DR.

ANTONIO DE MORGA

• Spanish Administrator who served in the Philippines in the late 16 th century

• Born in Seville, Spain in 1559 and become a government official by 1580
• Served as Lieutenant Governor, 2 nd most powerful position in the colony of the
Philippines in 1593 and he was the judge of the Audiencia, the Royal Audiencia
or the royal court of justice in Spain and its colonies.
• Received Doctorate in Canon Law and Civil Law
• Spanish Lawyer and a high-ranking colonial official
• By 1615, he moved to Mexico where he served as the President of the Audiencia
• He was later investigated for corruption and was found guilty.
• He was sent to gallows and died on 1638.

SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

 An account of Spanish observations about the Filipinos and the Philippines.

What is Las Islas Filipinas?

The Philippines was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain

What is Sucesos?
These are the events, happening and occurences.
Important Information about Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

• Antonio de Morga – the author of the book

• Published in 1609 in Mexico
• This is one of the first book ever to tackle Philippine history.
• Book that describes the events inside and outside of the country from 1493 to
1603, including the history of the Philippines
• Consist of 8 chapters
• The first seven chapters dealt with the terms of the governor-general who had
served in the Philippines from the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to Pedro
Acuna
• The last chapter talks about the description of early Filipinos upon the arrival of
the Spaniards.
• Discuss the political, social and economic aspects of a colonizer and the
colonized country.

SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

• The content of the book is based on documentary research, observation and

personal experience of Morga.
• Rizal is the secondary source of the book due to his annotation.
• While at the British Museum in late 1889, Rizal found a copy of the first edition of
Antonio’s Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and began copying the text by
hand.
• Rizal’s intention was to create a critical work on the history of the Philippines.
 • Antonio Regidor attempted to help him in publishing his annotations but Rizal
failed to look for a publisher.
• By September 1889, Rizal decided to publish the annotations himself in Garnier
Hermanos, a printing press based in Paris.

Why did Rizal Choose Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas?

• Morga’s work in its original Spanish edition was rare.

• Morga was a civil administrator and therefore provide a secular view of historical
events during the early Spanish colonial period.
• Secular account was more credible than those written by ecclesiastics, the
religious missionaries.
• More sympathetic towards the natives in contrast to the biased accounts written
by friars.
• Morga’s work was fitting choice because he was an eyewitness to historical
events that occurred in the Philippines during the period of early Spanish
colonization.

RIZAL’S OBJECTIVES

1. To awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their glorious ways of the
past.
2. To correct what has been distorted about the Philippines due to Spanish
conquest.
3. To prove that Filipinos are civilized even before the coming of the Spaniards.

o First Objective

-The Early Filipino pride

-Rizal strove to establish that Filipinos could be proud of their pre-conquest past.

o Second Objective

-HISTORY AS A PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

-Rizal aimed to use history as a propaganda weapon

o Third Objective

-Filipinos are civilized even before the coming of the Spaniards.

 Early Government
 High Literacy Rate
 Early Artillery
 Smooth Foreign Relations
 Self-Sufficient
 Advanced Civilization
  Early Government
Our forefathers in the pre-colonial Philippines already possessed a working
judicial and legislative system.

 High Literacy Rate

The Spanish missionaries exploited the baybayin for their own ends, learning and
using it to translate their goals.

 Early Artillery

Our ancestors were very proficient in the art of war. Aside from wielding swords,
and spears, they also knew how to make fire guns and cannons.

 Smooth Foreign Relations

The pre-colonial Filipinos had already established trading and diplomatic

relations with countries as far away as the Middle East.

 Self-Sufficient

In terms of food, our forefathers did not suffer from any lack thereof. Blessed with
such a resource-rich country, they had enough for themselves and their families.

 Advanced Civilizations

Our ancestors possessed a complex working society and a culture replete with
works of arts and literature.

Rizal’s Annotations VS De Morga’s Sucesos

RIZAL’S 3 PROPOSITIONS

1. The people of the Philippines have a culture on their own before the coming of
the Spaniards.
2. Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited and ruined by the Spanish
colonization.
3. The present state of the Philippines was not necessarily superior to its past.

What is the Importance of Rizal’s Annotation in the Philippine History?

 Rizal’s intent was not only to provide the Filipino their early history, a pre-Spanish
history, but to present to them their own authentic culture and identity.

Rizal’s annotations fall into 2 categories:

1. Straight-forward historical annotations

2. Historically based yet reflects strong anticlerical bias annotations.

Jose Rizal’s as Philippines’ National Hero

• Rizal gave us freedom by using goodness.

• Jose Rizal became the National Hero because he fought for freedom in a silent
but powerful way.
• He expressed his love for the Philippines through his novels, essays and articles
rather than through the use of force or aggression.

Importance of Rizal’s Annotations to the Present generation

• To awaken in the Filipinos the consciousness of our past

• To devote ourselves to studying the future
• To first lay bare the past, in order to better judge the present and to survey the
road trodden during three centuries
• To prove Filipinos had a culture of their own, prior to colonization, that the
Filipinos were NOT inferior to the white man.
• To shatter the myth of the so-called “Indolence of the Filipinos”
• To reduce those Filipinos who denied their native tongue into rotten fish.
• To seriously study Tagalog and produce a comprehensive Tagalog dictionary.
• To embrace the generic term, “Indio”, or in today’s case, Filipino, with all its
negative connotations, and turn it into one of dignity and nobility.

Rizal valued nationalism, patriotism and heroism (kabayanihan). Serving as a role

model and inspiration to every Filipino, he has manifested versatility and flexibility while
sustaining a strong sense of moral uprightness. Indeed, he is our national hero. But
what exactly is the definition of the word, “hero”?
HERO vs. BAYANI
In mythology, a hero is someone who possesses great courage, strength, and is
favored by the gods. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "hero" as "a
mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or
ability; an illustrious warrior; a person admired for achievements and noble qualities;
one who shows great courage.”
The Filipino counterpart, bayani, has a similar meaning but with some contextual
distinctions. Bayani is someone who fights with his ‘bayan’ or community. The
Vicassan's Dictionary (Santos, 1978) provides the following meanings for bayani:"...
hero, patriot ("taong makabayan"), cooperative endeavor, mutual aid, a person who
volunteers or offers free service or labor to a cooperative endeavor, to prevail, to be
victorious, to prevail ("mamayani"), leading man in play (often referred to as the "bida"--
from the Spanish for life, "vida"--who is contrasted with the villain or "kontrabida" from
the Spanish "contra vida", against life)” as cited in Ocampo, 2016.
UP Diksiyonariyong Filipino (2001) gives three meanings for 'bayani': (1) a
person of extraordinary courage or ability; (2) a person considered to possess
extraordinary talents or someone who did something noble ("dakila"); and (3) a leading
man in a play (Ocampo, 2016).
The Vocabulario de la lengua Tagala by the Jesuits Juan de Noceda and Pedro
de Sanlucar (1755 and1860) lists these meanings for bayani: "someone who is brave or
valiant, someone who works towards a common task or cooperative endeavor
("bayanihan") ( as cited in Ocampo, 2016).
History professor Ambeth Ocampo sees it significant that bayani comes a few
words under bayan, which is also defined as: "the space between here and the sky."
Bayan is also a town, municipality, pueblo, or nation, and can refer to people and
citizens (mamamayan) who live in those communities, or those who originate or come
from the same place (kababayan). Bayan (Ocampo, 2016) also refers to the day (araw)
or a time of a day (malalim ang bayan) or even to the weather, good or bad (masamang
bayan). Ocampo, thus, concludes that "hero" and bayani do not have the same
meaning. Bayani is a richer word than hero because it may be rooted in bayan as place
or in doing something great, not for oneself but for a greater good, for community or
nation.

