CHAPTER 5

“A Cochero's Christmas Eve”

A REFLECTION PAPER

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements

In the Subject GE1804

Rizal's Life and Works

To be Submitted to

Ms. Erika Acosta Pesigan

Submitted by

Abawan, Daniel John U.

Anniversario, Raven

Cabrera, Jon Ian Emanuel A.

De Leon, Prince Harvey L.

Dematera, Clariz A.

Guerra, Ken Albert N.

Latido, Macky C.

Lopez, Victor Jr. L.

Mañago, Angela Jersey

Morcilla, Zirus V.

Pagobo, Sean Spencer S.

Recinto, Allysone B.

Reyes, Charlie C

Tubigan, Madelaine Mae P.

 ABSTRACT

The national hero of the Philippines is Dr. Jose Rizal. He was the first Filipino to rebel against the

Spanish Regime by using a pen to address his countrymen. He was a prominent supporter of the

independence and nationalism of the Filipino people. His masterpiece, Noli Me Tangere, is widely regarded

as the Philippines' founding literature. Rizal departs from Noli's themes of innocent love and martyrdom in

this captivating continuation, which picks up the story thirteen years later, to present a compelling tale of

obsession and retaliation. El Filibusterismo is an exciting and dramatic story of Filipino resistance to colonial

control that still has resonance today. It amply demonstrates Rizal's development as a writer and how he

was inspired by his exposure to international events.

Therefore, El Filibusterismo is just one of his creations. This is his second novel after Noli Me

Tangere, along with other works such as Mi Ultimo Adios. The goal of writing El Filibusterismo is to (1)

awaken Filipino nationalism, forcing them to strike and go on a rampage in the countless killings of innocent

lives and face-to-face abuse of the human rights of the Filipinos then known as Indians, and (2) so that

Filipinos today can see and understand the suffering that our ancestors endured at the hands of conquerors

who brutalized our race for more than three hundred years.

At the present time, students are studying Rizal's Life and Works are still a part of every college

student. This is because they will better understand how Rizal led to his achievements.

As a result, Rizal introduced the Chapter 5: A Cochero’s Christmas Eve. In this chapter it explores

that, on a Christmas Eve, Basilio was about to go to San Diego. According to (Estrella, 2019), The traditional

Christmas Eve feast is referred to as the “Noche Buena,” which is Spanish for “night of goodness.” Like the

fiesta, the Noche Buena is also a time for extended families to gather at one house to partake of the feast.

Lastly, in this chapter each inadequacy and mistake had an equivalent discipline.
 SUMMARY

It was evening when the Christmas Eve (noche buena) procession commenced, when Basilio

arrived in San Diego. He got delayed along the way because the cochero or rig driver (the guy who drives

the karitela or horse-driven carriage) forgot his cedula (Residence Certificate). Why the delay? The Guardia

Civil had to beat up the cochero first.

The image of Methusalem (Methuselah, world’s oldest person) was paraded during the procession,

followed by the three magi (wise men). The cochero asked Basilio if Bernardo Carpio was able to free his

other leg from the mountains of San Mateo (nope, not in California). Following the procession were sad-

faced kids holding torches. They were followed by San Jose, and then kids holding “parol” or Christmas

lanterns. And the end of the procession was the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The procession ended and the guardia civil noticed that there was no light in the cochero’s carriage.

The guards again beat up poor old Sinong.

Basilio decided to just walk. (Can you blame him?)

Among the houses Basilio passed, it seemed that only the house of Capitan Basilio appeared lively.

Chickens were being slaughtered and Basilio espied the Capitan speaking with the parish priest, the alferes

and with Simoun. Capitan Basilio agreed with Simoun that they will go to Tiani to examine Simoun’s jewelry.

The alferez asked for a watch chain, while the parish priest asked for a — get this — pair of earrings!

Basilio found Simoun unbearable because Simoun was able to do business in the Philippines unlike

other people.

Basilio is well-respected in the home of Capitan Tiago, especially by the elder household help who

saw Basilio perform surgery with extreme calmness. The old man tried to give Basilio some fresh news —

an old man who took care of the forest died of old age and the parish priest didn’t want to give him burial

as a poor man. Basilio was disheartened to learn that the someone died because of old age; he wanted to

perform autopsies on those who died of sickness.

(Sicko doctor. Made me lose my appetite…)

Then the old household help told Basilio about the kidnapping of Cabezang Tales. Basilio lost his

appetite.
 Interpretation During Junior High School

During our Junior High School, our teacher thoroughly explained the basics of each chapter of El

Filibusterismo. To ensure that we understood the topic of the chapter we were discussing, he made sure

to highlight all of the significant events in each chapter. We were able to do this because we were absolutely

open-minded about what actually occurred while we were under Spanish rule.

