EL FILIBUSTERISMO

- It talks about social issues, some were already mentioned in Noli Me Tangere
- When Rizal started this, where and when it was published.
- A lot shorter than Noli Me Tangere because it only has 39 chapters.

It will just give an ending to the life story of Crisostomo Ibarra

CHAPTER I - ON THE UPPER DECK

- Telling us the setting of this chapter, it’s on the upper deck of the steamship
Tabo.
It is a fine December morning. The steamship Tabo is sailing on the Pasig River to
Laguna. Passengers on the upper deck talk about the lake and the long journey. Some
important characters in the novel are introduced: Simoun the jeweler, Doña Victorina;
the friars Salvi, Irene, Camorra, and Sibyla, Don Custodio, and Ben Zayb.

Things to get from this chapter:

The most important thing here is the concept of how this steamship Tabo can be related
to the situation of the Philippines during that time. Here on the upper deck of the
steamship Tabo, the ones who are actually here are the elite. Most of them are the
Spaniards and the rich Filipinos. It was mentioned here in this chapter some important
characters.

There are new characters in this novel.

This novel actually start in the month of December. Noli Me Tangere actually ended in
the same month, it ended on December but 13 years ago. Crisostomo Ibarra came back
to the Philippines but he disguised as a jeweler, he is now under the name of Simoun
the jeweler, the governador general’s friend/adviser. The reason why he came back to
the Philippines.

The main point of this novel is the symbolism of the steamship Tabo in comparison with
the current situation of the country during that time, we actually have 5 things that we
need to take note about this steamship Tabo:

1) The manner the ship is divided into two sections - The upper deck is where
the elite are staying, and the lower deck there you will find the Filipinos/Indios.
And this division of this steamship Tabo is very similar to how the government
treat the people during that time. There is a difference on how the government
will treat rich people compared to how they treat poor people. There’s no
equality, there’s no fair treatment. That is the meaning behind that 2 sections in
the steamship Tabo.
 2) Slow pace of the ship traveling from a certain place through the Pasig River to
Laguna. - really moving slow, and this pace of the steamship Tabo is actually
likened to the movement or to the country’s slow progress. Rizal and even
Crisostomo Ibarra in the novel pointed out that there is a very slow progress and
development in our country during that time. The Spaniards already stayed in our
country for 300 years. But our economy, our country didn’t progress at all. It is
slow, if not, it is stagnant. The progress is stagnant
3) The paint of this steamship Tabo - It was painted with white-washed walls and
it is even covered with rust and dirt, and again, this rust and dirt symbolizes how
the government administer/manage the country. It is through a very bad method
or a way. There are a lot of social issues going on in the entire country.
Government is really a dirty scene or something. There’s corruption, abuse and
all that.
4) The shape/The circular design of this Steamship Tabo - symbolizes the
government plan, the government’s way of administration, they are just going in
circle. When we say that they’re just going into circle, they don’t have a
concrete/sensible goal/purpose that they wanted to attain while they are here in
our country. In connection to the third concept, that’s the only thing that they
cared for, the things that they could get from the country - natural resources,
human resources. But they don’t have the plan on how they’re going to improve
the country itself.
5) The use of modern machinery to power the steamship - In comparison, when
comparing the steamship Tabo to that of the country, it’s like the steamship itself
is the Philippines. This modern machinery is talking about the people who are
making this country run. Just like this steamship, which is ran by a modern
machinery, the country is run by the church and the state, it symbolizes the union
of the church and the state during that time. That’s the symbolism of the
steamship Tabo.

CHAPTER II - ON THE LOWER DECK

Basilio, Isagani, and Don Custodio are deep in discussion on the lower deck of the
steamer Tabo. The two students tell Don Custodio about the plan to put up a Spanish
academy, and although the two boys are hopeful that the plan will be approved, Don
Custodio is rather pessimistic.

Here in this chapter, just like how Rizal did Noli Me Tangere, the first few chapters of
the novel actually introduces the characters in the story.

Basilio and Isagani are deep in discussion with Don Custodio on the lower deck of the
steamer Tabo, they are telling him about their plan to put up a Spanish Academy.
They’re trying to know the opinion of Don Custodio with regards to that idea. Don
Custodio, being the adviser of the officials, who is working in the government, he is
pessimistic of that plan of these students. On the other hand, these two students,
Basilio and Isagani are very optimistic about this issue, that really have high hopes that
the government would allow them to put up a Spanish Academy. This issue is one of
the main points which this novel will be talking about.

Implication of the conversation between Basilio and Isagani with Don Custodio.
Why Don Custodio is pessimistic about the students’ plan?
- If we are to relate it in real life, we can actually thought of that idea that why does
elder people are always pessimistic that they find hindrance to progress, while on
the other hand, the youth is always optimistic about their endeavors. It’s like they
have this motivation, drive to do a lot of things, but if they are to consult the older
people, maybe their parents, grandparents, instead of having their support, some
will definitely discourage them to push through with such plans or ideas. Why is
that so? Why do they act or react towards these new ideas of the young
generation. According to an analysis, they said that the older people have
already experienced a lot, failure in their life, lost hope, lost their dreams, and
with that experience already taught them a lot of things and one of which is not to
hope too much, and then sometimes, they will say that we should be contented
of what we have at present. But on the other hand, the youth has lesser
experience, they didn’t really experience big failures in life, they still have that
burning hope that their plans in the future will be fulfilled, and this is actually what
Rizal is trying to use to encourage the students/youth to pursue their education,
to have new ideas, to be enlightened and all that. Because, this way, the nation
will be pushed forward towards progress. But maybe, the older people, the elder
people are right, it’s just that most/some of them are very close-minded, they’re
not open to new ideas. And we could actually see this in the world of work, for
example, it’s like if the boss is asking for ideas, the senior employees would
actually disregard a newcomer/ new employee’s idea, because they would say
that “you have no experience on this, you are just a newcomer/new employee, so
you don’t know how things run around here.” We can compare it on how the
elder people will advise us on how we're going to go about our decisions in life,
our plans in life.

CHAPTER III - LEGENDS

The elite passengers of the steamer pass the time by telling stories and legends of
places, along the river. Padre Florentino narrates the legend of Doña Jeronima in a
rather colorful tone, and Padre Salvi tells the story of a Chinese man who was attacked
by Caymans but was saved because he called upon St. Nicholas to help him. Moments
later, Ben Zayb asks the captain to point to him the exact spot where a man named
Ibarra was killed during his attempted escape. Simoun becomes silent and retreats in
deep thought as the captain locates the infamous region in the water.

It was entitled legends because the passengers are sharing different legends, it was
actually Simoun who started this idea of telling stories, because he was expecting that
one of the passengers would talk about the legend of Doña Jeronima - a story of a
woman who was imprisoned, not literally imprisoned, but it’s like imprisoned in a place
by her lover, and that lover is actually a man of God, an archbishop to be exact.
Doña Jeronima was promised by her boyfriend that he will marry her, but when this man
left their village, Doña Jeronima waited for him, but he didn’t come back, just to learn
that he is already an archbishop and when Doña Jeronima confronted the archbishop,
he built a cave for Doña Jeronima and tell/ask her to stay there until she dies.

And why did Simoun wanted to bring that story out to the passengers? It is quite similar
to what is happening between Friar Salvi and Maria Clara, when Maria Clara learned
that Crisostomo Ibarra is dead, she decided to go back to the convent, in Santa Clara,
we all know that Padre Salvi have feelings towards her. So he was actually happy that
Maria Clara went back to the convent, and it’s like the convent served as a prison for
her and Padre Salvi will just go and visit her, and he actually used to officiate a mass in
Santa Clara just for him to see Maria Clara. When that story was mentioned by Padre
Florentino, Simoun asked Padre Salvi that what would he do if he is in the shoes of the
archbishop, would he do what the archbishop did to Doña Jeronima?