THE CHANGING FORMS AND DEFINITIONS OF BAYANI AND KABAYANIHAN

Anchored on the definitions given by old dictionaries, mga bayani may historically
(and profoundly) refer to those who contributed to the birth of a nation. In the early
times, heroes are the warriors and generals who serve their cause with sword, distilling
blood and tears; they are those, for the Filipinos, who served their cause with a pen,
demonstrating that the pen is as mighty as the sword to redeem a people from their
political slavery.
However, the modern-day bayani may refer to someone who contributes to a
nation in a global world. In modern definitions, a Hero is: someone who has
distinguished courage and ability, someone who do good deeds for the greater good of
others, and mostly works alone. One case in point is our Overseas Filipino Workers
( OFWs) — Filipinos who are working in foreign countries who basically travel abroad in
pursuit of better employment to provide for the needs of their respective families in the
Philippines. The OFWs’ sacrifices play a vital role in the progress of the Philippines’
economic status — by remitting their savings back to the country, they help the
government in pulling up the economy through the overall dollar reserve. The money
that they send provides the much-needed hard currency, saving the country from
defaulting debt obligations. Aside from this, they also help stabilize the Philippine Peso
in relation to peso-dollar exchange, which in turn, contributes to the country’s Gross
National Product (GNP) growth. Truly, when they work abroad, they are taking risks
(pakikipagsapalaran) and in recognition of their sacrifices, they are named Bagong
Bayani or “Modern-Day Heroes”, acknowledging their contributions every December as
the Month of Overseas Filipino Workers.
Many Filipino bayani have fought and died for the Philippines, some of which are
Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, and many more. They can be
considered as traditional Bayani, someone who fought for the people of his community
and for their greater good, and died in exchange. But in our modern world, does our
country need a bayani who will sacrifice his/her life for the country?
Without a doubt, the concept of bayani and kabayanihan have evolved through
the years. To better understand this evolution, let us compare the notion of OFWs as
modern-day heroes to the early definitions of bayani. Its etymology is explained in an
online article entitled, “Ang Salitang Bayani sa Pilipinas” (n.d.).
“Ang salitang “bayani” ay isang Austronesian na salita na dinala ng ating mga
katutubo sa ating bayan. Ang mga bayani ay ang mga mandirigma kung saan sila ay
nangunguna sa pagtatanggol ng pamayanan laban sa mga kinakaharap na mga
kaaway at panganib. Ang ilan sa mga diribatibo ng salitang bayani ay bajani, majani,
bagabnim, bahani.
Sa kultura nating mga Pilipino, ang pagiging bayani ay nasusukat sa katapangan
at sa bilang ng napapatay na kaaway. May iba’t-iba itong antas. Ang mga antas na ito
ay kinikilala bilang: 1) Maniklad, ang pinakamababang uri ng bayani na nakapatay ng
isa o dalawang kaaway, karaniwang siya ay nakasuot ng putong na pula at dilaw; 2)
Hanagan naman kung tawagin ang nasa ikalawang antas, siya ay sumasailalim sa
ritwal na kung saan ay dapat siyang sapian ni Tagbusawa, ang diyos ng pakikidigma at
kainin ang atay at puso ng mga kaaway. Karaniwang nagsusuot ang mga ito ng pulang
putong; 3) Kinaboan naman kung tawagin ang makakapatay ng dalawampu hanggang
dalawampu’t pito at karaniwang nakasuot ng pulang pantalaon; 4) Luto naman kung
tawagin ang makakapatay ng limampu hanggang 100 na kaaway at karaniwang
nagsusuot ng pulang jacket; 5) Lunugum naman ang pinakapaborito ng diyos na si
Tagbusaw dahil dito maipapakita niya ang kanyang katapangan sa pakikipagdigma
kung saan napatay niya ang kanyang kaaway sa sarili nitong tahanan. Itim ang
karaniwang suot ng mga ito.
Father of New Philippine Historiography and Pantayong Pananaw (For-Us-From-
Us Perspective) Proponent, Dr. Zeus A. Salazar gives a different definition of the term
bayani. In fact, he believes that bayani is different from “heroes.” For him, “ang mga
bayani ay mga taong naglalakbay at bumabalik sa bayan… ang mga bayani ay
lumalaban ng may kooperasyon [samantalang] ang mga hero (western concept) ay
lumalaban mag-isa… Ang bayani ay hindi kailangang mamatay upang maging bayani...
Kailangan niya lang gumawa ng magagandang impluwensya at mga gawain sa bayan
upang tawaging bayani (Ang Salitang Bayani sa Pilipinas, n.d.).
 This definition gives us hope that anyone of us can be a bayani, too, in our
respective communities.
Thus, we should now realize that a modern bayani can be anyone who sacrifices
even the littlest of things for the benefit of others. A good example for a modern bayani
is Efren Peñaflorida, who sacrificed his time and effort just to teach out-of-school youths
in a simple pushcart classroom. He may not have died for the country, but he
responded to the needs of others – education.
WHY IS RIZAL OUR GREATEST HERO?
In an article entitled, “Who Made Rizal Our Foremost National Hero and Why?,”
the author, Esteban A. de Ocampo, denies the claim that Rizal is a made-to-order
national hero manufactured by the Americans, mainly by Civil Governor William Howard
Taft. Instead, he defended Rizal as the country’s foremost hero. This was done,
allegedly, in the following manner:
"And now, gentlemen, you must have a national hero". These were supposed to be the
words addressed by Gov. Taft to Mssrs. Pardo de Tavera, Legarda and Luzurriaga,
Filipino members of the Philippine Commission, of which Taft was the chairman. It was
further reported that "in the subsequent discussion in which the rival merits of the
revolutionary heroes (Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Gen. Antonio Luna,
Emilio Jacinto were considered, the final choice—now universally acclaimed wise one -
was Rizal. And so history was made."
De Ocampo’s justification is founded on the definition of the term “hero,” which
he took from the Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language, that a
hero is "a prominent or central personage taking admirable part in any remarkable
action or event". Also, "a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger". And
finally, he is a man "honored after death by public worship, because of exceptional
service to mankind".
Why is Rizal a hero, more correctly, our foremost national hero? It was said in
the article that he is our greatest hero because he took an “admirable part” in the
Propaganda Campaign from 1882-1896. His Noli Me Tangere (Berlin, 1887) contributed
tremendously to the formation of Filipino nationality and was said to be far superior than
those published by Pedro Paterno’s Ninay in Madrid in 1885; Marcelo H. del Pilar’s La
Soberania Monacal in Barcelona in 1889, Graciano Lopez Jaena’s Discursos y Articulos
Varios, also in Barcelona in 1891; and Antonio Luna’s Impresiones in Madrid in 1893.
This claim was evident in the comments that Rizal received from Antonio Ma. Regidor
and Professor. Ferdinand Blumentritt. Regidor, a Filipino exile of 1872 in London, said
that "the book was superior" and that if "don Quixote has made its author immortal
because he exposed to the world the sufferings of Spain, your Noli Me Tangere will
bring you equal glory…"
Blumentritt, on the other hand, after reading Rizal’s Noli, wrote and congratulated
its author, saying among other things: "Your work, as we Germans say, has been
written w/ the blood of the heart... Your work has exceeded my hopes and I consider
myself happy to have been honored by your friendship. Not only I, but also your country,
may feel happy for having in you a patriotic and loyal son. If you continue so, you will be
to your people one of those great men who will exercise a determinative influence over
the progress of their spiritual life."
 While Rizal’s friends and admirers praised him and his Noli with justifiable pride,
his enemies were equally loud and bitter in attacking and condemning the same.
Perhaps no other work has, up to this day, aroused as much hostile and spiteful
argument not only among our people but also among reactionary foreigners as the Noli
of Rizal. In the Philippines alone, De Ocampo shared in his article that Rizal’s novel was
attacked and condemned by a faculty committee of a Manila university (UST) and by
the permanent censorship commission in 1887 because the committee found the book
"heretical, impious, and scandalous to the religious order, and unpatriotic and
subversive to the public order, libelous to the government of Spain and to its political
policies in these islands", while the commission recommended that "the I mportation,
reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the islands be absolutely
prohibited." Coming down to our time, during the congressional discussions and
hearings on the Rizal (Noili-Fili) in 1956, the proponents and opponents of the bill also
engaged themselves in a bitter and long drawn-out debate that finally resulted in the
enactment of a compromise measure, now known as RA 1425.
In the Spanish capital, attacks on Rizal’s Noli were also staged - Senator Vida,
Deputy (and ex-general) Luis de Pando and Premier Praxedes Mateo Sagasta were
among those who unjustly lambasted and criticized Rizal and his Noli in the two
chambers of the Spanish Cortes in 1888 and 1889. But it was comforting to learn that
13 years later, Cong. Henry Allen Cooper of Wisconsin delivered a eulogy of Rizal and
even recited the martyr’s Ultimo Pensamiento on the floor of the U. S. House of
Representatives in order to prove the capacity of the Filipinos for self- government. He
said in part: "It has been said that, if American institutions had done nothing else to
furnish to the world the character of George Washington, that alone would entitle them
to the respect of mankind. So Sir, I say to all those who denounces the Filipinos
indiscriminately as barbarians and savages, without possibility of a civilized future, that
this despised race proved itself entitled to their respect and to the respect of mankind
when it furnished to the world the character of Jose Rizal." The result of this appeal was
the approval of what is popularly known as the Philippine Bill of 1902. The preceding
paragraphs, De Ocampo claimed, have shown that by the Noli alone Rizal, among his
contemporaries, had become the most prominent/ the central figure of the Propaganda
Movement.
Ask again, why did Rizal, become the greatest Filipino hero? De Ocampo further
justifies that [no Filipino has yet been born who could equal or surpass Rizal as a
"person of distinguished valor/enterprise in danger, fortitude in suffering."] Of these
traits of our hero, let us see what a Filipino and an American biographer said:
"What is most admirable in Rizal," wrote Rafael Palma, is his complete self-
denial, his complete abandonment of his personal interests to think only of those of his
country. He could have been whatever he wished to be, considering his natural
endowments; he could have earned considerable sums of money from his profession;
he could have lived relatively rich, happy, prosperous, had he not dedicated himself to
public matters. But in him, the voice of the species was stronger than the voice of
personal progress or of private fortune, and he preferred to live far from his family and
to sacrifice his personal affections for an ideal he had dreamed of. He heeded not his
brother, not even his parents, beings whom he respected and venerated so much, in
order to follow the road his conscience had traced for him.
 He did not have great means at his disposal to carry out his campaign, but that
did not discouraged him; he contented himself w/ what he had. He suffered the rigors of
the cold winter of Europe, he suffered hunger, privation, and misery; but when he raised
his eyes to heaven and saw his ideal, his hope was reborn. He complained of his
countrymen, he complained of some of those who had promised him help and did not
help him, until at times, profoundly disillusioned, he wanted to renounce his campaign
forever, giving up everything. But such moments are evanescent, he soon felt
comforted and resumed the task of bearing the cross of his suffering." (8)
Dr. Frank C. Laubach, an American biographer of Rizal, spoke of the hero’s
courage in the following words:
“His consuming life purpose was the secret of his moral courage. Physical
