UNIT IV.

LITERARY MASTERPIECES OF JOSE RIZAL

Overview
This unit presents some of the most significant literary masterpieces of Dr. Jose Rizal
reflecting the lives of Filipinos under the Spanish colonization. Rizal wrote mostly in Spanish, the
lingua franca of the Spanish East Indies, though some of his letters were written in Tagalog. His
works have been translated into several languages, including Tagalog and English.

Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit, I am able to:
1. appreciate Rizal’s use of history to arouse nationalism;
2. appraise important characters in the novels (Noli and El Fili) and what they
represent;
3. compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme of Noli and El Fili;
4. assess Rizal’s writings; and
5. appraise the value of understanding the past.

Setting Up
Name: _____________________________________________________ Date: ____________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________________

Directions: Answer the following questions concisely. Write it down on the space provided.

1. Have you experienced writing a literary piece? What would be the topic of your literary
piece if you were given a chance to write one?
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2. As we all know, Dr. Jose Rizal published great literary pieces. Think and choose one of his
pieces, and outline its content briefly, according to what you have remembered.
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Lesson Proper

JOSE RIZAL'S ANNOTATION OF MORGA'S SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas or “The Events in the Philippine Islands" was written and
published by Antonio de Morga in Mexico in 1609. It is one of the most vital records detailing the
history of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines. It talks about the history of wars, intrigues,
diplomacy, and evangelization of the Philippine island.
Antonio de Morga
 Antonio de Morga was a Spanish soldier, a lawyer who has a doctorate in canon law and
civil law, and a high-ranking colonial official for 43 years. He was also a historian.
 He was the first person to write formal documentation of the Spanish colonization. Morga
was personally involved in the conquest and had firsthand encounters with most of the
accounts he cited. His purpose for writing Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas is to document the
Spanish kingdom's achievements in the conquest and conversion of the islands of Filipinas
or the Philippines.
 Dr. Jose Rizal annotated this document with a prologue by his friend — Dr. Ferdinand
Blumentritt, an Austrian teacher and an author of the book in the Philippines' ethnography.
Keyword: Annotation – a note added by way of comment or explanation
Antonio de Morga’s Version
Morga's book was written in Spanish and reflected his bias over Spanish superiority. Found
in the book were the knowledge, documentations, keen observations, and direct involvement of
events during the Spanish colonization in the Philippines from 1493 to 1603. It contains various
information about the political, social, and economic aspects of the Philippines and Spain. This
document considered as valuable as Morga had access to the survivors of the colony, and he,
himself, participated in many of the accounts he rendered.
Morga’s purpose for writing Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
Morga wrote and quoted that the purpose for writing Sucesos was so he could chronicle
"the deeds achieved by the Spaniards within the discovery, conquest, and change of the Filipinas
island as well as different fortunes that they have from time to time within the incredible kingdoms
and among the individuals encompassing the island."
Rizal claimed and argued that the conversion and conquest were not as widespread as
portrayed because the missionaries were only successful in conquering a portion of the
islands' population.

What leads Jose Rizal to Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas?

Jose Rizal was an earnest seeker of the truth, and this marked him as a historian. He had a
desire to know the Philippines' conditions when the Spaniards came to the island. He believed that
the country was economically self-sufficient, prosperous, lively, and had an active community until
the Spaniards came and contributed to the decline of the country's rich culture and tradition.
He, at that point, chosen to embrace the comment of Morga'sSucesos de las Islas Filipinas.
His fellowship with Ferdinand Blumentritt propelled doing an unused version of the record.
Committing four months of investigation and composing for nearly a year to induce his composition
distributed in Paris in January 1890.

