MS2 WK 12

Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF BOTOLAN

(Formerly Botolan Community College)
Botolan, Zambales
E-mail: polytechniccollegeofbotolan@gmail.com
Website: www.pcbzambales.com
Contact number: 0968-307-5040
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
STUDENT LEARNING MODULE (SLM)
COURSE MS 2 – The Life and Works of Rizal

SEMESTER & YEAR 2nd Sem 2023-2024
YEAR LEVEL 2
MODULE No. MD-WK-12
LESSON El Filibusterismo
MODULE MODEL 5Es
NO. OF PAGES 50
INSTRUCTOR CLAUDINE E. ISIDORO

ID 22-014
EMAIL claudineisidoro@pcb.edu.ph
DATE SUBMITTED
NOTE
Do not write anything on this module. Use separate paper for your answers.
THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

2ND SEMESTER ms 2 – the life and works of rizal
Lesson: El Filibusterismo
I. Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme of the Noli and the El Fili;
- Value the role of the youth in the development and future of society.
ENGAGE
Direction: Interpret the quotation below.
“There are no tyrants where there are no slaves.”

Guide Questions:
1. What is the meaning of the quotation given above?
2. What are the most important ideas and values embedded in the quote?
EXPLAIN
‘El Filibusterismo’ is Jose Rizal’s second novel written as the sequel of his ‘Noli Me Tangere’.
Commonly nicknamed ‘El Fili’ or simply ‘Fili’, the novel was written also in Spanish. Its commonly known
English alternative title is ‘The Reign of Greed’.
The writing and printing of El Filibusterismo

Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo on October 1887 in Calamba during his first homecoming. The
novel was thus written against the background of threats and oppressions he and his family suffered because
of the Noli and the so-called Calamba agrarian trouble.
He continued working on it, making some revisions, in London in 1888. Rizal then went on to write the
novel in Paris, and then in Brussels where distractions were less and the cost of living was cheaper. Being able
to focus on finishing the book, Rizal had finally completed it by March 29, 1891 in Biarritz.
Jose Alejandrino, Rizal’s roommate in Belgium related that he was the one who canvassed printing
press for El Fili. He delivered proofs and revisions to F. Meyer van Loo in Ghent. For his assistance, Rizal gave
him the El Fili’s corrected proofs and the pen used in doing the corrections. Unluckily, these historical
souvenirs were either lost or destroyed during the revolution (Ocampo, p. 111).
Alejandrino, who later became a general in the Philippine revolution, may have been the first person to
read the novel aside from the author. However, the honor of being called ‘the savior of the Fili’ had gone to
Valentin Ventura—Rizal’s friend who partially financed the novel’s publication. (Ventura’s steal of the title, one
may argue, is another classic elucidation of the expression, “That’s what money can do.”)
Initially, Rizal financed El Fili’s printing by pawning his properties. In a letter to Jose Basa dated
July 9, 1891, he related: “For the past three months I have not received a single centavo, so I have
pawned all that I have in order to publish this book. I will continue publishing it as long as I can; and
when there is nothing to pawn I will stop …”
Rizal’s next letter to Basa carried the sad news that the printing had to be suspended for lack of funds,
and it was at this point where Valentin Ventura came into the picture. Having known Rizal’s predicament,
Ventura offered him financial help. In hindsight, we can assume that Ventura was bothered by his conscience,
hence his generous monetary assistance for Rizal’s novel. Remember that Ventura was one of the Filipinos
who promised to co-author Rizal’s proposed first book but ended up contributing nothing.
But even with Ventura’s help, Rizal found it necessary to fundamentally shorten the novel, erasing 47
whole pages from the 279-page manuscript to save expenses (Ocampo, p. 111). Thus, the printed El Fili,
MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 2

which came off the press by the middle of September 1891, turned out comprising only 38 chapters compared
to the 64 of the Noli—contrary to his original plan to make a longer sequel.
For Ventura’s salvific act, Rizal gave him the novel’s original manuscript, a pen, and an autographed
printed copy. In 1925, the Philippine government bought the El Fili manuscript from Ventura for a large sum of
10, 000 pesos (Zaide, p. 194). It is now being kept in the National Library.
Filibustero and Gomburza

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’. Rizal thus explained in a letter:
“The word filibustero is little known in the Philippines …I heard it for the first time in 1872 when the
tragic executions [of the Gomburza] took place. I still remember the panic that this word created. Our father
forbade us to utter it, as well as the words Cavite, Burgos (one of the executed priests), etc. The Manila
newspapers and the Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to make a revolutionary suspect. The
Filipinos belonging to the educated class fear the reach of the word. It … means a dangerous patriot who will
soon be hanged or well, a presumptuous man.”
The word ‘filibustero’ thus contextually means subversive, dissident, revolutionary, seditious,
insurrectionary, and treasonous. Fittingly, Rizal dedicated the book to the memory of the Gomburza, the three
Filipino patriotic priests who were accused of being ‘filibustero’ and thus executed. In his dedication, Rizal
fearlessly declared his conviction that the Spanish officials’ treatment of the priests’ case was unjust “as [their]
complicity in the Cavite Mutiny is not clearly proved”.
The dedication partly reads: “To the memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don
Jose Burgos (30 years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in the Bagumbayan Field on the
28th of February, 1872 … I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which I undertake to
combat…”
Rizal however made mistakes in indicating the ages of the priests and the date of their execution.
During their martyrdom on the 17th (not 28th) of February, 1872, Gomez was then 73 (not 85), Burgos was 35
(not 30) and Zamora was 37 (not 35). Like many other students today (especially men), Rizal was perhaps not
that good in memorizing historical details like dates and ages.
The foreword of the Fili was nonetheless addressed “To The Filipino People and Their Government”.
The original manuscript also includes a “warning” and an “inscription” on the title page written by the author’s
friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt.
Characters of El Filibusterismo
Simoun - Crisóstomo Ibarra reincarnated as a wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolution
Basilio - Sisa's son, now an aspiring doctor
Isagani - poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional and reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend before
being dumped for fellow student Juanito Peláez
Kabesang Tales - Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who resurfaced as
the feared Luzón bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for Hawkeye); his father, Old Man Selo, dies eventually after his
own son Tano, who became a guardia civil, unknowingly shoots his grandfather in an encounter
Don Custodio - Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo, a famous journalist who was asked by the
students about his decision for the Academia de Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who
married a rich woman in order to be a member of Manila's high society
Paulita Gómez - the girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the old India who passes herself off
as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and Juanito Peláez
are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him
Father Florentino - Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be married, but chose the
priesthood instead, the story hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a
remote place, living in solitude near the sea.
Huli - Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales
Ben Zayb - Abraham Ibañez is his real name. He is a journalist who thinks he is the only one thinking in the
Philippines

Placido Penitente - a student of the University of Santo Tomas who is always miserable, and therefore
controls his temper
Quiroga - a Chinese businessman who dreamt of being a consul of a Consulate of China in the Philippines.
He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house
Old Man Selo - father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio after his mother Sisa had died
Father Fernandez - the priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he and the other priests will give in
to the students' demands
Attorney Pasta - one of the great lawyers of mid-Hispanic Manila
Captain-General - (no specific name) the powerful highest official of the Philippines
Padre Sibyla - Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar and now vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas
(U.S.T.)
Chapter 1
Chapter Title: On Deck
Setting: December morning, Steamship Tabo (Pasig)
Characters: Skipper, Dona Victorina, Don Custodio, Ben Zayb, Padre Camorra, Padre Irene, Simoun, Padre,
Salvi, Padre Sibyla, Paulita Gomez (mentioned), Don Tiburcio (mentioned), Capitan General (mentioned)
Summary:
The book starts with the quote:
“Sic itur ad astra.”
(This way to the stars.)
While sailing, steamship Tabo gets stuck in mud. The skipper tries to steer it out of the mud.
Dona Victorina rants and blames the Indios (even though she is Indio) and the group ignores her. Ben Zayb
argues with Padre Camorra and Padre Salvi joins the argument. They suggest different ways about how to
straighten out the river and develop ports.
Simoun says to dig a canal from the entrance of the river (to make a new channel), and close up old Pasig.
Everyone agrees except Don Custodio, who says that it would be expensive and require tearing down villages.
Simoun says they should go ahead and do that.
Don Custodio says there is no money to pay laborers, and Simoun says the villagers can work for 3-5 months
and bring their own food and tools. Simoun argues that even the Pyramids and Coliseum were built by workers
in the same way.
Don Custodio says the people would rebel. Simoun says that back then, the Egyptians and Jewish people did
not rebel. But Don Custodio says Indios are different and have rebelled before. Simoun says they won’t rebel
again, since Indios who built the house and hospital of Los Banos did so without rebelling.
Simoun leaves to go below deck. The rest wonder what Simoun’s background and race are.
Don Custodio complains to Ben Zayb that Simoun suggested an expedition to the Caroline Islands, which
means they would have to build a ship (cruiser).
Don Custodio suggests his project to clear the sandbars of Laguna: inhabitants of towns near sandbars should
breed ducks to eat snails, so the gathering of snails will deepen the river. Ben Zayb agrees but Dona Victorina
gets angry because more ducks would mean there would be too many balut eggs.
Chapter 2
Chapter Title: Below Deck
Setting: December morning, Steamship Tabo (Pasig), below deck
Characters: Basilio, Isagani, Capitan Basilio, Simoun, Padre Florentino, Padre Florentino’s servant, Skipper,
Paulita Gomez (mentioned), Padre Irene (mentioned), Capitan Tiago (mentioned), Padre Sibyla (mentioned),

Capitan General (mentioned), Don Tiburcio (mentioned), Dona Victorina (mentioned), Padre Camorra
(mentioned), Macaraig (mentioned)
Summary:
Below deck, sick Chinese peddlers are sleeping. But students are also there and are wearing ‘spotless white
attire’. They are in good moods because they are returning home for the holidays.
Basilio complains that Capitan Tiago is sending him to San Diego on the suggestion of Padre Irene so that
Tiago can just smoke opium at home. Capitan Basilio tells Basilio and Isagani that he himself does not like
opium use.
Isagani explains that they have given Padre Irene 2 chestnut horses as a bribe so he can see Capitan General
about the permit. Capitan Basilio points out that Padre Sibyla opposes their permit, but Isagani says it doesn’t
matter.
Capitan Basilio asks about funds and they explain that each student contributes a real and that they already
found professors (half are Filipinos, half are Peninsulares), and that Macaraig will let them have one of his
houses. Capitan Basilio accepts their explanation and understands their desire to learn Spanish since their
books are in Spanish.
Basilio asks what Isagani’s uncle says about Paulita. They talk about how Dona Victorina asked Isagani to look
for her husband as an exchange for letting Isagani date Paulita. Isagani laughs because the husband is in his
uncle (Padre Florentino’s) house. That is why his uncle did not go on deck: because Dona Victorina might ask
about Don Tiburcio.
Simoun arrives and Basilio introduces Isagani to him. They realize that Isagani and Simoun lived in towns
close to each other. Simoun asks about the province and admits he hasn’t gone there because people in the
province do not buy jewels. Isagani is annoyed and says people in the province don’t need them. Simoun
offers them beer and they refuse.
Simoun says he heard Padre Camorra say that morning that there is a lack of energy in the country because
people drink too much water. Isagani argues and says that water can put out fires and turn into steam, and
becomes the ocean which can destroy humanity. Basilio quotes Isagani’s verses and Simoun leaves to get
beer.
Basilio asks Isagani why he is annoyed. Isagani says he does not know. He says Simoun makes him feel
afraid, but he does not know why.
Florentino’s servant calls Isagani and tells him to go to Florentino. While waiting for Isagani, the skipper tells
Florentino to go up on deck or else the friars will think he won’t want to join them.
Florentino advises Isagani not to visit the deck because it would be abusing the skipper’s hospitality but
Isagani thinks its so he won’t talk to Dona Victorina.
Chapter 3
Chapter Title: Legends
Setting: December morning, Steamship Tabo (Pasig), on deck
Characters: Padre Florentino, Padre Sibyla, Padre Camorra, Padre Salvi, Simoun, Ben Zayb, Don Custodio,
Skipper
Summary:
The chapter opens with the following lines:
Ich weiss nich was soll es bedeuten
Dass ich so traurig bin!
(I want to cry,
I do not know why!)

