The document discusses the concept of a hero in Filipino culture and history. In early Filipino societies, a hero or "bayani" was a normal warrior who served their community by fulfilling daily tasks and needs, such as raiding other territories for resources. Under colonial rule, the concept of a hero changed to emphasize obedience to saints and disciples. While Jose Rizal is now recognized as the Philippine's national hero, the Americans promoted this designation because he was non-violent and did not oppose American imperialism. There are several criteria used for recognizing heroes, including their sacrifices for the country and influence on subsequent generations.

1. Concept of Hero
in Filipino
Culture and
History
Presented by: Paola Laureen Q.Vitug

2. What is Hero?
▪ Hero is normally defined as an
illustrious man, often of a divine
descent, or with distinguished
valor or enterprise in danger, and
fortitude in suffering, who is
supposed to be exalted after
death.
▪ Being an extraordinary person
and individualistic is apparent.

3. The Filipino Concept of
Hero
▪ The concept of Filipino towards the
Hero is much more boarder, albeit
stripped or grandeur known as Bayani,
Bagani, Magani, orWani in various
Filipino ethno-linguistic groups, a hero
in early Filipino societies was just a
normal warrior of the community.
▪ His simple tasks were based on daily
needs of the village.

4. Pangangayaw
▪ Pangangayaw or raiding into unallied territory is an
example of this.
▪ According toWilliam Henry Scott pangangayaw
was done because of four reasons.
1. To secure resources, ranging from the occasional
used goods or bounty of human slaves;
2. To avenge a personal affront or family honor;
3. To fulfill mourning requirements to which the life
of the enemies must be sacrificed and lastly;
4. For personal prominence or a mercenary reward.

5. • It is important to point out that
a Bayani does not work alone,
he or she always exerts efforts
together with his/her comrades
in the community.
• The root word of Bayanihan is
bayan
(community/town/nation).

6. • When pangangayaw is done, the
group of bayani return home;
thus, fulfilling what Zeus Salazar
said about the bayani as a person
who leaves his/her town and then
returns.
• The tattoo used as the protection
of kaluluwa (soul) of a bayani, his
kris/kampilan (weapon), his putong
(head gear), and other garments
colored red are his iconic physical
features.

7. • Early Filipino heroes were neither
savage nor blood-thirsty killing
machines.
• A bayani is more often than not a true
kawani or lingkod-bayan (community
servant) who renders his/her help to
those in need in the community
without counting the cost.
• His/her ultimate goal is to maintain
peace and order.
• The concept of ipabayani (free labor
offered to/ by someone) proves the
semantic essence of Bayani.

8. Characteristic of
Early Filipino Heroes
▪ The Boxer Codex (1590), an ancient document about the early
Philippine societies, defines a Bayani as a person with high status
and dignity.
▪ Pedro Serrano Laktaw elaborates the personality of a Bayani; a
person who fears no one ( walang takot), courages (matapang),
firm (matibay), bold (mapangahas), but quiet (tahimik) and calm
(mahinahon).
▪ The qualities of the main character of the stories Lam Ang, Labaw
Donggon,Tuwaang, etc., on the other hand represents the actual
bayani.
▪ The concept of a Filipino Hero in early Philippine societies is not a
posthumous award given to dead people, but rather an honorific
role and title in the society.

9. • Nevertheless, changes occurred when
the Spaniards conquered the
Philippines. Instead of living a role
model, the Spaniards had introduced
the image of obedience of saints and
disciples whom the Filipinos had to
imitate in order to be good colonial.
• Vida Sancti or the lives of dead saints
became the foundation of good qualities
of life.
• Doctrina Christiana or prayer and
doctrine books became a textbook of
faith.

10. • The Americans, propagated a secular view of
heroes.
• Hero-worshipping American soldiers who died
during the Philippine-AmericanWar like Gen.
HenryW. Lawton, Col. John M. Stotsenberg, and
Col. Harry Egbert was promoted through
monuments and annual commemoration rituals
to justify the need for American tutelage in the
Philippines.
• Jose by Rizal who was executed by the Spaniards
became the leading National Hero.
• A modern-day concept of the Indigenous Bayani
still exists today.
• The OFWs are considered as the Bagong Bayani
• The concept of the Filipino Bayani is indeed
embedded in the blueprint of Filipino well-being.

