA 8491 widely identified as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.” Section 3
e. defines “Symbol” as any conventional sign which reveals man’s achievement and heroism
(for orders and decorations), identification, authority and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-arms, logo
and insignia)

National symbol on the other hand, is a more comprehensive concept. Filipinos are
acclaimed worldwide for being hospitable to visitors not only with those whom they know but
even strangers. Therefore hospitality is the symbol that represents the Filipinos or their country.
It is actually a thing of national symbol. According to www.definitions.net, a national symbol is
defined as…

“A symbol of any entity considering itself and manifesting

itself to the world as a national community: the sovereign states
but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other
dependence, federal integration, or even an ethno-cultural
community considered a 'nationality' despite having no political
autonomy. National symbols intend to unite people by creating
visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people,
values, goals, or history. These symbols are often rallied around
as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism and
are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the people
of the national community”.

Flags are national symbols of countries. They embody the traits, values, properties,
ideas or anything about such country. A nation’s characteristics, values or even culture can be
represented in the flag by means of the color, size, the picture, letter or even a word. Other
national symbols are flowers, animals, dances, costumes, anthems, logos and more significantly
national heroes.

In the Philippines, the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other and national
symbols are duly proclaimed by law such as the Republic Act No. 8491 of 1998. The act is
widely regarded as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines” prescribing the code of the
national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices of the
Philippines.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/

To date, the Philippines has only eleven national symbols rightfully backed by law. Other
symbols which represent the nation are not duly proclaimed by laws and therefore not national
symbols but merely representations of the country. The national symbols are a tree, a flower, a
bird of prey, a shellfish byproduct, a sport, coat of arms, great seal, national anthem, national
flag, national language and lastly, national motto.
.
Sampaguita Flower

It was proclaimed the Philippine’s national flower by the same Proclamation No. 652.
This flower is also known as Arabian Jasmine in English. It is a small shrub plant that produces
small white flowers that emits just right sweet scent. The flowers are widely used in making
perfumes and are also made into garlands and leis used to welcome visitors and as offering to
religious icons. The sampaguita with its white and sweet scent flower symbolizes purity,
simplicity, humility and strength among Filipinos.

The Narra Tree

It is the national tree as declared by Governor General Frank Murphy during the
Commonwealth Era in 1934 by way of Proclamation No. 652. The Narra tree is valued for its
very sturdy wood which is used in making furniture and houses. It is also in abundance all over
the country.

The Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle, heretofore known as the monkey-eating eagle is also a national
symbol. This endangered bird of prey was proclaimed the national bird by President Fidel V.
Ramos in 1995 by virtue of Proclamation No. 615. The Philippine Eagle’s strength, power,
uniqueness and agility in flying epitomize the Filipinos. This bird is endemic in the forests of the
country particularly within the bounds of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and most parts of Mindanao. One
of the obvious reason why the bird was declared as a national bird is to prevent it from
extinction as it was included in the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) as critically endangered animals due to poaching and environmental degradation. In the
year 1988, it was added in the list of animals in threat of extinction. A couple of years later it was
classified as critically endangered.

The South Sea Pearl

The South Sea Pearl is in this list. It was declared the Philippine’s national gem by again
President Ramos on the fifteenth day of October in the year 1996 through Proclamation No.
905. The shelled mollusk byproduct is a typical representation of the socio-economic and
cultural background of the Filipinos particularly in the Palawan area and some parts of Visayas
and Mindanao regions. It is a round, shiny, hard and organic matter produced within the soft
tissue of a shelled mollusk made of calcium carbonate.

Arnis

Arnis is the national sport. Arnis as the national sport was approved into law in
December 11, 2009 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is known as “AN ACT
DECLARING ARNIS AS THE NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT OF THE PHILIPPINES.”
The sport is played by using two sticks, traditionally made of yantok or kamagong, as weapons
or extensions of the arms for defense and offense purposes.

The Coat of Arms

Another distinct national symbol is the coat of arms which was declared in the third of
July 1946 and was reaffirmed on 12 February 1998 by Commonwealth Act
No. 731 and was again reaffirmed by Republic Act No. 8491 respectively. It
has paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules. It also contains a chief
argent studded with three mullets equidistant from each other and in point
of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor and
lesser rays. Lastly, beneath is a scroll with the words "REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS," inscribed
thereon.
The Great Seal

Great Seal of the Philippines was duly enacted on February 12,1998

by Republic Act No. 8491, specifically stated in Chapter V. The seal is used
to authenticate official documents of the Philippine government. It is a circular
seal which bears the official name of the Philippines and the national motto in
Filipino. "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa"

Lupang Hinirang

Philippine National anthem entitled “Lupang Hinirang” was promulgated on the12th of

February 1998 affirmed legally by Republic Act No. 8491. The anthem since then is regularly
sung in flag raising ceremonies all over the country.

