Palawenya Tattler

“Bayani” is the Filipino word for hero but, as artificial intelligence (Google Gemini in this case) puts it, it carries a richer, broader meaning than the English word.

What Makes A “Bayani”

A “bayani” refers to someone with extraordinary courage. Any freelancer, esp. when that person has always been the breadwinner, will tell you that dipping their toes into freelancing took a whole lot of courage and determination.

In my case – then a solo parent to two school-age (seven and eleven) kids and a three-year-old – it was also going to be life-changing. I was blessed with skills, education that looked very good on paper (which I have been able to deliver in the workplace), and a commitment that matched my maternal instincts. Needless to say, I had my pick of jobs I wanted to apply to that matched my lifestyle and the amount of commitment I was willing to make. As such, the idea of going freelance was uber-scary…it meant instability, loss of reliable medical insurance for me and my kids, and the possibility of failing just because I don’t consider myself tech-savvy enough to be doing this without IT at my disposal. I took the plunge because I wanted to be around my kids more as the nurturing mom than just the provider who comes home every six weeks.

A “bayani” exhibits selfless commitment to the community or nation. While freelancers may not generally be doing what’s considered heroic deeds, we exhibit resilience like many of the unsung heroes of this nation. When earthquakes, landslides, and flooding bombarded Cebu last year, the first income-generating stations that provided much-needed real-time funding for family members and neighbors alike were the freelancers. Makeshift stations popped out where there was access to electricity. While their clients are reading about the horrors of each calamity and their compounded effect, freelancers were ready to work with the bare minimum.

A “bayani” is willing to work for the greater good. While I am most familiar with the driving force for single parents, each freelancer has a reason that goes beyond earning for themselves. It may be to help send siblings to school, get parents the medical attention they need, or simply be independent so they don’t have to be a burden to anyone or to the nation’s coffers for those living below the poverty line.

When PWDs (persons with disabilities) choose to do something to be financially independent instead of being a burden to the families they belong to, that’s got to be an act of heroism in and by itself.

Cultural Significance of the “Bayani“

Central to the Filipino identity is the concept of “bayani”. It’s rooted in our shared history of fighting for independence – then and now.

The enduring spirit of bayanihan is also a trademark of resilience that Filipinos are proud of.

It could very well be the reason why we are such effective freelancers. We love our independence so we can be depended upon to deliver; and this is something we are happy to share to our communities.

If you would like to be a part of our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re more than happy to take you in.

If you’re heading – or are a part of – a local community in your corner of the world, we’d love to know so that others in your area would know where to find the support they need. Let us be a “bayani” and shine a beacon of hope for others to see.