Padre Florentino arrives on deck. Padre Sibyla is angry because his tenants keep complaining. Padre Camorra
tells him not to be mad even when Indios try to haggle for lower rates. Padre Camorra asks: “Why should a
baptism cost less than a chicken?”
Simoun arrives and Don Custodio asks where he was, saying he missed the view. Simoun says he has seen
everything, and is only interested in a view that reminds him of legends.
They take turns telling legends.
Malapad-na-bato (told by Skipper)

Malapad-na-bato is a rock that is known as a dwelling place of spirits The rock was turned into a hangout of
bandits who used it to ambush passing boats (bancas). Now there is a capsized boat there that is easy for
other boats to hit.
Cave of Dona Geronimo (told by Padre Sibyla)

A student promised to marry a girl (Dona Geronimo) from his village. She waited but he never came back. The
student became Archbishop of Manila so she disguised herself as a man and asked him to fulfill his promise.
The archbishop had a cave built and let her live there until her death. Dona Jeronimo was so fat she had to
enter sideways, but she always threw silver plates into the river after banquets. A net would catch the plates
after washing.
Simoun tells Padre Salvi that maybe the archbishop should have put Dona Geronimo in a cloister in Santa
Clara because that would be more gallant. Simoun asks Padre Salvi what he would’ve done. Padre Salvi tells
a legend
Miracle of San Nicolas (told by Padre Salvi)
The river was full of crocodiles. One day, a Chinaman who refused to be converted into a Christian was
passing the church. A devil appeared as a crocodile and planned to eat him. The Chinese prayed to San
Nicolas and the crocodile turned into stone. Now the rock pieces of the crocodile are scattered.
Padre Salvi said he has seen the head of the stone crocodile. Ben Zayb says he will write an article that
praises the Chinaman for choosing to prayto the ‘least known saint’ instead of praying to Confucius or Buddha,
which shows that Catholicism is better and that the yellow race (Chinese) is “illogical”. Simoun asks if the devil
was trapped in the stone and if petrified animals are also victims to a saint.
The boat enters the lake with green shores and blue mountains. They see Mt. Makiling and Talim island
(Susong-dalaga or Maiden’s breast).
Ben Zayb asks the skipper which part of the lake that Ibarra (he is not sure if Ibarra is the name or if it was
Guevara or Navarra) was killed in. Everyone looks at the skipper while Simoun looks away. The skipper says
that 13 years ago, Ibarra jumped from a banca near the break and swam 2 miles. The pursuers saw red on the
shore that was probably blood.
Ben Zayb asks about the body and Padre Sibyla says it joined that of Ibarra’s father (a “subversive” or
filibustero). Ben Zayb notices that Simoun is quiet and asks if he is seasick. The skipper says the lake is larger
than all lakes in Spain put together and even old mariners have gotten seasick there.
Chapter 4
Chapter Title: Cabesang Tales
Setting: Tiana, San Diego (timeline starting from Cabesang Tales’ early adulthood to present, Christmas Eve)
Characters: Cabesang Tales, Tandang Selo, Tano, Juli, Friar Administrator, Senor Gobernador M, Sister Bali,
Sister Penchang, Capitan General (mentioned), Basilio (mentioned), Padre Camorra (mentioned), Maria Clara
(mentioned)
Summary:

The chapter talks about the family history of Cabesang Tales. Tandang Selo was a woodcutter who lived in the
forest. His son Cabesang Tales worked on a farm but but wanted to live on his own so the family cut down
trees to clear land for farming. One by one, Canesang Tales’ family got sick and died (including his wife and
oldest daughter Lucia), and they thought the spirits of the forest were getting revenge. During their first harvest,
the church claimed their fields and charged them an annual fee of 20-30 pesos to use them.
Tandang Selo said lawyers would be a waste of money anyway, and that Cabesang Tales can pretend he lost
the money gambling or that a crocodile ate it.
The family was productive and and Tales wanted to build a house in Sagpang barrio in Tiana, San Diego. After
one year, the friars raised the rent to 50 pesos. Tandang Selo told Cabesang Tales to be patient, and to just
pretend that the crocodile that ate his money got bigger and ate more.
The family built their house and thought of sending Juli to school.
Cabesang Tales became Cabeza de Barangay and ended up paying tax deficits and other costs with his own
money. Tandang Selo told him to pretend that the crocodiles’ relatives showed up. Cabesang Tales promised
Juli she would be able to study but the rental price increased to 200 pesos eventually. Tales protested but the
friar administrator sent his servants to take back the land. Cabesang Tales rebelled and said he will only
surrender his fields to “the first man who would water them with blood from his own veins.”
Cabesang Tales refused to surrender his lands because the friars don’t have documents to prove that they
own them. Cabesang Tales decided to pay lawyers and officials to help him but they took advantage of him
and used up his savings.
Cabesang Tales started patrolling his fields with a shotgun, hoping to shoot tulisanes (bandits). The judges
knew Cabesang Tales was right and that friars were forbidden to own lands, but they wanted to feed their
families so they told Cabesang Tales to pay the rent. Senor Gobernador M tried to talk to Cabesang Tales but
he refused.
The judges sided with the friars. Tano left the family, and there were rumors of him going to the Carolines or
joining the guardia civil.
Cabesang Tales became tense and Tandang Selo stopped talking to him. Juli got sick. Because everyone in
town became afraid of Tales, the Capitan General ordered all firearms to be confiscated so Cabesang Tales
patrolled the lands with a long bolo instead. His bolo was confiscated also so he used an axe.
In present day, the tulisanes have guns and were able to capture Tales. They threaten to kill him unless they
are paid 500 pesos by the family in 2 days.
Juli has only 200 pesos in savings but doesn’t know what to do. She asks for help from Sister Bali. Juli plans to
sell all her jewels except a locket from Basilio. The locket was given by a nun, Capitan Tiago’s daughter, to a
leper. Basilio treated the leper and it was given to him. Juli earns 50 pesos for her jewels. The family thinks
about selling the house but cannot because Tales is not there to give his consent.
Sister Bali suggests asking for a loan on the house which they will pay when they win the case. But no one
wants to buy it because they don’t want to go against the friars.
An old woman lends the amount to Juli as long as she serves her. Juli promises to start working for her on
Christmas Day (the next day).
Tandang Selo is upset by her decision and threatens to return to the forest but Juli argues that it was
necessary. Juli cries at night while Tandang Selo refuses to eat. Juli is sad that Basilio will be arriving the next
day, but they cannot marry because she is now poor.

Juli goes to sleep and dreams of her childhood. In her dream, she is bathing in the stream with her siblings and
she sees Basilio under the water. He has the face of Tano. Her new mistress is watching from the shore.
Chapter 5
Chapter Title: A Cochero’s Christmas Ev
Setting: Christmas Eve, San Dieg
Characters: Basilio, Cochero / Sinong, Capitan Basilio, Sinang, Alferez of Guardia Civil, Simoun, Padre Cura,
Capitan Tiago (mentioned), Cabesang Tales (mentioned)
Summary:
Basilio is late because his cochero was detained and beaten by the guardia civil for forgetting his cedula
(identification). They wait in traffic as the procession occurs, seeing the first image: Methuselah (the European
version of Noel), who is a saint.
It is followed by the 3 kings. The cochero talks about the time when there were no guardia civils. The King
Melchor statue is black and wearing a crown, which reminds the cochero of the King of the Indios.
The cochero asks Basilio if the right foot of the king is free. Basilio is confused. The cochero explains the
legend of the king imprisoned in the cave of San Mateo who will one day free them from oppression. Every
hundred years he breaks one of his chains. He has freed his hands and left foot. He is called King Bernardo
(because the cochero confused his name with that of Bernardo Caprio). The cochero says that when the king
is free he will save them from the guardia civiles.
After the three kings come, there are two lines of young boys, then St. Joseph. The statue of St. Joseph looks
sad between two statues of guardias civiles. The cochero decides not to pray to him. After that are little girls
carrying paper rabbits lighted by candles.
This reminds the cochero that he had his horses blessed for 10 pesos but they still died. They had stopped
following orders and a layperson told him not to punish them because they were blessed.
The procession closes with the Virgin (who is shown as pregnant), on her journey to Jerusalem. It is mentioned
that the priest did not come to the parade because he had to convince people at mass to pay 30 pesos for
Christmas morning mass instead of 20 pesos. He got mad at them and called them subversives.
Basilio and the cochero don’t notice that the rig’s light has gone out. Basilio is looking at the decorated houses,
noticing that there are less decorations each year because of rising taxes, poor economy and guardia civil
abuses. They are in front of the guardia civil headquarters and a guard catches the rig without lights. The
cochero tries to argue that the procession lasted too long. Basilio gets down and goes to Capitan Basilio’s
house, which is the only one that seems to be noisy.
He sees Sinang who looks fatter (since her marriage). He sees Capitan Basilio chatting with Padre Cura, the
alferez of the guardia civil, and Simoun.
They are planning to go to Tiana to look at Simoun’s jewels. The alferez says he wants a waist chain. Capitan
Basilio wants to be liked by the military so he offers to pay for the alferez’s waist chain (as a Christmas gift).
Padre Cura asks for a pair of lady’s earrings and Capitan Basilio accepts because he wants to also be on the
good side of the church.
Basilio is angry at Simoun, because according to rumors, he buys back jewels at half price from the people
they were given to as gifts.
Basilio goes to Capitan Tiago’s house and talks to the caretaker, who respects Basilio because of his
calmness while performing surgery. Basilio asks about Sagpang. The caretaker tells him about the kidnapping
of Cabesang Tales.

After hearing the story, Basilio doesn’t feel like eating anymore.
Chapter 6
Chapter Title: Basilio
Setting: Christmas Eve, Forest of Ibarras (San Diego)
Characters: Basilio, Capitan Tiago, Simoun, Maria Clara (mentioned)
Plot: Basilio visits the grave of his mother and thinks about his past.
Summary:
Basilio goes to the Forest of the Ibarras, which is owned by Capitan Tiago. Basilio goes to a Balete tree and
prays before a pile of stones, which mark the grave of his mother. She died 13 years ago, insane and not able
to remember him. Back then, a stranger told him to build a funeral pyre. He did what he was told, and then
returned and saw that the stranger was dead.
A second man was there and helped him build a fire where his mother was burned, and then they dug a hole
where she was buried. The second man gave Basilio coins and told him to leave. Basilio remembers the man
as being tall, with red eyes, bloodless lips and a sharp nose.
After that incident, Basilio was an orphan so he went to Manila, serving the household of a rich man and
studying at the same time. He became afraid of guardia civils because he blamed them for the deaths of his
mother and brother.
While searching for a master, Basilio saw Capitan Tiago and Tia Isabel in a carriage, so he followed them.
That was the same day Maria Clara entered the cloister so Capitan Tiago was depressed and accepted Basilio
as a servant. He studied in San Juan de Letran. Because of his dirty attire his classmates didn’t want to be
friends with him, and teachers hated him.
During Basilio’s second year of school, he took care of a fighting cock for Capitan Tiago and it won. As a
reward, he was given money buy Capitan Tiago so he bought shoes and a hat.
In Basilio’s third year, he could afford shirts and boots, but a Dominican professor called him a parrot for
reciting a lesson word for word. The professor tried to humiliate him but Basilio proved him wrong, so he was
never allowed to recite ever again.
The next year, Basilio impressed his professors and becomes a favorite. He got outstanding marks and
Capitan Tiago convinced him to transfer to Ateneo Municipal.
Basilio transferred, and in one year he finished fives years of the secondary course, because he was
impressed by the methods of the school. Basilio chose medicine even though Capitan Tiago wanted him to
take up law (so he could be Capitan Tiago’s lawyer. Capitan Tiago let Basilio go into medicine, thinking that he
would be able to use drugs to change the tempers of Capitan Tiago’s fighting cocks so they could win.
Currently, Basilio is in his last year of medical school. In two months he will be a physician. He will deliver the
valedictory address. He plans to “make his entry into the world” with his speech.
Chapter 7
Chapter Title: Simoun
Setting: Christmas Eve, Forest of Ibarras (San Diego)
Characters: Basilio, Simoun, Sisa (mentioned), Crispin (mentioned)
Plot: Simoun tries to convince Basilio to join his cause.
Summary:
Basilio sees someone arrive behind the Balete tree. The man has a spade and starts digging, and he has a
lantern that reveals him to be Simoun without his glasses.

