Inscription on the Title Page

The title page of El FIlibusterismo contains an inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentritt. This
inscription, which is not found in many published English translations and is as follows:

It can be easily supposed that a rebel (filibuster) has secretly bewitched the league of friar-zealots and
retrogrades so that, unwittingly following his incitements, they should favour and forment that policy
which pursues one sole end; to spread ideas of rebellion throughout the length and breadth of the land,
and to convince every Filipino that there is no salvation except through separation from the Mother
Country. –Ferdinand Blumentritt

Synopsis of the El Filibusterismo

Major Characters

• Simoun – the main protagonist of the story a rich jeweler.

• Dona Victorina – ridiculously a pro-spanish woman
• Tiburcio de Espadana – husband of Dona Victorina
• Paulita Gomez – beautiful niece of Don Tiburcio
• Ben-Zayb – Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about Filipinos
• Padre Sibyla – Vice-Rector of UST
• Padre Camorra – spanish priest of Tiani
• Don Custodio – pro-spanish Filipino holding a high position in the government
• Padre Salvi – Franciscan friar a former cura of San Diego
• Padre Irene – a kind friar who was a friend to Filipino students
• Padre Florentino – a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest

Other Characters

• Isagani – nephew of Padre Florentino and lover of Paulita

• Basilio – son of Sisa a promising medical student
• Capitan Tiago – patron of Basilio
• Quiroga – rich Chinese merchant
• Cabesang Tales – father of Juli dispossessed of his land in Tiani by friars
• Juli – the lover of Basilio
• Makaraig – rich and leader of Filipino students in their movement to learn Spanish in the academy
• Padre Millon – teaches Physics in UST w/o experiments
• Placido Penitente – student of Padre Millon who bacame disoriented bcause of the poor methods of
instruction
• Senor Pasta – old Filipino lawyer who refuses to help Filipino students in their advocacy
• Tandang Selo – grandfather of Juli
• Mr. American – owner of the sideshow at the fair of Quiapo exhibiting an Egyptian Mummy.
• Sandoval – a Spanish student who supports the cause of the Filipino students to propagate the
teaching of Spanish
• Cabesa Andang – mother of Placido Penitente
• Pepay – pretty dancer and mistress of Don Custodio
• Padre Fernandez – a good dominican friar and friend of Isagani
• Don Timoteo – father of Juanito Pelaez
• Tano – son Cabesang Tales and brother of Juli
• Chichay – the silversmith who made the bridal earring for Paulita Gomez