Padre Salvi didn’t answer that question, and to dodge that question, he shared another
legend, it is a story of a Chinese man who was attacked by a crocodile, and this story
tells us superstitious beliefs in relation to religion, this Chinese man at first, he doesn’t
believe in the Catholic doctrine. When Satan, according to this legend,
pretend/appeared as a crocodile, the Chinese man was very scared, because this
crocodile is very dangerous and it's’ like he’s about to eat the Chinese man, but when
the Chinese man prayed to St. Nicholas, the crocodile turned into stone. And that
legend shows the power of the Catholic faith, the Catholic doctrine which was actually
used by the friars to our ancestors to manipulate them, to win them, to make them
believe, to convert them to Christianity. Those are just some of the legends which were
told by the passengers. The exchange of stories only stopped when Ben Zayb asked
the captain about the place where Ibarra was killed, and having that, Simoun actually
left the group.

CHAPTER IV - CABESANG TALES

Cabesang Tales cultivates a piece of land with his father and his family. Because of
having to endure hard work and manual labor under the sun, Tales’ wife and eldest
daughter die. At the time of harvest, some men representing a certain religious order lay
claim to the land and demand from Tales an annual payment of rent. Having no other
choice, Tales accepts the agreement. However, year after the year the rent keeps going
up in incredible increments and Tales decides he has had enough. He brings the issue
up in court, demanding that the religious order provide proof of their ownership of the
land. Tales loses the case. Time passes and he is kidnapped by bandits demanding
ransom for his neck. In the attempt to gather up enough money to pay for the release of
her father, Juli (Tales’ daughter) borrows money from Hemana Penchang and works for
the woman as a servant in order to pay the debt.

In this chapter, it talks about one of the atrocities of the Spaniards, it was shown in the
character of Cabesang Tales, the land grabbing by the religious orders/by the friars.
Cabesang Tales actually cultivated a piece of land and he was able to develop that land
but one day, a religious order came to that land and claimed that they own that certain
land. And when Cabesang Tales doesn’t want to leave that place, the religious order
demand that he should pay for the period he is staying in that place, a rent. Having no
choice, Cabesang Tales agreed, but as time passes by, annually, the rent increases. So
the first time they increased, he allowed it, because even if he’s angry, his father
advised him that he should just let it go and think that he was robbed by someone, but
when they continued to increase the rent, that’s the time that he had enough and
actually filed a case against this religious order, but because he doesn’t have any
influence and he’s going against powerful people, he lost that case. But still he doesn’t
want to move out of that place, so what he did is that he will be carrying his rifle and will
be patrolling in that certain land, but the alferez ordered the civil guards to confiscate his
firearm, and that is also the time when he was kidnapped by the bandits. And the
bandits now are demanding for a ransom for him. And they do not have money,
because even if Cabesang Tales is the cabeza de barangay of Tiani, he doesn’t have
any power, he is not actually rich, because his only job is to collect taxes from the
people and that work is not good in the eyes of the public. But cabeza de barangay are
being used by the Spaniards to get money from the people. So that is the story of
Cabesang Tales and that is one of the issues in the society during that time: land-
grabbing. At present, there are still people who are doing illegal land-grabbing. In
Baguio, there are some people who will just be claiming that they own a certain land,
they will be showing papers, titles, which are actually fake, they just made it up because
they learned that the people who owns that land don’t have an authorized/original copy
of the title of that certain land, and that’s what they will take advantage of. Ask an
attorney to make a title for themselves. That’s what they will use to grab lands.
Cabesang Tales’ daughter, Juli, actually made a way to get him from the hands of the
bandits, she borrowed money from Hermana Penchang, and in return, she will be
serving Hermana Penchang to pay that debt.

CHAPTER V - THE COACHMAN’S CHRISTMAS EVE!

On his way to San Diego, a coachman is maltreated by the civil guards. He endures this
abuse in silence. They hit him with a rifle after he tells them he has forgotten to bring his
cedula. They beat him up again. Basilio walks to San Diego and arrives at Captain
Tiago’s house. He hears the news about Cabessang Tales’ kidnapping.

Juli’s boyfriend, Basilio, is actually on his way to Captain Tiago’s house, and during that
time, it’s Christmas, and while they're on their way, a civil guard actually maltreated the
coachman, and because of that, Basilio just decided to get off the carriage and walk to
Captain Tiago’s house, and this shows the situation of the coachman, shows abuse
from the people who has power. Because he was maltreated merely because he didn’t
greet the civil guard. And moreso, that the coachman was punished when he informed
him that he forgot his cedula. The coachman’s name is Sinong. That’s his story and
that Christmas day is actually depicting how powerful people maltreat poor people or
those who belong in the lower class.

CHAPTER VI - BASILIO
Basilio visits the forest at Christmas Eve. The wood, formerly owned by the Ibarra, was
sold to Captain Tiago. Basilio visits his mother’s grave by the balete tree in the middle of
the forest. A stranger’s (Elias’) grave lay beside it. He recalls a memory of thirteen years
before, when Ibarra had helped him cremate the two bodies. With the help of Captain
Tiago, Basilio is no studying to be a doctor and plans to marry Juli, his sweetheart.

In Noli Me Tangere, the last time we heard from him is when he buried his mother,
when after how many months and he was able to see his mother, he was able to reunite
with his mother, but that same day, his mother died. After that scene, he doesn’t know
where to go, he is wandering around the streets, but still being alert because the civil
guards are still after him, so when Captain Tiago saw him, he took Basilio to his house
and Captain Tiago started to sponsor his studies and now, here in this novel, he is
already a medical student, who was about to finish his degree, he is already an intern,
he’s doing his clerkship. So here, it’s Christmas day and that same day is the day that
he buried his mother’s body, and the location is in that forest which was originally
owned by Crisostomo Ibarra but after his death, his properties were auctioned, and this
certain forest was bought by Captain Tiago. Basilio went to visit the grave of his mother,
he depicts/study as a doctor, depicts the advancement of medical field at present.
There’s a leper in Noli Me Tangere whereby Maria Clara gave a scapular to that leper,
and here in El Filibusterismo, Basilio met that leper and he was able to cure that leper.
And that act shows the idea of Rizal that leprosy can be cured, and with the medical
advancement of the present time is actually the living proof of that idea of Rizal. When
Basilio was able to cure that leper, to pay him, the leper gave that certain scapular
Maria Clara gave him to Basilio and Basilio gave it to his girlfriend, Juli. Maria Clara’s
scapular are now in the hands of Juli, and on that same night…
CHAPTER VII - SIMOUN
…is the night that Basilio learned about the true identity of Simoun.

Basilio is about to leave the wood when he notices the shadow of a man approaching.
Basilio announces his presence and is surprised to find out that the stranger is indeed
Simoun the jeweler who, in reality, is Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise. Simoun tries to
convince Basilio to join him in his plans to avenge the cruel death of his mother (Sisa)
and his younger brother (Crispin). Basilio, however, is not completely in favor of this
plan, and tells Ibarra that vengeance would not bring his family back.

How did he figure that out? It’s because Ibarra is the only one who knows about that
place, seeing Simoun in that same place, is a proof that he is actually Ibarra, and when
Basilio learned about the true identity of Simoun the jeweler, Simoun tried to convince
Basilio to join him in his plan of vengeance, that is actually the ultimate goal of Simoun
why he came back in the Philippines after 13 years that is to exact vengeance to the
people who wronged him, and of course, to 3 specific people - First, his father, Second
is Maria Clara, Lastly is Elias, he wanted to give them justice, but Basilio didn’t agree to
his plan, he doesn’t want to join him to his journey of rebellion/planning a rebellion
against the church and the government. His idea is that revenge will not bring his family
back. But even if Basilio refused to join Crisostomo Ibarra in his revenge, Crisostomo
Ibarra/Simoun didn’t kill Basilio. If we’re on the shoes of Simoun, our cover is already
blown up, so to keep our identity, we can actually kill that person who discovered our
real identity, but that’s not the case for Simoun, he kept Basilio alive because of few
reasons:
1. Basilio, like him, is poor unfortunate victim, by these cruel hands of the
government and the church. He believes that definitely at the end, Simoun will
join him in planning the rebellion.
2. Basilio wouldn’t run to the authorities to inform them about Simoun because he
himself is a hunted man, even after 13 years, Basilio is still hiding from the civil
guards because of that accusation of stealing.
3. Basilio owes Simoun when Crisostomo Ibarra helped him to bury his mother.
4. If things ever came to worse that Basilio will decide to expose the true identity of
Simoun, his words will be against Simoun’s words, and definitely there will be no
doubt that the government would believe Simoun, because Basilio is like a
nobody, and Simoun on the other hand is actually a known person, a
businessman, he is even friends with the governor general.
5. Simoun actually needs Basilio for his plan of rebellion, and among all the young
men in town, it is Basilio who understands Simoun the best, because he actually
knew the experiences of Simoun 13 years ago. Also, Basilio is the only one who
 could recognize Maria Clara, Simoun definitely needs Basilio, that’s why he didn’t
kill him, even if he knew about his real identity.