courage, it is true, was one of his inherited traits. But that high courage to die loving his
murderers, w/c he at last achieved--that cannot be inherited. It must be forged out in the
fires of suffering and temptation. As we read through his life, we can see how the moral
strength and fiber grew year by year as he faced new perils and was forced to make
fearful decisions. It required courage to write his two great novels telling nothing that no
other man has ventured to say before, standing almost alone against the powerful
interests in the country and in Spain, and knowing full well that despotism would strike
back. He had reached another loftier plateau of heroism when he wrote those letters to
Hong Kong, "To be opened after my death", and sailed to the "trap" in Manila without
any illusions. Then in his Dapitan exile when he was tempted to escape, and said "No",
not once but hundreds of times for four long years, and when, on the way to Cuba,
Pedro Roxas pleaded with him to step off the boat of Singapore upon British territory
and save his life, what an inner struggle it must have caused him to answer over and
over again, "No, no, no!" When the sentence of death and the fateful morning of his
execution brought the final test, he walked with perfect calm to the firing line as though
by his own choice, the only heroic figure in that sordid scene."
To the bigoted Spaniards in Spain and in the Philippines, Rizal was the most
intelligent, most courageous, and most dangerous enemy of the reactionaries and the
tyrants; therefore he should be shot publicly to serve as an example and a warning to
those of his kind. This was the reason why Rizal, after a brief mock trial, was sentenced
to death and made to face the firing squad at Bagumbayan Field, now Luneta, in the
early morning of December 30, 1896.
And for the last time, we repeat the question: Why is Rizal the greatest Filipino
hero that ever lived? De Ocampo claims that "he is a man honored after death by public
worship, because of exceptional service to mankind". It was said that even before his
execution, Rizal was the already acclaimed by both Filipinos and foreigners as the
“foremost leader of his people".
From Barcelona, M. H. del Pilar wrote to the Great Malayan on March 10, 1889
and said: "Rizal no tiene aun derecho a morir: su nombre constituye la mas pura e
immaculada bandera de aspirationes y Plaridel los suyos no son otra causa ma que
immaculada unos voluntarios que militan bajo esa bandera."
Fernando Acevedo, who called Rizal his distinguido amigo, compañero y
paisano", wrote the letter from Zaragoza, Spain, on October 25, 1889 and said: "I see in
you the model Filipino; your application to study and you talents have placed on a
height w/c I revere and admire."
 The Bicolano Dr. Tomas Arejola wrote Rizal in Madrid on February 9, 1891,
saying: "Your moral influence over us is indisputable." And Guillermo Puatu of Bulacan
wrote this tribute to Rizal, saying: "Vd. a quien se le puede (llamar) con razon, cabeza
tutelary de los Filipinos, aunque la comparacion parezca algo ridicula, porque posee la
virtud la atraer consigo enconadas voluntades, zanjar las discordias y enemistades
renorosasnreuniren fiestas a hombres que no querian verse ni en la calle…”
Among the foreigners who recognized Rizal as the leading Filipino of his time
were Blumentritt, Napoleon M. Kheil, Dr. Rheinhold Rost, and Vicente Barrantes. Prof.
Blumentritt told Dr. Maximo Viola in May 1887 that "Rizal was the greatest product of
the Philippines and that his coming to the world was like the appearance of a rare
comet, whose rare brilliance appears only every other century." Napoleon Kheil of
Prague, Austria, wrote to Rizal and said: "admiro en Vd. a un noble representante de la
España colonial." Dr. Rost, distinguished Malayologist and librarian of the India office of
London, called Rizal "una perla hombre", while don Vicente Barrantes had to admit that
Rizal was “the first among the Filipinos."
Even before the outbreak of the revolution against Spain in 1896, many
instances can be cited to prove that his country here and abroad recognized Rizal’s
leadership. In the early part of 1899 he was unanimously elected by the Filipinos in
Barcelona and Madrid as Honorary President of La Solidaridad. Some months later in
Paris, he organized and became Chief of the Indios Bravos. In January 1891, Rizal was
again unanimously chosen Responsable (chief) of the Spanish-Filipino Association. He
was also the founder and moving spirit in the founding of La Liga Filipina on Manila in
July 3, 1892.
History tells us that the revolutionary society known as Katipunan likewise
acknowledged Rizal’s leadership and greatness by making him its honorary President
and by using his family name Rizalas the password for the third-degree members.
A year after Rizal’s execution, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and the other revolutionary
chiefs exiled to Hong Kong held a commemorative program on December 29, 1897 on
the occasion of the First Anniversary of the hero’s execution and martyrdom.
Of utmost significance in the public’s appreciation for Rizal’s patriotic labors in
behalf of his people were the tributes paid by the revolutionary government to his
memory. In his opening address at the congress assembled at Malolos, Bulacan on
September 15, 1898, Pres. Aguinaldo invoked the spirits of the departed heroes of the
fatherland, thus: “Illustrious spirits of RIZAL, Lopez Jaena, of Marcelo del Pilar! August
shades of Burgos, Pelaez and Panganiban! Warlike geniuses of Aguinaldo! (Crispulo---
O.), and Tirona, of Natividad and Evangelista! Arise a moment from your unknown
graves!
Then on December 20, 1898 at the revolutionary capital of Malolos, Pres.
Aguinaldo issued the first official proclamation making December 30 of that year as
"Rizal Day". The same proclamation ordered the hoisting the Filipino flags at half-mast
"from 12:00 noon on December 30, 1898" and the closing of "all offices of the
government" during the whole day of December 30. Actually, the impressive Rizal Day
program, sponsored by the Club Filipino, was held in Manila on December 30,1898.
Two of the greatest of Filipino poets in the Spanish language paid glowing
tributes to the martyr of Bagumbayan in acknowledgement of the hero’s labors and
sacrifices for his people. Fernando Ma. Guerrero wrote on September 25, 1898, thus:
"No has muerto, no. La Gloria es tu destino; tu corona los fuegos de la aurora, y tu
inviolable altar nuestra conciencia." Cecilio Apostol, on December 30 of the same year,
wrote these lines:
"!Duerme en paz las sombras de la nada,
Redentor de una Patria esclavizada!
!No llores de la tumba en el misterio
Del español el triunfo momentaneo:
Que si Una bala destrozo tu craneo,
Tambien tu idea destrozo un emperio!
The Filipinos were not alone in grieving the untimely death of their hero and idol,
for the intellectual and scientific circles of the world felt keenly the loss of Rizal, who
was their esteemed colleague and friend. Dr. Camilo Osias and Wenceslao E. Retaña
both spoke of the universal homage accorded to Rizal immediately after his death.
Among the scientific necrological services held especially to honor Rizal, the one
sponsored by the Anthropological Society of Berlin in November 20, 1897 at the
initiative of Dr. Rudolph Virchow, its president, was the most important and significant.
Dr. Ed Seler recited the German translation of Rizal’s "My Last Farewell" on that
occasion.
The newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals throughout the civilized world
– in Germany, Austria, France, Holland, London, the US, Japan, Hong Kong and
Macao, Singapore, Switzerland, and in Latin American countries — published accounts
of Rizal’s martyrdom in order to render homage to his greatness (De Ocampo, n.d.).
Perhaps the following quotation from the late William Cameron Forbes, an ardent
admirer of Rizal and the governor-general of the Philippines during the construction of
the Rizal Mausoleum on the Luneta, is appropriate at this point. He said:
“It is eminently proper that Rizal should have become the acknowledged national
hero of the Philippine people. The American administration has lent every assistance to
this recognition, setting aside the anniversary of his death to be a day of his
observance, placing his picture on the postage stamp most commonly used in the
Islands, and on the currency, cooperating with the Filipinos in making the site of his
school in Dapitan a national park, and encouraging the erection by public subscription
of a monument in his honor on the Luneta in Manila near the place where he met his
death. One of the longest and most important street in Manila has been named in his
memory—Rizal Avenue. The Filipinos in many cities and towns have erected
monuments to his name, and throughout the Islands the public schools teach the young
Filipinos to revere his memory as the greatest of Filipino patriots.”
We are all aware of some Filipinos who, every now and then, argue that Andres
Bonifacio, and not Jose Rizal, deserves to be acknowledged and canonized as our first
national hero. They maintain that Rizal never held a gun, a rifle, or a sword in fighting
for the liberty and independence of our country in the battlefield. They further assert that
while the foremost national heroes of other countries are soldier-generals, like George
Washington of US, Napoleon I and Joan of Arc of France, simon Bolivar of Venezuela,
Jose de San Martin of Argentina, Bernardo O’Higgins of Chile, Jimmu Tenno of Japan,
etc., our greatest hero was a pacifist and a civilian whose weapon was his quill.
However, our people in exercising their good sense, independent judgment, and
unusual discernment, have not followed the examples of other nations in selecting and
acknowledging a military leader for their greatest hero. Rafael Palma has very well
stated the case of Rizal versus Bonifacio in these words:
“It should be a source of pride and satisfaction to the Filipinos to have among
their national heroes one of such excellent qualities and merits which may be equaled
but not surpassed by any other man. Whereas generally the heroes of occidental
nations are warriors and generals who serve their cause with the sword, distilling blood
and tears, the hero of the Filipinos served his cause with the pen, demonstrating that
the pen is as mighty as the sword to redeem a people from their political slavery. It is
true that in our case the sword of Bonifacio was after all needed to shake off the yoke of
a foreign power; but the revolution prepared by Bonifacio was only the effect, the
consequence of the spiritual redemption wrought by the pen of Rizal. Hence not only in
the chronological order but also in the point of importance the previous works of Rizal
seems to us superior to that of Bonifacio, because although that of Bonifacio was of
immediate results, that of Rizal will have more durable and permanent effects.”
In the preceding discussions, we have tried to establish that Rizal was not only a
great hero, but the greatest among the Filipinos. In summary, Prof. Blumentritt judged
him as "the most prominent man of his own people" and "the greatest man the Malayan
race has produced"; during his lifetime, Rizal was already acclaimed by both Filipinos
and foreigners as the foremost leader of his people and that this admiration for him has
increased with the passing of time since his dramatic death at Luneta that fateful
morning of December 30, 1896. Likewise, we attempted to disprove the claim made by
some quarters that Rizal is an American-made hero, and we also tried to explain why
Rizal is greater than any other Filipino hero, including Andres Bonifacio.
The question now is, who made Rizal the foremost hero of the Philippines? De
Ocampo (n.d.) writes, “no single person or groups of persons were responsible for
making the Greatest Malayan the No. 1 Hero of his people. Rizal himself, his own
people, and the foreigners all together contributed to make him the greatest hero and
martyr of his people. No amount of adulation and canonization by both Filipinos and
foreigners could convert Rizal into a great hero if he did not possess in himself what
Palma calls "excellent qualities and merits" or what Retaña calls "la finura exquisite de
su espiritu,…la nobleza quijotesca de su corazon,… su psicologia toda, romantica,
soñadora, buena, adorable, psicologia que sintetizo todos los entimientos y
aspiraciones de un pueblo que sufria, viendose victima de su regimen oprobioso…."

