EL FILIBUSTERISMO

Learning Outcome:
At the end of the chapter, the students will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo;
2. Value the role of the youth in the development and future of society.

Class Activity:
1. Read the dedication to GOMBURZA
2. Group discussion on the differences between the Noli and El Filibusterismo

Brief History of the Novel El Filibusterismo

The novel, El Filibusterismo is a sequel to Noli Me Tangere and was published in
September 18, 1891 in Ghent, Belgium, having Van Loo F Meyer at Viaaanderin Street as its
publisher. Rizal has started writing the novel in Calamba, Laguna in October 1887 but has
revised some chapters during his stay in London thus completing the book on March 29,
1981. Moreover, it is said to be a dedication to the three martyred priests, namely Mariano
Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora to show that their treatment and deaths at the hands
of the Spanish colonizers was unjust.

Characters
• Basilio - student of medicine and is Juli’s boyfriend. Eldest son of Sisa
• Ben Zayb – repoter
• Don Custodio - famous
journalist who was asked by
the students about his decision
for the Academia de
Castellano. He is quite an
ordinary fellow who married
rich a woman in order to be a
member of Manila’s high
society
• Don Tiburcio - husband of
Donya Victorina
• Donya Victorina - disguises
as a European but is a native
Filipina. Aunt of Paulita
• Ginoong Leeds - mysterious American who performs at the carnival
• Hermana Penchang - rich and prayerful woman

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 • Isagani - poet and Basilio’s best friend. Portrayed as emotional and reactive. Paulita
Gomez’ boyfriend before being dumped for fellow student Juanito Pelaez
• Juli - daughter of Kabesang Tales and girlfriend of Basilio
• Kabesang Tales - a former cabeza de barangay who resurfaced as the feared Luzon
bandit Matanglawin
• Macaraig - rich student who actively fights for the founding of the academy for
Spanish language but soon disappeared due to financial reasons
• Paciano Gomez - brother of Paulita
• Padre Fernandez - dominican friar and a friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani
that he and the other priests will give in to the students’ demands
• Padre Florentino - Isagani’s godfather. A secular priest. Was engaged to be married
but chose to be a priest after being preassured by his mother
• Padre Irene – the one who helps the youth in building an academy for Spanish
language
• Padre Salvi - Franciscan friar formerly assigned to San Diego
• Pepay - dancer who was known to be Don Custodio’s best friend
• Placido Penitente - student who lost his desire in studying due to financial issues
• Paulita Gomez - girlfriend of Isagani but at the end married Juanito Pelaez, the richer
fellow
• Quiroga - businessman
• Sandoval - Spanish official who agreed on what the students are fighting for
• Simoun - Chrisostomo Ibarra, disguised as a wealthy jeweler who would soon start a
revolution
• Tandang Selo - father of Kabesang Tales who was unknowingly shot by his own
grandson. He raised Basilio when Sisa died.

Plot Summary

It started with a ship siling between Manila and Laguna. The passengers of the said
ship includes Isagani, Basilio and Simoun, the jeweler. It has been thirteen (13) years since
the death of Elias and Sisa.

Basilio has arrived in San Diego in a historic encounter as he sees Simoun on his visit
with the graveyard of his mother, Sisa. He was able to find out that Ibarra is disguised as
Simoun and in order for the secret not to be revealed, Simoun planned on killing him. When
the plan did not succeed, he was convinced by Simoun to join in his mission to take
vengeance on the Spanish government. However, he politely turned down the offer as he
wishes to focus on his studies.

While the Kapitan Heneral is in Los Banos, the students signed a petition to create an
Akademya ng Wikang Kastila. However, they were not given the grant since it was found out
that it will be led by the friars. Meanwhile, Simoun met with Basilio to convince him to join
in his mission and to lead the group that will be created in the Sta. Clara convent to get Maria
Clara. However, the plan did not push through since Maria Clara died on that afternoon.

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 Meanwhile, to appease themselves with their disappointment, the students held a mini
party at the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto. On their speeches delivered during the
party, they have have expressed their disapproval and disappointment on the friars. This was
made known to the friars. On the following day, different posters were found at the gates of
the university containing condemnation, warning and rebellion. The students were the ones
accused of the posting and because of this, they were captured. Simoun was one of those
studets and his sweetheart, Juli, was deeply hurt by it.

Only Basilio was left in jail since the family and relatives of the other students with
him has arranged for their release. On another note, Juli tried to help him by going to Father
Camorra. She has asked the priest to help in the release of Basilio but unfortunately this led to
the death of Juli. She jumped off from the window of the convent.

