Definition of “BAYANI” in the Precolonial Times

Ayon kay Ricardo Nolasco, ang bayani, gaya ng ibang salita ay may sariling
kasaysayan. Noong unang panahon, ikaw ay mababansagan lamang na bayani kung
nakapatay o namatay para sa bayan ka na ng takdang bilang na kaaway.
Maniklad: 1-2 napatay
Hanagan: 5 napatay
Kinaboan: 7-20 napatay
Luto: 50-100 napatay
Lunugum: napatay niya ang kanyang kaaway sa sarili nitong tahanan

Definition of “BAYANI” in the Present Times

Ayon namana kay Dr. Zeus Salazar Ngayon, ang ibig sabihin ng bayani, ay isang taong
nag-kakawanggawa sa kanyang kapwa. Hindi na nararapat na ang taong ito ay
makapatay. Ayon namana kay Ang bayani ay hindi kailangang mamatay upang maging
bayani, kailangan niya lang gumawa ng magagandang impluwensya at mga gawain sa
bayan upang tawaging bayani.
PHILIPPINE FOLK LITERATURE: THE EPICS

BIAG NI LAM-ANG

Don Juan and his wife had a son named Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang was born, Don
Juan was killed by the Igorots. As soon as Lam-ang was born, he spoke and asked
that he be given the name Lam-ang. Lam-ang decided he would go look for his
father. During his journey, he fell asleep and had a dream about his father’s head
being stuck on a pole by the Igorot. He rushed to their village and killed them
all.Lam-ang met Ines and married her eventually. It was a tradition for a newly
married man swim in the river for the rarang fish. Unfortunately, Lam-ang dive
straight into the mouth of the water monster Berkakan. Ines had Marcos get his
bones. His rooster and dog brought him back to life. Lam-ang and his wife lived
happily ever after.
Who made Jose Rizal our Foremost National Hero and Why?

It was Governor William Howard Taft who in 1901 suggested to the Philippine
Commission that the Filipinos be given a national hero.

1. The Americans recommended Rizal because of the fact that he was executed by
the Spaniards and of his peaceful way to achieve liberty. Unlike Andres Bonifacio
whose desire to achieve independence for his native land required armed
approach.
2. The Americans deemed this approach to independence of Andres Bonifacio is
unacceptable and may inspire other Filipinos to rebel against American rule. This
is why Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the national hero.
3. Rizal was already dead by the time the Americans colonized the Philippines.
 He
did not make any negative remarks or embarrassing anti- American quotations.


4. Rizal never advocated independence, nor did he advocate armed resistance to the
government. He urged reform from within by publicity, by public education, and
appeal to the public conscience.
5. The Americans especially emphasized the fact that Rizal was a reformer, not a
separatist. He could Therefore, not be invoked on the question of Philippine
independence. He could not be a rallying point in the resistance against the
invaders.
6. It must also be remembered that the Filipino members of the Philippine
Commission were conservative illustrados. The Americans regarded Rizal as
belonging to this class. This was therefore, one more point in his favor. Rizal
belonged to the right social class - the class that they were cultivating and building
up for leadership.