Rizal as a National Symbol

Symbols express thoughts that are represented by things. Those things are
conventionally associated with meanings that made them called to be symbols. There
are 2 types of symbols: either officially or traditionally. National symbols represent and
distinguish a certain country from other country. It also somehow unites its people and
provoke some sense of nationalism.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines defined
that national symbols represent the country’s traditions and ideals that also convey the
principles of the Philippine sovereignty (self-governing state) and national solidarity
(unity). According to NCCA, official national symbols of the Philippines are the following:
Philippine national flag, Lupang Hinirang, sampaguita, narra, Philippine eagle,
Philippine pearl and arnis. However, there is also a list of our country’s unofficial but
traditional national symbols: anahaw, mango, carabao or tamaraw, bahay kubo,
bangus, tinikling or cariñosa and adobo or sinigang.

Dr. Jose Rizal is the country’s well-known national hero but nonetheless belongs
to the unofficial national symbol category. However, this does not make him less of a
symbol of the Philippines. Rizal’s name elicits the name of our country internationally.
The monuments built by people in countries where he had been and his books in
foreign libraries bear the name of the Philippines.

According to Dr. Esteban De Ocampo, no other Filipino Hero can surpass Rizal.
He said that his birthdate and day of his execution are constantly commemorated by the
Filipino people. Rizal’s name is a by word and his picture are evident in the postage
stamps and the one-peso coin. Numerous towns, barrios and streets were named after
him as wells as educational institutions, societies and trade names. Some people were
even named “Rizal” or “Rizalina” by their parents because of their adoration to Jose
Rizal. He also emphasized that Rizal as the Filipino writer whose teachings and noble
thoughts are frequently invoked and quoted by authors and public speakers on most
occasion and it is because according to Rafael Palma, the doctrines of Rizal are not for
one epoch but for all epochs and they are today as they are valid yesterday.

Values Highlighted by Rizal’s Life

The following are the values of Rizal as a National symbol:

1. Nationalism

Nationalism desires to attain freedom and political independence especially by a

country under foreign power. Jose Rizal’s life works, and writings radiates this value.

2. Patriotism

Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation.

3. Faith in God

When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, Rizal through his letters assured his
mother of his faith in God

4. Love of Fellowmen

Rizal’s thought on love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.

5. Love of Parents

Rizal’s love for his parents is great and very admirable.

6.Devotion to Truth

Rizal’s persevering search for truth in serving his country was a motivating virtue.

7. Purity and Idealism

Rizal was guided by his ideals and he was extraordinary in the purity of his
thoughts.

8. Noble Thought and Conduct

Rizal’s works and writing promoted good conduct, clean conscience, and upright
thinking.

9. Charity

All his sacrifices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.

10. Dedication to Duty

Dedication was one of Rizal’s virtues; he dedicated his whole life in securing
freedom for his country.

11. Moral Courage

The moral courage that Rizal had signified is worth imitating by our present
leaders.

12. Willpower

This strong determination of Rizal, allowed him to express his ideas and wills
through calmness and peace.

13. Integrity

This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

14. Sincerity

Rizal’s sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed he

owed them to God who had planned a duty he had to carry out.

15. Self-Denial
 The self-denial of Rizal involved self-sacrifice and altruism.

16. Perseverance

This value let him show his strength in meeting and enduring pain, adversity, and
peril.

17. Discipline and Self-Control

Rizal used reason to determine his actions regardless of his desires. In fact, he
deprived himself of many unsound pleasures.

18. Initiative

The ability to asses and initiate things independently.

19.Prudence

This is care, caution, and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking ahead.

20. Chivalry, Courtesy, and Politeness

Rizal was an ideal gentleman, one of the qualities of being a chivalry. In addition,
he was always ready to help the weak or women

21. Frugality

He also showed the quality of being economical with money and any other
resources; in simple way, thriftiness.

22. Love for Justice

Rizal found his joy in being just and in fighting for justice.

Criteria for National National Heroes: Executive Order No. 75, 1993

On March 28, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 75 creating
the National Heroes Committee under the office of the President “to study and
recommend the proclamation of National Heroes”. After series of thorough discussions,
the commission came up with the new criteria comprising 10 points or standards
(Galang, 2012):

1. The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country;

2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal: (Was his ideal
purely for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-interested motives?
Most of all, the method of attainment should be morally valid.)

3. The moral character of the person concerned; (The person should not have any
immorality issue that affected his ideal).

4. The influence of the person concerned on his age/generation and/or the succeeding
one;

5. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for
the nation’s freedom; (They must have desired the country’s freedom in any situation
especially when there’s a threat of invasion in any form).

6. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order
for a nation; (For instance, someone who helps in the orderliness and betterment of the
country).

7. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation;

8. A hero is part of the people’s expression; (The citizen must have recognized and
acknowledged the person as a hero.)

9. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations; (His concern for the
future generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals.)

10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history but also the entire process that made his particular person a hero.

RECOMMENDED FIGURES AS NATIONAL HEROES (Galang, 2012):

1. Jose Rizal

2. Andres Bonifacio

3. Emilio Aguinaldo

4. Apolinario Mabini

5. Marcelo H. del Pilar

6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat

7. Juan Luna

8. Melchora Aquino
9. Gabriela Silang

However, no law, executive order or proclamation has been officially enacted or

issued proclaiming any Filipino historical figures a national figure. But, in spite of the
absence of any official declaration openly proclaiming them as national heroes, “they
remain admired and revered for their roles in Philippine history. Heroes, according to
historians, should not be legislated. Their appreciation should be better left to
academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough” (2015).

Nonetheless, some Filipino Heroes who are not officially proclaimed was given
an implied recognition by making the significant days in their lives a national holiday.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:

1. December 30 - Jose Rizal’s day of execution.

2. November 30- Andres Bonifacio’s date of birth

NATIONAL SYMBOLS
The symbols are those things or species that define and show what Philippines and
being a Filipino is like.

National Flag
The flag is made of silk and is defined as a white equilateral triangle with three
yellow stars in each corner that represents the three island groups; a sun that
represents liberty with eight rays that represent the 8 provinces that fought in the
revolution; an upper blue stripe that represents peace and justice; and a lower red stripe
that represents patriotism and valor but when it’s on the upper side, it signifies a
declaration of war.

National Anthem | Lupang Hinirang

The anthem is composed by Julian Felipe and the poem is adapted from a
Spanish poem “Filipina” by José Palma. There are different versions of the song, which
includes the American version by Camilo Osias named “Land of the Morning”.

National Costume | Barong Tagalog (Male) and Baro’t Saya (Female)

The national costumes of the country. For the males, it is the upper garment
worn over a camisa de chino (Chinese undershirt). For females, it is the combination of
a baro(blouse) and saya(skirt), hence the name.

National Flower | Sampaguita

The sampaguita is also known as the “Arabian Jasmine”. The wite color
represents purity, simplicity, humility and strength.

National Tree | Narra

Also known as “rosewood”, it is considered a national symbol due to Proclamation No.
652 s. 1934 by Governor Frank Murphy, which states that you require permission to cut
the narra trees.

National Bird | Philippine Eagle

Scientifically known as “Pithecophaga jefferyi” or commonly known as the monkey-
eating eagle, is one of the largest surviving eagles in the world. This eagle was made
national by former President Ferdinand Marcos through Proclamation No. 1732 in 1978.