MAIN PURPOSE
Rizal annotated this book (1) to awaken the consciousness of the Filipino, (2) to correct false
records of the past, and (3) to encourage the study of the future.
Rizal’s Main Propositions
•
Notable Characters and their representation
 Crisostomo Ibarra
"I have had better thoughts, and I believe that making my father's wishes come true is
worth more than weeping for him, and much more than avenging him." ―Ibarra
o Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, a rich youthful mestizo who has quite recently
returned to the Philippines after seven years of studying in Europe. Ibarra is refined,
profoundly regarded, and extremely optimistic.
o Following his father's death, he went back to his hometown and sought to establish
a proper school there, only to face numerous obstacles from the local figures.
Implicated in a revolt, he later fled the town and forged a new identity as the jeweler
Simon.
o Representation: Crisostomo Ibarra represents Ilustrados, who are Filipinos able to
study abroad. He is often accused of revolt because of their desire to improve
Filipinos' living conditions under the Spanish rule.
 Maria Clara
"When he was alive, I could degrade myself; I still had the consolation of knowing that
he lived and perhaps might think of me. Now that he is dead, I would rather be a nun or be
dead myself." ―Maria Clara
o Maria Clara, the full name Maria Clara de Los Santos, was the daughter of Capitan
Tiago and Pia Alba. She is the fiancé of Crisostomo Ibarra.
o Representation: She symbolizes the traditional traits and pureness of a traditional
Filipina.
 Elias
“Sir, I am the bearer of the wishes of many unfortunates." ―Elias
o Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master boater, also a fugitive. He is a victim of abuses
of the friars and the government.
o Representation: He represents common Filipinos who desires a better Philippines.
The power of uprising to instigate change is what he believes in.
 KapitanTiyago
o A wealthy and high-influential Filipino. He is caring and protective of his family and
his family's social status.
o Representation: KapitanTiyago symbolizes a wealthy Filipino who is willing to
oppress fellow Filipinos for selfish reasons.
 Pia Alba
o KapitanTiyago's wife and the mother, Maria Clara, a beautiful and rich woman,
became melancholic when she became pregnant.
o Representation: She represents all the victims who had been abused by the clergy
and was forced to stay silent.
 Doña Victorina
o A brazen and determined Filipina, odd, ambitious, and ignorant, Doñ a Victorina is
the spouse of the counterfeit doctor, Tiburcio de Espadañ a.
o Representation: She represents rich Filipinos who are reluctant to be identified as
Indio.
 Don Tiburcio
 o Husband of Doñ a Victorina. Limp, fraud, and an introvert doctor; make a living as a
quack doctor.
o Representation: He represents the ignorant Spaniards who made absurd decisions
that led to terrible decisions for the locals.
 Alferez
o Husband of Doñ a Consolacion whom he violently fights.
o Representation: He represents officials of the state who competes with the church
for authority.
 Doña Consolacion
o The wife of Alferez; ashamed of her heritage and pretends to be unable to speak
Tagalog, her native language.
o Representation: Represents the Filipinos who are ashamed of their race and
nationality.

