Course

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Learning Module 2

The Life and Works of

Jose Rizal
Course Packet 02

El Filibusterismo

Knowledge Area Code : SSCI

Course Code : NGEC1023
Learning Module Code : LM02-NGEC1023
Course Packet Code : LM02-NGEC1023-02

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Course Packet 02
Course Packet 02

El Filibusterismo

Introduction
This course packet will discuss the El Filibusterismo. This novel was written in Ghent,
Germany in 1891 and several other languages later. Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo in dedication
to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, which was
intended to assert his view that their deaths were unfair. In this novel, the readers can
experience deep anger and hatred.

Objectives
At the end of this course packet, students are expected to examine the El Filibusterismo of
Jose Rizal and identify the social and political issues and problems during the 19 th century
Philippines as depicted in the novel.

Learning Management System

Google Drive
Google Classroom
Google Meet

Duration
 Topic 01: El Filibusterismo = 3 hours
(2 hours self-directed learning with practical exercises and 1 hour assessment)

Delivery Mode
The course packet will be delivered online, both asynchronous and synchronous.

Assessment with Rubrics

A short essay will serve as your assessment at the end of this course packet. You can access the
rubrics for the assessment below.

Readings
El Filibusterismo Cover. (n.d.). Retrieved from Unveiling Rizal:
https://unveilingrizal.weebly.com/mystery-of-the-cover.html
El Filibusterismo Reader's Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302595/el-filibusterismo-by-jose-
rizal/9780143106395/readers-guide/
Kahimyang. (n.d.). Today in Philippine History, September 18, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal's El
Filibusterismo was published in Ghent, Belgium. Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1276/today-in-philippine-history-
september-18-1891-dr-jose-rizals-el-filibusterismo-was-published-in-ghent-belgium
Sichrovsky, H. (1983). Ferdinand Blumentritt: An Australian Life for the Philippines. Retrieved

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from https://www.univie.ac.at/Voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/rizal/har-fili.htm
G.F. Zaide and S.M. Zaide.2008. JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist and National Hero. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. Quezon City.
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Introduction
El Filibusterismo is the second and last completed novel of Jose Rizal which is also a
sequel to "Noli Me Tangere". It is deeply brooding, at times satirical novel of revenge,
unfulfilled love, and tragedy. Some of the characters in Noli reappear in El Fili are Juan
Crisóstomo Ibarra, who disguised as Simoun, Basilio, Father Salvi, Mari Clara, Capitan Tiago,
Doña Victorina de Espadaña, Don Tiburcio, and Father Florentino.

Pre-Assessment
What is the meaning of Filibustero?

Lesson Proper
The El Filibusterismo
In spite of the problems of the "Solidaridad", Rizal had decided to write a continuation
of the Noli Me Tangere and started right away the writing of the sequel on the novel.
Interrupted over and over again, he continued to work on the second novel for several years.
It was begun in London, continued in Paris and Madrid and finally completed in Biarritz. This
time, however, there was no rich friend who assisted Rizal with the printing expenses. Thus,
he decided to move to the Belgian city of Ghent where he got hold of a cheap printer. Because
money was wanting, the edition was finished only on September 1891. Rizal himself wanted to
take along 800 copies to Hong-Kong in order to sneak them into the Philippines from there.
Rizal named the work EI Filibusterismo, a term whose meaning has changed again and
again. According to Blumentritt, the word 'filibusterismo' means the idea of the breaking away
of the colony from the mother country, and 'filibusteros' are accordingly those who aspire for
the realization of this idea.
A few days after establishing himself in Ghent, Rizal searched for a printing shop that
could give him a lowest quotation for the publication of his novel. At last, he did find a
publisher - F. MEYER-VAN LOO PRESS, No. 66 Viaanderen Street – who was willing to print
his book on small partial payments. He pawned his jewels in order to pay the down payment
and early partial payments during the printing of the novel.
Meanwhile, as the printing was going on, Rizal became desperate because his funds
were practically gone and the money he expected from his friends did not arrive. He had
received some money from Basa and 200pesos from Rodriguez Arias for the copies of Morga's
book sold in Manila. But these funds were also used up, and much more were needed to pay
the printer. In his morbid moments of despair, Rizal almost burned the manuscript of El

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Filibusterismo. "Several times," he wrote to Basa, "I am tempted to burn my manuscript; but then I
think of you. And I know there are many good people, many who truly love their country." When
everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source. Valentin Ventura, who was
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residing in Paris, heard of Rizal's predicament. Immediately he sent Rizal the amount needed
to finish the publication of the book.
On September 18, 1891, El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal, now a very happy
man, immediately sent that same day two copies to Hongkong-one for Basa and the other for
Sixto Lopez. To his other friend, Ventura, who kindly lent the money most needed to finish the
printing of the novel, he gratefully gave the original manuscript of El Filibusterismo and a
printed copy with his autograph.
Practically all copies of the first edition (Ghent edition) of El Filibusterismo were placed
in wooden boxes and shipped to Hongkong, but almost all the boxes were confiscated and the
books were lost. So it came to pass that the book immediately became rare, and the few
available Ghent copies were sold at very high prices, reaching as high as 400 pesetas per copy.