CHAPTER VIII - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

No miracles come. Juli cannot gather up enough cash, and so she goes on to become
Hermana Penchang’s servant girl. It is Christmas Day. Selo, Juli’s grandfather, wallows
in misery at the thought of his poor young granddaughter being so cruelly punished by
fate. In the middle of his depression, the old man becomes mute.

- It is a narration of what transpired, of what is the effect of that accusation that

kidnapping of Cabesang Tales to his family.
- Juli is now serving Hermana Penchang just to pay their debt. It is Christmas, Juli
is actually waiting for a miracle that would solve those problems, but she didn’t
see any miracle. In the end, she just endure that pain or her fate.
- As for Tata Selo, because of depression, he became mute. It is a very sad
experience/event for the family since it’s even Christmas, you’re supposed to be
happy, celebrating. But this happened to their family.

CHRISTMAS
- At present, it’s happy, celebration, a lot of food, exchange gifts. Kids are very
happy, practically everyone is very happy during Christmas, but here in this
chapter, it actually depicts the feeling of children during Christmas, in the 19th
century/during the time of Rizal. So, the children before actually wished that
Christmas will not come, because first, they don’t want to wake up early to hear
mass, maybe it is referred to Misa de Gallo during that week before Christmas. In
the Catholic Doctrine, there is Misa De Gallo (Simbang Gabi), children don’t
actually want to go to hear mass in the morning because the weather is kind of
cold, it is a nice weather to sleep, wake up late, but they will be forced by their
parents to get up early to hear mass. Aside from that there are parents would ask
them to wear uncomfortable clothes, wear new shoes that would torture their
feet. Old style of shoes, will definitely leave blisters on the feet. It’s normal for
children to have short span of attention. (Attention span) and the mass will take
too long so they will get bored and the church is very crowded and there are a lot
of kids who don’t want any crowd, they feel uncomfortable. Lastly, they will be
forced to sing and dance in front of their relatives in exchange to few pesos
(money). Which will not be given to them, it will be given to them but the person
who will benefit is their parents in the end of the day. That’s how children
experienced Christmas before according to Rizal. But at present, children are the
happiest people during Christmas because they will receive a lot of gifts.
CHAPTER IX - PILATES
Rumors about the misfortunes of Selo’s family spread rapidly all over town. People say
the events are not their fault, and they could not have avoided such circumstances had
they wished to. They also comment, however, that if Cabesang Tales had only stayed
home he would not have had himself abducted by bandits. Hermana Penchang, on the
other hand, has an entirely different opinion and says that the reason why God had
allowed such turmoil to befall Selo’s family is because they had not taught Juli the
proper way of saying her prayers.

This chapter is entitled Pilates, because looking at the comments of the people
regarding the family of Cabesang Tales. Pontius Pilate condemned Christ to the cross
even though he knew Jesus was not guilty of the charges against him. Pilate merely
followed the wishes of the people, paid by friends of that thief Barabbas. Afterwards, he
washed his hands and claimed that he had nothing to do with the entire thing.

In this chapter, the Alferez knows that the real reason why he had ordered Tales’
weapons and firearms to be confiscated was only to calm the peers (fears) of those
working in the land. But it is because of this move that Cabesa was abducted, it is why
Juli is now working as a servant and it is why Selo has gone mute, and the Alferez
claims he is not at fault. Just like the people, they’re also saying that they don’t have
anything to do with what happened to the family of Cabesang Tales, just like Hermana
Penchang, if she just borrowed fully the ransom money without asking her to work for
her as a servant, that would have been better, maybe Juli will not be suffering herself
working for her. So, at present it is very rampant that some government officials claim
that they don’t have anything to do with what’s happening with PhilHealth, decision on
which vaccine will be purchased for the response of COVID-19. The reason why it’s
spreading all over the country and all that. These decisions they made is for self-
interest, maybe to gain favor from those other people who are also powerful or rich. It’s
somewhat sad, that the government officials’ actions and decisions are
manipulated/influenced by what few people wants, it’s just decided by those powerful
people, they’re not thinking of what is the better step to take, the better thing to do, what
is good for the people and all that. There are also Pilates just like the Alferez. Some
people in the society even the normal people.
CHAPTER X - WEALTH AND WANT
Simoun sells his jewelry at the house of Cabesang Tales. Simoun shows off his revolver
to the cabeza. The rich people of San Diego and Tiani gather there to see what
precious gems they can purchase. The following day, Simoun discovers that Tales has
stolen his gun. Shortly after, news spread about the murder of three people: the new
tenant, his wife, and the friar administrator. In the crime scene, a piece of paper is found
with the word “Tales” written in blood.
If we’re going to think about it, why did Simoun pick Tales’ house to stay in? Why didn’t
he stay in the house of a more powerful person? Why he didn’t stay in the house of the
friars? Maybe the house of Captain Tiago?
According to him, Cabesang Tales’ house is the biggest and most prudent house in the
area. Where he wants to market his jewelries. However, the real reason is that Simoun
wants to find out more about Tales, whom he sees as someone who would potentially
join in his rebellion after all the injustice he has suffered. Looking at the turn of events,
Simon succeeded, he turned Tales into a murderer, he provoked Cabesang Tales to be
a murderer. Now, it was also mentioned that rich people from San Diego and Tiani
gather at the house of Cabesang Tales just to buy jewelries from Simoun. Isagani, a
student claimed that Filipinos don’t know (buy) jewelries, but Simoun thinks otherwise
and it’s true, people all over the place visited the house of Cabesang Tales just to see if
they can buy some pieces of jewelry from Simoun. Also, they buy jewelry and precious
gems hoping to gain prestige and to elevate their place in society. (If you have jewelry,
precious gems, you will look rich. There are a lot of people wearing fake pieces of
jewelry just to look rich). They would be proud to say that they had bought jewelry from
Simoun, adviser to the Captain General. It’s also something they could brag to other
people, buying it from Simoun, a famous jeweler. Some of the people in the society in
the present are like that, if they met a famous person, then they will be bragging it to
other people, just to brag, just to be proud of what they experienced, not really to
encourage people, to inspire them. Sometimes when they say it to other people, it’s like
sarcastic, that they’re telling that person they can’t have this, they can’t experience this.

What Cabesang Tales did made Simoun really glad because his plan is going smoothly.
Simoun sees that Tales is a gallant man. He had left his daughter's scapular --
something he'd never intended to touch because he didn't have Juli's permission -- in
exchange for Simoun's revolver. Also Simoun sees in Tales a man burning with anger
and a thirst for vengeance -- exactly the person he needs to join him in the rebellion. He
was even glad when the civil guards arrested Selo, Cabesang Tales’ father, because
this will further ignite the fire of vengeance burning inside of Tales, this will even urge
him more to join the planned rebellion. That’s the main reason why Simoun chose the
house of Cabesang Tales.
CHAPTER XI - LOS BAÑOS
The governor general enjoys a brief respite in Los Baños together with his advisers and
some friars. After a long and rather intellectual game of cards, the governor opens a
discussion regarding the plan of the youth to put up a Spanish academy and requests
his advisers to express their opinions regarding the matter. Because of the men's
opposing views, no decision is made whether to approve it or not. A few moments later
the governor general orders the release of Selo in exchange for his son, Tales.
Here in this chapter, sycophancy is very evident, the way the people treated the
governor general just to be close to him, the idea of adulation for those in power
whereby the plan to have a man dress up as a deer is almost put into effect just so the
governor general could shoot one down. Having a band during the hunt is another
proof of such (moronic) flattery. Aside from that, two friars were gambling against the
governor general and intentionally letting the governor win in order to keep the official in
a good mood, thereby increasing their chances of winning the general's side on the
matter of putting up a Spanish academy. Regarding the academy, teaching during that
time was mostly in the hands of the Dominicans. There is marked rivalry between the
Dominicans and the Jesuits.

