Touch me not: A Bold Tale of Nationalism

Silent but Powerful. Words they say, could do much damage as a knife that has just
been sharpened. However, the marks that it leaves behind are permanent. There is no telling
what Jose Rizal was thinking when he decided that he was willing to author a bold novel
against the power that reigned over the Philippines during his time. One thing is for sure
though, he wanted to preserve the dent made by the Spaniards in history-and he did just
that, in a silent but powerful manner.
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda is a well-known figure not only
among Filipinos but throughout the world. He is recognized through his truthful grasp of
nationality- going beyond the culture and language that holds Filipinos together. He
revolutionized the beginning of perceiving and experiencing a deep sense of being a Filipino.
He enlightened Filipinos of the thought that we are not among nor under any other
nationality.
In line with this with great effort and tons of sacrifices put into his writing endeavor,
Noli Me Tangere came to the light of the world on March 21, 1887 (Zaide, G. F., 2003). The
latin phrase translates to “Touch Me Not” exactly as how Jose Rizal found the words in the
Christian Scripture. This novel was scandalous and controversial since it was credited with
the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos in his time who were under the lash of the
Spaniards. It created consciousness for Filipinos to rise up and fight for what is right for
them because they are Filipinos and no other citizens aside from them should be the leaders
of their own country. Thus, whoever was found to have the book was arrested during that
time.
On a different note, the characters that were included in the book have symbolism. It
portrayed relevant social statuses during that time. Every character in Noli Me Tangere has a
role that depicts different roles in Philippine society to fight for the freedom and
independence of the country.
Among the most notable characters in the novel, Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias was
attributed by Zaide, G. F. (2003) as Jose Rizal himself. Ibarra also known in his full name as
Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years, the love
interest of Maria Clara.  Son of the deceased Don Rafael Ibarra, Crisostomo changed his
surname from Eibarramendia to Ibarra, from his ancestor's surname- an uncanny
resemblance with Rizal’s change in last name from Mercado to Rizal. The latter, Ibarra's
mysterious friend, Elias, a master boater, is also a fugitive. Like Rizal, he wanted to
revolutionize his country. He 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 also said to be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.
Additionally, María Clara symbolizes the purity and innocence of a sheltered native
woman during the time of Spanish occupation. Maria Clara represented the Filipino women
who were oppressed and abused by the Spaniards. 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.
The famous antagonist to this tale is Padre Dámaso. Also known by his full name as
Dámaso Verdolagas, he is a Franciscan friar and María Clara's biological father. He
symbolizes the Spanish friars of Rizal’s time and his leadership depicts the Spanish control
of the Philippines.
The story of Sisa, the mother of Basilio and Crispín, who went insane after losing her
sons is acclaimed by many authors as the most painful and sorrowful tale in the novel. Sisa,
according to Derbyshire, C. (1976) repreprents Inang bayan or motherland who became an
outcast and insane because of the ill-treatment of the Spaniards to the Filipinos. Basilio and
Crispin were the sons of Sisa who also suffered from the hands of the Spaniards. The latter
represents the innocent Filipinos who have been wrongly accused of a crime they did not
commit. The injustice they suffered under the hands of the authorities during their time was
silenced by their deaths and the cover-ups that follow it.
Although much evil doings have been elaborated as to the characteristics of most
friars in the novel, Jose Rizal also wanted to show that not all of them are corrupted. He
represented this concept through the personification of Padre Sibyla.
Yet another notable character is Kapitan Tiago. 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.
Moreover, Pilosopo Tasyo symbolizes the learned Filipinos who had once embraced
the culture of the Spanish regime. They eventually become 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.
Lastly, Doña Victorina or Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaña, is a woman who
passes herself off as a Peninsular. She is an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a
Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-up. Her character symbolizes
those who have a distorted view of their identity. Everything that is indigenous is inferior and
everything foreign is superior. It is the comedic form of ‘’colonial mentality’’
The story begins when Juan Crisostomo, a youthful and idealistic man, comes home
after seven years in Europe. The wealthy mestizo, like his father Don Rafael endeavors for
reform primarily in the area of education in order to eliminate poverty and improve the lives
of his countrymen. Ibarra was provoked to hit Padre Damaso after learning of his father’s
death and the rejection of a Cathholic funeral for his father, which eventually led to
ex-communication. The ex-communication was later rescinded upon the intervention of the
Governor-General.
Padre Salvi, Ibarra’s mortal enemy, accused Ibarra of insurrection. Ibarra’s letter to
