My father was recently in the Philippines and came back with some presents for my sister and I. This is a small painting he brought back for me called Bayanihan. Here's where the word comes from, as it was described on the back of the painting:
The origin of the term bayanihan can be traced from a common tradition in the Philippines where community members volunteer to help a family move to a new place. The process involves literally carrying the house to its new location. This is done by putting bamboo poles forming a strong frame to life the stilts from the ground and carrying the whole house with the men positioned at the ends of each pole.
Bayanihan is taken from the root bayani meaning "hero." Thus, bayanihan means being a hero to one another. As in the classic tradition of carrying a house, each man carries a portion of the weight of the house and in effect, becomes a hero for all the others because he lightens the load for the others. Each man thus becomes a hero to everyone as all the others become a hero to him.
Such a sweet sentiment. Who have you been a bayani for recently?
If I ever write a superhero comic, the hero is going to be some Irish dude who’s secret identity name is Finn Bayanihan. Or something…:)
Seriously what a great metaphor and language bit! Thanks!
I love that painting, the style looks familiar but right now I can’t remember who did the piece. Would you know?
It seems nowadays in the country, you have to be big to become a hero. Paquiao is a hero, Efren Peñaflorida is a hero, Cory Aquino is a hero. But the term bayanihan is an apt reminder that everybody can be a hero in their won little way.