RIZAL

CHAPTER 5 • Created a large map of Mindanao for

educational purposes in Dapitan’s
Foundation of La Liga Filipina (1892) plaza.
• Upon Rizal's arrival in Manila on June • Engineered a water system for
26, 1892, he was welcomed by key drinking and irrigation.
patriots including Apolinario Mabini
and Andres Bonifacio. • Helped establish lamp posts across
the town.
• Together, they founded La Liga Filipina
to promote reforms and unity among Revolutionary Connections (1896)
Filipinos.
• Dr. Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal in
• Rizal met with Governor-General Dapitan to inform him about the
Despujol in July 1892, expressing Katipunan and its plan for
gratitude for lifting the exile order on revolution.
his sisters.
• Rizal wrote letters to Governor-
Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan (1892-1896) General Ramon Blanco, requesting a
review of his case.
• Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao,
became the site of Rizal’s exile. • Proposed as a surgeon for Spanish
forces in Cuba, during a yellow-fever
• He built a close relationship with epidemic.
Captain Ricardo Carnicero, who
allowed him mobility with weekly Departure & Arrest
reports of his activities.
• Rizal was granted permission to go
• Rizal engaged in medicine, research, to Cuba on July 30, 1896.
art, and community projects,
including the establishment of a • Left Manila on the steamer España,
school for boys. later boarding Isla de Panay in
Barcelona.
• He wrote the poem "A Don Ricardo
Carnicero" as a gift in August 1892. • Arrested on the Mediterranean Sea
under Governor-General Despujol’s
Community & Economic Contributions orders.
• Developed farming and business • Imprisoned in Barcelona, Spain,
initiatives. before being brought back to the
Philippines.
• Invented a wooden tool for brick-
making. • Reached Manila on November 3,
1896, where he was imprisoned at
• Won P6,200 in a lottery on September Fort Santiago.
21, 1892, using the money to buy land
in Talisay, where he built a house, Rizal’s Trial & Investigation (1896)
clinic, and school.
• Judge: Colonel Francisco Olive, part
• Conducted medical procedures, of the Spanish military tribunal.
including an eye operation on his
mother. • Preliminary Investigation: Began on
November 20, 1896, lasting five days.
• Studied medicinal plants and
prescribed them to patients. • Charges: Accused of leading the
revolution by inspiring rebellion and
Personal Life & Relationships forming illegal organizations.
• Recognized as a renowned • Defense Limitations:
ophthalmologist, attracting George
Tauffer and Josephine Bracken from o Denied the right to cross-
Hong Kong. examine witnesses.

• Developed a relationship with o Forced to choose a lawyer

Josephine Bracken, leading to an from a list of inexperienced
unofficial marriage, despite religious Spanish military officers.
opposition. o Chose Lt. Luis Taviel de
Public Works & Infrastructure Andrade, his former
bodyguard from his return to
the Philippines.
RIZAL