National Gem | Philippine Pearls

Scientifically known as Pinctada Maxima and known as South Sea Pearls, it was
declared national by Former President Fidel V. Ramos through Proclamation No. 905 s.
1996.

National Sport | Arnis

Also known by its two other names “Kali” and “Eskrima”, it is a martial arts that involves
the use of two weapons, sometimes bladed, sometimes batons, and it also involves the
use of bare hands. The origin of this sport is still unconfirmed.

National Hero | Jose Rizal

Also known as José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Realonda, he was well-known for his two
novels: “Noli me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”. There is still a dispute which
determines if Rizal is worthy of being the national hero.

National Dance | Tinikling or Cariñosa

Some say that Tinikling is the national dance while others say Cariñosa. One thing is
sure, as long as there is no declaration from the government, the debate still continues.
Tinikling imitates the dance of the tinikling bird while Cariñosa is a Spanish dance for
flirting.

National Leaf | Anahaw

Also known as the round-leaf fountain palm or scientifically known as Saribus
rotundifolius, is an unofficial national symbol.

National Fruit | Mango

The reason it was unofficaly called the national fruit is because it is commonly seen in
markets and a great food for desserts

National Animal | Carabao

Also known as the water buffalo, they are also commonly seen in the Philippines,
hence, the reason why they are unofficially national animals.
National House | Bahay Kubo
Also known as the nipa hut, it is the symbol of Filipino homes. They are commonly seen
in the provinces.

National Fish | Bangus

Also known as milkfish, is a favorite of the commonfolk as the best part of the fish is the
belly fat. It was seen as the national fish but was unofficial as there is no law that would
make it official.
The Philippines a Century Hence: Summary and Analysis

“The Philippines a Century Hence” is an essay written by Philippine national hero

Jose Rizal to forecast the future of the country within a hundred years. Rizal felt that it
was time to remind Spain that the circumstances that ushered in the French Revolution
could have a telling effect for her in the Philippines.

This essay, published in La Solidaridad starts by analyzing the various causes of

the miseries suffered by the Filipino people:

 Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the

Philippine population decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant
than ever, and farmlands were left to wither. The family as a unit of society was
neglected, and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was retarded.
 Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain
came with the sword and the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native
Philippine culture. Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence in their
past and their heritage, became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and eventually
lost hope in the future and the preservation of their race.
 Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most
powerful forces that influenced a culture of silence among the natives were the
Spanish friars. Because of the use of force, the Filipinos learned to submit
themselves to the will of the foreigners.

PART I

The question then arises as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the
minds of the Filipino people with regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized
that such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers must no longer be tolerated.

Questions raised by Rizal:

1. Will the Philippine Islands continue to be a Spanish colony, and if so, what kind
of colony?
 2. Will they become a province of Spain, with or without autonomy? And to reach
this stage, what sacrifices will have to be made?
3. Will they be separated from the mother country to live independently, to fall into
the hands of other nations, or to ally themselves with neighboring powers?

One question Rizal raises in this essay is whether or not Spain can indeed prevent the
progress of the Philippines:

 Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness
had still awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
 Keeping he people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a
life of eternal destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a
change in their way of life. They began to explore other horizons through which
they could move towards progress.
 Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work
either. The Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and
became even more numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation
altogether would require the sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this
is something Spain would not allow.

Spain, therefore, had no means to stop the progress of the country. What she
needs to do is to change her colonial policies so that they are in keeping with the
needs of the Philippine society and to the rising nationalism of the people.

PART II

What Will become of the Philippines within a Century? Will they continue to he a
Spanish Colony?

A. For the Liberal Spaniards: The ethical condition of the people

remained the same
- The Spanish were able to take hold of the Philippines for three
centuries because the Filipinos remained faithful during those
centuries, giving up their liberty and independence, sometimes
dazzled by the hope of the Promised Paradise, some tome
cajoled by the friendship offered them by a noble and generous
people like Spanish.
B. For the Friars and their followers: They Progressed
- Filipinos see them as protectors but sooner they realizes that they
are exploiters and executers. Enlightenment is spreading and the
persecution it suffers quickens it.
If the states of affair continues, what will become in the Philippines within a
century?

- People start to awaken and if the government doesn’t change it’s

act, a revolution will occur. Filipino people wants a representative
for the Cortes and an authorized to cry out against all kinds of
abuses and to practice their human rights.

Possible outcomes According to Rizal:

1. The Philippines will remain under the Spanish colonization, but more law and
greater liberty
2. They will declare themselves independent

PART III
 If the Philippines will remain under the control of Spain, transformation will
eventually happen and will affect the people. In this case, some governors have
been trying to introduce needed reforms.
 Bit it produced scantly result for the government as well as the country. With this
our country is most likely reminded Sancho Panza in Barataria Island where he
took his seat on appointed table covered with fruits and variety of food but when
Pedro Rezio interposed Sancho was hungry as ever. That he should not eat
except according to the usage and custom of other Island. (Sancho Panza was
referred as the island of the Philippines).
 The result in the long suffering of Sancho misses his liberty and ends up
rebelling. In this manner as long as the Philippines have no liberty of press, all
the efforts of the colonial ministers will meet the fate like the dishes in Barataria
Island.
 We could add other minor reforms touching commerce, agriculture, security of
individuals and proper education.

PART IV

 History does not record in it’s annals any lasting domination exercised by one
people over the another of different races, of diverse usages and customs of
opposite and divergent ideals. One of the two has to yield and succumb.
 The existence of a foreign body within another endowed with strength and
activity is contrary to all natural and ethical laws. Science teaches us that it either
assimilated, destroys the organism, is eliminated or becomes encysted.
 Letter to the Women of Malolos: Summary and Analysis

Jose Rizal’s legacy to Filipino women is embodied in his famous essay entitled,
“To the Young Women of Malolos,” where he addresses all kinds of women – mothers,
wives, the unmarried, etc. and expresses everything that he wishes them to keep in
mind.

SUMMARY

“To the Women of Malolos” was originally written in Tagalog. Rizal penned this writing
when he was in London, in response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The salient
points contained in this letter are as follows:

 The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars – not all of the priests in the
country that time embodied the true spirit of Christ and His Church. Most of them
were corrupted by worldly desires and used worldly methods to effect change
and force discipline among the people.
 The defense of private judgment
 Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess – as evidenced by this portion of his
letter, Rizal is greatly concerned of the welfare of the Filipino children and the
homes they grow up in.
 Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children
 Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband – Filipino women are known
to be submissive, tender, and loving. Rizal states in this portion of his letter how
Filipino women ought to be as wives, in order to preserve the identity of the race.
 Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

Rizal’s Message to Filipino Women

Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women of
Malolos had shown. In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle
they had fought. In this portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was
for women to be offered the same opportunities as those received by men in terms of
education. During those days young girls were not sent to school because of the
universal notion that they would soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the
children. Rizal, however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education,
which must be granted to both boys and girls alike.

The Responsibilities of Filipino Mothers to Their Children

 Rizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the
young women of Malolos. The central idea here, however, is that whatever a mother
shows to her children is what the children will become also. If the mother is always
kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will grow up to be
sycophants and mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very
nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals.

Qualities Mothers have to Possess

Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:

 Be a noble wife.
 Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the
women of Sparta who embody this quality.
 Set standards of behavior for men around her.

Rizal’s Advice to Unmarried Men and Women

Jose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by
appearances and looks, because these can be very deceiving. Instead, they should
take heed of men’s firmness of character and lofty ideas. Rizal further adds that there
are three things that a young woman must look for a man she intends to be her
husband:

1. A noble and honored name

2. A manly heart
3. A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.

ANALYSIS

“To the Women of Malolos” centers around five salient points (Zaide &Zaide, 1999):

1. Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God, country and fellowmen.
2. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their
sons in defense of their country.
3. Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.
4. Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial
values.
5. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the
real Christian way with good morals and manners.

In recent times, it seems that these qualities are gradually lost in the way Filipino
women conduct themselves. There are oftentimes moments where mothers forget their
roles in rearing their children because of the overriding idea of having to earn for the
family to supplement their husband’s income. Although there is nothing negative about
working hard for the welfare of the family, there must always be balance in the way
people go through life. Failure in the home cannot be compensated for by any amount
of wealth or fame.

"The Indolence of the Filipinos"

La Indolencia de los Filipinos, more popularly known in its English version, "The
Indolence of the Filipinos," is a exploratory essay written by Philippine national hero Dr.
Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged idleness of his people during the Spanish colonization.

SUMMARY

The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not,
as was said, work hard during the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that long before
the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking. The
Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities because of certain causes:

First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of
the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result, business
was only conducted with Spain through Mexico. Because of this, the small businesses
and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-Spanish period gradually
disappeared.

Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the
implementation of forced labor. Because of the wars between Spain and other
countries in Europe as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were compelled to
work in shipyards, roads, and other public works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and
commerce.

Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates.
With no arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and
their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos were forced to become nomads,
lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that were shut down,
and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.

Fourth, there was a crooked system of education, if it was to be considered an

education. What was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other
things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to progress. There
were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which were badly needed by the
Philippines during those times.
 Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The
officials reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with
their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by servants who dressed them
and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for themselves.

Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost
everyday there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials and
friars were the first to engange in all sorts of bets and gambles.

Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the naïve
Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to
work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after they died.

Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what
they earned went to the government or to the friars. When the object of their labor was
removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction.

Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise
enough to adjust themselves to the warm, tropical climate. “An hour’s work under that
burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is
equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate.”

ANALYSIS

It is important to note that indolence in the Philippines is a chronic malady, but not a
hereditary one. Truth is, before the Spaniards arrived on these lands, the natives were
industriously conducting business with China, Japan, Arabia, Malaysia, and other
countries in the Middle East. The reasons for this said indolence were clearly stated in
the essay, and were not based only on presumptions, but were grounded on fact taken
from history.

Another thing that we might add that had caused this indolence, is the lack of unity
among the Filipino people. In the absence of unity and oneness, the people did not
have the power to fight the hostile attacks of the government and of the other forces of
society. There would also be no voice, no leader, to sow progress and to cultivate it, so
that it may be reaped in due time. In such a condition, the Philippines remained a
country that was lifeless, dead, simply existing and not living. As Rizal stated in
conclusion, “a man in the Philippines is an individual; he is not merely a citizen of a
country.”

It can clearly be deduced from the writing that the cause of the indolence attributed
to our race is Spain: When the Filipinos wanted to study and learn, there were no
schools, and if there were any, they lacked sufficient resources and did not present
more useful knowledge; when the Filipinos wanted to establish their businesses, there
wasn’t enough capital nor protection from the government; when the Filipinos tried to
cultivate their lands and establish various industries, they were made to pay enormous
taxes and were exploited by the foreign rulers.

History and Context

Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo in October, 1887 as a sequel to the Noli Me

Tangere after he returned to Europe. In the following year, Rizal, in London, continued
working on his novel and made some revisions and some changes in the plot and
corrected some chapters already written. He wrote more chapters in Paris and Madrid.
He was able to complete the novel when he was in Biarritz, France on March 29, 1891
With the help of Valentin Ventura, Rizal was able to published it on September 1891.

On July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent , a famous university city in
Belgium. His reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent was
cheaper than in Brussels and (2) to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite
Suzanne. In Ghent, he met two compatriots, namely Jose Alejandro and Edilberto
Evangelista.

Shortly after his arrival in Ghent, Rizal searched for a printing shop that could
give him the 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 installment basis. He pawned his jewels in order to pay the down
payment and the early partial payments during the printing of the novel. Meanwhile, as
the printing was going on, Rizal became desperate because his funds were running low
and the money he expected from his friends did not arrive. He had received some
money from Basa and 200 pesos from Rodriguez Arias for the copies of Morga's
Sucesos sold in Manila. But these funds were also used up and much more were
needed to pay the printer. On August 6, the printing had to be suspended, as Rizal
feared, because he could no longer give the necessary funds to the printer. On this
date, he wrote to Basa in Hongkong.

Rizal's calvary in connection with the printing of the Noli was repeated in the Fili's
printing. His funds ran out in Ghent, a similar calamity that he experienced in Berlin in
the winter of 1886. In a moment of disillusionment, he almost hurled the manuscript of
the Fili into the flames, just as he almost did the Noli in Berlin.

When everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source. Valentin
Ventura in Paris learned of Rizal's predicament and immediately sent him the necessary
funds. With his financial aid, the printing of the Fili was resumed.
 At last , on September 18, 1891, El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal, now
a very happy man, immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong Kong- one
from Basa and the other for Sixto Lopez. Rizal donated the original manuscript and an
autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura, who generously loaned him the funds
needed to finish the printing. He sent other complimentary copies to Blumentritt,
Mariano Ponce, G. Lopez Jaena, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Antonio and Juan Luna, and
other friends.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY FILIBUSTERO?

According to Rizal... to his letter to Blumentritt

 The word Filibustero is still very little known in the Philippines; the common
people as yet do not know it. I heard it for the first time in 1872 [he was then 11
years old]2 when the tragic executions took place. I still remember the terror it
aroused. Our father forbade us ever to utter it, as well as the words Cavite,
Burgos (one of the executed priests) etc. The Manila newspapers and the
Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to render suspect of
revolutionary activities. The educated [natives] fear the reach of the word. It does
not have the meaning of freebooter; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will
soon be hanged, or a presumptuous fellow.3” (Rizal 1961a, 63)

FILIBUSTERO: HISTORY ANG CONTEXT

 FILIBUSTERO: “subversive”… patriot who was usually associated with

revolutionary activities “1872 when the tragic executions took place” (wani-obias
et. al., 2018, 143) “our father forbade us ever to utter it, as well as the words
cavite, burgos, etc.” (wani-obias et. al., 2018, 143)
 “The manila newspapers and the Spaniards… want to render suspect of
revolutionary activities” (wani-obias et. al., 2018, 143 - 144) “… dangerous patriot
who will soon be hanged, or a presumptuous fellow” (wani- obias et. al., 2018,
144)

WENCESLAO RETANA (1890)

 DEFINED Filibustero as “the one who, eager for the independence of the
country, resorts to various extralegal proceedings in order to reach the objective
that he pursues” (wani-obias et. al., 2018, 144 as cited to Aguilar, 2011).

Spanish Colonial government (late 19th century)

 defined (filibustero) filibuster as “someone who works for the separation of

overseas provinces” (wani-obias et. al., 2018, 144).
These definitions will give us an idea on what will be the plot of Rizal's second novel, El
Filibusterismo.
1. It deals with subversion.
2. It pictures the lives of the people under an oppressive regime.
3. It narrates the struggles of every Filipino in fighting for independence.

GOMBURZA

 Collective name of the three martyred priests.

 Tagged as the masterminds of the Cavite Mutiny
 They were prominent Filipino priests charged with treason and sedition.
 The Spanish clergy connected the priests to the mutiny as part of a conspiracy to
stifle the movement of secular priests who desired to have their own parishes
instead of being assistants to the regular friars.

FATHER MARIANO GOMEZ

 An old man in his mid-’70, Chinese-Filipino, born in Cavite.

 He held the most senior position of the three as Archbishop’s Vicar in Cavite
 He was truly nationalistic and accepted the death penalty calmly as though it
were his penance for being pro-Filipinos.

FATHER JOSE BURGOS

 Spanish descent, born in the Philippines. He was a parish priest of the Manila
Cathedral and had been known to be close to the liberal Governor General de la
Torre.
 He was 35 years old at that time and was active and outspoken in advocating the
Filipinazation of the clergy

FATHER JACINTO ZAMORA

 37 years old was also a Spanish, born in the Philippines.

 He was parish priest of Marika and was known to be unfriendly to and would not
countenance any arrogance or authoritative behavior from Spaniards coming
from Spain.

FEBRUARY 17, 1872

 The GOMBURZA were executed by GARROTE in public to serve as a threat to

Filipinos never to attempt to fight the Spaniards again.
 This is a scene purpotedly witnessed by a young Jose Rizal

Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to their memory:

 “ I dedicated my work to you as a victims of the evil which I undertake to combat…”

EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CONTINUING RELEVANCE

REVOLUTION AS A MEANS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Using the character of simoun, he was able to show the character of filipino
revolutionaries that supported the idea of a bloody revolution against the Spanish
colonial period.

ON LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

INEPT LEADERS, CORRUPT OFFICIALS, AND SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

IN THE PHILIPPINES COULD LEAD TO SPAIN’S DOWNFALL

“what is a man to do when he is denied justice? Take the law into his hands or
wait for Spain to give him right…? – Simoun

The call for good leadership… where he stressed the importance of national
sentiment to guard the society against all kinds of injustices and oppression.

Rizal condemned the friar-led officials for their greed, corruption, exploitation of
the natives.

Rizal also criticized his fellow Filipinos who did not respond to the challenges
under the abusive leadership of the Spaniards.

Although Rizal exposed the injustices done by the colonial government, he also
challenge the Filipinos to guard their rights as one of their responsibilities.

“GOOD LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE BRING ABOUT CHANGE OR REFORM

IN THE COUNTRY. ALL THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED IF THE LEADERS HAVE MORAL
FIBER, AND ARE READY TO GIVE UP THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS FOR THE
WELFARE OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS” (wani-obias et. al., 2018, 156)

ON EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE

 “a people without character, a nation without liberty”

 Education and science are the keys to achieve freedom.

On the Filipino Youth

Youth as the future of the country because this generation would one day lead the
nation. Their actions today would shape the path of tomorrow.

PLOT AND CHARACTERS

 SYNOPSIS
Thirteen years after leaving the Philippines, Crisostomo Ibarra returns as
Simoun, a rich jeweler sporting a beard and blue-tinted glasses, and a confidant of the
Captain-General. Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical saboteur, seeking
revenge against the Spanish Philippine system responsible for his misfortunes by
plotting a revolution. Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and influences
every decision of the Captain-General to mismanage the country’s affairs so that a
revolution will break out.

This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities through legal means, but
through violent revolution using the masses. Simoun has reasons for instigating a
revolution. First is to rescue María Clara from the convent and second, to get rid of ills
and evils of Philippine society.

His true identity is discovered by a now grown-up Basilio while visiting the grave
of his mother, Sisa, as Simoun was digging near the grave site for his buried treasures.
Simoun spares Basilio’s life and asks him to join in his planned revolution against the
government, egging him on by bringing up the tragic misfortunes of the latter's family.
Basilio declines the offer as he still hopes that the country’s condition will improve.

Basilio, at this point, is a graduating student of medicine at the Ateneo Municipal

de Manila. After the death of his mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his younger
brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elías, and traveled to
Manila to study.

Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after María Clara entered the convent.
With Captain Tiago’s help, Basilio was able to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán
where, at first, he is frowned upon by his peers and teachers not only because of the
color of his skin but also because of his shabby appearance.

Basilio and other students want to establish a Spanish language academy so that
they can learn to speak and write Spanish despite the opposition from the Dominican
friars of the Universidad de Santo Tomás. With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as
their mediator and Don Custodio’s decision, the academy is established; however they
will only serve as caretakers of the school not as the teachers. Dejected and defeated,
they hold a mock celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars witnesses the
proceedings.

Simoun, for his part, keeps in keeps in close contact with the bandit group of
Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered misfortunes at the hands
of the friars. Once a farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation and a cabeza de
barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give everything to the greedy and
unscrupulous Spanish friars. His daughter Hulî had to work as a maid to get enough
ransom money for his freedom.

To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping
to be appointed consul to the Philippines, smuggle weapons into the country using
Quiroga’s bazaar as a front. Simoun wishes to attack during a stage play with all of his
enemies in attendance. He, however, abruptly aborts the attack when he learns from
Basilio that María Clara had died earlier that day in the convent.

A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the people are agitated
when disturbing posters are found displayed around the city. The authorities accuse the
students present at the pancitería of agitation and disturbing peace and has them
arrested. Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is also arrested.

Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released. A high official tries to
intervene for the release of Basilio but the Captain-General, bearing grudges against
the high official, coerces him to tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s girlfriend and the
daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries to ask Father Camorra’s help upon the advice of an
elder woman. Instead of helping Julî, however, the priest tries to rape her as he has
long- hidden desires for Julî. Julî, rather than submit to the will of the friar, jumps over
the balcony to her death.

Basilio is soon released with the help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man,
and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells
Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed
classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene
lamp that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The
reception will take place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now
filled with explosives planted by Simoun.

According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it
flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone—
important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the house. Simoun
leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind: “ Mene Thecel Phares.
” —Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salví
recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to
panic, the lamp flickers.

Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his undying love for
Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's
plans. He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later regrets
his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation
more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could have fulfilled his ideals for
Filipino society.

Simoun, now unmasked as the perpetrator of the attempted arson and failed
revolution, becomes a fugitive.Wounded and exhausted after he was shot by the
pursuing Guardia Civil, he seeks shelter at the home of Father Florentino, Isagani’s
uncle, and comes under the care of doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña, Doña Victorina's
husband, who was also hiding at the house.

Simoun takes poison in order for him not to be captured alive. Before he dies, he
reveals his real identity to Florentino while they exchange thoughts about the failure of
his revolution and why God forsook him. Florentino opines that God did not forsake him
and that his plans were not for the greater good but for personal gain. Simoun, finally
accepting Florentino’s explanation, squeezes his hand and dies.

Florentino then takes Simoun’s remaining jewels and throws them into the Pacific
Ocean with the corals hoping that they would not be used by the greedy, and that when
the time came that it would be used for the greater good, when the nation would be
finally deserving liberty for themselves, the sea would reveal the treasures.

 CHARACTERS

 Simoun - Continuation of the character of Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for

dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere, has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler,
Simoun, sporting a beard, blue-tinted glasses, and a revolver. Fueled by his
mistreatment at the hands of the Spaniards and his fury at Maria Clara's fate, he
has since shed his pacifist image and become the titular "filibustero", pretending
to side with the upper class and encouraging them to enslave the masses, while
in reality siding with the masses and urging them to revolt against the oppressive
Spanish regime. This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities wit
nowledge, but by force.
 Basilio - Son of Sisa. A graduating Medical Student who befriended Simoun.
Adopted by Capitan Tiago and a boyfriend of Juli.
 Isagani - Active student leader. Basilio's friend, ex-beau of Paulita Gomez and
the man who removed the explosive lamp from the Captain Tiago's house, thus
sabotaging Simoun's plans.
 Kabesang Tales - Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de
barangay (barangay head) of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diego's neighboring
town Tiani, who resurfaced as the feared Luzon bandit Matanglawin.
 Don Custodio - Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo, a famous
"journalist" who was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia
de Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman
in order to be a member of Manila's high society.
 Paulita Gomez - The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the
old Indio who passes herself off as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack
doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and Juanito Peláez are wed, and
she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.
 Macaraig - One of Isagani's classmates at the University of Santo Tomas. He is
a rich student and serves as the leader of the students yearning to build the
Academia de Castellano.
 Father Florentino - Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be
married, but chose to be a priest after being pressured by his mother, the story
hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a
remote place, living in solitude near the sea.
 Juli - Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of
Kabesang Tales. To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid
under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but
committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her.
 Juanito Pelaez - A favorite student of the professors. They belong to the noble
Spanishancestry.
 Doña Victorina - Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaña, known in Noli Me Tangere
as Tiburcio de Espadaña's cruel wife. She is the aunt of Paulita Gomez, and
favors Juanito Pelaez than Isagani. Although of Indio ideology, she considers
herself as one of the Peninsular.
 Father Camorra - The lustful parish priest of Tiani, San Diego's adjacent town
who has longtime desires for young women. He nearly raped Juli causing the
latter to commitsuicide.
 Ben-Zayb - a journalist who believes he is the "only" one thinking in the
Philippines.
 Placido Penitente - A student of the University of Santo Tomas who was very
intelligent and wise but did not want, if not only by his mother's plea, to pursue
his studies.
 Hermana Penchang - Sagpang's rich pusakal (gambler). She offers Huli to be
her maid so the latter can obtain money to free Kabesang Tales. Disbelieving of
Huli and her close friends, she considers herself as an ally of the friars.
  Tiburcio de Espadaña - Don Tiburcio is Victorina de Espadaña’s lame husband.
He is currently on hiding with Father Florentino.
 Father Irene - Captain Tiago's spiritual adviser. Although reluctant, he helped the
students to establish the Academia de Castellano. The only witness to Captain
Tiago's death.
 Quiroga - A Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a consul for his
country in the Philippines. He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house.
 Don Timoteo Pelaez - Juanito's father. He is a rich businessmen and arranges a
wedding for his son and Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners.
 Don Timoteo Pelaez - Juanito's father. He is a rich businessmen and arranges a
wedding for his son and Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners.
 Tandang Selo - Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio
after he left their house in Noli me Tangere.
 Father Fernández - The priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he
and the other priests will give in to the students' demands.
 Hermana Báli - Another gambler in Tiani. She became Huli's mother-figure and
counselor; helped to release Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits.
 Leeds - An American who holds stage plays starring decapitated heads; he is
good friends with Simoun.
 Gobernador General - The highest-ranking official in the Philippines during the
Spanish colonial period, this unnamed character pretends that what he is doing is
for the good of the Indios, the local citizens of the country, but in reality, he
prioritizes the needs of his fellow Spaniards living in the country
Other Characters:

 Father Hernando de la Sibyla

 Father Bernardo Salvi
 Captain Tiago
Other Characters: (Students)

 Pecson
 Placido Penitente
 Sandoval
 Tadeo

CONTENT ANALYSIS

 The message of the novel is clear: the present system of governing the
Philippines through corrupt and self-seeking officials, dominated by the friars and
being submissive their interests in one fashion or another, can only lead to
disaster for Spain.
  The government is subjective, cruel, completely lacking in a sense of justice or of
responsibility, and without interest or trust in the people it governs.
 The friars are painted in even harsher colors than in the Noli: they abuse their
power to satisfy vile lusts; to rob men of their lands; to preserve their monopoly of
education; always seeking their own interests rather than those of the country, or
even of Spain.
 The high official who opposes the governor-general over his subjective
proceedings, and who sympathizes with and defends the Filipino people
 The open-minded Dominican, Father Fernandez, who favors the petition of the
students for a Spanish academy, and is willing to discuss with the student
Isagani on equal terms what the students expect from the friars.
 Rizal is also no less hard in condemning Filipino corruption, greed, self-
righteousness, hypocrisy, and cowardice, which share in, or permit Spanish
abuses.
 Rizal never urges revolution.
 Education, decent lives, and willingness to sacrifice for one's convictions, even to
suffer martyrdom - this is the road to freedom that Rizal would have his
countrymen travel.

The Publication of the Noli

As a sojourner in Europe, Rizal participated in the movement of the ilustrados to

utilize propaganda to campaign for reforms in the Philippines. Utilizing their intellectual
prowess, the ilustrados released various written outputs from news bits, to feature
articles, and commentaries. They also produced creative outputs from satirical pieces to
world-class paintings. Within this artistic and literary collection, Rizal's exemplary
mastery of words was clearly evident in one of his most celebrated works, his first novel,
Noli Me Tángere.

The idea of publishing a book was not alien to Rizal. In a meeting of the
ilustrados in 1884, he proposed to write a book project to be done collaboratively with
his fellow writers. Unfortunately, the project did not materialize. He eventually decided to
write a novel on his own. He started work on the project in 1884 and completed it in
1887.

Many of his biographers cite several works that influenced Rizal in the writing of
the Noli. One of these is Juan Luna's painting, Spoliarium, which depicted the sufferings
faced by humanity in the face of inequalities. Another is Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel by
Harriet Beecher Stowe that dealt with slavery in America. Rizal finished the first half of
the novel in Spain, supposedly the other half in France, then completed the draft in
1886. The novel was published the following year in Germany. Lack of funds delayed
the book's publication until a fellow ilustrado, Maximo Viola, insisted on lending him 300
pesos for the printing of the first 2,000 copies. By 1887, Rizal was already sending out
copies of the Noli to his friends and the book began to take flight.