Padre Sibyla is the rector of the University of Santo Tomas, and the Dominicans are not
in favor of the plan to build a Spanish academy. Padre Irene on the other hand is
supporting the youth in their noble endeavor.

CHAPTER XII - PLACIDO PENITENTE

Placido Penitente walks glumly to school. He meets Juanito Pelaez along the way, and
talks with him for a while. Juanito is the favorite of practically all the teachers, and his
father is a Spanish mestizo. Placido talks to the young man about his brief vacation to
Tiani with Padre Camorra, and then asks Juanito to help him catch up with the lessons
he missed the days before.

The educational system was described by Placido Penitente, just like how Rizal
criticized the Philippine educational system during his time, it is exactly the same with
Placido Penitente’s experience.

The University of Santo Tomas during the Spanish regime was situated in Intramuros
(Walled City) near the Colegio de San Juan de Letran today. It was only during the
American regime that UST was relocated to Espanya, Manila. Almost all of the schools
back then were located in Intramuros -- Letran and Ateneo.

Different students have certain identifying characteristics back then, based on the
school they are from:
1. Ateneo: These students dress as if they were in Europe, wearing tuxedos and
the like. They walk rather briskly, and always carry around books and
notebooks.
2. Letran: These students dress in Filipino garments, and are a rather populous
bunch. They are not usually found walking around with textbooks.
3. UST: Their clothes are particularly clean and tidy, and they are always well
groomed. They walk with an elegant strut, and instead of bringing books, they
carry around a cane.
Even if these students act like this, Rizal said: Most of them do not learn anything
(much) because:
1. Except for those enrolled in the Ateneo, the students do not bring textbooks,
especially those in the UST.
2. The classes are overpopulated.
3. The teachers look down on them.
4. Classes are frequently cancelled.

Now Placido wants to stop his studies, according to him, he has been studying for 4
years and yet his teachers still never love him despite his hardwork. Just like the
meaning of his name, that’s how he wants to address his current problem - His name
Placido means quiet and placid; Penitente means one inflicted with suffering.

Even if he is suffering, that time he remained calm and silent.

CHAPTER XIII - THE CLASS IN PHYSICS

Placide Penitente enters Physics class, in which Padre Millon is his professor. The
discussion drags on without the use of any laboratory equipment and other learning
aids. The university had bought a number of instruments, but these remain kept in
glass shelves and are never used. Placido had already been marked as absent, and
when Padre Millon calls on him to answer a question, the priest gives him a very low
mark. Placido argues with Padre Millon over this injustice. The unyielding friar
continues throwing insults at the youth, and Placido Penitente walks out of the class.

A few important facts to note about Padre Millon - his character represents the
Dominican friars who are teaching the students. Padre Millon:
1. He is primarily interested in metaphysics and handles classes in philosophy and
theology, after which he teaches chemistry and physics -- subjects in opposing
ends of college education.
2. He only glances at his textbooks during classes in physics and chemistry (little
knowledge is dangerous), he doesn’t have enough knowledge, he is not an
expert in the field of this branch of sciences. When he’s having class, he
integrates his personal beliefs, he barely believes in what the experts are saying,
and eventually approaches the subjects in a philosophical manner (he still does
not believe that the earth is round, or that it is revolving around the sun).
3. He frequently throws insults at his students, and also about the subjects he is
teaching. - He insults the students just like how he insulted Placido Penitente.
4. He habitually throws questions to students, but does not want to be questioned
himself. - He really established his authority inside the classroom whereby no
 student of his can ever question him. It’s like they don’t have the right to question
him because he is the professor.
5. He lets his students memorize the book word-for-word, without explaining the
lesson. - Rizal’s critique in the educational system of the Philippines during his
time, education is limited to memorization/root learning.
6. He uses profane language and curses at his students.

In this chapter, those characteristics of Placido - calm and silent, whereby those
characteristic exemplifies the common Filipino who is prudent and modest and willing to
endure difficult circumstances to stay away from trouble, but when filled to the brim can
also explode like a volcano

In this situation in the class in physics, we can say that Placido Penitente was already
filled to the brim like he had enough of what is happening inside the class, though he
didn’t talk back to his professor, but he just walks out of the class.

CHAPTER XIV - IN THE HOUSE OF THE STUDENTS

Macaraeg tells his friends at the dormitory that the decision to issue the building permit
for the Spanish academy has been given to a commission of which Don Custodio is
the leader. The students then come up with plans and schemes to get the Don on their
side and influence him to decide on their favor. They also plan to seek the help of
Señor Pasta, a lawyer, and Isagani volunteers to take charge of this task.

We’ve been mentioning Spanish Academy, the main goal of the Spanish Academy is for
the students to make sure that they learn correct Spanish as early as first year, so that it
will be easier for them to understand subsequent lessons. That’s the reason why they
decided seek help from Don Custodio and Senor Pasta. Rizal introduced other students
in this chapter:
● Isagani is an honorable and idealistic youth; Juanito Pelaez is an opportunistic
lad who believes in the saying, "the end justifies the means."
● Macaraeg is different from the rest in that he puts the welfare of others before
himself. Those who live in his house do so without payment. - they don’t pay
rent, he is a generous student.
● Pecson is an intellectual, but a pessimistic one. He always anticipates failure,
and this time, his predictions about the Spanish Academy prove to be correct.
● Sandoval is the image of a Spaniard who has not yet turned evil upon his
residence in the Philippines, partly because of his youth and partly because he
surrounds himself with good Filipino friends who have great love for their country.
Based on the description of these students, there is no significant difference between
the youth back in those days and the youth of today with regards to their attitude and
character as students.

According to unicheck.com, there are 13 types of students:

1. Overactive
He always has a question to ask and comment to make. He joined a book, science,
math, chess, debate, or glee club. Overactive personalities can be found just about
everywhere, and they can become irritating, since other students in the class have no
chance to make a name for themselves.
2. Teacher’s Pet
These students take front seats in the class and laugh loudly at teachers’ jokes. They
haunt teachers in school halls or torture them after class is over. They bombard
educators with endless questions. The thing is, aside from annoying the other students,
they immensely annoy teachers as well. They want to get close to the teacher. Later on,
they can gain favor.
3. Hard Worker
These students are highly motivated. They know what they want and how to achieve
their goal. Even though they are not always the smartest in the class, they still try hard
and really get what they want. No song, no supper, right?
4. Star (Star Students)
School celebrities can be famous/notorious for a huge number of reasons: They play
sports, they are A-students (honor students, participate in school activities, pageants,
and others), and more. They are just fabulous, no matter what they actually do. They
have groups of both fans and haters, and this kind of student touches practically
everyone’s feelings.
5. Intellectual Outsider
This outcast usually takes the back seat. He got used to the fact everyone in the class
ignores him. He seems to be quite odd and misanthropic. Nevertheless, when talking to
the Intellectual Outsider, you can be favorably impressed that this student is very smart!
6. Clown
Sometimes their jokes are funny. Sometimes they are not. However, Clowns are doing
their best to carry their entertaining mission. Everybody must laugh: classmates,
educators, and coaches. They keep the class lively. They should have limitations.
7. Clueless
Clueless students have no idea what they’re doing over here. Educators also have no
idea what clueless students are doing here. Clueless personalities hardly understand
what’s going on around them and try to make everything clear. They ask questions.
Billions of questions, many with already-discussed answers. Somewhat annoying that
you just discuss a topic and they start asking the same concept that you just discussed,
they don’t pay attention, lose focus in class.
8. Nerd
Nerds prefer books to social life. Books are clever. Books don’t bully you. Books don’t
ask stupid questions. What’s more, books fertilize your mind with superb ideas and
make you monstrously intelligent.
9. Artist
They have a kind of a separate world where creativity and inspiration rule. Artists
appear to be interested just in creative assignments and don’t stay motivated when
performing other tasks. It’s very hard to pique Artists’ interest.
10. Drama Queen
This person wants to get some attention at any cost. And really loves dramas. You don’t
have to join a drama club to be a Drama Queen. For this, you just need to be the center
of attention when it comes to classmates and educators alike.
11. Bully
Bullys keep in awe Nerds and Intellectual Outsiders and other much weaker
species or students who act weak, always alone, doesn’t talk to much and with
others. Even several years after, when school or university is in the past, Bullies’
victims recollect studying time with hatred. However, other students are of no interest
for the roughs, since they can stand up for themselves.
12. Natural Leader
Natural Leaders have an inborn capacity to stand out like a sore thumb/true leader.
They always have good ideas and know how to attract people. They are great examples
to follow. That’s why students and teachers truly adore Natural Leaders. Or hate them.
13. Slacker
Practically nobody knows what he looks like. He’s such a rare guest that sometimes
everyone forgets he’s their groupmate. However, Slackers appear on tests and make
other students ask each other, “Who’s that guy?” Attends class once a week, a month
or twice a month.