Basilio recognizes Simoun as the one who dug the grave of his mother 13 years ago.
Basilio figures out that Simoun is Ibarra. He approaches Simoun and offers to help, explaining that Simoun
helped him before. Simoun takes out a gun and asks who Basilio thinks he is talking to. Basilio says that
Simoun is someone he believed to be dead and whose suffering always made him feel sympathy.
After a while, Simoun lowers the gun and says that Basilio now knows a secret that can ruin him. He explains
that he should kill Basilio as he might get in the way of Simoun’s plans. Simoun explains that it would be easy
because people would assume that Basilio’s death was caused by tulisanes or spirits.
Simoun says that because they both have a ‘thirst for justice’, they should help each other.
Simoun admits that he was the man from 13 years ago and that he wandered the world to become rich. Now,
he plans to “destroy the system” by promoting greed. He explains that greed feeds on a dead organism like a
vulture would. Through greed, Simoun promoted corruption, cruelty, anxiety, misery, and poverty. But there are
people like Basilio who are pro-Hispanism. Simoun says that young people are inexperienced, naive and
optimistic.
Simoun compares Hispanization to destroying the national identity. He says that by being Hispanized, the
country will be full of civil wars, and always unhappy with conditions, like countries in South America. Simoun
asks Basilio why they would want to add another language to the 40 dialects in the islands, and says they will
just understand each other less and less.
Basilio argues that knowledge of Spanish will unite them with the government and unite all the islands.
Simouon says that Spanish will never be the common language because it cannot capture idioms and ideas
unique to the Philippines. By being Hispanized, they will become truly slaves and that they will not care about
their own language anymore.
Simoun says that it is good that the government wants them to keep their own language, because other
countries don’t do that (like Russia and Poland), but instead, young Filipinos want to take away their own
national identity.
Simoun says he watched the pro-Spanish movement become popular, and felt sad that the smart youth
thought they were sacrificing themselves for a good cause but instead worked against their own country.
Simoun wanted to approach them and tell them they were wrong. He tells Basilio that he wanted to destroy
them.
Simoun explains that he’s letting Basilio live because he knows Simoun and knows how much he has suffered.
Simoun asks Basilio to help him by changing the minds of younger people, that they should be happy that
Spain doesn’t want the Philippines to be part of its nation. Simoun says that Filipinos should mold their own
individuality. They should dream of being their own a nation, not a province of Spain, and that the Spaniard
should always be thought of as an invader or foreigner instead of a fellow citizen.
Basilio says Simoun is demanding too much. Basilio admits that he just signed the petition because Spanish
will help his studies. His only dream is to help the sickly. Simoun says that it would be more useful to help the
whole nation rather than individual people. Basilio argues that each person in a society has a role, and that his
is to devote himself to science.
Simoun says that “Science is not the end of man,” but Basilio says that when humanity is enlightened and
everyone is free, science will be what is left while patriotism will be considered dangerous.
MD-WK-12 1
ms 2 – the life and works of rizal
0
Simoun says that to reach that state, there should be no tyrants and slaves, which can only be achieved if
there is struggle and bloodshed. Patriotism is a tool for oppressed people who want justice, freedom and
dignity.
Simoun realizes Basilio is not convinced so instead he asks what Basilio is doing for his mother and brother’s
memories other than crying over their graves. Basilio gets angry and says he can’t do anything because he
would just end up another victim. Simoun offers to support him but Basilio says that revenge would not bring
them back. Simoun argues that revenge would mean others wouldn’t suffer the way Basilio has suffered.
Simoun says that he thought like Basilio before, but he was punished for it. He tells Basilio that the ones who
killed his brother and mother will think he wants revenge so they will try to get rid of him even if he does
nothing. Basilio asks how they could hate him even though they’re the ones who were evil to him. Simoun says
it is natural in man to hate those he has injured.
Basilio says he just wants to live his life, but Simoun says his sons will also suffer the way he has because he
did nothing. He insults Basilio as the “ideal male” who only wants a house, a woman and rice and considers
himself lucky for having those.
Basilio wants to say that he is not good at political matter but that he would help if necessary. Simoun just says
that he knows Basilio won’t give away his secrets because no one would believe him anyway. He says that if
Basilio changes his mind, he should go to Simoun’s house at Escolta.
Simoun wonders if he said the wrong thing, and that whether serving other people has made Basilio only want
to ‘survive and reproduce’. Simoun says “Have patience”. It is possible he is telling that to himself in terms of
Basilio’s (lack of) decision.
Chapter 8
Chapter Title: Merry Christmas
Setting: Christmas Day, Sagpang (San Diego)
Characters: Juli, Tandang Selo, Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Sister Penchang (mentioned)
Plot: Juli says goodbye to Tandang Selo before leaving for her first day of work.
Summary:
Juli wakes up before dawn and does her chores. She is surprised to find out that she is calm, and tells herself
she can visit every two days to check the house. She kisses the locket and then wipes it because she knows it
had come from a leper. Then she kisses Tandang Selo’s hand and tells him to tell Tales that she is finally
going to school because her mistress speaks Spanish so she will be able to learn it.
She leaves the house and cries by the road. Tandang Selo watches from the window as people bring their
children to mass. It is mentioned hat Christmas in the Philippines is a feast for the children even though the
children are forced to dress up and go to mass, and have to visit relatives who pinch their cheeks and make
them dance. The children are usually given money but their parents take it away.
There is also a Christmas tradition that adults visit their parents and give gifts. Tandang Selo realizes he has
no one to give gifts to, and that Juli didn’t even greet him Merry Christmas. He wonders if she forgot or if she
was trying to be thoughtful.
Relatives visit Tandang Selo and he realizes he cannot speak. The women cry and announce that he is mute.
Chapter 9
Chapter Title: Pilates
Setting: Sagpang (San Diego)
MD-WK-12 1
1
Characters: Cabesang Tales, Teniente of the Guardia Civil, Padre Clemente, Sister Penchang, Juli, Tandang,
Selo, Basilio (mentioned)
Plot: Sister Penchang puts Juli to work, and Cabesang Tales returns.
Summary:
No one in the town feels guilty for what happened to Cabesang Tales. The teniente of the guardia civil tells
himself he was just following orders to seize weapons, and that he even searched for the tulisanes and found
suspects.
Padre Clemente claims he has nothing to do with Tales’ disappearance because Cabesang Tales made him
feel unsafe. He thinks Tales deserved the punishment from heaven for not following the demands of the
church.
Sister Penchang believes that people suffer because their relatives sin. She also thinks Juli is a sinner for not
knowing how to pray. She does not allow Juli to return to the barrio to take care of her grandfather. In her mind,
Juli has to work and learn how to pray. Sister Penchang hears the news that Basilio went to Manila to get his
savings and redeem Juli.
Sister Penchang forces Juli to reread the booklet of Tandang Basio Macunat and tells her to go see the priest
in the convent. The friars celebrate winning the lawsuit against Cabesang Tales.
Cabesang Tales returns and sees that his lands are gone, and his father is mute and his daughter is now a
maid. There is also an order from the Tribunal to evacuate the house within 3 days. Cabesang Tales sits
beside Tandang Selo and does not speak.
Chapter 10
Chapter Title: Wealth and Misery
Setting: Sagpang (San Diego)
Characters: Simoun, Cabesang Tales, Capitan Basilio, Capitana Tika, Sinang, Sister Penchang, Capitan
General (mentioned), Juli (mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned), Alferez (mentioned), Padre Cura
(mentioned), Maria Clara (mentioned), Padre Salvi (mentioned)
Plot: Simoun sells his jewels in Cabesang Tales’ house.
Summary:
Simoun goes to Cabesang Tales’ house with two servants. He wants to spend the night there because of the
barrio’s prime location. Cabesang Tales is ashamed that he has nothing to give to show his hospitality. Simoun
asks if Cabesang Tales’ revolver is good enough against the tulisanes. Cabesang Tales says their guns shoot
far. Simoun shoots a bonga palm, saying his own gun shoots the same distance.
Families come over because they want to be on good terms with Simoun, because he is known for being
Capitan General’s friend and adviser.
Capitan Basilio comes with 3,000 pesos. He has his wife (Capitana Tika), daughter (Sinang) and son in law
with him. Sister Penchang wants a diamond ring to give to the Virgin of Antipolo. She left Juli a booklet to read
(it was sold by priests). Sister Penchang tells Capitana Tika that nothing sticks to Juli’s memory.
Simoun shows the guests his jewelry.
Cabesang Tales is curious but feels angry hat Simoun is showing off his wealth, compared to Cabesang Tales
who is going to lose his house. Simoun says Chinaman Quiroga offered 6,000 pesos for a green diamond
(mistaken for an emerald) as a gift for a matron.
Simoun shows 3 blue diamonds. The smallest he bought for 20,000 pesos, and will sell for 30,000 pesos. The
other one is from Golconda mines and is worth more than 70,000 pesos. The Viceroy of India is offering to buy
it (by mail) for 12,000 pounds sterling.
MD-WK-12 1
2
Cabesang Tales thinks that even the smallest diamond would get him back everything he lost. Simoun says
that one of those small stones allowed a man to exile his enemy, and with a red stone, gave the enemy his
liberty and the man was restored.
Simoun shows the bottom of the tray, which holds Cleopatra’s necklace. Sinang and Capitan Basilio are
disappointed but Capitan Basilio defends its value. Sinang says she prefers the modern jewels.
Capitan Tika buys a reliquary with a chip of stone where Jesus rested after his third fall. Sinang buys a pair of
earrings. Capitan Basilio buys a watch chain for the alferez, lady earrings for the priest and more.
Simoun buys old jewelry from mothers who are selling to him. He sees Cabesang Tales watching and asks if
he is selling anything. Sinang suggests the locket of Maria Clara. Simoun offers to buy it for 500 pesos. All
women encourage Cabesang Tales to sell it but Sister Penchang wants him to keep it so she can keep Juli as
her maid. Sister Penchang says that Maria Clara, at the convent, is very thin and does not speak, but Padre
Salvi says she is well, and that is why Juli did not want to give up the locket.
Cabesang Tales says he will talk with his daughter and will be back before night. He leaves and comes across
the friar-hacandero and the man who took his lands. They point and laugh at his house. Simoun wakes up the
next day and finds his revolver missing, but the gold locket of Maria Clara is there, beside a letter.
In the letter, Cabesang Tales apologizes for taking Simoun’s things even though Simoun is a guest in his
house. Cabesang Tales says he needs the revolver so he can join the tulisanes, and advises Simoun to stay
out of their way, because they will demand a ransom if they catch him.
Simoun tells his servant to go to Los Banos with the larger suitcase and wait for him. Guardia civiles arrive to
arrest Cabesang Tales but take Tandang Selo instead since Cabesang Tales is no longer there.
The friar-hacandero and new tenant are found dead from head shots, and there is soil in their mouths. The
tenant’s wife is also dead, her throat slashed, next to a paper with ‘Tales’ written on it with blood.
The novel tells the reader to not be alarmed, telling them they are “peaceful citizens of Calamba” since they
are not called Tales and therefore not guilty. The reader is told that they worked hard for their fields and says
“They (the Spaniards) were not content with violating justice; they stepped on the sacred traditions of your
country.”
The reader is told they have suffered more than Cabesang Tales with no justice served.
But the reader is told that Spain watches over them and that sooner or later, they will obtain justice.
Chapter 11
Chapter Title: Los Banos
Setting: December, Los Banos
Characters: Capitan General, Padre Irene, Padre Sibyla, Padre Camorra, Capitan General’s Secretary, Don
Custodio, Padre Fernandez, Simoun, Ben Zayb, Schoolmaster of Tiani (mentioned), Macaraig (mentioned),
Isagani (mentioned), Basilio (mentioned), Juli (mentioned), Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Tandang Selo
(mentioned), Teniente of Guardia Civil (mentioned)
Plot: Capitan General tries to decide whether he should approve the students’ petition for a Spanish academy.
Summary:
Capitan General goes hunting in Bosoboso but has to be accompanied by a music band, friars, the military and
bureaucrats so it is too noisy and he doesn’t catch anything.
The gobernadorcillos and cabezas de barangay are afraid because they think Capitan General will take his
failure out on them. Capitan General says he would feel bad having to hurt animals anyway, but the truth is
MD-WK-12 1
3
that he is afraid he will miss if they come across an animal. Capitan General chooses to end the hunt and
instead tells fake stories about having hunted in other countries and how hunting in the Philippines doesn’t
compare to them.
Capitan General is in the sala of his house playing tresillo with Padre Irene, Padre Sibyla and Padre Camorra.
Padre Irene and Padre Sibyla are losing on purpose but Padre Camorra doesn’t know about their plan. He
does not insult Padre Sibyla’s poor playing because he respects him. But Padre Camorra thinks Padre Irene is
crude.
The secretary is doing business while serving as alcalde in the tresillo game. He lists topics that Capitan
General should decide on. Don Custodio is talking to Padre Fernandez. Simoun and Ben Zayb are playing
billiards. Padre Camorra curses the game and throws his cards down. He explains to the rest that Padre Irene
is an idiot who made a bad move. Padre Irene makes excuses but hides his smile.
Padre Sibyla asks Padre Fernandez to play but he says he is a bad tresillista. Capitan General asks Simoun to
join. The secretary asks about the decision on sporting firearms. Padre Irene tells Simoun to use diamonds
instead of tokens and Simoun agrees. Simoun asks what Padre Irene will bet, asking if they will pay with acts
of charity, prayers and virtues.
Simoun asks the friars to pay him with words. He states an example: “I renounce for five days poverty, humility
and obedience/chastity, generosity”.
Simoun asks Capitan General to bet the following:

5 tokens
An IOU for 5 days of incarceration
Another IOU for 5 months
A codicil (blank deportation order)
An authorization (summary execution) expedited by the guardia civil
Capitan General asks what Simoun will gain from that. Padre Irene asks what he will do with deportations and
summary executions. Simoun says he will use them to ‘clean up the country and destroy evil seeds’. Before,
he had told them about being ambushed by tulisanes and being released the next day, but they took his two
Smith and Wesson revolvers and two boxes of cartridges.
Simoun had told Capitan General that the tulisanes had shotguns and rifles, which is why Capitan General was
about to issue a new decree about sporting firearms, to stop the tulisanes from acquiring more weapons.
Padre Irene calls Simoun ungrateful for not appreciating getting to keep his jewels.
Simoun says he thinks the tulisanes are the most honest men in the country, because “they are the only ones
who earn their rice properly”. He asks Padre Irene if he would have released him with all his jewels intact. Don
Custodio thinks Simoun is being rude just because he is close to Capitan General.
Padre Irene jokes that Simoun is one of the tulisanes and Simoun agrees, saying they are not tulisanes “in the
open”. He says that if they all lived in the forests then the country would be saved and Capitan General would
be able to play tresillo without being distracted by the secretary, who yawns at that moment.
Everyone laughs. Capitan General asks if there are more matters to attend to. Everyone is thinking of the issue
of teaching Spanish. Padre Sibyla, as Vice-Rector, is opposed to it. Padre Irene supports it (as well as
Madame Countess).
The secretary brings up sporting firearms. Capitan General says to forbid them but the secretary argues that
sporting firearms are allowed in all countries. Capitan General says they do not copy any country and the
secretary argues that sporting arms are only good against rats and chickens. Capitan General says he has
MD-WK-12 1
4
given proof that he is not a chicken so they will not be seen as such. The secretary says firearms were
prohibited four months ago but importers were assured that sporting arms would still be allowed.
Simoun suggests that the only sporting arms that can be sold should not have 6 mm because most have a
caliber of 6 mm. Everyone agrees except the secretary, who whispers to Padre Fernandez that it is improper.
The secretary asks about the schoolmaster of Tiani, who is asking for a better place because it is roofless.
Capitan General says to direct the complaint to the Director of Administration or Governor of nuncio (province).
Padre Camorra says the schoolmaster is a filibusterillo (subversive) and that someday he will punch the man in
the face. Padre Sibyla says anyone who wants to teach can teach anywhere.
Capitan General says he has heard complaints against the schoolteacher and says he should be suspended.
The secretary feels bad for the schoolteacher and tries to argue for him, but Capitan General says that he
already gave money for the schooteacher to buy materials before. The secretary says the materials will be
wasted without the proper site.
Capitan General says it is wrong to keep demanding for things when there are people dying of hunger. Ben
Zayb interrupts, saying that country should come before anything else but everyone ignores him. Capitan
General says anyone who will complain will be suspended.
Don Custodio speaks up and asks about his project, which involves using other buildings as schoolhouses.
The friars are worried that he is referring to convents and churches but Don Custodio explains that the cockpits
should be schools because they are not used during weekdays, only during fiestas.
Padre Camorra points out that cockfights sometimes take place on weekdays, and that cockpit
concessionaires pay the government. Don Custodio says that classes will be canceled during those days but
Capitan General says he would rather resign if schools are closed because there are games.
Capitan General ends the discussion and asks if there are more matters involving public education. The
secretary asks about the request of students wanting to open an academy for teaching Spanish. The
application had been waiting for six months.
People who approve of it:

Secretary (he thinks that the petition is fair)
Padre Irene
Don Custodio
Padre Fernandez
People who are against it:
Padre Sibyla (he calls it an “assault on our prerogatives”, a “rebellion on stamped paper”)
Simoun (“The solicitation has a suspicious character”)
Padre Camorra (“The Indios should not understand Spanish because they will argue”)
The secretary admits that it is headed by youths accused of radicalism. Isagani, Macaraig and Basilio are
mentioned. Padre Fernandez says he is pleased with Isagani. Padre Camorra says that Isagani was insolent
on the ship. Padre Irene says Macaraig is charming and rich. Padre Irene says he knows nothing of Basilio but
knows of his father, who was involved in a mutiny against the guardia civil. The secretary argues that they
cannot deny the petition based on rumors.
Padre Sibyla says that it is not about teaching Spanish but rather about the school (UST) versus the students
and the students will claim to have “defeated” them if they succeed.
MD-WK-12 1
5
Everyone knows Padre Fernandez has a “thinking head” so they listen to him when he speaks. He says the
Dominicans should be the first to celebrate the teaching of Spanish. If they approve the petition, the people will
be stronger and they (the priests) should teach people fairness instead of ignorance. The Indio “idolizes”
justice and therefore what they desire is just and fair, and should be granted. Padre Fernandez says they
should be like the “cunning Jesuits”. Padre Sibyla reacts to this as he hates the idea of Jesuits as a model.
Everyone starts arguing and Capitan General stands and says they should just discuss the matter tomorrow.
The secretary brings up Juli, daughter of Cabesang Tales who is asking for her grandfather (Tandang Selo) to
be freed. Capitan General is irritated, but Padre Camorra says he came to support the appeal of Juli.
Capitan General tells the secretary to send a note to the teniente of the guardia civil to release the grandfather
to show they are forgiving and compassionate. He looks at Ben Zayb. Ben Zayb winks back.
Chapter 12
Chapter Title: Placido Penitente
Setting: Escolta, on the way to UST
Characters: Placido Penitente, Juanito Pelaez, Isagani, Dona Victorina, Paulita Gomez, Tadeo, Padre Millon,
Padre Camorra (mentioned), Basilio (mentioned), Juli (mentioned), Macaraig (mentioned)
Plot: Placido Penitente goes to school but is distracted by his schoolmates.
Summary:
Placido Penitente is on the way to school (UST). It’s been a week since he arrived from his hometown. He
wrote to his mother twice to ask to leave his studies so he can start working instead, but his mother said he
should graduate or else it would be a waste of four years.
Placido Penitente is known as school as dedicated, a brilliant debater and one of the best Latinists. He is so
smart that the parish priest called him a subversive. Because he is considered smart, his classmates are
confused by his hatred of classes.
Placido Penitente travels along Paseo de Magallanes and arrives at the gate of Sto Domingo. Juanito Pelaez
greets him and asks how he has been, Placido Penitente just says “so-so”. Juanito Pelaez talks about how he
was invited to Tiani by the parish priest, Padre Camorra. They sang to (performing a harana) pretty girls at
various houses.
Juanito Pelaez whispers to Placido Penitente, who is surprised to hear about Juli, the sweetheart of Basilio.
Juanito Pelaez says Padre Camorra tackled two people who were singing to her. Juanito Pelaez criticizes Juli
for not knowing Spanish, having no money and being a maid, as well as being “unsociable”.
Juanito Pelaez asks what happened in class from Monday to Friday (it’s Saturday currently). Placido Penitente
tells him what happened on those days.
Friday: no class
Thursday:
Wednesday: it was drizzling
Tuesday: birthday of a professor
Monday: lesson about mirrors
Placido Penitente tries to show Ramos’ lesson in Physics but Juanito Pelaez slaps it out of the way and says
they should have a dia pichido (day between two holidays on which class is canceled). Placido Penitente calls
Juanito Pelaez stupid. They cross into Sto Domingo, and see the Aduana building. Juanito Pelaez remembers
that he is in charge of collecting the contribution for the monument of Padre Baltazar.
MD-WK-12 1
6
Placido Penitente is confused. Juanito Pelaez explains that Padre Baltazar is a Dominican. He then asks
Placido Penitente for three or four pesos. Placido Penitente gives three pesos because he remembers a
student who once gave away canaries and ended up passing all his subjects.
Juanito Pelaez mentions the birthday of the Professor of Natural History in fifteen days. The professor is nice
to them, so Juanito Pelaez says they should reward him. He asks Placido Penitente fora contribution of two
pesos.
Placido Penitente gives two pesos and Juanito Pelaez asks for two pesos more “to serve as bait”. Placido
Penitente says it is pointless as they will be returned to him and that Juanito Pelaez can just write down on the
paper that Placido Penitente gave four pesos. Juanito Pelaez again asks for two pesos more so he can prove
that Placido Penitente paid four in total. Placido Penitente gives the money.
They arrive at University. Most of the students standing around are from Ateneo. One of them is Isagani, who
is explaining the theory of the refraction of light to a companion.
Dona Victorina and Paulita Gomez arrive. Dona Victorina limps so she has to lean on Paulita Gomez. She tells
Paulita Gomez not to look at anyone who’s staring at them. They’re on their way to visit the Virgin of the
Rosary on Dona Victorina’s “favorite day”.
Isagani sees Paulita Gomez and gets nervous. Paulita Gomez smiles at Isagani, while Dona Victorina smiles
at Juanito Pelae. Isagani waves and Juanito Pelaez takes off his hat and bows. Tadeo sees Paulita Gomez
and says to his companion to tell the professor he is suddenly ill (he is always pretending to be sick, but
passes his courses and is well-liked by professors). Tadeo follows Paulita Gomez into the church.
The students see the professor of Physics and Chemistry arriving so they enter the building. Placido Penitente
is called by a fellow student and asked to sign something. He asks what it is and is told to just sign, but
remembers a story that his uncle told him while pulling his ears: a cabeza de barangay who signed something
without having read it and was imprisoned for months. Because of that, Placido Penitente always associates
signing things with the feeling of his ears being pulled.
The student argues that two carabineros celestiales signed it, but Placido Penitente says he will sign after
class, after reading it carefully. The student says it’s a counter-petition against the Academy of Spanish.
Placido Penitente says he’s going to be late and doesn’t want to go against Macaraig. He goes to class and
hears the roll call but it’s already at the letter “Q”. He enters the classroom anyway, but Padre Millon looks at
him and shakes his head.
Chapter 13
Chapter Title: A Class in Physics
Setting: Physics classroom (The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas)
Characters: Padre Millon, Fat student, Juanito Pelaez, Placido Penitente
Plot: During Physics class, Padre Millon argues with Placido Penitente about the lesson on mirrors.
Summary:
It is mentioned that no Physics-related decorations are present in the classrooms. Occasionally the teacher
shows a tool or the laboratory but students can’t use them, and the laboratory is only meant to impress high
officials. The laboratory is used for preparatory classes taken by Ateneans (from Ateneo of the Jesuits), but no
famous physicist has ever come from the Philippines.
Padre Millon does roll call, and students have to recite the lesson word for word. A fat student yawns and
Padre Millon scolds him. The students laugh. The fat student recites the lesson on the mirror.
The student says that mirrors are divided into metal mirrors and glass mirrors. Padre Millon says that
Camagong (wood) or marble also reflect images if they are polished or varnished. He asks the fat student:
what type of mirror does camagong/marble qualify as?
MD-WK-12 1
7
The fat student ignores the question and continues talking, saying metal mirrors are formed by brass or alloys
and that glass mirrors are formed by two well-polished sides with one side having tin on it. Juanito Pelaez says
Camagong is a mirror of wood. Everyone laughs.
Padre Millon asks: which qualifies as the mirror? The material surface or the substance placed on top of the
surface to reflect images? The fat student just repeats the lesson on the mirror referring to all polished
surfaces. Padre Millon says: therefore, it is the surface that is the mirror because that is which on top cannot
be called a surface if it is not on top.
Padre Millon asks in Spanish whether the fat student admits that the surface is on top therefore it is the mirror.
The fat student wants to say “Whatever you want”, but he knows he will be laughed at. He knows that if one
admits to friars that they are right, they will take advantage of it. The fat sudent wants to deny Padre Millon
because a court official once told him, “because he who denies everything commits to nothing.” His seatmates
signal at him to concede so he says “concedo, Padre”.
Padre Millon asks what happens if you remove quicksilver from a mirror and put bibingka on it instead, what do
you have? The fat student gets more stressed.
Juanito Pelaez speaks, saying you now have a bibingka. Padre Millon asks Juanito Pelaez the question
instead. Juanito Pelaez nudges Placido Penitente for answers.
Padre Millon asks if the polished surface is the mirror, and Juanito Pelaez says no. Padre Millon asks him to
clarify: does what is behind have an influence over what is in front? Juanito Pelaez says no. Padre Millon asks
again if the substance behind has any influence on the surface. Juanito Pelaez does not know what to say, he
steps on Placido Penitente’s boots.
Placido Penitente calls Juanito Pelaez an idiot, which Padre Millon hears. He calls Placido Penitente instead,
because Padre Millon wants to humiliate the “smart aleck” who is always well-dressed in class.
Padre Millon asks Placido Penitente about mirrors:
Metallic mirrors made of brass/alloy.