Evidence Presented Against Rizal guilty despite the lack of substantial

evidence.
• Two types of evidence:
• His case exemplifies political
1. Documentary Evidence – 15 suppression against intellectual
documents claiming Rizal’s reformers.
involvement in revolutionary
activities. December 29, 1896: The Last Day Before
Execution
2. Testimonial Evidence – 10
witnesses testifying against • Captain Rafael Dominguez officially
him. informed Rizal of his execution at 6:00
AM.
• Despite Lt. Taviel de Andrade’s
defense, Rizal was found guilty. • Rizal spent time in prison chapel,
receiving visits from his mother and
Rizal’s 12-Point Defense sisters.
1. Against rebellion, as testified by Dr. • Passed his last possessions to his
Pio Valenzuela. family, including the gas lamp with his
2. No revolutionary letters addressed to final poem, Mi Último Adiós.
the Katipunan were written by him. • Denied the chance to embrace his
3. Katipunan used his name without his mother in his final moments.
consent as a password. • Wrote a farewell letter to his best
4. If guilty, he would have fled the friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt.
country during his exile instead of • Had his last supper, where he forgave
building a home & hospital in his enemies, including those who
Dapitan. sentenced him to death.
5. Revolutionaries did not consult him
December 30, 1896: Execution Day
for leadership.
• 5:30 AM – Ate his final breakfast
6. Wrote the Liga Filipina by-laws, but (three boiled eggs).
emphasized it was a civic
organization—distinct from • Signed and distributed religious
Katipunan, which was a pictures and books to family
revolutionary society. members.
7. Liga Filipina dissolved after its first • Gave Josephine Bracken the book
meeting due to his exile in Dapitan. Imitación de Cristo as a parting gift.
8. Unaware that Liga Filipina was • 6:30 AM – Walked to Bagumbayan
reorganized 9 months later. (now Luneta) dressed in a black suit,
white shirt, and black bowler hat.
9. If Liga had a revolutionary purpose,
then Katipunan wouldn’t have • Accompanied by Lt. Luis Taviel de
needed to be founded. Andrade (his defense lawyer) and
Jesuit priests.
10. His letters may have seemed
offensive, but were written in 1890, • Trumpets signaled the start of his
during his family’s persecution. march, with military escorts leading
the way.
11. Lived peacefully in Dapitan, and local
officials & missionaries could verify Execution Moments
this.
• Crowds gathered—some
12. If his speech at Doroteo Ongjunco’s sympathetic, others celebrating his
house had truly inspired a revolution, impending death.
he should have been allowed to
• Observers noted Rizal’s composure,
confront the witnesses.
acknowledging familiar faces with
Key Takeaways nods and smiles.
• Rizal’s defense was strong, but the • Refused to kneel or be blindfolded,
trial was unfairly conducted. affirming he was not a traitor.
• The Spanish authorities disregarded • Requested to face the firing squad,
his 12-point argument, finding him but was denied—agreed to be shot in
the back instead.
RIZAL

• Before his death, he shook his Annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de

lawyer’s hand, and a military las Islas Filipinas
physician checked his pulse, which
remained calm and normal. Key Points from the Selection:

Rizal’s Final Words & Death • Rizal’s Passion for Truth: He was
determined to uncover the real
• At the moment of execution, Rizal history of the Philippines,
uttered "Consummatum est!" ("It is challenging Spanish accounts that
finished!") as bullets struck him. often erased or distorted native
• Attempted to turn his body upon traditions.
being shot, ensuring he fell facing the • Colonial Distortion: Most historical
sky. records available at the time were
• The mercy shot ("Tira de Gracia") written by Spanish friars and
was fired to his head, confirming his missionaries, who sought to
death. suppress indigenous beliefs and
portray Filipinos as uncivilized.
• Spanish soldiers cheered, but the
crowd remained silent, showing the • Rizal’s Counterargument: He
profound impact of his execution. believed that Filipinos were self-
sustaining and culturally rich before
Spanish colonization, which had
caused the decline of native
traditions.
• Influence of European Scholars:
While in Europe, Rizal encountered
research on Asian ethnic
communities, including works by Dr.
Ferdinand Blumentritt, a
Filipinologist who became his close
friend.
• Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas: Blumentritt
recommended this historical
account, which Rizal found valuable
for its honest depiction of Philippine
society during Spanish rule.
• Alternative Source of Knowledge:
Some sources suggest Rizal learned
about Morga’s work from his uncle,
Jose Alberto, who had connections
with Sir John Browning, the English
Governor of Hong Kong.
• Rizal’s Efforts in London: While in
London, Rizal visited the British
Museum and found one of the few
remaining copies of Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas.
• Annotated Edition: Rizal republished
Morga’s work with annotations,
proving that the Philippines had an
advanced civilization before
Spanish colonization.
• Austin Craig’s Contribution: An early
biographer of Rizal, Austin Craig,
translated some of Rizal’s
annotations into English, making
them more accessible.
Dr. Antonio de Morga was a Spanish
historian, lawyer, and government official
RIZAL