Symbolisms
Translating the book's title in English
language, it means “The Reign of Greed.”
Compared to the book cover of Noli Me
Tangere, El Filibusterismo's cover is plain, as
designed by Jose Rizal. The plain cover
conveys a fresh start for the Philippines and
Filipinos without the trace of symbols from
the events and situations in Noli Me Tangere.

The Author’s Dedication

El Filibusterismo was written in dedication to the three martyred priests Mariano
Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an indelible mark in his mind. Like
Noli Me Tangere, El Fili aims at enlightening the society, at bringing the Filipinos closer to the
truth. But whereas in the first novel, we are encouraged to ask and aspire for change and
liberation, in this novel, the society is urged to open its eyes to reality and rebel against the
Spanish government for its oppression and abuse.
Never in the annals of mankind has a hero written such a sublime and touching tribute
to other heroes as Rizal. To straighten historical records, however, we must rectify Rizal's
historical inaccuracies in his dedicatory note. First of all, the martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and
Zamora occurred on February 17, 1872-not 28th. Secondly, Father Gomez was 73 years old- not
85, Father Burgos was 35 years old- not 30, and Father Zamora was 37 years old-not 35.

Synopsis of "El Filibusterismo"

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This novel is a bitter cry of suffering soul. It has little humor, less idealism, and less
romance as what we find in Noli Me Tangere. It is more revolutionary, more tragic than the
first novel.
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The hero of El Filibusterismo is a rich jeweler name Simoun. He was Crisostomo Ibarra
of the Noli, who, with Elias' help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna de Bay, dug
up his burried tressure, and fled to Cuba where he became rich and befriended many Spanish
officials. After many years he returns to the Philippines, where he freely moves around. He is
a powerful figure not only because he is rich jeweler, but also because he is a good friend and
adviser of the governor-general.
Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain. However, deep in his heart, he is bitter and
ruthless, secretly cherishing a terrible revenge against the Spain authorities. His two
magnificent obsessions are (1) to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery of Santa Clara and (2)
to foment a revolution against the hated Spanish masters.
The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board the clumsy, roundish shaped steamer,
Tabo, so appropriately named. This steamer is sailing upstrean the Pasig from Manila to
Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun, the rich jeweler; Doña Victorina, the
ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of ger henpecked
husband, Tiburcio de Espandaña, who has deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece;
Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about the Filipinos,
Padre Sibula. Vice-Rector of the University of Santo Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest
of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a high position in the
government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego; Padre Irene, a
kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and
patriotic Filipino priest; Isagani, a poet nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of Paulita and
Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical education is financed by his
patron, Capitan Tiago.
Simoun, a man of wealth and mystery, is a very close friend and confidante of the
Spanish governor-general. Because of his great influence in Malacañan, he was called the
"Brown Cardinal" or the "Black Eminence." By using his wealth and his political influence, he
encourages corruption in the government, promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens
the moral degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He
smuggles arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who wants
very much to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempts to begin the armed uprising did
not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the
nunnery. In his agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the signal of the outbreak
of hostilities. After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun
perfects his plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of wedding of Paulita Gomez
and Juanito Pelaez, he gives as wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his
confidential associate, Basilio (Sisa's son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when

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the wick of this lamp burns lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret compartment, will
explode, destroying the house where the wedding feast is going to be held and killing of all
guests, including the governor-general, the friars, and the government officials.
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Simultaneously, all the government buildings in Manila will be down by Simoun's followers.
As the wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of his
liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, watching sorrowfully the merriment inside. Basilio,
his friend, warns him to go away because the lighted lamp will soon explode.
On hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani thinks of the danger to his beloved
Paulita. He rushes into the house, seizes the lighted lamp, and hurls it into the river, where it
explodes. The revolutionary plot was thus discovered. Simoun was concerned by the soldiers,
but he escaped. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure-chest, he sought refuge in the
home of Padre Florentino by the sea.
The Spanish authorities, however, learn of his presence in the house of Padre
Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he would
come at eight o'clock that night to arrest Simoun. Simoun eluded arrest by taking poison. As
he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino, revealing his true identity, his dastard plan to use
his wealth to avenge himself, and his callous aim to destroy his friends and enemies for
personal ambition.
The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre
Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, arises and begins to meditate. He
consoles the dying man, saying: "God will forgive you Señor Simoun. He knows that we are
fallible. He has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your
faults should come as death from the very ones you have instigated to crime, we can see His
infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by one, the best conceived, first by the death
of Maria Clara, then by a lack of preparation, then in some mysterious way, let us bow to His
will and render him thanks!" Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at
peace with God, Padre Florentino murmurs:
"Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their enthusiasm to
the welfare of their native land? Where are the youth who will generously pour out their blood to wash
away so much shame, so much crime, so much abomination? Pure and spotless must the victim be that
the sacrifice may be acceptable! Where are you youth, who will embody in yourselves the Virgo of the
life that has left our veins, the purity of ideas that has been contaminated in our brains, the fire of
enthusiasm that has been quenched in our hearts! We await you, O youth! Come, for we await you!"

Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes the chest
of treasure and throws it into the sea. As the waves close over the sinking chest, he invokes:
“May nature guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls and corals of her eternal seas. When for
some holy and sublime purpose man may need you, God will in His wisdom draw you from the bosom
of the waves. Meanwhile, there you will not work woe, you will not distort justice, you will not foment

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avarice!"

There are other characters in El Filibusterismo. There is Cabesang Tales, who is

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dispossessed of his land in Tiani by the friars like that of Rizal’s father. In desperation, he
becomes a bandit chieftain named Matanglawin. His daughter Juli, sweetheart of Basilio (Sisa’s
son), kills herself rather than be dishonored by Padre Camorra. There is Macaraig, a rich
student and leader of the Filipino students in their movement to have an academy where they
could learn Spanish. There is the bigoted Dominican friar -professor, Padre Millon, who teaches
Physician in the University of Santo Tomas without scientific experiments. One of his students,
Placido Penitente from Batangas, becomes discontented with the poor method of instruction in
the university. And there is Senor Pasta, the old Filipino lawyer who refuses to help the Filipino
students in their petition to the government for educational reforms.
Other character in El Filibusterismo are Tandang Selo, grandfather of Juli and
Cabesang Tales’ father; Mr. American impresario who owned the sideshow of Feria (fair) of
Quiapo exhibiting an Egyptian mummy; Sandoval a Spanish student who supports the cause
of Filipino students to propagate the teaching of Spanish; Pecson, one of the Filipino students
who agitates the teaching of Spanish; Cabesang Andang, the mother of Placido Penitente;
Pepay, the pretty dancer and mistress of Don Custodio; Padre Fernandez, a good Dominican
friar and friend of Isagani; Don Timoteo, the father of Juanito Pelaez; Tano, the son of Cabesang
Tales and brother of Juli; and Chichoy, the silversmith who made the bridal earrings of Paulita
Gomez.
As in the Noli the characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by Rizal from real life.
For instance, Padre Florentino was Father Leoncio Lopez, Rizal's friend and priest of Calamba;
Isagani, the poet, was Vicente Ilustre, Batangueño friend of Rizal in Madrid and Paulita Gomez,
the girl who loved Isagani but married Juanito Pelaez, was Leonor Rivera.

"Noli" and "El Fili" Compared

The two novels of Rizal--- Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo--are different in
many respects, although they are written by the same author and are supposed to be dealing
with the same story and have the same characters. The noli is romantic novel; it is a "work of
the heart"-- a "book of feeling"; it has freshness, color, humor, lightness, and wit. On the other
hand, the Fili is a political novel, it is a "work of the head" --- a "book if thought": it contains
bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow.
The friends of Rizal and our Rizalists today differ in opinion as to which is the superior
novel---the Noli or the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili as a novel,
thereby agreeing with M. H. del Pilar who had the same opinion. Retana, Rizal's first Spanish
biographer, also believes that the Noli is superior to the Fili. However, others--- such as
Blumentritt, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and Dr. Rafael Palma--- are of the opinion that the Fili is
superior to the Noli. Lopez Jaena, in a letter to Rizal dated October 2, 1891, said: "El

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Filibusterismo is a novel superior to your Noli Me Tangere, as much for its exquisite, delicate,
literary style, its easy and correct dialogue, its clear phraseology, vigorous and elegant, as for
its profound ideas and sublime thoughts." However, he was not satisfied fully with the Fili as
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a political novel because its "end is not worthy climax to a work so beautiful." Accordingly, he
advised Rizal to write another novel which would give a definite solution to the country's
problem so that "the coming of the beautiful day of our redemption" may be hastened.
The issue of which is the superior novel---the Noli or the El Fili---is purely academic.
Both are good novels from the point of view of history. Both depict with realistic colors the
actual conditions of the Philippines and the Filipinos during the decadent days of Spanish rule;
both are instrumental in awakening the spirit of Filipino nationalism; and both are responsible
in paving the ground for the Philippine Revolution that brought about the downfall of Spain.
Neither the Noli nor the Fili is superior to one another. As Mariano Ponce aptly told Rizal, after
reading the Fili: "It is, indeed, excellent. I can say nothing of your book, but this: it is really marvelous
like all the brilliant production of your pen. It is a true twin of the "Noli."

