CHAPTER 16

“Sisa”

A REFLECTION PAPER

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

In the Subject Rizal’s Life and Works

To be submitted to

Ma’am Lourdes Hizon

Submitted by:
Castro, Erica Mae
Tanay, Rhea Mae

BSTM 3A

Sun, November 20, 2021

 ABSTRACT

The Noli me Tangere is one of the greatest literary work of Jose Rizal. It is a prohibited since

the content of this novel is against to the Spanish Government during Spanish colonization. This

novel tell us the importance of love, freedom, patriotism and nationalism. This greatest literary

work of Rizal become inspiration and weapon of the Filipino during Spanish colonization and

until now this novel aspire Filipino citizen to love and stand for the nation.

Noli me Tangere become popular since it is all about social issues and spreading awareness to

the current issues. Nationalism is being characterized in this novel. It gives many life lessons

and one of the most important lesson in this novel is that never forget the land where you born

and raised. Furthermore, this novel stated the political violence in the Philippines. Rizal was

detailed and realistic while writing this novel. He wrote about the injustice and inequality of the

Spanish among the Filipino. This novel become his weapon to fight the Spanish government

and it also help the Filipino to open their eyes of the current situation that they have during

Spanish colonization.

In this reflection paper, it help the researcher to think critically, analyze and summarize one of

the chapter in the Noli me Tangere. The story of Sisa is the main topic in this reflection paper. It

will explain the struggles of the main character and it will give us a lesson how unconditional the

mother’s love to his/her child. This novel has a lot of stories to tell and every chapter in this

novel give us an impactful lesson that can apply to the future and become a better citizen in

your native land.

CHAPTER 16: “SISA”

I. Characters Involved

Sisa – the main character in this chapter. A mother of two sacristan

Basilio - son of Sisa. He survived extrajudicial killing attempt in the hands of Spanish soldiers

Crispin – son of Sisa who disappeared and they never know if he is dead or alive

Husband of Sisa – a gambler and addict

II. Chapter Summary

Sisa has two sons named Basilio and Crispin which is Sacristan in the parish. During the

time of Spanish many people are poor and they have a hard time to live every single day. Sisa

was married to a gambling addict who abuses her. She is one of the luckless woman in their

village. Sisa is a martyr yet no one noticed her suffering from her husband. One night she

prepared a dried fish and tomato for Crispin and pork tapa and duck thigh for Basilio but

unfortunately, her son didn’t return home early to be with Sisa and her husband appear and eat

all the food without consideration and then leave again.

Sisa was sobbing while preparing another dried fish for the children who are expected to

arrive. But it’s been late at night and her son didn’t show up. Sisa patiently waiting for them.

That time Crispin disappeared and never resurfaced again, they did not know if he is dead or

alive. On the other hand, Basilio barely survived extrajudicial killing attempt in the hands of

police. But Basilio was able to way back to their home because her mother waiting for them.

The next day Sisa went looking for Crispin in the parish, but she did not find him. After

that she went back home and her worries turned to shock when she found soldiers waiting for

her. Sisa was told of the soldiers that they should pay them the amount of Crispin who stole

from the church. She couldn’t comply on that so they took her as prisoner. They paraded her
along the streets so that everybody will see her. The shame she felt was thorough and she

became weak and after that she passed out. Sisa regained her consciousness but she goes

place to place to find her sons. She shouted their names again and again and eventually lost

her mind. In the following days she was singing and dancing in the town out of nowhere.

In Christmas Eve, Sisa was located by Basilio unable to recognize him due to her

insanity. There she was able to have some final moments before dying. Soon after, she was

buried by Basilio near the tomb of Ibarra’s great-grand father.

INTERPRETATION DURING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

During my junior high school, we tackled about Noli me Tangere and if my memory

serves me right this chapter become one of my favorite stories in this novel. It is about the story

of a mother who unconditionally love her sons. When I was in Junior High School, my

interpretation in this chapter is that during Spanish Government, there is an injustice among the

Filipino. The Spanish punished them without any evidences and they treat the Filipino like a

trash or slaves.

This chapter have a great impact to me since it explain how genuine and pure the love of

a mother. It also give us a lesson that we should appreciate our mother and love them

unconditionally. The mother will do anything to his/her children. Sisa lose her insanity due to the

mental burden that she felt. She was worried to her sons and because of the traumatic she

experienced, Sisa unable to recognize her own son.