who served in the Philippines, New Spain, • Rizal aimed to awaken Filipino
and Peru during the late 16th and early 17th consciousness about their true
centuries. His most notable work, Sucesos history.
de las Islas Filipinas (1609), provides one of
the earliest formal records of Spanish • He argued that Spanish conquest
colonial rule in the Philippines. and conversion were not as
widespread as Morga claimed.
Key Points About Morga and His Work
• His annotations challenged colonial
• Morga’s Background: narratives, proving that Filipinos had
a rich culture before Spanish rule
o Served as Deputy Governor
in the Philippines (1594- Summary of the Preface to Rizal’s
1604). Annotations on Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas
o Reinstated the Audiencia,
acting as a judge. • Purpose of the Annotation: Rizal
wanted Filipinos to understand their
o Led Spanish forces against past before judging their present and
Dutch corsairs in 1600 but envisioning the future.
suffered defeat.
• Challenge of Colonial Distortion: He
o Later reassigned to Mexico, acknowledged that he, like most
where he wrote Sucesos de Filipinos, was raised unaware of the
las Islas Filipinas. true history of the country due to
• Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas: Spanish colonial suppression.

o Chronicles Spanish • Use of Antonio Morga’s Work: He

achievements in the cited Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Philippines, including Filipinas because the author was a
discovery, conquest, and high-ranking Spanish official who
conversion. had first-hand knowledge of pre-
colonial Philippine society.
o Based on documentary
research, personal • Correcting Misrepresentations:
observations, and official Rizal aimed to restore and clarify
records. Philippine history by rectifying false
claims spread by colonizers.
o Considered one of the best
accounts of Spanish • Awakening National
colonialism in the country. Consciousness: He hoped his work
would inspire Filipinos to reclaim
their identity and study their future
Jose Rizal’s Annotations with historical awareness.

• Rizal admired Morga’s work but Rizal’s Notable Annotations on Morga’s

sought to correct its biases. Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

• He republished the book with Jose Rizal meticulously annotated Dr.

annotations in 1890, highlighting Antonio de Morga’s work to correct colonial
misrepresentations of Filipino distortions and highlight the advanced
culture. civilization of pre-colonial Filipinos. Here
are the most important themes of his
• Annotated over 639 items, including critiques:
typographical errors and historical
inaccuracies. 1. Pre-Colonial Filipino Civilization
Was Advanced
• Criticized Morga’s portrayal of
Filipinos, arguing that pre-colonial o Rizal emphasized that
Philippine civilization was Filipinos had their own
advanced. culture, governance, and
industry before Spanish rule.
• Example: Morga described Filipino
cuisine as eating rotting fish, but o He pointed out that Filipinos
Rizal clarified that this referred to had military forces, artillery,
bagoong, a fermented delicacy. and advanced metallurgy,
contradicting Spanish claims
Rizal’s Purpose that they lacked civilization.
RIZAL

2. Spanish Colonialism Led to • His work inspired national

Filipinos’ Decline consciousness, encouraging
Filipinos to reclaim their identity.
o Rizal argued that Spanish
rule weakened the • His annotations remain a powerful
Philippines, disarming critique of colonial history,
natives and making them influencing modern historical
vulnerable to external perspectives.
threats like Moro raids.
Rizal’s Key Arguments in His Annotations of
o He noted that Filipinos lost Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
their traditions, writing, and
native identity, as Spanish In his new edition of Morga’s work, Rizal
influence suppressed their emphasized three key points:
customs and laws. 1. Pre-Colonial Filipino Civilization –
Filipinos had a rich and advanced
3. Religious Conversion Was Not as
Widespread as Claimed culture before Spanish colonization.