CHAPTER XV - SEÑOR PASTA

Isagani goes to Señor Pasta and tries to convince him to support their plans of a
Spanish academy. The lawyer, an intelligent man, is aware that the friars are not in
favor of this project, and, not wishing to provoke the church, Pasta decides to side with
them against it. He then tells Isagani that the best thing the lad can do is to concentrate
on his studies and stop dreaming of such greatly impossible endeavors.

Señor Pasta is a lawyer, but looking at his character in the society during that time, he is
a selfish man, with no regard for his countrymen. He believes that only when everyone
else fights for the country will he join in the spirit of nationalism.

Scholars believe that the character of Señor Pasta was patterned by Rizal after one
particular man who was considered to be the most learned Filipino during the reign of
the Spaniards and even during the American rule. He also became chief magistrate of
the supreme court of the Philippine government. Rizal had already died when this man
joined Aguinaldo's rebellion against the government.

Another, Señor Pasta doesn’t side with the students and support the Spanish Academy
because most of his clients are Spanish friars. It was mentioned that he already knew
that the friars are against this project. He would lose his clients, his wealth, and his good
name among the Spaniards if he were to support the planned academy.

Looking into the conversation between Señor Pasta and Isagani, Señor Pasta told
Isagani that Philippines is a land of dreams for there are hundreds and thousands of
plans for the nation, yet hardly one of them is realized. From that statement, Señor
Pasta is already giving a hint to Isagani that there is a big possibility that their plan to
build up a Spanish Academy will not also come true. However, if there is one thing we
can learn from the life of Señor Pasta, it is the man's dedication to his studies. He
suffered oppressive treatment just so he could finish his education, and never wasted
one second in leisure when he could spend it reading his books.

CHAPTER XVI - THE TRIBULATIONS OF A CHINESE

Quiroga is a Chinese doing business in the Philippines. He holds a dinner at his
house, and all the important people arrive -- merchants and other businessmen,
soldiers, and even those holding positions in the government. Simoun is there, too. He
approaches Quiroga and asks him if Simoun could use the Chinaman's warehouse
momentarily to store several rifles, guns and other weapons. Simoun offers to take out
a portion of Quiroga's debt to the jeweler in exchange for this favor.

Scholars say that Quiroga is one of the first of a long posterity of Filipino-Chinese
citizens who to this day continue to contribute to literature and business in the country.

Through the character of Quiroga, Rizal warns of the dangers brought to the country by
crafty Chinese businessmen. Rizal describes how they shower those in power with
extravagant gifts in order to gain favor, and then raise the prices of the goods they sell
in order to get back the money spent on such gifts. Maybe this is true, during Rizal’s
time, but at present, not quite sure if it is still prevalent. Foreign nationals cannot have
businesses here in the Philippines. There is a law preventing foreigners to have
business.

Compare and contrast Quiroga and Captain Tiago with regards to how they
prepare social gatherings.
Captain Tiago is devoted to getting, and delights himself in, an abundance of guests.
This is one distinctive Filipino trait. Quiroga, however, is different. He thinks to himself
while shaking hands with his guests, "I know you haven't come for me but for the food
and enjoyment I've prepared." (It isn't clear why Rizal doesn't mention anything to
depict the Chinese as gracious and cavalier). Rizal depicts Chinese as somewhat rude,
not hospitable.

Quiroga suddenly feel a shiver down his spine the moment he sees Simoun, because
Simoun is a very powerful man, and Quiroga feels intimidated by his presence. Also,
the Chinaman owes Simoun 9000 pesos for a piece of jewelry. That’s the main reason
why he allowed Simon to store weapons in his warehouse

Quiroga also complains and laments to Simoun about his business, but Simoun knows
that if one hears complaints from a Chinese businessman then that means business is
doing great. But if it is the other way around, and you hear the news, If word around
town is that his business is well and prospering, then that means he's nearing
bankruptcy. That’s how they do it according to Rizal. Though Chinese men are good
businessmen, Rizal discouraged FIlipino women from marrying Chinese men, take
Quiroga’s wife as an example, she is an Indio and she is locked up in a room like a
typical Chinese girl, because as Chinese tradition goes, women are merely for the
amusement of men, this kind of tradition is not true at present. Today, one would know if
a Chinaman is going bankrupt: His store will go down in flames.

CHAPTER XVII - THE QUIAPO FAIR

The night is young and wonderful. The fair is full of amusements and of excited
audiences. Twelve people from Quiroga's house head for the fair to watch Mr. Leeds's
show. Padre Camorra is delighted to see many beautiful ladies, and is even more
pleased when they come across Paulita, who is at the fair with Isagani and Doña
Victorina.
The Quiapo fair is composed of several booths dedicated to magic, games, circus
shows, toys and other frivolities, etc.

It is January.

Take note that Simoun disappears even though he was the one who invited
everyone else to watch the sphinx show by Mr. Leeds. - He invited them but he left
them.

Rizal emphasized the Philippine culture of art of carving images out of wood. Rizal
gives wood carving a considerable share of the spotlight, and gives the craft much
praise. Rizal is also into sculpture, he has few sculptures that are until now, are still
there - One is in Ateneo/UST, Sculpture of Virgin Mary.
One of the displays in the fair is The La Prenza Filipina “The Philippine Press” which
represents the state of journalism in the Philippines. The state of Philippine Press was
described as outdated, biased, and a complete failure. The irony here is that Ben Zayb
(a newswriter) is one of those laughing at the portrait without knowing that it insinuates,
and is pointing directly at him.

CHAPTER XVIII - LEGERDEMAIN

Mr. Leeds warmly welcomes the group. He allows them time to survey the room as well
as the tools he will use to showcase the sphinx. An alcohol lamp lights the tent, which
is dark and gloomy. Mr. Leeds begins by presenting to them a box with ashes that he
claimed to have been taken from the Egyptian pyramids. He shouts a magic word, and
the ashes form the image of the sphinx, whose name is Imuthis. Imuthis narrates to
the group the sad story of his life, which is curiously parallel to the story of Crisostomo
Ibarra. After the tale is told, Imuthis begins accusing Padre Salvi of being a murderer
and a hypocrite, and the young friar faints in his seat.

In this chapter, we can see the real reason why Simoun invited them to the fair, from the
show, the Sphinx narrated his story like it was mentioned which is very similar to that of
Ibarra’s story.

Similarities:
1. Both men studied in foreign lands.
2. Both men were against a league of friars.
3. Both men had a young pretentious priest as a rival in love and politics.
4. Both were pursued in the lake and died there. (Ibarra was believed to have died
in the water.)
5. The priest in Imuthis's story violated and abused the woman they both loved
(who was also the child born of another priest's wrongdoing) in a temple -- just
like what Salvi did to Maria Clara.
6. Both returned after their death to exact vengeance on the men responsible for
their dark fate -- Imuthis as Mr. sphinx, and Ibarra as Simoun.

After what happened to the show, Mr. Leeds goes to Hongkong, which, during that time,
is part of English colony. He is fearful that Padre Salvi would start a riot among the
priests and go after him, because of what the show did to Padre Salvi. Hong Kong
during those days was the land of refuge for abused Filipinos who had enough money
to flee from the country. The first Philippine flag was made in Hongkong.