Mirrors of glass are formed by two surfaces with tin amalgam on one side
But tin is a metal.
“Amalgam” means united with mercury, so the mirror of glass is actually a mirror metal
Is the classification wrong?
Placido Penitente keeps answering “so the book says” and stutters. Padre Millon scolds him for not studying
and yet trying to coach Juanito Pelaez. The class laughs.
Millon asks for his full name and makes fun of how his last name ‘Penitente’ does not fit him. He then orders
Placido Penitente to recite the lesson. Because he is nervous, Placido Penitente makes more than 3 mistakes.
Padre Millon finds Placido’s name in the roll call and points out 15 absences. Placido Penitente argues that he
was only absent 5 times (including today). Padre Millon says that since he rarely does roll call, he places 5
rayitos per absence, so Placido Penitente would have 25..
Padre Millon says he has not caught Placido Penitente more than 3 times, so 3 x 5 = 15. One more absence
and Placido Penitente will be kicked out of the class.
Padre Millon places a rayita on Placido’s name for getting the lesson wrong. Placido Penitente argues that if he
was present and failed the lesson then he cannot also be marked as absent. Because he cannot be absent
and at the same time recite the lesson wrong.
MD-WK-12 1
8
Placido Penitente has an outburst and leaves the class. The class is shocked. Padre Millon lectures them on
youths disrespecting education and their elders, yet trying to “teach their teachers by setting up an academy
for the teaching of Spanish.” Padre Millon says Placido Penitente most likely supported the project, yet
students like him would have no time to attend the academy when they can barely submit the requirements for
class.
The class ends after Padre Millon rants for a long time, and the students are relieved, but now feel hatred
instead of enthusiasm for their classes.
The chapter ends talking about how the doctrines of the Gospel do not explain why there still wasted time,
labor and intelligence, and a lack of dignity, while He (God) demands from the “cowardly servant who allowed
his own talents to be stolen”.
Chapter 14
Chapter Title: A Students’ Lodging House
Setting: Macaraig’s House
Characters: Macaraig, Isagani, Sandoval, Pecson, Juanito Pelaez, Capitan General (mentioned), Padre Irene
(mentioned), Padre Sibyla (mentioned), Padre Fernandez (mentioned), Padre Salvi (mentioned), Simoun
(mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned), Don Custodio (mentioned), Pepay (mentioned), Senor Pasta
(mentioned), Padre Florentino (mentioned)
Plot: The students discuss ideas on how to get their petition for an Academy of Spanish approved by the
Capitan General.
Summary:
Macaraig’s house is large and known as a gathering place for students, so it is always filled with people.
Things going on: people playing sipa, doing gymnastics, fencing matches, Chinese peddler selling victuals and
pastries (hopia and salted melon seeds) as boys mock him and pull his pigtail and hit him with clubs. Ateneo
students studying at a table, students writing to sweethearts, people playing instruments and having music
lessons, people playing revisino, people fighting.
Macaraig, Isagani, Sandoval and Pecson are talking about the petition to open an Academy for Spanish.
Sandoval tells everyone that Capitan General won’t allow himself to be influenced by friars.
Sandoval asks Pecson to state facts. Pecson mentions a time wherein the Provincial of the Litigating Order
was chosen by Capitan General to settle a dispute between friars and people.
Sandoval asks why they would not allow something that is useful and necessary. Pecson says it threatens the
integrity of the nation. He explains that since class hours for the Academy for Spanish will be at night, the friars
might say that it is immoral like the school of Malolos. In Malolos, some women wanted to open a school
wherein Spanish would be taught at night, and it was stopped “for reasons of morality”. Sandoval argues that
classes of the Academy of Design and novenas and processions also take place at night.
Pecson says the petition attacks the University’s dignity. Sandoval says that the Spanish government has
given them everything and not denied them anything. He explains that Spain and the Philippines are run in the
same way so “we weep when you weep, we suffer when you suffer”. Sandoval tries to cheer everyone up by
saying that times are changing and that they should trust the government. Everyone claps.
Pecson asks what happens if Capitan General denies the authorization. Sandoval says that even if that
happens, their efforts will not have been in vain because they will become enlightened. No matter what
happens, they achieved a lot by “pulling off the mask and having the gauntlet thrown at you.” This means that
they exposed something (pulling off the mask), which is an achievement, even if they have to be hurt in the
process (hit by a gauntlet).
MD-WK-12 1
9
Pecson asks what happens after that. Sandoval says that if no Filipinos respond to the challenge, he will do it
and will fight for the Filipinos. The crowd cheers. Pecson points out that Sandoval can say that and not be seen
as a subversive because he is Spanish.
Macaraig tells everyone about his conversation with Padre Irene. According to Padre Irene, the following
people were against the petition:
Padre Sybila
Padre Fernandez
Padre Salvi
Capitan General
Second top official
Simoun
High officials
Administrative director
Civil governor
Chinaman Quiroga
Padre Irene proposed to them that the petition be passed to the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction
since it has to do with teaching Spanish.
Pecson says the Commission is defunct. Macaraig explains that Padre Irene convinced them to revive it, so
Don Custodio (a former member) was named as the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction’s chairman.
Don Custodio promised to act on the petition within the month.
Pecson asks what happens if Don Custodio rules against. Macaraig says Padre Irene suggested that they just
have to influence Don Custodio since the Capitan General is “neutral”.
They want to influence Chinaman Quiroga but that would be difficult. They suggest talking to Pepay instead
because she is close to Don Custodio. Juanito Pelaez is Pepay’s friend and volunteers to arrange with her but
Isagani says they are already using Padre Irene to influence people.
They decide to influence Senor Pasta because Don Custodio always takes his advice. Isagani says he will go
because Senor Pasta was Padre Florentino’s classmate, but first he will try ‘honest means’ and go to Senor
Pasta’s house to convince him. They agree that it will be done that day and that Isagani will share his news at
the University.
Chapter 15
Chapter Title: Senor Pasta
Setting: Senor Pasta’s house
Characters: Isagani, Senor Pasta, Padre Florentino (mentioned), Don Custodio (mentioned), Padre Irene
(mentioned), Padre Fernandez (mentioned), Padre Sibyla (mentioned), High Official (mentioned)
Plot: Isagani tries to convince Senor Pasta why he should support the petition for an Academy for Spanish
while Senor Pasta tries to convince Isagani why the students should give up.
Summary:
Isagani goes to Senor Pasta’s house and waits for the line of clients to be done. When Isagani enters the
study, Senor Pasta doesn’t pay him attention and continues writing. Then, Senor Pasta notices him and smiles
and shakes Isagani’s hand. He asks about Isagani’s uncle (Padre Florentino). Isagani explains his reason for
visiting. Senor Pasta pretends he doesn’t know about the students’ petition.
Isagani asks Senor Pasta to support them if ever Don Custodio asks for his advice. But Senor Pasta had
always known about the petition and decided he would not get involved. He heard what happened in Los
Banos. Padre Irene had lied to Macaraig because there were actually people who sided with the students:
Padre Fernandez
MD-WK-12 2
0
A countess
A trader who wanted to sell items for the Academy
High official
Padre Sibyla wanted time to decide so he remembered the Superior Commission and suggested.
Senor Pasta plans to confuse Isagani by using complex words. He begins by saying he is in a delicate position
and cannot “compromise himself” even though he loves the country and has respect for people’s dreams.
Senor Pasta mentions random quotes, laws and decrees. He thinks he has managed to confuse Isagani. He
says it is “criminal” to go against authority because it damages the reputation of the authority.
Isagani argues that the government’s reputation should not matter because that is for the people to decide.
Only justice or reason should matter. Senor Pasta is irritated that Isagani is able to argue back. He tells Isagani
to let the government do its job.
Isagani argues that the government is supposed to provide people with what they need so the government
should listen to people. Senor Pasta says the government is made up of the most qualified people so they
know what’s right. Isagani argues that everyone has flaws so they should listen to opinions of others. Senor
Pasta says that they should trust the government. Isagani says people should be able to ask the government
what they want.
Senor Pasta says the government gives things without asking, and to ask is to assume the government is
lacking. If one knows the government makes mistakes, then governments won’t be allowed to exist. Isagani
argues that when people ask through legal means, it proves the government is helpful so people are actually
praising the government by going to it for help. The government is not all-powerful and should not be offended,
the same way people ask from God but God is not offended.
Isagani says that the government is a human institution that needs the help of all people and that Senor Pasta
himself should know that if a government denies everything, it is not reliable. And if people hate the
government, the only thing they should ask is that it lose its power.
Senor Pasta tries to argue that Isagani lacks life experience like the boys in Madrid who ask for reforms and
get accused of subversion. Senor Pasta says it is hard to explain but the government has many reasons to
deny the requests of people.
Senor Pasta is nervous and asks where his glasses are. Isagani points at them and Senor Pasta puts them
on, pretending to read. He stutters, and says that because Isagani interrupted, he has forgotten what he was
going to say. Senor Pasta then says he is busy.
Isagani stands to leave. Senor Pasta tells him that maybe the Vice-Rector (Padre Sibyla) is against the way
Spanish should be taught to students, but not the concept. Senor Pasta says that the Rector has a project to
reform education. He tells Isagani to study and that Isagani shouldn’t care since he knows Spanish already.
Isagani says he visited for those who cannot study Spanish.
Senor Pasta says that Isagani managed to learn it and so did he, so others can do the same. He explains that
he was a servant to friars and learned, without need for teachers, academies or permits from the government.
Isagani asks how many people who wanted to learn ended up like Senor Pasta. Senor Pasta says many
became lawyers, clerks and doctors, and that there are too many. More people should be farmers.
Isagani says many towns lack doctors and lawyers and even if there are enough, towns need those of better
quality. And even farmers deserve an education so they can perfect their work. Senor Pasta says that since
Isagani will become a doctor he should focus on medicine. He tells Isagani to stop thinking about the country
and instead he should go to mass and focus on himself. He says Isagani will realize Senor Pasta was correct,
when his hair is also white.
MD-WK-12 2
1
Isagani says that each white hair will be a “thorn” and he will feel shame if he sees that he only worked for
himself without helping the country. He leaves.
Senor Pasta feels pity for Isagani because he was like that once. Thinking like that will not get Isagani food or
glory. He calls Isagani a “poor young man”, and also feels sorry for Padre Florentino.
Chapter 16
Chapter Title: The Tribulations of a Chinaman
Setting: Saturday evening, Quiroga’s bazaar (Escolta Street)
Characters: Chinaman Quiroga, Senor Gonzales, Don Timoteo Pelaez, Simoun, Don Custodio, Ben Zayb,
Padre Camorra, Padre Irene, Padre Salvi, Juanito Pelaez, Capitan General (mentioned), Mr. Leeds
(mentioned)
Plot: Chinaman Quiroga hosts a dinner and the guests talk about the sphinx exhibit found in Quiapo square.
Summary:
Chinaman Quiroga hosts dinner at the top floor of his bazaar on Escolta street. Many people go and he is
popular because he provides parishes and convents with their needs and accepts IOUs.
Friars and bureaucrats are in the sala praying tresillo and talking with one another. The sala is decorated with
Chinese memorabilia, as well as Catholic objects and icons of Mohammed (Santiago / St. James). Chinaman
Quiroga makes sure no one will “shanghai” (steal) anything, acting kind to some and mean to others because
he knows that they came just for his dinner.
The ones who came just for dinner are:

Senor Gonzales because he says he supports Chinaman Quiroga’s idea of establishing a Chinese consulate in
Manila, but he writes a column under the name “Pitili” and attacks Chinese immigration.
Don Timoteo Pelaez because he insults the Chinese memorabilia and thinks Chinese competition is ruining his
business.
Don Timoteo Pelaez, a bureaucrat and a government official.
A bureaucrat who smuggled Mexican pesos to China
A government official who knows that Chinaman Quiroga earned money from selling Manila lottery tickets in
China for a higher price.
Simoun talks to merchants who are complaining to him about their businesses failing. They hope he will talk to
Capitan General to help them. Don Timoteo Pelaez complains to Simoun about the port not being finished, but
a merchant asks why he is upset since the Capitan General ordered the demolition of houses of light material,
while Don Timoteo Pelaez has a shipment of galvanized iron arriving. But Don Timoteo Pelaez says the
owners of the houses cannot buy from him because they are poor. Simoun suggests buying the houses,
waiting for the order to be withdrawn and then reselling the houses at double the price.
Chinaman Quiroga respects Simoun because he believes Simoun is counseling Capitan General to favor the
Chinese “to humble the natives”.
Before, mestizos and natives distrusted each other. At mass a gobernadorcillo native crossed his leg to show
off his boots. The gobernadorcillo of mestizos spread his legs to show off a chain of gold and diamonds on his
waistcoat. After that, all the members of each faction did the same. The Chinese had their own display: one
leg tucked and the other swinging. Civil war was about to happen so Capitan General decreed that everyone
should sit like the Chinese since they paid the most. But because the natives and mestizos wore narrow
trousers, they couldn’t copy the Chinese properly so they were embarrassed.
Simoun asks about the bracelets Chinaman Quiroga bought from him. Chinaman Quiroga takes Simoun to a
private room to complain because he bought them for 3,000 to 4,000 pesos per piece.. He showed the
MD-WK-12 2
2
bracelets to his senora but they were supposed to be for a friend of a senor who would net him 6,000 pesos.
He asked which one she liked best and she said she liked them all.
Chinaman Quiroga complains about everyone borrowing money from him. Simoun points out that he lends
money from officials so they won’t borrow from Chinaman Quiroga, to make it easier for him. Simoun tells
Chinaman Quiroga he will be in charge of collecting for Chinaman Quiroga from sailors and officials.
Simoun says that Chinaman Quiroga should do a favor for him since he will lower the cost of the bracelets to
7,000 pesos (from 9,000 pesos). Since Chinaman Quiroga can bring anything through customs (which is why
he is the one who supplies the convents with weapons), Simoun asks him to bring in crates of guns to be kept
in his warehouses as they can’t all fit in Simoun’s house.
Chinaman Quiroga is scared. But Simoun blackmails him by saying if he will not help, then Simoun will need
the 9,000 pesos. Chinaman Quiroga agrees and they return to the party.
Outside, Don Custodio is talking to senoras about a commission sent to India to make studies on the footwear
of soldiers. A senora says it is unnecessary because Indios can go barefoot so it will save money. A friend of
the members of the Commission tries to argue that wounds on the soles of feet are a common casualty and
that every soldier needs footwear but the senoras say that Indios can get used to it or else money will be
wasted on leather. She says that instead, they should prioritize a pension on orphans and widows (like her).
Meanwhile, Ben Zayb is arguing with Padre Camorra (as usual). They are talking about the mummified human
head (called “Sphinx”, even though it is not a sphinx) in the Quiapo Fair, exhibited by an American named Mr.
Leeds. Juanito Pelaez claimed to have seen it. Padre Irene smiles when he hears about it, but Padre Salvi is
serious.
Ben Zayb insists there is a scientific explanation and says it is a matter of “optics”. He takes down mirrors to
prove it to them. He tilts the mirrors but his effect is not seen, so he just says it is optics. Padre Camorra says it
is spiritism because “spiritists always avail themselves of tables” and he believes Padre Salvi should have the
exhibit banned.
Simoun says they should go see the Sphinx. Padre Salvi and Don Custodio don’t want to go at first because
they don’t want to be seen by Indios. Ben Zayb promises to ask Mr. Leeds to give them a private exhibit. He is
sure that they will be admitted for free because Mr. Leeds wouldn’t want Ben Zayb to discover that he is a
fraud in front of a crowd of Indios.
Simoun, Don Custodio, Padre Salvi, Padre Camorra, Padre Irene, Ben Zayb and Juanito Pelaez take carriages
to Quiapo square.
Chapter 17
Chapter Title: The Quiapo Fair
Setting: Saturday evening, Quiapo square
Characters: Padre Camorra, Ben Zayb, Paulita Gomez, Isagani, Dona Victorina, Juanito Pelaez, Don
Custodio, Padre Irene, Padre Salvi, Simoun (mentioned), Mr. Leeds (mentioned)
Plot: The friars, together with Ben Zayb and Don Custodio, go to the Quiapo fair.
Summary:
Camorra admires the pretty girls and regrets not being a parish priest of Quiapo. He sees someone so
beautiful that he pinches Ben Zayb;s arm by accident. The person turns out to be Paulita Gomez, who is
accompanied by Isagani and Dona Victorina.
Many people stop to stare at Paulita Gomez. Isagani is upset by all the attention she is getting. Juanito Pelaez
greets them. Dona Victorina calls him over because she secretly prefers Juanito Pelaez to Isagani.
MD-WK-12 2
3
The group sees a booth selling all sorts of statues of different races and professions. The friar ones have been
made with care and are portrayed as gentle, well-attired and intelligent, unlike those in Spain which are
depicted as “symbols of gluttony and incontinence”.
Ben Zayb points out a statue of a thin friar sitting at a desk writing a sermon, saying it is Padre Camorra.
Everyone laughs because it looks nothing like him. Padre Camorra points at a statue of a one-eyed old woman
squatting on the floor and ironing clothes. Ben Zayb is confused until Camorra points out the label “The
Philippine Press”, referring to the iron that the old woman is using. Everyone laughs.
Everyone starts arguing about the aesthetics and proportions of the art, and whether the Indio can be talented
at sculpture, and whether Indios should be discouraged from trying to be artists. Don Custodio says that Indios
have the right attitude but should be carving saints.
They notice that the Chinese statue looks more like Padre Irene and that the British Indian looks like Simoun.
But Simoun has disappeared, and Padre Camorra thinks it’s because he doesn’t want to pay for everyone. Ben
Zayb says he is afraid of his friend Mr. Leeds being humiliated.
Ben Zayb explains that it is all just an illusion caused by mirrors.
Chapter 18
Chapter Title: Deceptions
Setting: Saturday evening, Quiapo square
Characters: Mr. Leeds, Ben Zayb, Padre Camorra, Padre Irene, Padre Salvi, Don Custodio
Plot: The friars, Ben Zayb and Don Custodio meet the sphinx.
Summary:
Mr. Leeds allows the group to examine the exhibit as thoroughly as they want as long as they remain quiet.
The display shows skulls and cabalistic figures on a table. Ben Zayb asks if he can see the trick and Mr. Leeds
says it’s okay as long as he doesn’t break anything. Ben Zayb searches for mirrors and checks under the table
but there are none. He gets upset.
Everyone sits down.
Mr. Leeds begins the show and brings in a box of black wood, covered in inscriptions. He says he found it in
the great pyramid of Kufu (Pharaoh of 4th Dynasty), in a sarcophagus. At the time, hoping to find a mummy of
the royal family.
Mr. Leeds explains that the box contained ashes and a papyrus note. He tells them not to breathe in order to
preserve the ashes. He examined the papyrus and saw two unknown words, but managed to read them. He
said one word out loud and the box fell on the floor. When he opened, it he saw a human head. He read the
second word and the box closed and the head disappeared. Instead, ashes were left. Mr. Leeds claims he
discovered the two “most powerful words”, which meant ‘life’ and ‘death’.
Mr. Leeds puts the box on the table. Ben Zayb asks for the tablecloth to be lifted and Mr. Leeds agrees. Mr.
Leeds says “Dremeof!” and the curtains move. The box opens, revealing a head with black hair. The head
looks around and then directly at Padre Salvi. Mr. Leeds asks the Sphinx to tell the audience who he is.
The sphinx says he is Imuthis, born in the time of Amasis and killed during the domination of the Persians. He
was going home to finish his studies but while passing through Babylon, he discovered that Gautama governed
with lies. Gautama had him killed, by getting Egyptian priests on his side (since priests were considered
rulers). They killed Imuthis it for a young priest named Abydos.
The sphinx talks about the cruelties of the priests. This annoys all the friars.
MD-WK-12 2
4
Mr. Leeds asks what the priests did to him and the sphinx says he was in love with a priest’s daughter. Abydos
also liked her and showed people a papyrus (letter) that the sphinx wrote to the girl. This made everyone turn
against the sphinx. Cambysses at the time was recovering from a disaster and mutiny broke out, so the sphinx
was accused of rebellion and jailed. He escaped and was killed in the lake of Moeris. The girl hid in a temple of
Isis in the island of Philoe but Abydos harassed her until she went crazy.
Padre Salvi passes out as the sphinx calls him a murderer. Padre Irene says it’s because he ate birds’ nest
soup, but Don Custodio says he was hypnotized. The head turns to ashes and Mr. Leeds bows.
Don Custodio says the spectacle should be forbidden because it is immoral. Ben Zayb adds that it does not
even use mirrors. Ben Zayb publishes an article next day about the science of the occult and the Ecclesiastic
Governor gives an order to suspend the show.
But by then, Mr. Leeds has escaped to Hong Kong.
At the end of the chapter, there is a note that Ben Zayb was actually correct because the mirrors were hidden
under the floor. Placing the box on the table pressed a spring to make them rise. If the cloth was lifted it would
reveal the table of talking heads.
Chapter 19
Chapter Title: The Fuse
Setting: Puente De Espana
Characters: Placido Penitente, Padre Sibyla, Don Custodio, Silversmith, Cabesang Andang, Capitana
Simona, Simoun, Mr. Leeds, Isagani, Paulita Gomez, Dona Victorina, Juanito Pelaez, Pyrotechnist /
Schoolmaster, Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned), Maria Clara (mentioned), Cabesang Tales (mentioned)
Plot: While searching for something to do now that he has quit school, Placido Penitente meets Simoun.
Summary:
Placido Penitente leaves the class crying and feeling angry. He sees a carriage with Padre Sibyla and Don
Custodio inside it, and wants to throw Padre Sibyla into the water. Placido Penitente passes along the Escolta
and sees priests joking at the entrance of Chinaman Quiroga’s bazaar. He has the urge to fight with them.
Placido Penitente goes to the house of the silversmith, where he is staying, and thinks of going back to the
province to show the friars that they should not treat him that way. He thinks of writing a letter to his mother,
Cabesang Andang. He considers transferring finishing the class in Ateneo, but the Dominicans would not allow
it.
Cabesang Andang had arrived from Batangas recently. She notices that Placido Penitente is sad. She talks
about Capitana Simona, whose son will become a priest. Because of that, she she won’t pay back Cabesang
Andang her debts anymore.
Cabesang Andang cries after hearing the news of Placido Penitente leaving school, saying she promised
Placido Penitente’s dead father that he would become a lawyer. Cabesang Andang says she’s not asking
Placido to support the friars but to do humble and patient.
Placido Penitente leaves to take a walk. He gets hungry and realizes he has no money so he goes home. He
expects Cabesang Andang to be at the neighbor to play panguingui, but she is there and tells Placido
Penitente she will help him return to the Dominicans. Placido Penitente says he would rather join the tulisanes
than go back to school.
Placido Penitente leaves again and goes to the docks. He sees ships ready to leave for Hong Kong and
decides he will go there. He heard from the silversmith before a story about a charity that give friars silver
MD-WK-12 2
5
items. The friars sold the items for money and had fake ones made of Ruolz silver crafted in Hong Kong as
replacement. Placido Penitente believes that means business is going well in Hong Kong.
Placido Penitente goes to the fair and sees Simoun saying goodbye to a foreigner (Mr. Leeds). He hears the
word “Hong Kong”. He recognizes Simoun who once sold jewels in his hometown and told him stories. As
Simoun is about to board a carriage Placido Penitente calls him and asks a favor. He says he wants to go to
Hong Kong but Simoun tells him to accompany him to Iris Street.
They take a carriage to Iris Street. They get down and pass Isagani and Paulita Gomez, with Dona Victorina
and Juanito Pelaez. Placido notices that “he” seems happy (perhaps referring to Juanito Pelaez) while Simoun
says “He only serves for that, it’s nice to be young” (perhaps referring to Isagani). The chapter asks the
question: “To whom were Placido and Simoun alluding?” but the answer is not given and left to the reader to
figure out.
Simoun and Placido Penitente enter a maze and arrive at a yard with a hut surrounded by banana plants and
bonga palms. Placido Penitente wonders if it’s a house of a pyrotechnist (castillero). A man talks to Simoun
and Placido Penitente is surprised by his good Spanish. Simoun asks if the gunpowder and bombs are ready.