Rizal finished the first half of the novel in Spain, supposedly the other half in
France, then completed the draft in 1886. The novel was published the following year in
Germany. Lack of funds delayed the book’s publication until a fe3llow ilustrado, Maximo
Viola, insisted lending him 300 pesos for the printing of the first 2,000 copies. By 1887,
Rizal already sending out vopies of the Noli to his friends and the book began to take
flight.

Motivations behind Writing the Noli

The title, Noli Me Tángere, had Biblical reference to the Gospel of John in which
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and uttered these words: “Touch me not, for I am
not yet ascended because he intended to write about themes that were taboo in the
Philippines for centuries; things that people dared not touch.

According to his biographers, Rizal first planned to write his novel in French,
considered to be the language of the intellectuals in Europe at that time. He, however,
shifted to Spanish because he intended to reach out to his countrymen in the
Philippines. Rizal explained: “I must wake from its slumber the spirit of my country… I
must first propose to my countrymen an example with which they can struggle against
their bad qualities, and afterwards, when they have reformed, many writers would rise
up to present my country to proud Europe” (qtd. In Schumacher,

The project of writing the Noli, as stated, was geared towards exposing the ills of
Philippine colonial society under Spain. Thus, through the passages within the Noli,
readers also get glimpses of how Rizal saw his country.

Plot

The story of the Noli Me Tángere followed the life of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra after
he returned to the Philippines from studying in Europe. The novel opened with Capitan
Tiago preparing a homecoming gathering for the young ilustrado. Throughout the pages
of the novel, the characters could be seen navigating the complex realities of colonial
Philippines. Ibarra was shown to be rekindling links with his betrothed Maria Clara. But
not everything was fine and dandy for Ibarra. Upon his return, he learned about the ills
that plagued his town as well as the abuses of the friars to which his late father fell
victim to. Ibarra found an antagonist in Padre Damaso, the former curate of San Diego
who ordered that the corpse of his father be exhumed and reburied in the Chinese
cemetery.

Despite these personal travails, Ibarra persevered to fulfill the plan of building a
school in San Diego, staying true to his belief that education was crucial for his nation's
progress. Ibarra almost got killed had it not for Elias, a boatman, who saved him. Elias
also previously cautioned lbarra about his actions that could anger the friars. After the
incident, Ibarra organized a luncheon.

Here, another confrontation Occurred between Ibarra and slit his throat as he told
everyone of the abuses committed by Ibarra took a knife against Damaso’s neck and
threatened Damaso who attended the luncheon uninvited. In a fit of anger, to Damaso
and the desecration he did to Ibarra’s father. Maria Clara calmed Ibarra and prevented
him from killing the friar. Damaso, in an act of revenge, persuaded Capitan Tiago, the
father of Maria Clara, to not allow his daughter to marry Ibarra.

After some time, a revolt was blamed on Ibarra, which caused his incarceration.
With the help of Elias, he escaped and went to see Maria Clara who was soon marrying
the man her father chose for her. In a heartbreaking confrontation, Ibarra and Maria
Clara exchanged accusations in the process, it was revealed that Damaso was the true
father of Maria Clara.

As turmoil and confusion engulfed the town, Maria Clara thought Ibarra had
been killed. This caused her endless grief. She asked to be confined to a nunnery lest
she take her own life. It was later revealed that Ibarra was not dead and that Elias was
C One fatally shot. In the latter passages, the dying Elias was waiting for Ibarra but
instead, met and talked to the young Basilio. He instructed the orphaned boy (his
mother Sisa, who became insane looking for her young sons, had died) to find the cure
of Ibarra buried in the cemetery and use it to get an action. He reminded Basilio to
never lose hope and it one day, freedom and progress would come to his country, to not
forget those who labored in the night. Complex story and subplots. Reading through the
novel, different characters and the and their corresponding stories unfolded voice of an
unseen narrator. Truly, reflected the lives of people living in the complicated world of
colonial Philippines.

Symbol of Front cover of the Book

CROSS- Faith/ Sufferings

POMELO BLOSSOMS AND LAUREL LEAVES- honor and fidelity

SILHOUETTE OF A FILIPINA- Maria Clara

BURNING TORCH- rage and passion

SUNFLOWERS- Enlightenment

BAMBOO STALKS THAT WERE CUT DOWN BUT GREW BACK- resilience

A MAN IN A CASSOCK WITH HAIRY FEET- priests using religion in a dirty way

CHAINS- Slavery

WHIPS- Cruelties

HELMET OF THE GUARDIA CIVIL- Arrogance of those in authority

The Main Characters

of Noli me Tangere

Crisostomo Ibarra

Crisostomo Ibarra is depicted as one of the Filipinos who managed to finish their studies
abroad. He had been living abroad for seven years. Unlike his countrymen, he has a
liberal mind, outspoken and idealistic.

Crisostomo Ibarra exemplified the vision that Jose Rizal had aimed for the youth of the
Philippines during his time. Others attribute Ibarra as Rizal’s reflection of himself.

Maria Clara

Maria Clara has an eye like her mother. Its large black orbs were large, had long lashes,
and showed emotions openly. Her thick light-colored hair had curls and often strewn
with fragrant flowers. Her small shapely ears were assumed to be from her father,
Capitan Tiago, and her straight nose was just right. Her small mouth had dimples at the
sides and her fair skin was as fine as onion skins.

Maria Clara symbolizes the purity and innocence of a sheltered native woman during
the time of Spanish occupation. She does not value material things that were
abundantly bestowed upon her by admirers and family alike but holds in high esteem
her parents’ honor and the promise she had given to her sweetheart.

Padre Damaso

Dámaso Verdolagas, or Padre Dámaso is a Franciscan friar and the former parish
curate of San Diego. He is best known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh
words and has been a cruel priest during his stay in the town.
He symbolizes the Spanish friars of Rizal's time and is a comment on the Spanish
control of the Philippines.

Elias

Elias is a former boatman who became one of the most wanted criminals in San Diego
Elias represents the common Filipino who is not only aware of the injustices done to
their countrymen but would also like to deliver them from their oppressors. He is said to
be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.

Pilosopo Tacio

Filosofo Tacio, known by his Filipinized name Pilosopo Tasyo, is another major
character in the story. Seeking for reforms from the government, he expresses his
ideals in paper written in a cryptographic alphabet similar from hieroglyphs and Coptic
figures hoping "that the future generations may be able to decipher it" and realized the
abuse and oppression done by the conquerors.

Tasio symbolizes the learned Filipinos who had once embraced the culture of the
Spanish regime. They eventually became disenchanted when they return to the
Philippines and observe the stark contrast their countrymen receive from their
colonizers. The more they turn to learning, the more they become eccentric to the
masses they seek to enlighten.

Padre Salvi

He has a secret admiration to Maria Clara. On the Later part of the story he and padre
Damaso devised a plan to break Ibarra and Maria Clara apart.

Symbolizes the lecherous friars of Rizal's time

These are characters that portray the pervading social cancer in the novels of
Rizal.

Don Santiago de los Santos

Known by his nickname Tiago and political title Capitán Tiago is a Filipino businessman
and the cabeza de barangay or head of barangay of the town of San Diego. He is also
the known father of María Clara.

Capitan Tiago was a typical character during the time of Jose Rizal. He is a rich native-
born Filipino who rubbed elbows with the powers that be during that time. He
symbolizes the rich Filipinos who oppress their fellow countrymen in exchange for the
influence and the riches that they might gain from their powerful associations.

Doña Consolacion

Her adoration of the Spaniards leads her to imitate the very actions and attitudes of the
Spanish women

She symbolizes the Filipinos in society who are ashemed of their race and nationality

Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña

Commonly known as Doña Victorina, is an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a

Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-up.

As one of the lesser evils in the novel, Doña Victorina symbolizes those who have a
distorted view of their identity. Everything that is indigenous is inferior and everything
foreign as superior. It is the comedic form of ‘’colonial mentality’’

Don Tiburcio

Don Tiburcio is the husband of Doña Victorina.

Don Tiburcio is a caricature of ignorant Spaniards who wreak havoc in the provinces
during the colonial era. His countrymen condone his actions for they do not want him to
become a burden to them.

The Supporting Characters

Victims of poverty and ignorance.

Sisa

Sisa(Narcisa) is the typical native wife. She endures her husband's beatings and
irresponsibility.

Sisa is thought to have represented the motherland who was suffering as her character
have suffered with the loss of her children. The tragic events that ruined her life
represented the abuse that the motherland received from her colonizers.

Basilio

Sisa's 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus, he
faced the dread of losing his younger brother and the descent of his mother into
insanity. At the end of the novel, Elías wished Basilio to bury him by burning in
exchange for a chest of gold located on his death ground. He will later play a major role
in El Filibusterismo.

Crispin

Crispin represents the innocents who have been wrongly accused of the crime they did
not commit. The injustice they suffered under the hands of the authorities during their
time were silenced by their deaths and the cover-ups that follow it.

WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE TODAY?

 Colonial Mentality
 Lack of Knowledge
 Abusive Officials
 Religion and Beliefs
 Cruelties, Graft, False Government