Lesson 7

Page 29-32

El Filibusterismo:

The Dedication of the El Filibusterismo

“To the memory of the priests Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos
(30 years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumbayan filed on the
28 of February, 1871.” “Let it be understood that everyone who without clear proofs attacks
your memory, stains his hands in your blood.”

The Plot

The main character of El Filibusterismo is Simoun, a rich jeweler from Cuba. He was
Crisostomo Ibarra of Noli Me Tangere who, with Elias' help, escaped from the pursuing
soldiers at Laguna Lake, dug up his buried treasure, and sailed to Cuba where he became rich
and made friends with many Spanish officials. After many years, he returns to the Philippines
in disguise. He has become so powerful because he became an adviser of the governor-
general. On the outside, Simoun is a friend of Spain. But deep in his heart, he is secretly
planning a bitter revenge against the Spanish authorities. His obsessions are to incite a
revolution against the Spanish authorities, and to rescue Maria Clara from the Sta.Clara
convent.
On board the dingy steamer, Tabo, en-route to San Diego on the Pasig River, he is the
subject of conversations on the lower deck, as well as the center of attention of the upper
deck. The thirteen years away from his country has transformed him into an exotic looking,
mysterious personality. He radiates great influence and he becomes the indispensable
consultant and closest friend of the governor-general.
No one suspects that Simoun, the affluent jeweler, is the fugitive Ibarra. Only Basilio,
son of Sisa knows the secret. But even Basilio finds it difficult to reconcile the dreamer and
the idealist that was once Ibarra to the shrewd sly schemer that is now Simoun.
Now a young man pursuing a medical career, Basilio stumbles on Simoun’s secret on a
Christman day visit to his mother’s grave in the woods of the Ibarra’s. Simoun tries to win
Basilio to his side as he explains his plans. He has returned to overthrow the government and
avenge the injustices he suffered. He would use his wealth and his influence to encourage
corruption in the high circles of government; as a result, he would drive the people to despair
and incite them to revolution. His obsession, the revolution, would primarily become a
fulfillment of his vow of vengeance. The people’s freedom in the process came only as a
secondary purpose.
Twice, Simoun attempts to ignite the fires of rebellion but fails. On the first occasion, the
news of Ma. Clara’s death reaches him just as he is about to give the signal of the coordinated
attack of the city. He had planned this revolution so that in the ensuing confusion he would be
able to rescue Ma. Clara from the nunnery. But now she is dead. In his numbness, he forgets
that his followers await his signal. Panic ensues and they break out in disorganized rampage.
His second attempt is thwarted by Isagani, the young poet, who snatches the lamp
Simoun sends as a wedding gift to Isagani’s former sweetheart who marries another suitor.
The lamp contained a homemade bomb which was timed to blow up when all the invited
officials and friars were seated in the wedding feast. Having been warned by his good friend
Basilio of the impending explosion, Isagani risks his life to save his faithless Paulita.
Meanwhile, a parchment prophesying doom is passed around among the wedding guests and
Simoun is pinpointed as the instigator of the scheme. The signature identifies Simoun as
Ibarra.
Simoun flees with his box of jewels. Hunted by the law and wounded, he seeks sanctuary
in the house of a native priest, Father Florentino. To escape his pursuers, he takes poison and
dies in despair.
Readings
Daquila.pp. 52-53, 93
Romero, pp. 66-68
The Characters and What They Symbolize
Noli Me Tangere Characters:
CHARACTERS IN NOLI ON THE STORY
A rich young man who studied in
Ibarra Europe, only son of Don Rafael
Ibarra.
He believes that justice can be
Elias obtained only through revolution
—he symbolizes the very root of
the Filipino culture before the
coming of the Spaniards, which
remained strong and unbroken
by the Spaniards.
Pilosopo Tasio Wise old man whose ideas were
( Tasio, The Lunatic ) too advanced for his times so
that people don’t understand him
Maria Clara Beautiful lover of Ibarra,
daughter of Pia Alba and Father
Damaso
Franciscan friar who had been
parish priest of San Diego.
Father Damaso Verdolagas Biological father of Maria Clara
Parish priest who replaced
Father Damaso. He had hidden
Father Bernardo Salvi desires for Maria Clara.
His conversation with an old
priest reveals that monetary
Fr. Hernando Sybila gains and not the salvation of a
people were their main concern
Friend of Don Rafael Ibarra who
Capitan Tiago acted as the father of Maria
Clara.
Flamboyantly dressed wife of
Donya Victorina* henpecked Spanish quack
doctor; uses the title Dona
Victorina de de Espadana,
doubling the “de” to stress her
imagined social rank
Vulgar mistress of Alferez;
Donya Consolacion inspiration of the Alferezes and
civil guards
Sons of Sisa, they are sacristans
Basilio And Crispin in the church of San Diego
Formerly, a responsible rich girl,
Sisa who became poor because of
marrying a gambler and
irresponsible man
Other Characters:
BASED ON TRUTH THEIR PERSONIFICATION TODAY AND
YESTERDAY
Intellectuals and patriots
Jose Rizal
Intellectuals and patriots. Tasio however has
Paciano grown bitter and has ceased to believe that
change would be possible in an utterly
corrupt society. He has lost the fervor of his
idealism when dreams collapsed one by one.
Innocence, submissiveness and passivity of a
Leonor Rivera Philippine society that has allowed itself to be
abused
Arrogant, Immoral And Anti Hypocrisy, cruelty, self-centeredness and
Filipino Friars promiscuity
Deceit, covetousness, hypocrisy and
Padre Antonio Piernavieja promiscuity
Trader’s mentality; arrogance of religious
orders or institutions
Captain Hilario Sunico Social climber Filipino, who would go to a
of San Nicolas great extent to attain power and social status
like bribery and giving lavish parties and gifts
Donya Agustina Medel Alienated Filipina woman bent on marrying
one with prestige and high station in life; a
social climber, her fanatical adulation of the
Spaniards leads her to imitate the very
actions and attitude of the Spanish women.
She symbolizes the Filipino in our society
who are ashamed of their own race and
nationality.
Pretended as Spanish who did not know how
to speak Tagalog and holds Filipinos in
contempt; social climber
Crisostomo Brothers Children abuse and broken dreams
of Hagonoy
Externalize vicious cycle of poverty. Her
shortsightedness made her give up freedom
in pursuit of temporary desires.
  Doña Pia is the wife of Capitan Tiago and Ma. Clara’s mother. She is a symbol of
unquestioning blind obedience to authority. She died upon giving birth to Ma. Clara, her child
by padre Damaso.
 The contrast between right and might is seen on Don Rafael Ibarra and Capitan Tiago. The
former, rich and possessed of a liberal mind was a victim of persecution while the latter,
shrewd and opportunistic, was an influence-peddler.