Now we're going to a chapter, it's Chapter 5: A Cochero's Christmas Eve which describes

circumstances where every misstep is met with a suitable retaliation. This chapter will demonstrate that

every shortcoming and error carries a commensurate penalty. Similar to Sinong, who was repeatedly fined

by the civil guards for failing to carry his cedula and switch his lantern's light. He wouldn't have been

assaulted by the civilians if he hadn't neglected to bring his cedula. They also observed his lantern, which

appeared to be completely dark. Sadder even, his punishment is being meted out by fellow Filipinos.

Filipinos were employed at the period as civil guards.

In this chapter, we will reflect on the fact that it was not only the Spaniards who were cruel to us

but also other Filipinos who joined the conquerors. Here it can also be noted that since the beginning of

time we really need to think many times before we do something so that it does not lead to a mistake that

can lead us to destruction just like having a punishment.

 Reflections of the Issue to Modern Society

Today's generation needs to learn about and read El Filibustersimo because the conflicts in the

novel are still relevant to our modern society and still affect our nation. Corruption, inept leadership, poverty,

abuse, and influence of the Catholic over political and social affairs were the key conflicts in the book, and

they still exist today. The novel's message, which still holds true now, where it continues to be experienced

not only by a single Filipino citizen but by the majority.

In this chapter, inequality has been seen and understood clearly. Many citizens suffered as a result

of some politicians' and police officers' harsh and unfair behavior. Even though it is not what actually

happened, they are sticking to what they know to be true and what they firmly feel to be right. Additionally,

it is evident that one of the main problems in our nation right now is that when you're poor and nobody has

anything to give you, you don't have the right to stand up for yourself because no matter what you do, you

will endure torture and the disdain of superiors. However, as described in this book, what was different

about it when the Spaniards arrived? However, as depicted in this book, there is a significant difference

from the time of the Spanish conquest since, unlike then, when making a mistake meant committing a

serious sin and receiving a harsh punishment, we may today undo it. People change because they have

the capacity to do so regardless of how wrong they have been. Finally, it serves as a lesson in life for not

only us students but also for those who are currently living and have had the opportunity to reflect on the

events of this chapter.

 Personal Reflection

The novels written by our national hero Jose Rizal, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El

Filibusterismo, demonstrate how their conserved customs, values, and traditions have an influence on our

modern society. Filipinos will demonstrate their love for their country and share informed opinions. It

establishes the history of our nation and demonstrates how Dr. Jose Rizal's work helped the Filipino people

see the world differently. Every Filipino remembers what Rizal accomplished for the nation each year since

it is a historical event that will never be forgotten. The fact that our countrymen continue to draw inspiration

from his values, love, and convictions speaks volumes about how amazing he was. The Filipinos were

taught to defend their own region or nation. They discovered how to stand together, be loyal, and love their

country while standing up for their rights. They also learnt to not be afraid of those who wish to invade our

territory or of other nations, and they discovered the importance of having a sound political system. A book

called El Filibusterismo offers suggestions or cues about how society today views government.

Therefore, the book shows how the government uses El Filibusterismo to maintain control over the

Filipinos' autonomous consciousness, making it too extreme for the national hero. It serves as justification

for showing how a strategy employed by this book's detractors might be utilized to spark the state's interest

in the study of belief systems. The state actively encourages Rizal's patriotism through the way that

education is set up. The state approaches this from a variety of angles.

We think radicalism has the authority to change the nation. If the majority of the populace truly

wants things to improve, especially if issues of corruption, poverty, injustice, and abuse of power still exist

inside the government. as Jose Rizal did for our nation. He wrote the novels Noli Me Tangere and El

Filibusterismo to educate and enlighten Filipinos about the reality of their nation under Spanish rule. He

urges Filipinos to stand up for their constitutional right to freedom. Along with avoiding extremism, Filipinos

need to be unified, disciplined, respectful of others, and aware of their limitations.

Finally, we can prove the genuine objective and value of this chapter for the book's readers since

Dr. Jose Rizal's writings and works, including this novel, impart priceless lessons to us. We are made aware

of the realities of life and the necessity of exercising critical thought before acting, as every decision we

make entails some level of accountability. As a result, we can figuratively say that this book will improve us

as individuals.
References

Augenbraum, H. (2022). El Filibusterismo. Penguin Random House. Retrieved from:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302595/el-filibusterismo-by-jose-rizal/

Anonymous (2011). El Fili Chapter 5: A Cochero's Christmas Eve. Truly Rich Club Online. Retrieved from:

http://buod.elfilibusterismo.com/2011/08/el-fili-chapter-5-cocheros-christmas.html

Koyndotph (2009). El Filibusterismo Reflection. WordPress. Retrieved from:

https://jillaleriablog.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/el-filibusterismo-reflection/

Villa, N. (2020). El Filibusterismo Chapter Summaries 1-5. Pinoywit. Retrieved from:

https://www.pinoywit.com/el-filibusterismo-chapter-summaries-1-5/