On the other hand, for Simoun to be able to execute his revenge, he joined the
business venture of Don Timoteo Pelaez, the father of Juanito. This way, he was able to make
possible the wedding of Juanito and Paulita Gomez and the captain-general will be the
godfather. He was also able to invite the prominent people in the community and the
government.

After two months in jail, Basilio was able to go out through the help of Simoun. He
immediately went to the latter to join in the revolution. Simoun took this chance to show to
Basilio the bomb that he made. It is a lamp shaped like a grenade and has the size of a human
head. This will be given as a gift during the wedding of Juanito and Paulita which will be
placed in one of the kiosks. It will give light for about twenty minutes but will later fade out.
If the wick will be lifted to adjust the lighting, a blast from the capsule enclosing a fulminato
de mercurio will blow up the grenade that will destroy the whole place and no one will be
saved. On the other hand, a loud blast from a dynamite will be heard that will serve as signal
to start the revolution which is led by Simoun.

At 7 o’clock in the evening of the wedding day, Basilio was seen roaming around the
vicinity of th venue where the celebration was held. After a while, Simoun left the venue. As
Basilio was about to follow, he saw Isagani who used to be the love of Paulita. He nformed
the latter to escape but to no avail and he was forced to spill the information about the plan.
However, Isagani did not listen to him.

“The lamp is fading out”, said the captain-general, “please lift the wick, Father Irene,”
Isagani ran to get the lamp and throw it in the river. Because of what happened, the
plan of Simoun for an extensive revolution did not push through. He then escaped from the
house of Father Florentini. When the military forces was about to capture him, he drank a
poison in order for him not to be captured alive. He was able to confess to the priest his true
identity and narrated his unfortunate life story – from the time that he went back to the
Philippines thirteen years ago, how his relationship with Maria Clara blossomed, and his plan
to take a revenge against the government and its officials by disguising as a jeweler. After the
confession, Simoun died.

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Father Florentino throw away in the ocean the treasure box containing the wealth of Simoun
that he used as an instrument in devising a plan to take down the government.

Symbolism in the Characters of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

The two novels of Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, played a great role
on the lives of the Filipinos during the Spanish regime because it stimulated them to fight for
our country. Every events and characters of the two novels depicts the current situation of our
country during their time. Here are some of the characters of the two famous novels together
with what symbolized them:

• Crisóstomo Ibarra/Simoun
He was referred to the novel as the protagonist and is claimed as Rizal's reflection:
both studied in Europe, both believed in the same ideas, both portrayed the same character,
and lastly, both died for the one they love. In Ibarra’s case, his love is Maria Clara and in
Rizal’s case, his love is the Philippnes.

• Maria Clara
She was Ibarra’s beloved girlfriend and was believed to be a representation of the
Philippines – beautiful, soon colonized/adopted, and in a specific chapter of Noli, unknown if
still dead or alive due to her sufferings. Also, the way Ibarra loved and care for her represents
the way he cared for his country.

• Capitan Tiago
He was known to be the father of Maria Clara who symbolizes the Filipino people
during the Spanish regime – heads/owners of the country, rich, good Catholics, but since was
not able to attend school, ended up being a domestic helper of the colonizers.

• Padre Damaso
Dámaso Verdolagas or Padre Dámaso is a representation of Spanish priest with a
notorious character who speaks with harsh words.

• Elias
He is Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally; he represents the Filipinos who want to
revolutionize the country and to be freed from Spanish oppression.

• Pilosopong Tacio

He is a representation of the Filipinos who seek for reforms from the government.
Also, in a sense, he represent the Propagandists because just like Pilosopo Tacio, they
expressed their ideals in paper written in a cryptographic alphabet similar
from hieroglyphs and Coptic figures hoping "that the future generations may be able to
decipher it" and realized the abuse and oppression done by the conquerors. Because of their
exceptional talent for reasoning, others also viewed them as insane.

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 • Dona Victorina

Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña, commonly known as Doña Victorina,

represents the ambitious Filipinas who classifies themselves as Spanish and mimics Spanish
ladies by putting on heavy make-up. Her character also represents social climbers on the
society.

• Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio

Sisa, Crispín, and Basilio represent a Filipino family persecuted by the Spanish
authorities.

• Placido Penitente

He represents the Filipino students who lost their desire in studying due to financial
issues.

• Padre Fernandez
A representation of Spanish friars who became loyal friends with the Filipinos

EXERCISE

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER:

Form a group with 5 members and accomplish this activity/exercise:

1Compare and contrast and show the continuities and/or changes in Rizal’s ideas
expressed in the Noli and El FIli.

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