o Contrary to Morga’s account, 2. Colonial Devastation – Spanish rule

Rizal pointed out that many demoralized, exploited, and ruined
Filipinos remained Philippine society.
unconverted—including 3. False Superiority of Spanish-Era
Muslims (Moros), Igorots, Philippines – The Philippines under
and Negritos. Spain was not necessarily better
o He argued that conversion than its past.
was often politically Rizal’s Observations on the Effects of
motivated, not purely for Colonization
faith.
• The Philippines was depopulated,
4. Spanish Accounts Were Biased impoverished, and culturally
o Rizal criticized Morga for suppressed under Spain.
glorifying Spanish conquests • Filipinos lost their traditions,
and dismissing Filipino including their songs, poetry, laws,
perspectives. and beliefs.
o He corrected • They were forced to embrace foreign
misrepresentations of ideals, abandoning their own
Filipino customs, such as identity.
Morga’s claim that Filipinos
preferred decomposing fish, • Colonial influence led to Filipinos
which Rizal clarified was admiring foreign customs while
actually bagoong (fermented being ashamed of their native
fish)—a delicacy, not spoiled heritage.
food. Rizal’s Goal
5. Filipinos Played a Role in Spanish • To awaken national consciousness
Expeditions and help Filipinos rediscover their
o Rizal highlighted that pre-colonial identity.
Filipinos fought alongside • To rectify historical distortions and
Spaniards in various restore pride in indigenous culture.
conquests, including
expeditions to Cambodia
and the Moluccas.
o Despite this, they were never
given due credit and
remained exploited under
Spanish rule.
Impact of Rizal’s Annotations
• He challenged colonial narratives,
proving that Filipinos had a thriving
civilization before Spanish
colonization.
RIZAL

NOLI ME TANGERE • Composed of 63 chapters and an

epilogue; Rizal was only 26 years old
Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere was deeply
when it was published.
influenced by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, inspiring him to expose • Dedicated to the Filipino people to
the social injustices under Spanish colonial awaken national consciousness
rule. Here are the most important points about societal injustices.
from its publication history:
• First book in a trilogy, followed by El
Origins & Writing Process Filibusterismo and the unfinished
Makamisa.
• In January 1884, Rizal proposed the
novel’s creation at a meeting in the • The title “Noli Me Tangere”
Paterno residence. translates to “Touch Me Not”, a
biblical reference from John 20:17,
• Initially, Pedro Paterno, Graciano spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene
Lopez Jaena, Valentin Ventura, and
after His resurrection.
others agreed to contribute, but the
plan failed due to lack of Noli Me Tangere follows the journey of
commitment. Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and wealthy
Filipino who returns from Europe to uncover
• Rizal decided to write it alone, the injustices of Spanish colonial rule. The
completing: novel exposes themes of oppression,
o Half in Madrid (1884) resistance, and tragic fate through its rich
characters and gripping storyline.
o Three-fourths in Paris (1885)
Brief Summary of the Novel
o Final chapters in Berlin
(1886) • Crisostomo Ibarra returns to the
Philippines and attends a party
Challenges in Publishing thrown by Capitan Tiago, where he
• Rizal struggled financially to print meets important figures like Padre
the novel. Damaso, who insults him.

• Dr. Maximo Viola, a wealthy friend • Lieutenant Guevara reveals that

from San Miguel, Bulacan, lent Rizal Ibarra’s father, Don Rafael, was
P300, allowing him to publish Noli wrongfully accused as a heretic and
Me Tangere. filibuster, leading to his unjust
imprisonment and tragic death.
• To reduce printing costs, Rizal
removed Chapter 25: "Elias and • Ibarra searches for his father’s
Salome". grave, only to learn that his body was
thrown into the river instead of
Publication & Legacy receiving a proper burial.
• First 2,000 copies were printed in • Elias, a mysterious boatman,
Berlin in March 1887. becomes Ibarra’s ally after being
saved by him from a crocodile.
• Some sources claim the novel was
officially released on March 29, • During the San Diego fiesta, Elias
while others state Rizal sent a copy warns Ibarra about an assassination
to Blumentritt on March 21. attempt at the inauguration of his
school. The platform collapses, but
• Viola was honored as the "Savior of
Elias saves him.
the Noli", receiving the first copy
with Rizal’s dedication. • Padre Damaso insults Ibarra’s father
during a banquet, leading Ibarra to
Key Points About Noli Me Tangere
nearly attack him. Ibarra is
• Published in 1887, written in Spanish excommunicated, and his
while Rizal was studying medicine at engagement to Maria Clara is
Universidad Central de Madrid. broken.