The National Flag

One of the most significant symbols is the symbol of sovereignty and solidarity as a
nation. It is the national flag which was also proclaimed under Republic Act No. 8491 on
February 12, 1998. The official design of the flag as stated in Chapter I Section 4 shall be blue,
white and red with a golden-yellow sun bearing eight rays and three five-pointed stars.

National Language

The constitutionally promulgated national language of the Philippines is Filipino enacted

on February 11, 1987. Article XIV, Sec. 6 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states that

“The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves,

it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing
Philippine and other languages. Subject to provisions of law and as
the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take
steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium
of official communication and as language of instruction in the
educational system.”
The National Motto

The National motto of the Philippines is "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at

Makabansa" which implies being pro-God, pro-human, pro-environment and pro-Philippines.
This was enacted on February 12, 1998 through legislation specifically Republic Act No. 8491,
Chapter III, Section 40.

There are other Philippine icons or symbols that are viewed and associated as national
symbols. These are widely thought and accepted as representations of the country because of
probably such are very common among the Filipinos and that these icons were, and are part of
the Filipino way of life. In fact some were written in many textbooks and can be searched in the
internet. For example the jeepney or the calesa as a national vehicle, the anahaw as national
leaf, carabao as national animal for land, sipa as national game or recreation, milkfish as
national fish, mango as national fruit, barong tagalog and baro’t saya as national costumes for
men and women respectively, lechon as national dish, tinikling as national dance, nipa hut as
national house, maya as national bird and bakya as national footwear.

Surprisingly, the Spanish name Juan Dela Cruz is extensively used in the print,
broadcast and social media. There is in fact a TV show that bears the name Juan as its title in “i
juander” is an information-entertainment program hosted by Susan Enriquez and Cesar
Apolinario that showcases different stories about distinct Filipino culture and traditions. Juan
Dela Cruz is now popularly accepted as a name representing the Filipino people.

It is a fact, Filipinos do have lots of national symbols for which the Philippines is
identified for. It is a good thing that the Filipinos could be identified in so many symbols because
a national identity.

Philippine Nationalism

During the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, the concept of nationalism was then
obscure to many Filipinos but started to gain awareness and sentiments when the Spaniards
executed the three martyr Filipino priests publicly. This significant event of national awareness
was followed up when the Philippines was introduced to international activities brought about by
the opening of the Suez Canal. There was an influx of new ideas and ideologies among
Filipinos who were exposed to the international scene particularly in the field of education.
Filipinos then were imbued with nationalism to certain degree.

Nationalism among Filipinos during the Spanish era was so young that it took some time
to realize it in the Philippines. In the pursuit of the real and deeper understanding of the concept,
nationalism is hereby defined varied perspectives.

Merriam-webster.com defines nationalism as loyalty and devotion to a nation especially:

a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary
emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or
supranational groups. Furthermore, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states that
“nationalism” is generally used to describe two phenomena. These are the attitude that the
members of a nation have when they care about their national identity the actions that the
members of a nation take when seeking to achieve (or sustain) self-determination.

In its general sense, nationalism as defined by Merriam-Webster and Stanford

Encyclopedia implies a “collective love of and for nation”. National consciousness in the former’s
definition covers the nation which means the people that make up such country as for the
latter’s definition, the term members of a nation simply means the people as well. Thus, when
we say people it is a collective effort.

Philippine Nationalism during Spanish Era was mass nationalism and anti-colonial. Its
basic goal was political reform and independence. This was undoubtedly true because it could
be recounted that one of the distinct objectives of the Propaganda Movement was to assimilate
the Philippines into the Spanish government as one of its provinces. The other objective of the
movement was aimed for the representation of the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes. The
Katipunan on one side as led by the Supremo advocated and fought for independence from
Spanish rule via armed revolution.

Then there was American Occupation, during these period of U.S. brand of democracy,
the Philippines eventually realized its dream of self-rule when the Americans finally
acknowledged Philippine Independence on July 04, 1946. Political struggle came to a halt.
However, the influence of the Americans did not totally vanish. Issues pertaining to the
Philippine economy arising from enactment of free trade renewed foreign domination not via
political perspectives but of economic factors by mostly American corporations.

The Bell Trade Act or The Philippine Trade Act was passed by the United States
Congress in 1946. The act was a precondition to Philippine independence from United States
rule. It was however enacted with strings attached and was controversial in many ways. The
United States promised a payment of $800,000,000 as an incentive to the Philippine
government upon approval of the act to rehabilitate the country from the ruins of the US-
Philippine war. The act set quotas on Philippine exports to the United States. The Bell Trade Act
also provided that after 8 years of free trade between the two countries, there would be
imposition of tariffs for the next 20 years. The Philippine Trade Act also prohibited the
manufacturing or selling any products that could compete with U.S. made-products. Lastly the
most controversial of the provisions of the act was that of the American citizens were granted
equal rights with Filipinos in the operations of public utilities and the exploitation of natural
resources in the Philippines in what was known as the Parity Amendment.