his beloved Maria Clara was used against him. Maria Clara will tell Ibarra in the later part of
the story, that she did not conspire to indict him. She was compelled to give Ibarra’s letter in
exchange for the letters of her mother before she was born. Maria Clara discovered that the
letters of her mother were addressed to Padre Damaso about their unborn child which
means that she is the biological daughter of the priest and not of her father, Capitan Tiago.
Eventually , Ibarra was able to escape the prison with Elias, who had also been
treated unfairly by the authorities. Ibarra was able to speak with Maria Clara about the letters
and thereafter forgave her. Ibarra and Elias flee to the lake and are chased by the Guardia
Civil. One was shot and the other survived. Upon hearing the news, Maria Clara believed
that Ibarra was dead; she entered the nunnery instead of marrying Alfonso Linares.
The fatally wounded Elias found the child Basilio and his dead mother Sisa. When
Sisa learnt that her children had been accused of thievery by the sacristan Mayor, she went
insane. Elias instructed Basilio to dig for his and Sisa’s graves and there is a buried treasure
that he can use for his education.
 With its distinctive characters, Noli Me Tangere beautifully depicted Philippine society.
The melancholic fate of Maria Clara and the insanity of Sisa characterized the country’s
wretched situation, which was once beautiful, turned miserable.
Without a firm grasp of Filipino national consciousness, many of the Filipinos were
submissive and too accepting of theory suffering. Jose Rizal’s portrayal of the different
characters and the symbolisms he used was the final blow in piercing the hearts of the
Filipinos. Thus, this strengthened the revolution in overthrowing the Spanish colonizers.
This novel has a lot of symbolism and real-life events that opened the eyes of the
Filipino people during the Spanish colonization to start the revolution and overthrow the
Spanish colonizers. This novel is a constant reminder that we must patronize our country by
respecting the law, promoting Philippine culture, and realizing the true goal of the country by
helping each other towards the improvement of the country. It teaches us the values of
wisdom, fighting what is right, and loving our country. This novel is being taught in school in
order to not repeat the history itself by learning how to love our country and to empower the
youth as the catalyst of change for our country.
Being a true Filipino is what Jose Rizal wants us to be, to know who we are and what
our true goals will make the country flourish. Noli Me Tangere is a novel that was an advisory
for the Filipinos to fight against the colonizers and today’s reminder of our history. The
characters and the events in the story resemble our life, culture, and beliefs of Filipino
people. This literary piece will mark in our hearts the values that the novel tells us to be a
good role model that will benefit our country. Reading this literary piece will make us realize
the true meaning of nationalism and be a catalyst for change.
As student nurses, we hold our Filipino clients to heart. With our various exposures
and hospital experiences, we most often express our care for the motherland by way of
protecting, promoting and restoring the health of our fellow Filipinos.
Admittedly, we have not had this clear understanding about the Noli Me Tangere
novel until this particular moment. It has come to light that our inability to comprehend the
readings, our carefree attitude as adolescents and the little time that was allotted in learning
about the text in high school were just some of the few factors that may have dimmed the
context of what the novel is truly telling us. Noli Me Tangere was just a tiny portion among
other concepts in our Filipino subject during our last semester in the 4th year of high school.
We have realized then, that this is the perfect time for intensive learning and character
reformation, as we are about to venture out and extend our horizon to reach many Filipinos
through service.
The development of national consciousness, not only for future healthcare
professionals, but for every Filipino could make a great impact to this deteriorating society in
which hate is such a trend. It is as if we are not captives of other nations anymore but we
restrain others as we ourselves inflict the same agony to our own kin.
Lastly, we realized that if we identify with our fellow Filipinos and truly realize the
value of freedom and identification that our ancestors have hardly fought for, progress would
befall us like dominoes. With national consciousness, we get to see each other as brothers
and sisters regardless of our differences. Like family, we would be able to fight for each
other. Surely it is easy to say these things but Dr. Jose Rizal has proved it possible and
continues to encourage us as he left these words: ““To live is to be among men, and to be
among men is to struggle, a struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their passions,
but also with one's own.”.
 References
Derbyshire, C. (1976). The social cancer: A complete version of noli me tangere from the
Spanish of Jose Rizal. Philippine Education Company.

Zaide, G. F. (2003). Jose Rizal: Life, works, and writings (2nd ed.). All-Nations Publishing
Co., Inc.

PREPARED BY:

Agustin, Carl Andrei Madalipay

Alolor, Angelica Mae Soronio
Bagasol, Irylle Anne Pacris
Bensang, Maricon Pardinas
Hilario, Gemaica Jane Ramos
Ibon, Lordson Gem Pascual
Maniago, Aizel De La Cruz
Molina, Claudine Nove Anne Garcia
Naceno, Aia Gypsy de Leon
Rivera, Monica Bravo
BSN IV-D, Group I

SUBMITTED TO:

Mr. Rodel Reyes

PI 01, Instructor