CHAPTER XXIII - A CORPSE

Basilio is studying at Captain Tiago’s house. Simoun arrives and tries to convince the
youth to join in the revolution that the jeweler is planning. However, all his efforts are in
vain and Basilio refuses to take any part in it. Simoun then further explains that the
revolution is a necessary step if he were to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery.
Basilio then tells him that the lady is dead. Simoun leaves Captain Tiago’s house
deeply grieved and tormented.

In this chapter, it was mentioned that Basilio stayed beside Captain Tiago and he still
strive to cure Captain Tiago of his illness, even if he’s already exhausted in doing so.
Basilio is a man of honor. He is always thinking about the future he might have with Juli,
and how he refuses to stain that future with a dark past.

Simoun liken Captain Tiago to the Philippine government, just like Captain Tiago who is
slowly being consumed by the poison of opium, the Philippines is also about to die any
moment because of the widespread corruption in the country.

Simoun really needs Basilio in the revolution he is planning because apart from Captain
Tiago and Simoun, Basilio alone is able to recognize Maria Clara, whom they have to
save from the nunnery. In his plan, Simoun will be busy organizing his troops, so he
greatly needs Basilio if he is to rescue the woman he loves, but just like what Basilio
told him in this chapter, Simoun is too late because Maria Clara is already dead.

The last paragraph of this chapter is a very beautiful flow of poetry that plays through
the mind of Basilio as he ponders over what had happened to Maria Clara in the
convent, and how there could have been no miracle to have ever stopped it.

CHAPTER XXIV - DREAMS

Isagani meets Paulita Gomez at the Luneta. At that moment, the sun is setting behind
the mountains of Maribeles. In their conversation, Isagani shares his visions of
progress and social and economic development for his country. He talks to Paulita
about his plans to expand the railways, to improve commercial trade, and to somehow
achieve mutual cooperation between the Philippines and Spain. To his dismay,
however, Paulita tells him that his visions are nothing but unattainable dreams.

This chapter compares two different kinds of youth: One who loves his country,
and another who loves himself. This is also a very good avenue to study the dynamics
of two hearts that yearn for two very different things – the hearts of Isagani and
Paulita. For Isagani, his heart is into things that he wants to do to help his country
improve, to develop. While Paulita, doesn't believe that he would be able to reach his
dreams.
This chapter also describes Rizal’s vision of the improvement and development of the
cities of Quezon and Mandaluyong, which today have become very progressive towns.
At some point, we’re already developing in terms of infrastructures. Now looking at the
perspective of Paulita and Isagani, Be like Isagani who has vision in life, has a dream
and he is trying to do something to make that dream come true. People are free to
dream about a lot of things, and if you’re determined to achieve those dreams, then no
one can stop you from reaching those dreams. Focus on your goals.

CHAPTER XXV - SMILES AND TEARS

The university students organize a feast at the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto
in honor of Don Custodio because of his decision regarding the Spanish academy.
They are fourteen in all, including Sandoval. They paid for the entire place, so that it
would be exclusively for them and no other customers could get in. As Don Custodio
had decided, the Spanish academy would have to be supervised by the Dominican
order and they, the students, simply had to gather and collect financial contributions for
the proposed school.

This feast held by the students is a satirical mockery of their being in favor of Don
Custodio’s decision, according to Padre Irene, in order to celebrate the Don’s
affirmation of the plans for the proposed school.

It was mentioned that they were 14, there were thirteen Filipinos and one Spanish
student, Sandoval. Isagani arrived, which made them fifteen. They were supposed to
be sixteen all in all, but Basilio didn’t come. Macaraeg, Tadeo, and Pecson were in
attendance as well.

Looking at the decision of Don Custodio, he agreed to the students’ proposal but it
needs to be supervised by the Dominicans, that means they won’t really achieve what
they want, because Dominicans don’t allow the students/youth to grow, they stick to a
routine which they strictly follow.

It is entitled as smiles and tears because in the beginning of the chapter, the students
are smiling and laughing but you’ll see from their faces that the merriment is forced, the
laughter had a certain nervous, their eyes are flushed and in more than one, a tear
glisten, from smiles, from laughters, it turned to tears and sadness.

CHAPTER XXVI - PASQUINADES

Basilio reports to the hospital but is a little confused when he sees other students acting
as if there were no classes that day. One of the students informs him that there were
found seditious and revolutionary posters at the walls of the university, and that these
posters had implicated the student organization. The government has also demanded
the arrest of all the members of the student organization, as well as those who took part
in the celebration at the panciteria. Basilio goes to Macaraeg’s house to loan some
money, however both of them are arrested by the authorities.

Basilio is a doctor in training, having his practicum at the hospital.

During those days, Filipinos who finish are not given the title of Doctor. Instead, they
are only given a degree. However, they can still cure the sick and practice medicine.

Basilio has strived long and hard not to get involved in matters of politics because of his
ugly experiences as a child. This time, however, it seems he can no longer escape it.

But, who put those posters on the wall of the university?

CHAPTER XXVII - THE FRIAR AND THE FILIPINO

Isagani is summoned by Padre Fernandez. The priest wants to talk to him about his
involvement in the celebration held at the panciteria. Their discussion, however,
focuses on the ways by which the friars conduct education. According to Isagani, the
friars are intentionally delivering antiquated education to keep the Filipinos from
aspiring for freedom and civil liberties. He argues further that those who yearn for
such dreams are immediately labeled as filibusters, revolutionaries, and rebels.
In response to the youth’s claims, Padre Fernandez says that not all friars are backward
and are against the idea of educating the natives and the people. Education, he says,
can only be given to minds that are ready and deserving.
In this chapter, it talks about the Philippine educational system during Rizal’s time.

Isagani is still in his first year at the University of Santo Tomas. He came from Ateneo
de Manila.

During that time, the population of the Filipinos was roughly 8 million.

The Dominican order is one of the groups that hold the authority to educate the youth
during that time. After the Jesuits left Philippine soil, the Dominicans took over the job
completely. The University of Santo Tomas and the College of San Juan de Letran are
under Dominican administration. The Ateneo de Manila, on the other hand, is run by
the Jesuits.
It is like the Dominicans are monopolizing education in the country. According to Rizal, it
seems as if the government is auctioning off Philippine education to the Dominicans,
and although the friars are not doing the job right, the government just turn blind eye
because the fact remains that it continues to benefit from the arrangement.
Similar to what happened with Senor Pasta, Padre Fernandez could not win an
argument with Isagani.

According to Isagani, as a student, they want to be treated with respect and to be given
the proper education that they deserve from the friars.

CHAPTER XXVIII - TATAKUT

Rumor and gossip fill the city streets and corners. Practically everywhere, people are
talking about the seditious posters in the walls of the university. People say that the
students who were arrested were shot and deported to far-off places; they also say that
some luckier members of the student organization had conspired with thieves and
bandits as well as with certain German vessels in a plot to overthrow the government.

This chapter is a clear description of the image of a fearful society, and how this fear
causes more damage than an actual battle. Here we see how news grows bigger and
bigger through word of mouth. Everyone is scared even the friars Not one of them went
to the house of the Chinese businessman Quiroga, despite the fact that there have
been new arrivals for them to choose from and “purchase.”

Also, people like Ben Zayb gave a comment on what is happening. According to him,
the Filipinos who grow in knowledge learn to become rebels. Ben Zayb shares the
same opinion with Padre Damaso in Noli Me Tangere.

From the previous chapter, we were asking who did the pasquinades? Is it Simoun?
Since he’s the one who’s planning revolution, but Simoun didn’t show himself to anyone
in the last few days after learning what happened to Maria Clara. He is ill. He does not
want to be questioned about his condition. He also does not feel good about the events
that have transpired. Maria Clara is dead. The plan to revolt is compromised. His
temper is short. Simoun wants to be alone, to think things through what’s the next step
to do.

What is called the city of Manila during those days is the Walled City or Intramuros.

CHAPTER XXIX - EXIT CAPTAIN TIAGO

Capitan Tiago dies, and is given a decent burial. Padre Irene is the executor of his will.
His riches are divided among Santa Clara, the pope, the Archbishop, and other religious
organizations. Twenty pesos is left for the matriculation of the students. Padre Irene
suggests this so that it will appear that he is on the side of the students. Capitan Tiago
removes from his will the twenty-five pesos intended for Basilio for the youth’s inability
to recognize his indebtedness to the old man, but Padre Irene decides to give it to him
still, and says that it will come from the friar’s own pockets.
Because of addiction to opium, Captain Tiago turned ill and he died.