Hence, in the foregoing statements, the economy of the country was dictated by the US
and worst, highly dependent on US economy that proved to be disadvantageous to Philippine
economy. Shirley Jenkins, 1954 affirmed this in her research the “American Economic Policy
toward the Philippines” when she concluded that the reciprocal free trade policy of the US in the
Philippines has prevented the industrialization of Philippine economy. Furthermore, she
reiterated that the agricultural production of Filipinos almost exclusively for export to the US has
denied economic independence for the Philippines.

Consequently, this made Filipino nationalists realize that the task of Philippine
nationalism did not end with the attainment of political independence. This scenario prompted
the Filipinos to go on with their quest for nationalism and reconsider that the liberty they have
realized was not in fact total independence. That the Philippines might have been independent
in terms only of political perspectives but not so on the economic point of view.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-asian-studies

The American regime’s economic influence in the Philippines never ceased and in fact it
made headways until post World War II. When the Bell Trade Act
expired, another agreement took place. It was the Laurel–Langley Agreement. It was an
economic pact between the US and Philippines replacing the unpopular Bell Trade Act which
was terminated in 1954. It took effect on January, 1956. Some of its key terms were;

1. The reduction of tariffs on Philippine goods that were exported to the US.
2. Abolition of the US authority to control the exchange rate between the dollar and the
Filipino peso.
3. It made parity privileges reciprocal, extended the sugar quota and the time period for
the reduction of other quotas and for the progressive application of tariffs on Philippine
goods exported to the U.S.

The agreement was again viewed by many Filipinos as anti-Philippine economy. It

ended in 1974.

The rise of Carlos P. Garcia who was celebrated for his “Filipino First Policy” to the
presidency laid down an opportunity to turn the tides to the Philippine side economically and in
reference with the Laurel-Langley Act. Garcia initially brought into being Resolution No. 202 of
the National Economic Council on August 28, 1958. The policy provides that Filipino citizens
would have preference over foreign citizens in receiving foreign exchange. Furthermore,
President Garcia pledged that his administration would assist Filipino entrepreneurs to venture
in industries dominated by non-Filipinos.

The resolution took cordial feedbacks from Filipino businessmen and economists. On
the contrary, it drew negative perceptions and trepidation from foreign businessmen, as with the
likes of the Americans, Chinese as well as Chinese-Filipinos. The Chinese-Filipinos raised the
question of discrimination over its interpretation of who the "Filipino" is. They claimed that
somehow there was unfair treatment among their community since they were also of Filipino
descent. Then the opposing party took advantage of this and publicly called the policy as being
"anti-foreign" and a political propaganda meant to win support from the Filipino public to ensure
Garcia's reelection as president.

Garcia was all along ready to face his detractors. He explained that the policy was not
intended to impose Filipino exclusiveness nor eliminate foreign investment but merely to
prioritize Philippine interests. Thus the term Filipino First became a national slogan in that
particular period.
 At present, nationalism by way of Filipino First Policy is imbued in the 1987 Constitution

Specifically Article XII of Section 10 which explicitly states “The Congress shall, upon
recommendation of the economic and planning agency, when the national interest dictates,
reserve to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations at least sixty per centum
of whose capital is owned by such citizens, or such higher percentage as Congress may
prescribe, certain areas of investments. The Congress shall enact measures that will encourage
the formation and operation of enterprises whose capital is wholly owned by Filipinos.

In the grant of rights, privileges, and concessions covering the national economy and
patrimony, the State shall give preference to qualified Filipinos.”

Nationalism in the Philippine context therefore educed through historic times from
Spanish Era to the Japanese Occupation. Within such historical events nationalism among
Filipinos progressed because of social, political and economic struggles.

Constantino, Letizia R., 1984, Karrel Quezon City, Philippines.

Villegas, Bernardo (16 November 2012). "Moderating the Filipino First policy". Philippine Daily
Inquirer. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
"Pangulong Carlos P. Garcia: 'Pilipino Muna'" (in Filipino). Balita.net. 4 November 2014.
Retrieved 29 February 2019.

AS A MATTER OF FACT - Sara Soliven De Guzman (The Philippine Star) - December 31, 2012
- 12:00am
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012/12/31/891680/jose-rizal-national-
hero#BEW332yRjTLPKOEQ.99
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012/12/31/891680/jose-rizal-national-
hero#BEW332yRjTLPKOEQ.99
https://www.definitions.net/definition/national+symbol
Jose Rizal, The Man and the Hero, 2nd Edition, Pasigui and Cabalu, 2014, C& E Publishing Inc.
Quezon City, Philippines