• Exposes the abuses and inequalities • A failed rebellion is blamed on

under Spanish colonial rule, Ibarra, leading to his arrest.
particularly by Catholic friars and
• Elias helps Ibarra escape, and
government officials.
before leaving, Ibarra learns from
Maria Clara that Padre Salvi
RIZAL

blackmailed her into surrendering • Basilio – Crispín’s brother who

his letters, which led to his arrest. escapes. Witnesses his mother’s
death and later becomes a key figure
• Elias sacrifices himself, tricking in El Filibusterismo.
Spanish guards into shooting him
while Ibarra flees. • Father Salví – Cunning friar, replaces
Father Damaso. Manipulative and
• Elias’ dying words: “I shall die dangerous, likely abused María
without seeing the dawn break upon Clara in the convent.
my homeland. You, who shall see it,
salute it! Do not forget those who • Capitan Tiago – Wealthy Filipino,
have fallen during the night.” quick to abandon Ibarra when
labeled a subversive. Falls into
• The epilogue reveals tragic fates: opium addiction.
o Capitan Tiago falls into • The Ensign – Head of the Civil Guard,
opium addiction.
constantly feuding with Father Salví
o Padre Damaso is reassigned over authority.
and later found dead. • Doña Consolación – A vulgar, power-
o Maria Clara enters the hungry Filipina, married to The
convent, where Padre Salvi Ensign. She resents her heritage and
may have abused her. pretends to speak Spanish, despite
being a native Tagalog speaker.
o A madwoman is seen
weeping in the convent— • Dr. Tiburcio de Espadaña – A fraud,
suggested to be Maria Clara. posing as a doctor after being
dismissed from his customs job.
Key Characters in Noli Me Tangere Exploits Filipinos for money.
Here are the most important characters and • Doña Victorina de Espadaña – A vain,
their roles: manipulative social climber,
• Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin – obsessed with high society and
A wealthy, idealistic mestizo European standards.
returning from Europe. He seeks • Lieutenant Guevara – A morally
reforms in education but is falsely upright officer who supports the
accused of sedition, leading to his Ibarra family and reveals the
downfall. injustices against Don Rafael.
• María Clara – Ibarra's beloved; raised • Linares – A respectable young
by Capitan Tiago, but secretly Father Spaniard, whom Doña Victorina tries
Damaso’s biological daughter. She to match with Maria Clara.
betrays Ibarra under coercion and
eventually enters a convent. • The Schoolmaster – A frustrated
teacher, prevented by the friars from
• Father Damaso – Corrupt Spanish teaching Spanish, despite
friar with unchecked power. He government orders.
persecuted Don Rafael Ibarra,
insulted Crisostomo, and controlled • Don Filipo Lino – Vice mayor of San
María Clara’s fate. Diego, criticizes excessive spending
on religious feasts but is ignored.
• Elías – A revolutionary fugitive who
aids Ibarra, warns him of • Sisa – A tragic mother, driven to
assassination plots, and ultimately madness after losing her sons
sacrifices himself to help him Crispín and Basilio to the church’s
escape. cruelty.

• Don Rafael Ibarra – Ibarra’s father; • Fr. Sibyla – A more rational and
labeled a heretic, unjustly articulate priest, often debating Fr.
imprisoned and killed. His body was Damaso.
thrown into the river instead of • The Gravedigger – Ordered to
buried. exhume Don Rafael’s remains, but
• Crispín – Young sacristan falsely throws the body into the river out of
accused of stealing from the church. pity.
Beaten and killed by the cruel Symbolisms in Noli Me Tangere
sacristan mayor.
RIZAL

