EL FILIBUSTERISMO | REACTION

Novels nowadays are sometimes cut into several series, seasons, or parts. It is I

guess the way of the author to pique the interest and curiosity of the readers

through the flow of the story. If at the end of the story, readers are not satisfied with

it or there are questions that remained unanswered, they would demand a sequel.

In the case of the novel written by our respectable hero-slash-author, there is no

such thing as an avid reader, a fan, and readers were not given the privilege to ask

sequel for a particular reason that Rizal’s novel exists not to entertain. However, he

was still able to produce a sequel for his first story Noli Me Tangere and is entitled El

Filibusterismo, which translates to The Reign of Greed in English. Initially transcribed in

Spanish but later on translated in English as a dedication for the priests; Don

Mariano Gomez, Don Jose Burgos, and Don Jacinto Zamora, who were executed.

Filibusterismo was derived from the Spanish term filibustero, which means a

person who engages in illegal warfare against a foreign nation. It was true for it was

reflected in this novel. I can describe this sequel as more violent, sadder, and
painful than the first story. As it is introduced the protagonist Simoun, disguised as a

wealthy man to seeks vengeance against those abusive Spaniards colonizers who

caused sufferings not only to him but also to his fellow Filipinos. It was different from

Noli Me Tangere because here social reform is sought through education but in

Simoun’s story, the objective is to seek social reform through revolution, fighting, and

violence. It was illustrated when he planned for an explosion but failed because of

Isagani’s interference.

As for me, I cannot be quite in accord with his solution though I understand

and sympathize with him because his actions and feelings are the results of what he

has been through. The audience feels that way for the main characters that were

belittled, criticized, abused, and other unpleasant experiences in life. We want

them to achieve their goal and to have a happy ending but does not all apply to other situations,
particularly in reality. It’s rare for someone to fulfill his goal to

avenge himself, his family, his friend, and his country if you do not have adequate

resources and somebody who you can trust and will fight with you. Overall, El
Filibusterismo was still a great novel for me.