How Evolution Changes the Face of Bayanihan, A Filipino Tradition

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In this world filled with never-ending chaos where crab-mentality and discordance are being normalized by the majority, the concept of Bayanihan is a silver—lining amidst these coexisting darkness in this modern times.

During the past decades, Bayanihan is a demonstration of the locals who come together, collaborate, and relocate a Bahay-Kubo, the Philippines’ national house, from one place to another. The Bahay Kubo or Nipa Hut, is a traditional house built using local materials such as wood, bamboo and nipa grass. As an exchange, the proprietor will arrange a modest feast for everyone and will later turn to be a joyous celebration for all. Indeed, this tradition merits preservation in these contemporary times.

With the constant change we have felt the past couple of years which includes the emergence of modernization, the traditional Bayanihan became a candle whose light was slowly extinguished notwithstanding. In the present days, Bahay-Kubo is now rarely seen in comparison to the old days. We often see houses usually built-up using concrete materials. While I do not view prosperity as a disadvantage, one thing that makes me feel sad is how it affects our culture and tradition negatively.

Looking at the different dimension of the impacts of modernization, one thing that is worth-mentioning is how it saves this tradition from its total disappearance. Bayanihan, little did we know, has been slowly evolving from how it used to be. For example, Philippines is renowned being a home of plenty of natural disasters. In fact, the country being situated in the typhoon belt in the Pacific, experiences 20 typhoons on average annually. In addition, "Pacific Ring of Fire" location renders it susceptible to regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Bayanihan, in these serious cases, emerges in some ways, even during this pandemic.

Bayanihan is the Filipino term used to describe people working together out of generosity to achieve the same goal. In the verge or after the calamities, Filipinos are really helping each other through giving financial, moral, and emotional assistance in order to lessen the burden caused by those calamities. Regardless of how affected they are, they show up and give helping hands to others as much as possible.

Bayanihan is the much-cherished Filipino spirit of solidarity, civic unity and cooperation. This tradition, fortunately, is still being demonstrated overseas. Especially during the pandemic, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Netherlands, united as one in order to assist one another. Despite of being million miles away from the homeland, the opportunity to implement Bayanihan was successfully done. By that, solidarity, civic unity and cooperation became the new face of Bayanihan.

Bayanihan spirit is manifested in various projects and acts of kindness . For example, Coronavirus disease was being responded by the Filipino community in the Midwest through an outpouring spirit of Bayanihan manifested in various projects and deeds of kindness. These were done through providing food to healthcare front-line workers, producing and donating cotton face-masks, and the providing relief goods to localities in the Philippines.

The reality of this present time suggests that the traditional Bayanihan, unfortunately, has been slowly disappearing. It may sound sad, but, it is something that the Filipino can attest. As we continue to climb the summit of modernization, we can also say that it is a factor that contributes to the evanescence of the traditional face of Bayanihan. While it may sound to be a negative aspect of life, one thing that we have also observed is how it evolved from its supposed way. This evolution resurrects the spirit of Bayanihan, while preserving the real of essence of this tradition.

Now that this naturally-occuring process helped the humanity to resurrect this tradition, it is now our duty as Filipinos, to preserve this one through applying it everytime and everywhere to anyone. We must give justification that Bayanihan is all about Filipino people working together out of generosity to achieve the same goal, a much-cherished Filipino spirit of solidarity, civic unity and cooperation, and that, Bayanihan spirit is manifested in various projects and acts of kindness. We must be steadfast at conserving its essence so that the next generation can recognize and develop it, since, it is one thing that gives identity to us Filipinos.

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