The pyrotechnist says yes, but that he is waiting for the cartridge shells.
Simoun tells the pyrotechnist to leave that night and speak to the lieutenant and corporal. In Lamayan he is
supposed to meet a man in a banka. when the pyrotechnist says “Cabesa” the man will say “Tales”, as the
man will arrive and take the pyrotechnist’s place.
The pyrotechnist asks Simoun if there’s anything new. Simoun says “it will be done within the week”. The
pyrotechnist says the suburbs are not ready and that he thought it would be done at the beginning of Lent.
Simoun says the suburbs are not necessary. He explains that they already have Cabesang Tales’ men, ex-
carbineers and a regiment. He says that the pyrotechnist has to leave now or else Maria Clara will be dead
later.
Simoun asks Placido Penitente if he is surprised by the Indio pyrotechnist’s good Spanish. He explains that the
pyrotechnist is actually a schoolmaster, who wanted to teach Spanish to children but was exiled for disturbing
the peace and for being Ibarra’s friend. Simoun turned him into a pyrotechnist.
They go back to the main street and Simoun greets a Spaniard on a crutch. Simoun tells him to be prepared
and that “it” will happen the coming week. Simoun asks Placido Penitente if he’s surprised to see a sickly
young Spaniard. Two years ago, the Spaniard was healthy but his enemies made him work in Balabak so he
got rheumatism and malaria. The Spaniard had married a beautiful woman.
Simoun and Placido Penitente go to Simoun’s house in Escolta. Two hours later, Placido Penitente leaves.
Simoun is in a room looking out at Pasig river. He looks toward the “Walled City” of Manila and tells himself
that he will free Maria Clara and cleanse the country.
Simoun stops and his conscience tells him that he is part of the “wicked city” of Manila. He feels guilty “for the
first time in his criminal career since in Havana”. Simoun tries to push away his doubts and fears even as
‘ghosts’ that want revenge cry out to him. Simoun starts to tremble, which has never happened before.
Simoun looks out at Pasig and feels sick. He is reminded of his father dying in prison and the face of another
man who sacrificed his life for him, believing he would help the rebirth of the country. Simoun tells himself he
can’t turn back because he has done evil in order to do good.
Simoun tries to sleep.
The next morning, Placido Penitente listens to Cabesang Andang’s plans about getting help from the
Procurator of the Augustinians. He tells her to return to the province to give the Procurator a gift and several
masses so he will be convinced to help.
MD-WK-12 2
6
Chapter 20
Chapter Title: The Ponente
Setting: Don Custodio’s office
Characters: Don Custodio, Ben Zayb (mentioned), Senor Pasta (mentioned), Pepay (mentioned)
Plot: Don Custodio struggles to decide on whether he should approve the petition of the Academy for Spanish.
Summary:
Don Custodio keeps postponing the petition of the Academy for Spanish, not wanting to make a decision
because he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone. He asked Senor Pasta who just said contradictory things.
Pepay had no advice but asked for 25 pesos to bury an aunt and appoint a cousin as assistant in the ministry
of public works.
The chapter explains how Don Custodio became a well-respected person in Manila. He came to Manila young
and had a good job, then he married a mestiza from a rich family. Because he was talented and daring, he
made contracts with the government, and became councilor then eventually mayor.
Don Custodio was appointed several titles in different offices, and took his job seriously. He was well-known for
not picking sides based on who was more popular. But because he took a long time to decide, he tended to
overthink and tended to make bad decisions.
Once, Don Custodio opposed replacing coconut oil with kerosene lighting because of the interests of a certain
counselor that he disliked, and opposed a serenade for a governor’s departure just because he resented the
governor.
Eventually, Don Custodio had to go to Spain for liver treatment but felt insignificant in Spanish court. He
couldn’t feel superior to anyone in Madrid so he preferred Manila. He was mocked as an Indian and rejected by
the Spaniards, so he became disgusted with Conservatives and declared himself part of the Liberal Party and
returned to the Philippines.
Don Custodio learned much about politics in Spain and wanted to use his knowledge to help Manila but he had
bad ideas:
Heard Madrid mention a wood pavement for Paris and had planks nailed on the streets of Manila
Said vehicles should have 3 wheels to reduce the number of 2-wheeled vehicle accidents
Fumigated everything (even telegrams)
Said convicts should wear loin clothes and work at night to prevent them from wasting clothes and feeling hot
under the sun.
When asked what Custodio thought of the Indios, he said they are good for mechanical work and ‘imitative
arts’ only. Whenever he heard about an Indio excelling in chemistry/medicine/philosophy, he believed they had
Spanish blood.
Don Custodio says he loves Indios, but believes they are naturally inferior and supposed to be submissive. He
also prides himself on being Catholic but doesn’t believe in miracles and goes to the shortest mass. In Madrid,
he bashed Catholicism because that was the trend; but in Manila, he defends it. He said that friars in Manila
are influential and don’t need to use whips to control Indios. The friars sent him gifts, but he returned them.
The convents have sent Don Custodio gifts again, trying to get Don Custodio on their side. He has had the
petition for 15 days.
Don Custodio looks at his folders titled “PROJECTS” and finds one called “Projects in Execution”. He removes
a sheet of paper and sees the project of the School of Arts and Trades. He is confused as the Augustinians
were in charge of that.
MD-WK-12 2
7
Don Custodio thinks of a solution and is happy, so he starts writing.
Chapter 21
Chapter Title: Manila Characters
Setting: Evening, Teatro de Variedades
Characters: Camaroncocido, Tio Quico, Padre Salvi, Simoun, Tadeo, Tadeo’s Townmate, Pepay, Ben Zayb,
Padre Irene, Paulita Gomez, Dona Victorina, Juanito Pelaez, Don Custodio, Macaraig, Pecson, Sandoval,
Isagani, Mr. Jouy (mentioned), Padre Camorra (mentioned), Capitan General (mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga
(mentioned), Basilio (mentioned)
Plot: On the play’s opening night, people gather outside the theater.
Summary:
Mr Jouy’s French operetta company is giving the first performance of Les Cloches de Corneville. By 7:30 pm
there are no more tickets and people are angry.
Camaroncocido and Tio Quico are talking. Tio Quico’s job is to advertise the show by announcing shows and
pasting theater posters. Tio Quico shows Camaroncocido some pesos, but he doesn’t care. Camaroncocido
says that the friars will still earn more, because all admission tickets were bought by convents.
Friars like Padre Salvi, Padre Camorra, and Padre Irene protested against the performances. Ben Zayb
defended them only because he wanted free tickets. Don Custodio was against the performance because he
thought that there would be obscenities in French.
But the military and the government want to watch the performances, and so do those who want to pass
themselves off as ilustrados. Two factions have formed: pro-operettas (made up of single people) and anti-
operettas (who are made up of people described as “free and attractive”).
There were a lot of insults from both sides and rumors about Indios rebelling, but the performances were
allowed. Padre Salvi issued a letter that was not read (by anyone except the printer’s proofreader). People
gossiped that Capitan General, Chinaman Quiroga and Simoun were involved in getting the performances to
push through.
As the play neared the opening, people started learning French. Ben Zayb was appointed as critic and
translator of the story plot. Ben Zayb was nervous because he didn’t know French, and was traumatized by an
incident wherein he translated the name of a tenor of the Italian Opera Company wrong, so another columnist
called him an ignoramus.
Camaroncocido tells Tio Quico that the friars seeking to ban the play made it more popular than Tio Quico’s
ads did. Tio Quico asks if Padre Salvi will cause him to lose his job. Camaroncocido says “maybe”. Tio Quico
wonders if he should become a friar.
Camaroncocido walks around and sees men with dark faces, wearing coats (“as though they had put on coats
for the first time”) and hiding in the shadows. He wonders if they are secret police or thieves but tells himself
that he does not care.
Camaroncocido sees four or five people talking to a soldier. He thinks it’s the secret police. The soldier talks to
more suspicious people and approaches the carriage. Camaroncocido recognizes Simoun.
Simoun says “The signal is a shot” and says that if the soldier follows his instructions he will be rewarded, so
he should be ready. The carriage leaves. Camaroncocido knows something is being planned but just shrugs.
He walks around again and sees Padre Salvi talking to someone.
Padre Salvi tells someone that the friars have more power than Capitan General so that if they do well they will
be rich. He also says that the signal is a shot.
MD-WK-12 2
8
Camaron decides not to care.
More people arrive.
Tadeo is showing around a townmate and claiming to know personally everyone who arrives. He tells his
townmate that everyone he recognizes is important (even though they may just be a shop attendant) and if
someone ignores him, he claims that person is a nobody. He invents stories about the people passing by to
impress his townmate.
Tadeo points out Pepay, and says she no longer dances because a Catholic senor forbade it. He also points at
Ben Zayb and says he is a good writer. The townmate keeps asking who the people are and Tadeo notices
Paulita Gomez with a friend, accompanied by Dona Victorina and Juanito Pelaez.
Juanito Pelaez had given them a box in the theater. Tadeo is briefly distracted by Paulita Gomez but goes
back to pointing out people. He calls out Padre Irene disguised in a false mustache because his nose is
recognizable. Padre Irene is in disguise because he publicly opposed the play.
Tadeo points out many people but their names are not mentioned. He sees a poet, a physician and a
businessman who is Indio but has daughters who are white-skinned. The townmate asks about this and
Tadeo explains that is why rice is more expensive, but they eat nothing but bread.
Tadeo sees Don Custodio, who is frowning because he is thinking of a project. Tadeo sees Macaraig, whom
his townmate lives with. Macaraig is with Pecson, Sandoval and Isagani. Macaraig asks if they are coming and
Tadeo says they could not get tickets. Macaraig invites them to his box because Basilio cannot come. The
townmate is shy and refuses to join, because he is shy (like most provincial Indios).
Chapter 22
Chapter Title: The Performance
Setting: 8:45 pm, Teatro de Variedades
Characters: Don Primitivo, Capitan General, Macaraig, Pepay, Don Custodio, Sandoval, Pecson, Isagani,
Paulita Gomez, Juanito Pelaez, Gertrude, Tadeo, Lily (“Serpolette”), Padre Irene, Dona Victorina, Padre Salvi
(mentioned), Don Tiburcio (mentioned)
Plot: The students watch the play.
Summary:
The performance is scheduled for 8:30 but curtains are still closed because Capitan General hasn’t arrived yet.
People in the gallery are getting impatient. The orchestra plays a waltz while waiting, but people start watching
Don Primitivo who refuses to give up his seat, even despite ushers telling him to leave. People cheer for him.
Macaraig has a box across Pepay’s. She offered to help them with Don Custodio by writing to Don Custodio to
meet her in the theater, which is why Don Custodio attended the performance. Pepay is looking at Macaraig
“happily” so the students think there is good news. Sandoval asked around and revealed that the Superior
Commission approved their petition. Sandoval, Macaraig and Pecson are happy.
Isagani is not happy about the news because he is distracted after seeing Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez
sharing a box. Paulita just looks at him and smiles, her eyes “seeking forgiveness”. They had agreed that
Isagani would watch it first to see if there was anything objectionable for a young woman, so Isagani is
surprised to see her there. He is jealous and angry.
The curtain rises, and the peasants of Corneville perform the chorus. The girls are dancing and Don Custodio
takes notes on their dancing and whether the actresses are showing their knees.
Getrude is the main character. She sings while looking at Capitan General. Tadeo is excited that the girls will
dance the can-can. He is only there because he wants to see the obscenities that everyone was warned about.
MD-WK-12 2
9
Sandoval translates what is happening (because he read the synopsis) and says Getrude will lead the can-can
dance. Isagani is embarrassed that Paulita Gomez is watching this, and wonders if he should challenge
Juanito Pelaez to a duel.
A character named Serpolette (played by a woman named Lily) smiles at a man who is clapping for her.
Tadeo realizes that Serpolette is smiling at Padre Irene, who is in disguise. Sandoval says he saw Padre Irene
talking with the actresses.
Padre Irene had been sent by Padre Salvi as a spy. He wanted to examine the actresses close range so he
met with them backstage. Serpolette saw him there and was happy to greet him.
The play continues: the women almost fight and people of the law come to stop it. The peasants also want to
see the can-can. The music stops, the men leave and the women talk about someone being missing. Sandoval
explains to the students that they’re talking about where they should dance the can-can.
A senora and her husband occupy one of the boxes and she is proud to be late. But she sees the last empty
box and is angry. She scolds her husband and Juanito Pelaez shushes them. Juanito Pelaez has been