Jose Rizal used various symbols to depict • Padre Salvi – Symbolizes hidden
the realities of Filipino life under Spanish corruption, as his lust for Maria
rule. Here are the most important ones: Clara implies abuse of power within
religious institutions.
• The Schoolhouse – Represents
education as empowerment. • The School Master of San Diego –
Ibarra’s plan to build a school Represents intellectual frustration,
symbolizes progress and resistance as he struggles against oppressive
against Spanish control. education policies that hinder true
learning.
• Crispín & Basilio – Embody Filipinos
suffering under oppression, • Don Rafael Ibarra – Symbolizes
particularly those uneducated and wealth with social responsibility,
exploited by the church and demonstrating that not all rich
government. Filipinos were exploitative. His
wrongful imprisonment reflects how
• Tinola & Betel Nut Parcels – justice was manipulated by the
Symbolize social divisions at Spanish friars.
Ibarra’s party—intellectuals,
opportunists, and elites all gathered
under one roof.
• Capitan Tiago – Represents Filipino
elite who sided with the Spanish to
maintain wealth and political status,
despite enduring humiliation.
• Elias & Ibarra – Illustrate two
approaches to reform:
o Elias favors revolutionary
change, while
o Ibarra pursues legal reform
and peaceful discussions.
o Their roles reverse by the
novel’s end.
• Maria Clara – Represents the
Philippines under Spanish rule—
exploited, controlled, and
powerless. She also embodies the
idealized Filipina, though her fate
reflects oppression.
• Father Damaso – A corrupt, immoral
friar, symbolizing Spanish religious
hypocrisy. His covert fathering of
Maria Clara reflects rampant abuse
by friars.
• Pilosopo Tasio – Represents
progressive thinkers, dismissed as
lunatics because their ideas
challenge traditional Spanish
authority.
• Sisa, Crispín & Basilio – Symbolize
Filipino families broken by colonial
abuse, with Sisa’s madness
reflecting how oppression destroys
lives.
• Doña Victorina – A Filipina obsessed
with European status, embodying
colonial mentality and social
climbing.
RIZAL

EL FILIBUSTERISMO o Actual execution date:

February 17, 1872 (not
• Started in October 1887 in Calamba,
February 28).
Laguna, revised in London (1888),
and completed in Biarritz, France o Correct ages: Gomez (73),
(March 29, 1891). Burgos (35), Zamora (37) (not
the mistaken figures in the
• Published in Ghent, Belgium dedication).
(September 1891).
Distribution & Censorship
• Written against the backdrop of
Spanish oppression, particularly the • Rizal avoided Spanish authorities
Calamba agrarian trouble. when publishing El Filibusterismo.
• Jose Alejandrino, Rizal’s roommate • Copies were smuggled into the
in Belgium, helped canvass the Philippines through Hong Kong.
printing press.
• Upon shipment, Spanish authorities
• Valentin Ventura financially saved seized the books, instantly making
the novel’s publication, earning the them rare.
title “Savior of the Fili”.
Summary of El Filibusterismo
• Rizal initially pawned his
possessions to fund printing but had • The novel continues the story of Noli
to suspend production due to lack of Me Tangere, focusing on Simoun,
funds. who is actually Crisostomo Ibarra in
disguise.
• Ventura’s financial aid allowed Rizal
to publish the novel, though he had • Simoun returns to the Philippines,
to cut 47 pages to reduce costs. posing as a wealthy jeweler to
infiltrate the Spanish government
• The Philippine government bought and avenge past injustices.
the manuscript in 1925 for ₱10,000,
now housed in the National Library. • He secretly smuggles weapons,
recruits revolutionaries, and incites
Definition & Significance of "Filibustero" in corruption to fuel public resentment
El Filibusterismo against the colonial regime.
• The word "filibustero" was first • His first plan for revolution fails
heard by Rizal in 1872 during the when Maria Clara dies, leading him
execution of Gomburza. to abandon the uprising.
• Originally not widely known among • His second plan involves bombing a
Filipinos but feared by Spanish wedding reception attended by
colonial authorities. friars and officials, signaling the
start of the revolt.
• Spanish used "filibustero" to label
suspected revolutionaries, making it • Isagani, heartbroken over Paulita
synonymous with subversion. Gomez, learns of the plot and throws
the explosive lamp into the river,
Evolution of Meaning foiling the plan.
• By the end of the 19th century, • Simoun is hunted down, fatally
"filibustero" meant subversive, wounded, and takes poison to avoid
dissident, revolutionary, seditious, capture.
and treasonous.
• Padre Florentino absolves Simoun,
• Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to lamenting his failed revolution and
the memory of Gomburza, throwing his treasures into the sea,
recognizing their unjust execution. hoping they would serve future
Book Dedication generations better.

