SUMMARY OF EL FILIBUSTERISMO

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra has changed his name and identity to a rich jeweler named
Simoun. In disguise, he travels the world amassing wealth, which he intends to use to
topple the corrupt and abusive regime in his native land, in the prequel of the novel Noli
Me Tangere escaped from pursuing soldiers. It is revealed that Crisostomo dug up his
buried treasure and fled to Cuba, becoming richer and befriending Spanish officials.

After many years, the newly fashioned Simoun returns to the Philippines, to seeks the
ignite of the sentiments of the Filipinos, so that a revolution may arise. where he is able
to freely move around. He is a powerful figure not only because of his wealth but also
because he is a good friend and adviser of the governor general.

Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain; however, in secret, he is plotting a terrible revenge

against the Spanish authorities but Simoun's real motive is personal. He wants to rescue
his beloved, Maria Clara, from the convent and avenge the death of his father. From the
nunnery of Santa Clara and to foment a Philippine revolution against Spain.

The story of El Filibusterismo the present system of governing the Philippines through
corrupt and self-seeking officials, dominated by the friars and being submissive to their
interests in one fashion or another, can only lead to disaster for Spain.

Simoun tells Basilio that his plan was to conceal an explosive which contains nitroglycerin
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
and leaves a note with the words: “Mene Thecel Phares” which means “the future is
predetermined” and is generally implied that a bad event is going to happen. Simoun
signed it with his real name “Juan Crisostomo Ibarra”. The people at the reception were
shocked because Ibarra is supposedly dead. One of the priests who knew Ibarra before
the ending of Noli Me Tangere confirmed to the people that it was the writing of Ibarra.
The lamp started to dim… Outside the house, Basilio was about to walk away because
he knew the lamp was going to explode anytime soon when he saw Isagani, the still heart-
broken ex-boyfriend of the bride whose reception was still going on in the house of
Capitan Tiago. Isagani said that he just wanted to congratulate the newly-weds. Basilio
who then feared for the safety of his friend told him about the plan of Simoun. Isagani ran
to the house. A priest was about to fix the lamp but once Isagani got in, he found the lamp
and threw it out the window into the river outside the residence. Since the guards were
chasing Isagani, he himself jumped out of the window into the river as well. There was an
uprising planned by Simoun during the time of the reception. The band got caught and
confessed that Simoun lead them. Ibarra was now wanted both as himself and as Simoun.
Days passed and a good priest found Simoun walking along the shore, wounded and
weak. The noble priest tended to Simoun while the latter explained that he is Ibarra and
that he was greatly saddened and angry due to the failure of the revolution and that he
was questioning God as to why he was the one who is suffering and not the ones who
have forsaken the people of the Philippines. The priest explains that all punishments will
come in due time. Ibarra died as he weakly held the hand of the priest. The latter blessed
the former and threw away all the remaining jewels of Ibarra in the hopes that they may
always be used for good.

REFERENCES

 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0354579/plotsummary
 https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01KbByMtAs3wQztlilJRbF7fzm5Dw%3A159431124
7525&source=hp&ei=T0IHX6zaHdSsoATQ04HADA&q=why+simoun+move+back+to+the+philipin
nes+&oq=why+simoun+move+back+to+the+philipinnes+&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoECCMQJzoI
CAAQsQMQkQI6BQgAEJECOggIABCxAxCLAzoFCAAQiwM6CwgAELEDEIMBEIsDOgUIABCxAzoCCA
A6BAgAEAo6BggAEBYQHjoICCEQFhAdEB46BQghEKABOgcIIRAKEKABOgYIIRANEBU6BAghEBVQ0g
NY4YEBYPSLAWgJcAB4AIABugOIActJkgEKMC40NC4xLjIuMpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXq4AQI&scli
ent=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjsvcWcyMDqAhVUFogKHdBpAMgQ4dUDCAc&uact=5
 https://www.tagaloglang.com/el-filibusterismo-english-summary/
