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.
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________________ Date:____________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________________
Directions: Provide the missing term/s to complete the sentences.
1. _Ambeth Ocampo_____ thus concludes that "hero" and bayani does not have the same
meaning.
2. Former President Aguinaldo issued the First official proclamation making December 30
of that year _Rizal Day_____.
3. History tells us that the revolutionary society is known as likewise acknowledged Rizal's
leadership and greatness by making him its honorary President _Katipunan_____.
4. _Dr. Rost____distinguished Malayologist and India office of London librarian who called
Jose Rizal "Una Perla Hombre."
5. De Ocampo said that no __other Filipino____ has yet been born who could match or
surpass Rizal as a person of distinguished valor/enterprise in danger, fortitude in
suffering.
6. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo resulted in the passage of the law
now widely known as Republic Act No. 1425____.
7. A Filipino historian and PantayongPananaw proponent ___Dr. Zeus A. Salazar_________
offers another sense of the term "bayani"and believes that "mgabayani"are different
from "heroes."
8. In the year 1902,_Rep. Henry Cooper______ of Wisconsin delivered a eulogy of Jose Rizal
and even recited the hero's last poem in the U. S. House of Representatives to justify the
capacity of the Filipinos for self- government.
9. _Bayani____ also play an important role in the progress of the Philippine's economic
status.
10. In January 1891, _Jose Rizal_______ was again unanimously chosen Responsable (chief) of
the Spanish-Filipino Association.

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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, Pinagmulanng Salitang Bayani:
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, Mga bayani 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] Bagong Bayani." 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

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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.

(“Ang Salitang Bayani sa Pilipinas”)

• 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,"

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 • Has become well-known in defending Jose Rizal's being the Philippines ' foremost
hero.
• Essentially, it denies the claim Rizal is a made-toorder
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 Cong. Henry Allen Cooper:
Recited
hero's last poem at the U.S House of Rizal’s last poem in the U.S.
Representatives to justify Filipinos' capacity for House of
self-government. Representatives in 1902. Credit to
bing.com

Utilizing the moment cited meaning of “hero" – Dr. 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 Filipino of his time were F.
Blumentritt, Napoleon M. Kheil, Dr. Rheinhold Rost, and Vicente Barrantes.
• 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.
• Napeleon Kheil of Prague, Austria– wrote to Rizal and said “admiro en Vd. a un noble
representante de la España colonial”.
• Dr. Rost –recognized Malayologist and Laborious of the India Office of London called
Rizal “una perla hombre."
• Don Vincente Barrantes – 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

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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

Assessing Learning

Activity 13

Name: _____________________________________________________ Score:

___________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________________ Date:
____________________________
Directions: Using the Venn diagram, the students will illustrate the link between Bayani and
Kabayanihan in the context of Philippine history and society.

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"bayani as a person; "kabayanihan" as a heroic act;

BAYANI KABAYANIHAN

Activity 14

Name: _____________________________________________________ Score: ___________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________

Directions: Answer the following questions. (Provide additional sheet if necessary)

Rubrics for Scoring
Content and Quality of Ideas- 50%
Impact and Relevance: 50%

1. If you will be given a great chance to become a hero, how do you want to be
remembered?

If given the chance to become a hero, I would like to be remembered as a hero who inspires
everyone from young and old alike to do something much bigger than ourselves. I want to
influence them to move into action and overcome their challenges. I want to serve as their
inspiration.

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 2. Give your definition of a “bayani or hero." Justify your answer.

For me, bayani is a person who is admired or idealized for his extraordinary courage and
ability and talents, with outstanding achievements, or someone who did something noble
or brave like saving a life or sacrificing his life for the greater good like what Jose Rizal did.

3. Do you agree that Jose Rizal deserves the title "the Philippine National Hero?" Why
or why not? Do you have any suggestions on who deserves the title? Who and why?

I think Jose Rizal deserves the title the Philippine National Hero because he’s a very
talented, full of abilities in mind and other areas. He also possess a noble character and love
to serve people, especially the poor. He is sensitive to the needs of others as evidenced by
his sincere services to the people as doctor, engineer, teacher, artist, farmer and the like. He
fought through his pen, books and knowledge. He did not fight through guns and swords.
With the articles he has written, of which most of the topics discussed were all about
slavery and abused, he has touched lives, awakened the people, but also provoked the
Spaniards thus sent him to jail. But even then, he was still fighting, not for himself or for his
family, but more for his people, for us through his ideas, through poems and other written
articles. He did a very good job by setting us all free from slavery and better education. He’s
a very good example and an inspiration to us, most specially to students because of his
intelligence and boldness. He was not a traitor. He had faced death with boldness. He had
proven the saying that goes, ”A pen is mightier than sword”.

I would suggest that Andres Bonifacio be made also a National Hero because along with Jose
Rizal, he also fought for our freedom from Spanish tyranny in his own way. He led the
revolution against the Spanish dictatorship and even sacrifice his life and the life of his love
ones to help his fellow Filipinos.

4. Cite one individual who can be a perfect epitome of a hero and justify why.

I think Ninoy Aquino can be a perfect epitome of a hero. Ninoy knows that he might die
if he chose to come home in our country but still did it and die. His sacrifice led to the
peaceful 1986 EDSA revolution and end the dictatorship of Ferndinand Marcos.

5. What do you think are the reasons the concept of bayani or kabayanihan shifted and
evolved through time?

The concept of bayani shifted and evolved through time because people are always
searching for someone to idolize, glorify and imitate. Since the time of the declaration of
Philippine independence, many were acknowledged as Filipino heroes, more so today,
that every individual who become so popular or the main character in any particular
event is given the title “hero”. Today one need not die or do such gallant act to be named
a hero. Time has really evolved and so does our standard in defining a Filipino hero.
Filipinos criteria of public figures are different now than it was more than a hundred
years ago, maybe because no one is perfect. Today so many were acknowledged as
heroes by following certain criteria.

6. Do you agree with Dr. Zeus Salazar that one does not need to die to become a hero?

Definitely, you don’t need to die to become a hero. One can become a hero in so many
ways. One just needs to think and act like a hero. Becoming heroic does not necessarily
mean you have to fight. Like our bagong bayani, the OFWs, they are sacrificing for their
family and at the same helping to boost our economy. Thus, you can still be a living hero

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when you do something great, not for oneself, but for a greater good, for the community
or for the nation. Old and dead heroes were those who contributed to the birth of a
nation, modern hero is one who pushes the envelope further by contributing to a nation
in a global world.