 Governor-General
o Next to the king, he occupies the most powerful position in the colonial government.
o Representation: He represents a typical governor-general assigned in the
Philippines.
 Alfonso Linares
o A young and smart Spanish Lawyer; was arranged to be married to Maria Clara.
o Representation: He represents Spanish citizens hoping to have a better life in the
Philippines than in their motherland.
 PilosopoTasyo
o He is smart, observant, and poor pessimist; he spent most of his money on books.
o Representation: He symbolizes educated/learned Filipino; despite his economic
status, he still chooses to remain well-informed.
 Padre Damaso
o A talkative and cruel priest, he used his authority to abuse people.
o Representation: He represents Spanish friars who use the Catholic religion to
mistreat and abuse Filipinos.
 Padre Salvi
o Padre Damaso's successor, he is described as skinny and frail, manipulates people
for his benefit.
o Representation: He represents a friar abusive to the power of Filipino people.
 Padre Hernando Sibyla
o A Dominican priest and former professor at San Juan de Letran College. Known to be
collected and smart.
o Representation: He represents friars who were aware of the abuses and injustice
were done to the natives but would not do anything to change it; choose not to
meddle.
 Sisa
o Mother of Basilio and Crispin; went insane due to abuses committed to her children
and neglect of her husband.
o Representation: She represents the suffering of the motherland, the Philippines.
 Crispin and Basilio
o Sons of the derange Sisa; denied of luxuries and education.
o Representation: They represent innocent young Filipinos who were wrongly
accused of crimes they did not commit and a victim of an oppressive government.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
Rizal searched and found a printing shop that could give him the lowest quotation for the
publication of his novel- F. MEYER VAN LOO PRESS, No. 66 Viaanderen street, willing to print his
book in installment basis. Jose pawned his jewels to pay the down payment and the early partial
payments during the printing of the novel.
The title means “The Reign of the Greed," the second novel written by Jose Rizal. He
portrayed a filibuster or rebel who is himself to reveal the moral cancer of Spanish officials in the
Philippines. Jose Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo as a sequel to his novel, Noli Me Tangere, which was
a form of propaganda. He dedicated the book to the memory of the Gomburza, three priests who
were accused of being seditious, immoral, and uneducated.
The novel was written against the background of threats and oppressions he and his family
suffered because of the Noli and the so-called Calamba agrarian trouble.
 Jose Alejandrino- Rizal's roommate in Belgium, was the one who canvassed the printing
press for El Fili. He delivered proofs and revisions to F. Meyer Van Loo in Ghent.
 Valentin Ventura –Rizal’s friend who partially financed the novel’s publication; ‘the savior
of the Fili.'
 Comprising only 38 chapters shorten the novel, erasing 47 whole pages from the 279-page
manuscript to save expenses
 The ‘Filibusterismo’ in the novel’s title is derived from the simpler term ‘filibustero.'
 Rizal defined the word ‘filibustero’ to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt who encountered
but did not fully comprehend the word in the ‘Noli.'
 Thus, the word ‘filibustero’ contextually means subversive, dissident, revolutionary, seditious,
insurrectionary, and treasonous. Fittingly, Rizal dedicated the book to the memory of the
Gomburza (Cavite Mutiny), the three Filipino patriotic priests who were accused of being
‘filibustero’ and thus executed.
The Synopsis
The story in El Filibusterismo spins around its fundamental character Simon who is a
princely jeweler. Simon is really Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli, whom everybody thought had been
slaughtered by the Guardia Respectful at Laguna de Cove. He had, in truth, gotten away, fled to
Cuba, ended up affluent, and made associations with powerful Spanish authorities. Upon his return
to the Philippines after numerous a long time, he gets to be exceptionally powerful as the
representative common, who owes so much to him, counsels him in making choices.
In reality, be that as it may, everything Simon does is a fair portion of his amazing arrange to
require exact retribution against the Spanish authorities and protect Maria Clara from the
community. Arranging to organize a revolution, he carries arms and looks for devotees, primarily
from the abused and mishandled locals. One of his initiates is Basilio, the child of Sisa, who, with
Capitan Tiago's offer assistance, was able to study in Manila. Simon too partners with the
progressive gather of Kabesang Tales, a previous 'Cabeza de barangay' who endured maltreatment
from the hands of the ministers. Utilizing his impact, Simon empowers debasement, wantonness,
and harsher government arrangements so that the citizens may get to be more angered.
However, the arranged revolt was not carried out one night since Simon decided not to
deliver the signal for the episode of the rebellion upon hearing that Maria Clara kicked the bucket
within the religious shelter.
Another plan was made a few months later. At the setting of the wedding gathering of
JuanitoPelaez and Paulita Gomez, Simon planted numerous explosives—enough to murder the
welcomed visitors, basically the ministers and government authorities. An agreeing to the plot, the
enormous blast will be begun by the blessing he gives to the love birds at the reception—a lamp
fuel light with an unstable. When the light flashes and somebody turns the wick, it'll result in a huge
blast that will end up a signal to the revolutionary troops to assault all the government buildings in
Manila at the same time.
Amid the gathering, Simon gives his gift to the newly-weds. Sometime recently quickly
taking off the venue, he clears out a piece of secretive paper bearing the message “You will pass on
tonight” marked by Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.
Meanwhile, Isagani, the rejected lover of Paulita, is standing outside the reception. His
friend Basilio tells him to leave the place because the lamp will soon blow up.
When Father Salvi distinguishes the penmanship within the note and affirms that it was
undoubtedly Ibarra’s, the visitors start to panic. When the lamp flickers, Father Irene tries to turn
the wick up. But Isagani, needing to save Paulita’s life, surges into the house, snatches the light, and
tosses it into the stream where it explodes.
Simon's revolutionary plot was hence known, and the law authorities hence chase him. He
oversaw to escape but was truly wounded. Carrying his jewelry chest, he finds a shield within the
home of Padre Florentino by the ocean. Learning of his presence within the house of the cleric, the
lieutenant of the Guardia Civil informs Padre Florentino that he will come within the evening to
capture Simon.
Simon, at that point, takes harm that he would not be caught lively. As the poison's impacts
begin to require a toll on his body, he confesses to Florentino his genuine personality, and he
arranges of exact retribution through bloody revolution. After the emotional and aggravating
confession of them biting the dustman, the cleric clears the passing on a man from his sins, saying:
"God will pardon you, Señ or Simon. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen merely have endured
… He has disappointed your plans one by one … to begin with by the passing of Maria Clara, then by
a lack of planning, at that point in a few mysterious ways. Let us bow to His will and render Him
thanks!"
The story closes with the priest tossing Simon's treasures into the ocean so that they would
not be utilized by the greedy. The priest trusts that when the proper time comes, they would be
recovered and used as it were for great.
Notable Characters and their representations
 Simon
o Known sometimes recently as Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, he returned as an
affluent jeweler; he features a magnanimous intellect, outspoken, and idealistic.
o Representation: He speaks to the progressives who upheld the thought of holding
wicked revolt against the Spanish Government amid that time.
 Basilio
o An aspiring doctor; worked as Captain Tiago’s aid in exchange for his education.
 Isagani
o A poor law student and a poet; idealistic, seeking for a better future for his country.
He is responsible for stopping Simon's planned revolt.
o Representation: He represents Filipino youth who has a great love for our country,
Philippines.
 Kabesang Tales
o Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former Cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who
resurfaced as the braved and feared Luzó n bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for
Hawkeye), was deprived for his right to own his land.
 Paulita Gomez
o She is a pretty girl admired by many students, niece of Dona Victorina, the former
lover of Isagani. As she believes that there is no good future ahead with Isagani, she
chooses to marry JuanitoPelaez.
 o Representation: She represents a narrow-minded lady who will select the leading
alternative for a more steady and comfortable future for herself.