Everything that is stipulated in Capitan Tiago’s last will and testament is fabricated by
Padre Irene. This way, the church gets the most out of the riches of the deceased, and
his loved ones and relatives are greatly bereaved, and deprived even of their rightful
inheritance. Just like what they did to Ibarra’s properties. In the end, Captain Tiago was
not able to get what he wants from being a sycophant to the friars. You shouldn’t
depend on other people, if you want something, do your best to have that, don’t rely on
connections, because you don’t know when they will turn their back at you. Also, money
is not everything. Live your life not just for money, money has its own limitation, there
are things that money can’t buy - real family, happiness, love. Real = there are some
people out there who will pretend to be your there, but they get close to you because of
money. That’s one of the things you need to be careful with, choose to be around good
people. It’s better few true friends than thousands of fake friends.

It can be observed that even in his garments Padre Irene has gone overly frugal.

CHAPTER XXX - JULI

Juli is deeply troubled by the news of Basilio’s capture and imprisonment. People
convince her to approach Padre Camorra and ask him to intercede for the youth. Juli is
afraid to follow their advice and approach the friar because he is known to be frisky and
quite fond of women. However, when news reaches Juli that Basilio is about to be
killed, the young lady is compelled to go and ask the friar’s help.

With the turn of events in this chapter, what happened to Juli after seeking help from
Friar Camorra, did Juli give herself to Padre Camorra? Surely, Juli did that
Rizal had prepared the readers for this from the beginning. How?
● Padre Camorra is depicted as one who is fond of women.
● The friar had already asked Juli to give herself to him when she begged for the
release of Tandang Selo, although the young lady never gave in to his request.
● Juli is greatly anxious and doubtful about asking for the friar’s help.
● Juli dies, and at the same time Hermana Bali runs outside screaming in the
street. If Juli had killed herself before the friar raped her, Hermana Bali would not
have behaved in such a way. Padre Camorra had done the act in front of Bali.
● This assault against Juli is part of the novel’s intention to awaken the hearts of
the people to hatred towards the evil friars.

That’s what Rizal wants to tell to the people, when the news about Juli spread in town,
the next day, Hermana Penchang said, “What a good thing I did when I drove her from
my house! I don’t want to have any trouble with the friars, so I urged her to find the
money.”

It’s not true that she drove Juli out of the house. She didn’t like it when Basilio saved
the young lady. She does not want to have any trouble with the friars. During those
days it is quite easy to be implicated in a political or religious uprising and since Basilio
is captured and Juli is Basilio’s lover, Hermana Penchang might be implicated since Juli
is in her service. Simply being related to a certain person, who was arrested/accused of
something, you can also be captured/arrested.

CHAPTER XXXI - THE HIGH OFFICIAL

A high official, who believes Basilio is innocent, attempts to convince the governor-
general to release the youth. His efforts, however, are in vain. The governor-general
responds, insisting that it is necessary for innocent people to suffer to restore order and
to teach the people to submit to authority once and for all. Because of this, the high
official lets go of his office and returns to Spain.

Among the students who were arrested by the civil guards, Macaraeg is the first one to
be free because of his wealth. Isagani gets out last because it takes quite some time for
his uncle, a priest to make it to town. Basilio is the only one left in prison. Because he
has nobody to vouch for him. That’s why the high official tried to talk to the governor-
general but he didn’t agree to freeing Basilio. That act of the high official means he is a
pro-Filipino. First of all, he is a man of honor. Second, he believes that giving justice to
the Filipino people would be an honorable act of Spain.

Rizal used this high official to tell us that not all Spaniards are cruel, some of them also
tried to help the Filipinos not to suffer from their fellow Spaniards.

CHAPTER XXXII - EFFECT OF THE PASQUINADES

Juanito Pelaez, together with Pecson and Tadeo, is suspended from classes at the
university because of the seditious posters. Tadeo burns his books in anger, and
Juanito gets involved in his father’s business to keep himself occupied. Still in prison,
the poor Basilio learns about Juli’s death. Meanwhile, Simoun tries to befriend Don
Timoteo Pelaez, whose son Juanito is engaged to be married to Paulita Gomez, and
who is now busy making preparations for the wedding.

The foremost effect that the pasquinades brought to the people are fear, and a great
panic.

But the question still stands. Who really was behind the posting of these posters,
revolutionary posters?
 ● The governor-general is depicted as too dimwitted to have been able to come up
with such a plan. Truth is, he could not have even been able to stay in office and
govern the land if it were not for his advisers telling him what to do.
● Simoun was ill. The posters were spread just a day after Simoun fell ill.
● The friars and the Dominicans? Only Simoun and the friars were strongly
against the establishment of a Spanish academy. A petition had already been
signed to keep this plan from happening, but why were the posters necessary?

Until now, it is not clear who did the pasquinades. Things also change around some of
the students, but the highlight is Paulita Gomez, because she ended her relationship
with Isagani upon learning Isagani’s vision/dreams, because of that, Paulita grew fearful
of the youth's valor and heroism. Dona Victorina also could have gotten help from
Paulita’s friends to finally convince her to let go of Isagani and be with Juanito instead.
Dona Victorina is Paulita’s aunt, and knowing Dona Victorina, she just want to relate
with rich and powerful people.

CHAPTER XXXIII- LA ULTIMA RAZON

Basilio is released from jail. After regaining his freedom the youth immediately goes to
Simoun and asks the jeweler to help him start a revolution. Simoun is greatly pleased
that he had gotten the youth to finally join him. He tells Basilio to meet with Cabesang
Tales at a certain time and place so that they could acquire the guns and rifles hidden in
Quiroga’s warehouse. Meanwhile, Simoun’s job is to place a dynamite-laden lamp at
an important gathering – one that would explode to signal the attack.

The title of this chapter means “The Ultimate Reason”

- Tells us what happened to Basilio, Simoun had previously approached Basilio
and had asked the youth to join him in his plan of revolt. That was some time in
April, near the close of the semester. The students were taken to prison at the
middle of April. Basilio was in jail for three and a half months, until Simoun
helped him out.
- With things happening around town, Basilio finally decided to join Simoun in his
plan. However, in this chapter, it also becomes clearer that Simoun was actually
the reason why Basilio had been detained for so long.
- Sinong the coachman, he was the one frequently visiting the students in prison
and had become the messenger especially of the news about the death of Juli.
Sinong on his own accord, did not dare to visit the one with grave charges who is
Basilio, he could have been easily implicated by those in power. When he did
finally pay the youth a visit, it was a favor to Simiun to add to the bitterness of
situation and to poison his heart and mind with hatred against those who put
them there. It’s all Simoun’s doing.
 - Talking about Simoun, he changed in the past two months, he has lost his spirit
and his vitality brought about by his doubts regarding the true object of his
planned rebellion. It wasn’t like before when he had a clear objective to reclaim
and rescue Maria Clara. Now, things were different. With the maiden gone, the
rebellion was purely intended to satisfy the lust to kill and exact vengeance in
order to somehow dull the searing pain of pity for himself that he had always
claimed was for the aggrieved and oppressed Filipinos.
- In this chapter, it was also mentioned that the governor-general is going back
to Spain. According to him, he is afraid of what people might say about him
behind his back. The real reason is, the governor-general had already saved
enough money for himself and surely, with his recent association with Simoun,
the jeweler had advised him not to exert any more effort and invest any more
money in trying to lengthen his term. In Simoun’s interest, however, the
governor-general had already caused enough trouble to the nation to corrupt the
social system and finally make it ready for a revolution.
- With the governor-general gone, the people also think that Simoun will go with
him for they believe that Simoun is a demon in human flesh who controls the
governor-general and seduces him to do dishonorable things. That’s why, when
the governor-general leaves the country, Simoun will leave with him. That didn’t
happen. Simoun stayed in the country.

CHAPTER XXXIV - THE WEDDING

Basilio wanders around the streets of Manila, waiting for the explosion that would signal
the start of the revolution. He passes Calle Anloague, where Juanito and Paulita’s
wedding celebration is going on. After surveying the ornate decorations, the guards
stationed at the entrances, and the important and prominent visitors present at the
feast, Basilio assumes that this could be the crucial gathering Simoun was talking
about.