• Rizal honored Mariano Gomez, Jose Key Themes & Premises

Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, • El Filibusterismo remains a critique
declaring them victims of Spanish of Spanish rule, exposing
oppression. corruption, oppression, and
• A historical inaccuracy occurred in hypocrisy.
the dedication: • Unlike Noli Me Tangere, it explores
different paths for social reform—
RIZAL

both peaceful means and violent Maria Clara

revolution.
• Symbolizes the Filipino culture
• Simoun’s failure suggests that under Spanish rule—abused,
unprepared rebellion leads to controlled, and ultimately lost.
defeat, aligning with Rizal’s belief
that change must be well-organized. • Her tragic fate mirrors the nation’s
suffering, making her a metaphor for
• Rizal regretted killing Elias in Noli Me the Philippines.
Tangere, indicating he valued
revolution under proper leadership. Kabesang Tales

Key Characters and Symbolism in El • Symbolizes agrarian struggles—a

FilibusterismoKey Characters and farmer turned revolutionary,
Symbolism in El Filibusterismo victimized by land-grabbing friars.

Rizal’s second novel deepens the social • Embodies personal vengeance,

critique from Noli Me Tangere, showing both joining bandits after losing his land,
Spanish oppression and Filipino family, and wealth.
weaknesses. The major characters Juli
symbolize different responses to colonial
rule. • Represents chastity and honor,
choosing death over submission
Simoun (Crisóstomo Ibarra in disguise) when Padre Camorra attempts to
• Symbolizes disillusionment—once rape her.
idealistic, now cynical and vengeful. • Her tragic fate mirrors Filipina
• Pushes for violent revolution, but suffering, highlighting exploitation
lacks a clear vision for a new society. by both Spaniards and opportunistic
Filipinos.
• Fails in his uprising, proving
unprepared revolutions lead to Placido Penitente
disaster. • Symbolizes Filipinos hesitant to
Basilio fight, preferring self-preservation
over activism.
• Represents educated Filipinos who
• Torn between protest and fear,
remain silent, avoiding political
reflecting youths who see injustice
involvement.
but hesitate to act.
• Witnessed family’s suffering, yet
rejects revolution, preferring Comparing Noli Me Tangere & El
personal success over activism. Filibusterismo

Isagani Noli Me El
Aspect
Tangere Filibusterismo
• Embodies youthful idealism,
passionate but impractical. Satirical, Dark, bitter,
Tone
hopeful revolutionary
• His blind trust in reform clashes with
reality, as Paulita Gomez leaves him Peaceful
Approach Violent
for a more pragmatic choice. legal
to Reform revolution
changes
Capitan Tiago
Crisóstomo
• Symbolizes wealthy Filipinos who Simoun,
Main Ibarra,
ally with colonizers, abandoning vengeful
Character idealistic
national interests. revolutionary
reformist
• Falls into opium addiction, Her death
representing the moral decay of Maria Symbolizes
sparks
privileged Filipinos. Clara’s Filipina
Simoun’s
Role oppression
Don Custodio despair

• A corrupt opportunist, rejecting Mostly More

reforms while keeping power. Filipino submissive, awakening, but
Response hoping for still
• Reflects Spanish officials who change unprepared
pretended to help, but maintained
oppressive systems.
RIZAL

Rizal’s Message in El Filibusterismo

• Independence must be earned
through education, virtue, and
sacrifice.
• A poorly planned revolution is
doomed to fail.
• Filipinos must prioritize national
unity over personal gain.
Rizal’s Shift After El Fili
• Realized peaceful reform was
impossible—Spain refused to grant
change.
• Became a separatist, but left
independence to God.
• Cut ties with Madrid reformists,
returning to share his family's
suffering.