CHAPTER 37

The Mystery

Personal Reflection

In this chapter, I realized that just like any other country, Filipinos love to
gossip. Gossiping in the Philippines has a more negative connotation compared to
other countries. A gossiper much of the time is someone who likes to chat about other
people's secrets and stories. When someone is known to be a Tsismosa in the region,
that means they're branded a city liar. Although every now and then they can spread
some reality, most will come up with alternative stories or exaggerated incidents in
order to have something to talk about but mostly it always end up to mess things and
make the situations difficult to understand.

The novel is too Radical for Rizal. In El Filibusterismo, Simoun, who is really
Noli's Ibarra in disguise, expresses a totally different personality. While Ibarra is
trusting, aspiring, and caring, Simoun is now cunningly wary, distrusting, and highly
bitter in his dealings. In Rizal, something changed; and this is reflected in the
personalities he gave his characters with El Filibusterismo.

In my opinion, radicalism can bring change in our country. Radicalism is

associated with extreme views and the desire for rapid social change, especially in a
political context. Depending on established social structures and political climates, the
exact meaning naturally varies by region. In order to create a society that works for
everyone, a new viewpoint that looks well beyond the surface to consider the wider
spectrum of factors underlying social phenomena would be critical.

Jose Rizal did not change his purpose in our country. He is consistent with his
advocacy and if we analyze his works, the people also recognize his advocacy to
achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution.

In summary, El Fili tries to enlighten society, to bring the facts closer to the
Filipinos. But while we are encouraged to call for reform and liberation in the first
novel and strive to it in this novel, society is urged to open its eyes to truth and revolt
against the Spanish government for its injustice and brutality.