This chapter informs us the start of Simoun’s plan. Basilio on the other hand realized
that the important gathering Simoun told him about isa actually the wedding of Paulita
Gomez and Juanito Pelaez. He is somewhat pity Isagani’s faith. He will not know what
will happen to Isagani in the next chapter. As for Basilio, he kept his distance from the
gathering, so he observes and waits for the explosion to transpire.

CHAPTER XXXV - THE FIESTA

Simoun discreetly yet nonchalantly places the lamp at the center of the house where the
guests are gathered. Basilio watches him from a distance. As the youth is about to
leave the place, he sees Isagani and tries to convince his friend to leave. Basilio tells
him to get as far away from the house as possible, and explains that there is about to be
an explosion any minute that would kill all the guests and everyone within a
considerable distance. Isagani, in a rare act of love and loyalty to his beloved Paulita,
quickly rushes to the house and throws the lamp into the river below, stopping the
explosion.

When Basilio decided to leave the place, he saw Isagani, he was forced to inform him
about the explosion to convince him to stay away from that place, but because of his
love for Paulita, he need to do something to protect and save her, he rushed inside the
place, he was able to enter without questions from the civil guards because he is
decently and elegantly dressed, the guards think he is one of the guests invited to the
wedding feast. Meanwhile, a piece of paper is being passed to every visitor which says
Crisostomo Ibarra. At first, they are just looking at it as a joke, because they know that
Crisostomo Ibarra is long gone. It’s been 13 years. But when Padre Salvi saw it, he
turns pale. The others asked him what happened to him, at first he can’t speak, but after
some time, he told them, it’s the very handwriting of Ibarra, he’s the only one who has
seen Ibarra’s signature because of the letter written by Ibarra to Maria Clara, that letter
which Maria Clara had given to the friar in exchange for the (three) letters of her mother.
So, Padre Salvi knows Ibarra’s handwriting. Hearing that from Friar Salvi, people started
to panic. They didn’t know what to do, no soldiers around, they don’t even recognize
any one among the servers. Even the captain general doesn’t know how to tell the
people about the situation without making them worry. Then the light of the lamp
Simoun brought starts to fail, but at that instant, with the swiftness of a flash of lightning,
a figure rushed in, overturning a chair and knocking a servant down, and in the midst of
general surprise, sees the lamp rushed to the azotea, and threw into the river. The
whole thing happened in a second, and the dining area was left in darkness.

CHAPTER XXXVI - BEN ZAYB’S AFFLICTION

From Capitan Tiago’s house, Ben Zayb runs to his abode to write about the shocking
events that have transpired. In his writing, he makes the governor-general, Padre Irene,
Don Custodio, and Padre Salvi look like heroes. He also wishes the governor-general a
safe journey. Meanwhile, the governor-general prohibits anyone from talking about the
events that have taken place at the wedding celebration of Paulita and Juanito Pelaez.
According to rumors, a band of thieves had attacked a friar’s house. The robbers who
are caught describe to the authorities the man who supposedly ordered them to attack
the town after the signal is given. Their description indisputably leads to Simoun.

In this chapter Rizal gives light to the false and biased method of delivering news during
those days. Ben Zayb wrote something about the governor general and the rest, when
he talked about Friar Irene, he said that the reason why Padre Irene rushed to hide
under the table when the man who grabbed the lamp barged into the room, is because
the priest did it to get out of the way of the man who were chasing the youth. But the
truth is, the friar hid because of fear. That was when he saw the gunpowder hidden
underneath the table.

According to Ben Zayb, what had caused Padre Salvi to faint? According to him, the
friar fainted because his sermon to the Indiyos had been in vain. After he had given a
long, drawn-out speech about goodness and kindness to others, there were still Indiyos
who did nothing but evil. None of these are true. Even at present there are also pages
which give false news and some people will contribute in spreading these fake news by
sharing it on social media. Let’s be critical we read online before we share it on social
media.

This is the first time that Simoun’s disguise is compromised. This is the first time that he
is suspected. All the clues lead to him and all the fingers are pointing at him.

CHAPTER XXXVII - THE MYSTERY

Isagani, Sensia, Capitana Loleng, Capitan Toringoy, and Chichoy discuss the events of
the previous night. Chichoy says that Simoun the jeweler is the mastermind behind all
that had transpired, and that he was responsible for plotting to kill all the guests at the
wedding feast. Chichoy also adds that the lamp was supposed to start the fire, ignite
the gunpowder, and set off the explosion.
News in towns spreads like wildfire. Though, just like what they say, news have wings,
the ground has ears. So it’s still a mystery to the people who took the lamp and threw it
into the river. Previously, it’s Isagani, how can we prove that?
● He was the one who had last corresponded with Basilio, and the only other
person who had known the purpose of the lamp.
● He said, “If the thief had only known the true objective of that explosion, or if he
had only taken a moment to think it over… he would not have done such a thing!”
His words, “If I were to be paid a price – any price at all – I would never consent
to be in the shoes of that thief!” clearly separate his two conflicting sides: the
Isagani who had loved Paulita to death, and the Isagani who now regrets the
failed plan of sweet revenge. From what he says, it is clear that he now regrets
throwing the lamp into the river and stopping the revolution.

CHAPTER XXXVIII - FATALITY

The soldiers escort a group of prisoners. Suddenly, they are ambushed. Carolino, one
of the civil guards, is the long-lost son of Cabesang Tales. He fights the bandits bravely
and fiercely, finishing off the leader of the thieves with a spear, and killing an old man
who is part of the group. He surveys the dead, and realizes that the old man he had
killed is in fact Tandang Selo, his grandfather.
Siberia in Russia hand long been the place where convicted felons were thrown out and
punished. According to Rizal, the cold Russian climate is an even more effective
punishment than what is given to those captured by the civil guards – walking around
the searing hot ground chained and without footwear, enduring the mockery thrown at
them by passers-by.

In this chapter Rizal describes not only the dimwittedness of the civil guards, but also
their cruelty towards their fellowmen.

The civil guards, apart from their leaders, are mere Filipinos. (The people who shot
Rizal are a group of Filipino soldiers).

Tano, like many others, had become one of the civil guards. After serving in Carolinas,
he joined the guardia civil. That’s how he got his name – Carolino – which means
“from Carolinas.”

This chapter is similar to the chapter “Noche Buena” in Noli Me Tangere, in terms of
its underlying and predominant emotion – that of reunion after a long separation of two
family members, which meets a tragic end. This chapter is a manifestation of the irony
of fate.
Noche Buena - is when Basilio met Sisa after a long time, however, they were not able
to talk to each other, because Sisa died shortly, same case with Carolino and Tandang
Selo, they didn't meet/see each other for a long time, until this time but it’s a very sad
scene, he is the one who caused his grandfather’s death. Song, “Irony/Ironic”, that’s
how life is.

CHAPTER XXXIX - CONCLUSION

Simoun, wounded and exhausted, goes to the house of Padre Florentino to hide from
the civil guards who are sent to arrest him and take him into custody. Simoun drinks a
poison, then reveals his true identity to Padre Florentino – that he, Simoun the jeweler,
is in fact Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, the fugitive believed to have died in the river years
ago. He admits that everything is his futile attempt to corrupt the government and the
society so that he could start a revolution to free the country from the bonds of Spain.
Padre Florentino corrects Simoun, telling him that freedom cannot be won by violence
and the shedding of innocent blood but by proper education, hard work, and long-
suffering.

Both the last chapter of the Noli and the last chapter of the El Fili are untitled.
- No reason behind that.
The sun is about to set when Simoun reveals his true identity and life story to Padre
Florentino. The reason why he went to Padre Florentino is Simoun felt that the priest
was the one who could understand him more than anyone else. However, when he
revealed his true identity, the reason behind his planned revolution, Padre Florentino
doesn’t agree on what he did. He advised him that violence or revolution is not the
answer, it will not make the people free or the country free from the cruel hands of the
Spaniards, the plan of revenge of Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun for long time, for 13 years,
is all in vain. The plan didn’t transpire.

“Freedom can be won by proper education, hard work, and long-suffering.”