Overall interpretation about this chapter when we were in Junior High School, it give us

lesson that as a children we should love and appreciate every efforts of our mother. It tell us

how mothers having a hard time while raising us and they are not strong all the time. That’s why

when we have an opportunity to give back and make them happy we must do it to lessen their

worries and make their life comfortable as long as we can.

REFLECTION OF THE ISSUE TO MODERN SOCIETY

Sisa is one of Noli Me Tangere's most sorrowful characters. She is poor and further

disempowered by her abusive husband, who only turns up to deplete her of whatever she has,

as he does by consuming the most of the food meant for Basilio and Crispn. Sisa is near the

bottom of San Diego's socioeconomic ladder in terms of power. To make matters worse, her

sons are her only allies, and they rarely see her. This means she's cut off from not only San

Diego's power systems, but also from her own boys.

I. Existence of the literary dilemma in the modern society

The problems in the novel continue to affect our society and country today, and we must learn

and read Noli Me Tangere. Corruption, unfairness, poverty, and abuse, which were prevalent in

the novel, are still an issue today. This literary work will imprint in our minds the values that the

novel teaches us about being a good role model for our country. This literary work will help us

understand the actual meaning of nationalism and act as a catalyst for change. The story not

only awoke a dormant Filipino consciousness, but it also laid the groundwork for achieving

independence.

II. Implied topic covered in this chapter

Sisa went from one tragic occurrence to the next, unable to stand up to her violent husband and

then the Guardia Civil. As a result of the emotional strain, she eventually lost her sanity. This

insane behavior expressed itself in her walking about San Diego, yelling out her children's

names and singing random tunes.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal was

about the Spanish colonization of the

Philippines and how the Spanish treated the

Filipinos horribly. It told the narrative of

Crisostomo Ibarra, who traveled to the

Philippines from Europe to study and

returned after a seven-year voyage. Noli Me

Tangere by Jose Rizal encourages us to

consider our actions and ideas in the context of our country. In chapter 16 of noli me tangere

Sisa is considered to have represented the homeland, which was grieving at the loss of her

children, much as her character was grieving.

The sad events that devastated her life were symbolic of the conquerors' exploitation of

the motherland. At this point in the novel, we learn of the friars effectively hoarding money that

could have assisted two young boys whose father had abandoned them to fend for

themselves. Sisa and her two sons live outside of town in a little cottage near Tasyo the

Philosopher.

The novel's concept of promoting nationalism and accepting change in oneself is still

relevant today. It instills in us the qualities of wisdom, battling for what is right, and patriotism.

This novel is being taught in schools in order to prevent history from repeating itself by teaching

students how to love their country and to empower youth as change agents. Jose Rizal wants

us to be authentic Filipinos knowing who we are and what our true aspirations are would help

the country thrive.

REFERENCES

Ingming, A. (October 9, 2019). Remembering Sisa. Retrieved from

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/09/opinion/columnists/remembering-sisa/628409

Litcharts Summary and Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.litcharts.com/lit/noli-me-

tangere/chapter-16-sisa

Rey, M.V (March 22, 2021). Chapter 16 Noli me Tangere Summary. Retrieved from

https://philnews.ph/2021/03/22/chapter-16-noli-me-tangere-sisa-summary/

The Life and Works of Rizal. Retrieved from http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com

Villa, N. (2021). Greatest Stories in Philippine History. Retrieved from https://www.pinoywit.com

World Philippine Information Hub. Retrieved from https://www.kapitbisig.com/

Wiki Noli me Tangere. Retrieved from https://noli-me-tangere.fandom.com/wiki/Sisa#:~:text=On

%20Christmas%20Eve%2C%20Sisa%20was,tomb%20of%20Ibarra's%20great

%2Dgrandfather.
Tanay, Rhea Mae

I. Title Page

II. 300-word Abstract

III. Analysis

a) Chapter Title

i. Characters Involved

ii. 200-word Chapter Summary

b) Interpretation of your Junior High School Teacher for this Chapter

Castro, Erica Mae

c) Reflection of the Issue in the Chapter to Modern Society

i. Existence of the Literary Dilemma in the Modern Society

ii. Implied Topic Covered in this Chapter

d) 500-word Personal Reflection