11. Criteria for Recognizing
Heroes
▪ The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
released some of the criteria for recognizing a hero.The
criteria are listed below:
I. The extent of a person’s sacrifice for the welfare of the
country.
II. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of
the ideal.
III. The moral character of the person concerned.
IV. The influence of the person concerned on his/her age and
or the succeeding age.
V. Those who have a concept of a nation and thereafter aspire
and struggle for the nation’s freedom.
VI. Those who define and contribute to a system of life of
freedom and order for nation.

12. Criteria for Recognizing a
Hero
VII.Those who contribute to the quality of life
and destiny of nation.
VIII.A part of people expression.
IX. Person who thinks of the future, specially
the future generations and;
X. The choice of a national hero involves not
only the recounting of an episode or
events in history, but of the entire process
that made this particular person a hero.

13. Rizal as a Filipino Hero
• Jose Rizal as a hero is state-
sponsored through the Republic
Act 1425 (Rizal Law).
• His heroism however is not post
World War II phenomenon.
• It is documented that during
the meeting of the Katipunan, a
portrait of Rizal was hanging in
the room where members were
made to believe that Rizal was
an honorary member of the
secret society.

14. • The Americans realizing the possibilities of a Rizal
cult in their colonial agenda, seized the opportunity
and made Rizal the “national” hero of the
Philippines.
• They had three criteria used in the election:
I. A hero who is not violent and militant, and if
possible, preferred peaceful means like education;
II. A hero who had no qualms on American
Imperialism; and
III. A hero who is already dead.
• And it is obvious here that Del Pilar, Bonifacio, and
Aguinaldo are not qualified as heroes.
• In 1901,William H.Taft, President of the Second
Philippine Commission had appointed Rizal to
embody the brand of nationalism propagated by the
American colonial government.

15. • There was no actual law during the American
Regime that explicitly declared Rizal as the official
hero of the country.
• Three steps made by the American colonial
government to promote his heroism, namely:
I. The creation of Rizal Province.
II. The erection of Rizal Monument and;
III. The declaration of Rizal Day on December 30 as a
public holiday.
• In 1995, amidst the preparation of the nation for the
upcoming centennial celebration of the Philippine
Revolution and Philippine Independence Day, the
National Heroes Committee created by President
FidelV. Ramos released a list of recommended
national heroes.

16. • The Americans realizing the possibilities of a Rizal
cult in their colonial agenda, seized the opportunity
and made Rizal the “national” hero of the
Philippines.
• They had three criteria used in the election:
I. A hero who is not violent and militant, and if
possible, preferred peaceful means like education;
II. A hero who had no qualms on American
Imperialism; and
III. A hero who is already dead.
• And it is obvious here that Del Pilar, Bonifacio, and
Aguinaldo are not qualified as heroes.
• In 1901,William H.Taft, President of the Second
Philippine Commission had appointed Rizal to
embody the brand of nationalism propagated by the
American colonial government.

17. These were as folllows:
1) Jose Rizal 2) Emilio
Aguinaldo
3) Andres
Bonifacio
4) Marcelo
H. del Pilar
5) Apolinario
Mabini
6) Sultan Kudarat 7) Juan Luna 8) Melchora
Aquino

18. These were as follows:
9) Gabriela Silang

19. • The aforementioned list is not yet approved.
• The websites of the NationalCommission on
the Culture andArts states that “this might
trigger flood of requests for proclamations”
and might “trigger bitter debates involving
historical figures were instead passed into law.
• Today, there are four major national
celebrations with Rizal as an important
subject: June 12 (Independence day), June 19
(Birth Anniversary), last week of August
(National HeroesWeek), and December 30
(Rizal day).

20. Activity:
Answer the following question in two to
three sentences in a peace of paper.
1. What are the differences ofWestern Concept
of Hero and Filipino concept of Bayani?
2. Enumerate the criteria in recognizing heroes.
Explain their meaning.
3. What are the steps done by the colonial and
post-colonial Philippines in promoting the
heroism of Rizal?

21. End.
Prepared and Presented by:
Paola Laureen Q.Vitug
BSED II A