Enhancement Activity
What would be the reason why Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo? Explain.

Generalization
El Filibusterismo, also known by its English title The Reign of Greed, is the second novel
written by Jose Rizal and the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Published in 1891, it continues the
Noli's criticisms of the abuses and corruption perpetrated by the Spanish government. The
novel's title is Spanish for "the subversion", referring to the characters' actions against the
Spanish colonial government.

Application
What is the most important learning gained from reading El Filibusterismo? And how can you
use it in a real-life situation especially in addressing socio-political problems in our country?

Course Packet Discussion Forum

It is highly encouraged to post questions on the discussion forum. Please raise your questions
and other concerns in our discussion forum of our Google Classroom.

Post-Assessment
1. Why El Filibusterismo considered one of the most influential novels written by Jose Rizal?
2. Why was the GOMBURZA execution an important event in Rizal’s life? Why did Rizal
dedicate the El Filibusterismo to the three Filipino priests?

Additional Activity

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The additional activities will be posted in the Google Classroom. Please check your Google
Classroom regularly for announcements and activities.
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Course Packet Discussion Forum

After completing the course packet, please post your questions or concerns at (link) for further
discussion.

References
El Filibusterismo Cover. (n.d.). Retrieved from Unveiling Rizal:
https://unveilingrizal.weebly.com/mystery-of-the-cover.html
El Filibusterismo Reader's Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302595/el-filibusterismo-by-jose-
rizal/9780143106395/readers-guide/
Kahimyang. (n.d.). Today in Philippine History, September 18, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal's El
Filibusterismo was published in Ghent, Belgium. Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1276/today-in-philippine-history-
september-18-1891-dr-jose-rizals-el-filibusterismo-was-published-in-ghent-belgium
Sichrovsky, H. (1983). Ferdinand Blumentritt: An Australian Life for the Philippines. Retrieved
from https://www.univie.ac.at/Voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/rizal/har-fili.htm
G.F. Zaide and S.M. Zaide.2008. JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist and National Hero. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. Quezon City.

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Activity Sheet
Activity 01. True or False
Activity Sheet

Write T if the statement is True and write F if the statement is False.

1. The El Filibusterismo is a political novel, it is a "work of the head" a "book if thought": it

contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow.
2. Placido Penitente is a rich student and leader of the Filipino students in their movement to
have an academy where they could learn Spanish.
3. The word 'filibustero' means the idea of the breaking away of the colony from the mother
country.
4. El Filibusterismo's cover is plain which conveys a fresh start for the Philippines and
Filipinos without the trace of symbols from the events and situations in Noli Me Tangere.
5. Rizal commits historical inaccuracies in his dedicatory note.
6. El Filibusterismo was written in dedication to the three martyred priests Mariano Salvi,
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
7. In El Filibusterismo, Simoun returns as a rich jewelry salesman named Crisostomo Ibarra.
8. The two magnificent obsessions of Simoun are (1) to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery
of Santa Clara and (2) to foment a revolution against the hated Spanish masters.
9. The Bapor Tabo was used to depict Philippine social equality during Rizal’s time.
10. In El Filibusterismo, Filipinos are urged to open their eyes to reality and aim for the
assimilation of the Philippines to Spain.

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Assessment
Assessment

Assessment 01.

Essay.

1. What are the socio-political issues portrayed in El Filibusterismo that are still evident
in present Philippine society? Give examples and discuss.
2. Discuss how the following characters represent in the novel?
a. Simoun
b. Maria Clara
c. Isagani
d. Kabesang Tales
3. What does the novel, El Filibusterismo symbolizes? Explain.
4. Differentiate Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Rubrics:

Category 5 4-3 2-1

The arguments
The arguments
and thoughts of The arguments
and thoughts of
the student are and thoughts of
the student are
Organization and very well the students are
somewhat
Structure organized and the not organized and
organized and the
question was the question was
question was
completely not answered.
mostly answered.
answered.

The student
The student
moves from one The student lacks
moves smoothly
Sentence Fluency idea to the next clear connections
form one idea to
but there is little between ideas.
the next.
variety.

The student
The student The student
makes more than
Grammar and makes no errors in makes 1-2 errors
3 errors in
Spelling grammar or in grammar or
grammar and
spelling. spelling.
spelling.

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Learner’s Feedback Form

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