 Macaraig
o One of Isagani's classmate at University of Santo Tomas; rich student; serves as the
leader of the students who want to build Academia de Castellano
o Representation: He represents a well-off Filipino youth, amid the Spanish time, who
had a great dream for the nation.
 Father Florentino
o A secular Filipino priest, pressured by his mother to become a priest even though he
wanted to marry his lover.
 JuanitoPelaez
o A Spanish businessman, considered by Isagani as his rival to Paulita Gomez.

A CENTURY HENCE
Filipinas Dentro De CienAños
 Translated as “The Philippines within One Hundred Years” or “The Philippines A Century
Hence”
 It was serialized on September 30, October 31, December 15, 1889, and February 15, 1890,
in the fortnightly review La Solidaridad of Madrid.
 Jose Rizal estimated the future of the Philippines in the span of a hundred years the
catastrophic end of Spanish rule in Asia.
o In many senses, the articles supplemented Rizal’s great novel Noli Me Tangere and
its sequel El Filibusterismo.
 The essay talked about:
o Rizal’s feeling that it was time to remind Spain.
o The conditions ushered in the French Revolution could have an effect on him on the
Philippine islands.
o The glorious past of the Philippines.
o The deterioration of the economy.
o Exposed the causes of the native’s sufferings under the cruel Spanish rule.
o Rizal cautioned Spain as regards the imminent downfall of its domination.
o Awaken the minds and the hearts of the Filipinos concerning the oppression of the
Spaniards.
o Encouraging the Filipinos to fight for their right.
Causes of Sufferings and Deterioration
The annotation of Antonio Morga’sSucesos de las Islas Filipinas, our national hero through
great efforts, proved and discussed the glorious past of the Philippines.
 The following essay hence gave the different causes of the distresses endured by the
Philippine locals (as listed within "The Philippines a Century Subsequently Outline and
Analysis"):
Spain’s usage of its military policies
o poverty got to be broader than ever as farmlands were cleared out to plant.
o the individuals kept on endure from starvation and illness; and
 o Generally, all aspects of the life of the locals got to be retarded. Deterioration and
vanishing of Filipino inborn culture
o Spain came with the sword and the cross, the local people began:
o forgetting who they were and their social heritage;
o losing their sense of self-worth, befuddled and reluctant in their current lifestyle; o
nauseated with themselves; and
o losing trust within the future and the conservation of their race. Passivity and
accommodation to the Spanish colonizers
o The Spanish ministers, one of the foremost effective powers that impacted a culture
of quiet and dormancy among the locals
Through their use of force and intimidation, the natives learned to submit themselves to the
strangers' whims and caprices fanatically.

TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS

“To the Young Women of Malolos” was initially at first composed in Tagalog. Rizal penned this
composing when he was in London, in reaction to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The
remarkable focuses contained in this letter are as takes after:
 The dismissal of the friars' otherworldly specialist – not all of the clerics within the nation
that time epitomized the genuine soul of Christ and His Church.
 Most of them were debased by common wants and utilized modern strategies to impact
alter and constrain discipline.
 The defense of the private judgment Qualities Filipino moms ought to have – as proved by
this parcel of his letter, Rizal is much concerned about the welfare of Filipino children and
the homes they develop up.
 Duties and duties of Filipino moms to their children's duties and obligations of a spouse to
her spouse – Filipino ladies, are known to be tame, delicate, and loving.
 Rizal states in this parcel of his letter how Filipino ladies got to be as spouses, to protect the
personality of the race.
 Counsel to youthful ladies on their choice of a lifetime accomplice.
RIZAL’S MESSAGE TO FILIPINO WOMEN
The battling soul much inspired Jose Rizal that the youthful ladies of Malolos had appeared.
In his letter, he communicates awesome delight and fulfillment over the fight they had battled. In
this parcel of Rizal’s letter, it is clear that his extreme crave was for ladies to be advertised the same
openings as those gotten by men in terms of instruction. Amid those days, youthful young ladies
were not sent to school since of the whole idea that they would before long as it were be taken as
spouses and remained at domestic with them. Rizal, be that as it may, emphasizes freedom of
thought and the correct to instruction, which must be allowed to both boys and young ladies alike.

References
Book
Chapter 9: El Filibusterismo Published in Ghent (1891) page 191
Chapter 8: Noli Me Tangere Published in Berlin (1887) page 88
G.F., &Zaide, S. M. (2011). Philippine History and Government. 105 Engineering Road, Araneta
University Village, PotreroMalabon City: Mutya Publishing Houce, Inc.
Mañ ebog J., Claudio E., Mangahas T.L, Bustamante J. (2019). Life and Works of JOSE RIZAL biography,
writings, and legacies of our Bayani.
Social Behavioral Science Department. Study Guide in The Life and Works of Jose Rizal
Zaide G., Zaide S., (2008). JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and
National Hero (Second Edition), Zaide House, 24 Pittsburgh St., SilanganCubao, Quezon
Cityn1102 Philippines: ALL NATIONS Publishing Co., Inc.
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Dr. Jose Rizal’s annotations to Morga’s 1609 Philippine History. (2013). Retrieved
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morgas-1609-philippine-history
Literary Works of Rizal. (n.d.). Retrieved 2020, from https://joserizalproject.weebly.com/literary-
works-of-rizal.html
Mañebog, J. D. G. (2013, July 27). The El Filibusterismo | OurHappySchool.
https://ourhappyschool.com/journalism/el-filibusterismo
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https://ourhappyschool.com/literature/noli-me-tangere
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analysisdocx/
Noli Me Tangere Wiki | Fandom. (2020). Retrieved from https://noli-me-
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https://prezi.com/qawe8nczviaq/rizals-annotation-of-sucesos-de-las-islas-filipinas/
Rizal, B. J. (2020, July 8). Buy Study Guide. Retrieved from https://www.gradesaver.com/noli-
me-tangere/study-guide/character- list
Taccaban, C. (2019, April 10). Powtoon.
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