El Filibusterismo Characters:

 Simoun was Ibarra in the first novel. After barely escaping with his life, he returns as a totally
different man, both in appearance and character. He is often referred to as the black cardinal
because of his close relations as adviser to the governor-general. Outwardly, he is a friend of
Spain, but deep in his heart, he is bitter and ruthless, secretly planning a revolution against he
Spanish authorities. He encourages corruption to be done so as to arouse the people’s anger
against the government. If Ibarra advocated change through peaceful means, Simoun
advocated revolution.
 Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest;
 Padre Irene, a kind frier who was a friend of the Filipino students; Supports the students who
appeal to the government for an academy of Spanish language. He embodies the few
Spaniards who are sympathetic to the Filipinos.
 Macaraig signifies the exception among tyrannical Spaniards.
 Kabesang Tales, Juli’s father, personifies a typical Filipino who is content with living a
simple life. He later becomes the dreaded outlaw Matanglawin after he loses his farm to the
friars and civil authorities, an explanation why Filipinos turned into rebels.
 Juli, Basilio’s sweetheart. Chose death over the loss of honor and dignity. She represents the
Philippines, which would rather suffer with pride and honor.
 Isagani, Basilio, Placido and Juanito were students who openly criticize the educational
system. The friars brand the students as subversives or filibusteros. Isagani, lover of Paulita;
he is a poet and a nephew of Padre Florentino and the lover of Paulita Gomez. He was
disheartened when Paulita left him for a wealthy man. He forgot ideals in favor of personal
gains. He symbolizes the youth who, despite their being very aggressive and idealistic, cannot
be relied on in times of adversity.
 Basilio, the elder of the two sons of the late Sisa, he is a promising medical student whose
medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.. At first he refuses to join
Simoun’s plan of overthrowing the Spanish government; He is a young man with a simple
dream that his education will improve his social and economic status in the future. He is
indifferent and selfish, thus his character represents the young educated Filipinos who are
apathetic to the needs of the society.
 Doña Victorina the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search
of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who left her. She remains a hypocrite and a
symbol of colonial mentality.
 Paulita Gomez The beautiful niece of Doña Victorina. She rejected Isagani because of his
liberal ideas. She represents the women who have no sense of nationalism and sympathy
towards others. She stands for vanity.
 Ben Zayb a Spanish journalist who ridicules Filipinos. He personifies a corrupt media.
 Padre Sybila, Vice Rector of the Univeristy of Santo Tomas;
 Padre Camorra, the parish priest of Tiani town;
 Fr. Fernandez exemplifies the pedantic professor.
 Padre Salvi, a thin Franciscan priest and a former cura of San Diego
 Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a high government position;
 Senor Pasta, is an old Filipino lawyer who refuses to help the Filipino students in their
clamor for educational reform. He represents the part of the society that is only generous and
sympathetic to the rich and powerful.

Readings:
Romero, pp. 68-73, pp. 64- 94
Daquila, pp. 50-52, Seeds

Points to ponder:
1. Identify the characters of the novels and what they represent in society.
2. What are the philosophies reflected by the characters and events in the novels?
3. Can you identify what each character symbolizes in our society today?