pretending to understand the play. Paulita Gomez looks at Isagani jealously, thinking he admires the
actresses. Juanito Pelaez continues getting along with Dona Victorina, who compliments him.
The play turns into a comedy as Gaspard tries to hit the coward Grenicheux and instead hits the bailiff by
accident. His wig flies off, and the curtain closes.
The curtain rises, showing a servant market, with notices of servantes, cochers and domestiques. Paulita
Gomez
asks the difference between servantes and domestiques. Juanito Pelaez says domestiques are domesticated,
and the servantes are savages. Dona Victorina agrees but the servants for hire stand under servantes and the
rough-looking characters stand under domestiques.
The girls and Serpolette are dressed well, holding flowers. They go to stand beside the servantes. Paulita
Gomez questions this and Juanito says they made a mistake. Paulita Gomez asks if they’re meant to be the
cochers. Juanito Pelaez coughs and Don Custodio shushes him, but pretends to write to avoid being noticed.
Dona Victorina decides she wishes to marry Juanito Pelaez the moment Don Tiburcio passes away.
The first act ends with the Marquis taking Serpollete and Germaine as his servants. The cocher takes
Grenicheux. The intermission starts.
People in the audience discuss the girls. One says Germaine is an “ideal blonde” but doesn’t have a voice.
Ben Zayb says none of them matter, pretending to hate everything because he believes that is what a critic’s
job is.
People speculate about who did not occupy the empty box. They realize it was probably Simoun because no
one saw him. Someone says he saw Simoun in the afternoon with Mr. Jouy. Simoun apparently gave an
actress a necklace. Another person comments that Simoun is playing the role of Count of Monte Cristo.
Macaraig leaves to talk to Pepay. Tadeo goes to talk to Don Custodio. Sandoval says that French isn’t as
beautiful as Spanish. Paulita Gomez and Isagani stare at each other in the crowd. Paulita Gomez looks like
she wants to say many things to Isagani. Sandoval asks Pecson if he can name a good French poet and
Pecson mentions Victor Hugo. Sandoval says it’s only because Victor Hugo spent his childhood in Madrid.
Macaraig arrives with a “bitter smile” and gives a paper to Sandoval. It is a letter from Don Custodio to Pepay:
MD-WK-12 3
0
My dove: Your letter has reached me late; I had already handed in my decision and it has been approved.
However, as if I had divined your thoughts, I have resolved the matter according to the wishes of your
proteges. I will be at the theater and will wait for your departure.
Your tender little dove, Custodining
Macaraig says he met with Padre Irene who congratulated him. But he reveals that one of the religious
corporations will take charge of the Academy, in case the Dominicans won’t incorporate the Academy into the
University.
The students are disappointed. Macaraig explains that they have to collect money to turn them over to the
treasurer whom the religious corporation will choose. Tadeo says they will be like cabezas de barangay.
Pecson says Sandoval should pick up the gauntlet (referring to Sandoval’s quote when they argued in a
previous chapter). Sandoval says instead of having a gauntlet thrown at them, it is more like a sock.
Padre Irene advised Macaraig to celebrate with a banquet to thank the people who intervened. Tadeo says it
will be like a banquet of convicts, and Sandoval says it will be a banquet of funeral speeches. Pecson says
they should celebrate in a panciteria, served by a Chinaman who is not in camisa. They plan to have a
celebration that is as sarcastic as possible.
As the second act of the play begins, the students leave the theater.
Chapter 23
Chapter Title: A Corpse
Setting: Evening, Manila
Characters: Simoun, Camaroncocido, Basilio, Capitan Tiago, Macaraig (mentioned), Placido Penitente
(mentioned), Padre Irene (mentioned), Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Maria Clara (mentioned), Padre Salvi
(mentioned)
Plot: As the revolution is about to start, Simoun asks Basilio to join him.
Summary:
Simoun doesn’t go to the theater. Instead, starting 7:00 pm, he leaves his house and comes back twice with
different people. He is seen near the hospital by Macaraig at 8:00 pm, which is near the cloister of Santa Clara.
At 9:00 pm, Camaroncocido sees him near the theater talking to a student.
Basilio doesn’t watch the play also. He has been studying ever since he returned from San Diego and is
staying at the hospital to help Capitan Tiago. Capitan Tiago sometimes gets mad at Basilio and insults him due
when Capitan Tiago is not given opium. When Capitan Tiago has his opium, he is thankful to Basilio and says
he will make him his heir. Basilio has thought of letting Capitan Tiago die in peace instead of delaying his
suffering.
Capitan Tiago has been getting worse and Basilio sometimes arrives to see him sleeping after having taken
opium. He does not know who is giving the opium because Capitan Tiago’s only visitors are Simoun and Padre
Irene. Simoun rarely visits and Padre Irene always tells Basilio to be stricter with the regimen to save Tiago.
Padre Irene had promised to get Basilio assigned to a good province and help him become a professor. But
the main reason Basilio has continued helping Capitan Tiago is due to his conscience.
Basilio is busy studying instead of going to watch Les Cloches de Corneville. He is reading Medicina Legal y
Toxicologia of Dr. Mata which he borrowed because he couldn’t afford the book. It is banned in Manila and
required bribery to purchase. Basilio ignores the pamphlets that were sent from abroad (and given to him by
Simoun), which are full of insults about the Philippines.
Simoun enters the house and asks how Capitan Tiago is. Basilio says that Capitan Tiago is getting weaker,
with no appetite. Basilio says Capitan Tiago may die any day (“like the Philippines”, says Simoun). Basilio says
that what weakens Capitan Tiago are the nightmares (“like the government,” says Simoun). Basilio says that
MD-WK-12 3
1
Capitan Tiago thought he went blind and assumed Basilio was Padre Irene, so Capitan Tiago called Baislio his
savior (“like the government,” says Simoun).
Capitan Tiago had asked for his fighting cock, which has been dead for 3 years. Basilio brought him a hen and
he was happy
It is 10:30 pm. Simoun is disappointed that Basilio didn’t read the pamphlets. Simoun says the revolution will
start in an hour. There will be no school, people will start dying, so Simoun tells Basilio that he must pick a
side.
Basilio is afraid. He imagines people being shot and having to medicate them. Simoun explains that the
leaders are distracted right now. They are all in the theater, but there are many men helping Simoun. The men
think the revolution has been ordered by Capitan General or friars and a lot are working for money,
employment or promises. Simoun says Cabesang Tales is downstairs.
Simoun says that if Basilio is neutral, he will be harmed by both sides. Basilio asks what he would have to do.
Simoun says Basilio has to help open the gates of the cloister of Santa Clara and take away Maria Clara.
Simoun reveals that he started the revolution so he could get into the cloister. Basilio says Maria Clara died at
6:00 pm that afternoon. Simoun is in denial. Basilio said she got sick a few days ago. Padre Irene brought a
letter from Paldre Salvi saying the news. The news made Capitan Tiago cry and start smoking opium.
Simoun cries and runs downstairs. Hearing him cry makes Basilio weep also. He thinks of Simoun and Maria
Clara and of their sad fates.
The chapter addresses an ‘unhappy child of my unfortunate motherland’, (referring to perhaps Maria Clara or
the reader) and says they should sleep in peace.
The chapter ends referring to a certain “her” who has died and will be wept for, her happy memories
celebrated.
Chapter 24
Chapter Title: Dreams
Setting: Thursday sunset, the Malecon
Characters: Isagani, Paulita Gomez, Ben Zayb, Dona Victorina, Simoun (mentioned), Don Tiburcio
(mentioned)
Juanito Pelaez (mentioned), Padre Florentino (mentioned)
Plot: Isagani and Paulita Gomez discuss the night they saw each other at the performance.
Summary:
The chapter begins with the quote:
Amor, astros eres?
(Love, what heavenly body are you?)
Isagani goes to the Malecon to meet up with Paulita Gomez. He thinks she is going to break up with him. He
brings two love letters Paulita had written him. He remembers his dates with her and swears revenge on
Juanito Pelaez, while blaming the French Operetta for ruining his relationship.
Isagani is angry at anyone passing by. He greets two Jesuits (his old professors). Near the Anda monument,
he overhears Ben Zayb talking to someone about Simoun getting sick the night before. Isagani is angry at
Simoun for getting visitors while soldiers get none. Isagani is also angry at the insulares for taking his country,
and he has the urge to die for his motherland’s cause.
Isagani waits for Paulita until night, watching people manage boats. He thinks of the verse from a poem:
Do el viento riza las calladas olas
MD-WK-12 3
2
Que con blando murmullo en la ribera
Se deslizan veloces por si solas…
(Where the wind with gentle moan
Sends the billows swiftly on
In the silence and alone…)
-Alaejos
Isagani sees a familiar carriage pulled by white horses. Inside it are Paulita Gomez, Dona Victorina and Paulita
Gomez’s friend.
Paulita Gomez smiles at him and Isagani feels better. Dona Victorina asks for news on Don Tiburcio and
Isagani says he doesn’t know. Dona Victorina is angry and says she shouldn’t have to wait ten years to marry.
Isagani is surprised. She asks him about Juanito Pelaez. Isagani praises Juanito Pelaez and that makes Dona
Victorina happy. Paulita Gomez’s friend says she dropped her fan among the rocks on the beach, so they
separate and Isagani and Paulita Gomez are left alone.
Paulita Gomez says she is surprised he is here because the French actresses were at Luneta. She is jealous
and accuses him of staring at the cochers and not looking at her. She explains that Dona Victorina forced her
to go watch the play, and she tells Isagani that she does not care about Juanito Pelaez, and jokes that Dona
Victorina is in love with him. Paulita Gomez and Isagani laugh. Isagani explains that Don Tiburcio is still alive.
He asks Paulita Gomez to keep that a secret and she promises, but reminds herself that she will tell her friend
later.
They talk about Isagani’s hometown and how it is surrounded by forests and the sea. Isagani says that he felt
truly free there, away from mankind. Paulita Gomez becomes angry, saying that Isagani seemed happier in his
hometown. Isagani explains that he used to sleep in the forest or look out the cliffs. His uncle (Padre
Florentino) used to preach sermons against Isagani cloud-watching and said he’d bring him to a physician
because Isagani might become a hypochondriac.
Isagani says that if Paulita Gomez went there, the forest would be like Eden. Paulita Gomez wants to go but
only if she gets to travel by carriage or train, because she is disgusted by leeches found in the mountains.
Isagani says that soon all islands will be connected by machines. Paulita Gomez asks if it will happen when
she’s already old. Isagani says that they are making progress, and that’s why people are studying in Spain to
help the country.
Isagani is excited for industrialization and technology to progress in the Philippines. He says someday the the
Spaniard and Filipino will work together as equals, with no more slaves. Paulita says that according to her Tia
Torina (Dona Victorina), the country will always be enslaved. Isagani says Dona Victorina thinks that because
she cannot live without slaves.
Isagani says they will overcome their struggles. Paulita Gomez asks what happens if they don’t accomplish
anything. Isagani answers that he would die happy knowing she is proud of him dying for his country.
Dona Victorina returns and they invite Isagani into their carriage. Isagani sits beside Paulita Gomez, feeling
happy. They tell him they arrived at Plaza Santa Cruz.
Chapter 25
Chapter Title: Laughter and Tears
Setting: Evening, Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto
Characters: Sandoval, Isagani, Tadeo, Macaraig, Pecson, Padre Irene (mentioned), Simoun (mentioned),
Juanito Pelaez (mentioned), Basilio (mentioned), Don Custodio (mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned)
Ben Zayb (mentioned), Padre Fernandez (mentioned), Padre Sibyla (mentioned)
Plot: The students sarcastically celebrate their “victory”.
MD-WK-12 3
3
Summary:
Fourteen young men gather to celebrate as Padre Irene suggested, but they throw a party ironically as they
are unhappy with the result of their petition. They have placed on the wall a sign that says “Glory to Custodio
for his cleverness, and pansit on earth to youths of good will!”
They laugh and joke but do it with bitterness. In the sala there is pansit, pastries, tea, and wine bottles.
Sandoval studies everything while everyone talks about the French operetta and Simoun. There are rumors
that he was found wounded in the streets, and tried to commit suicide or was attacked by someone who
wanted to revenge.
In the restaurant, there is a sign that says:
De esta fonda el cabecilla
Al publico advierte
Que nada dejen absolutamente
Sobre alguna mesa o silla.
(The manager of this eatery
Warns the public
That absolutely nothing may be left
On any table or chair.)
Sandoval jokes that it sounds like a poem that Isagani should see. Isagani arrives looking happy. Juanito
Pelaez did not come. Tadeo says they should have invited Basilio instead so he could get drunk and spill
secrets.
Macaraig says the pansit lang-lang (Chinese pansit) tastes good and they should name it “proyecto de
sopa/project soup” in honor of Don Custodio. They consider dedicating the lumpia (pork spring rolls) to Padre
Irene, and one student says Padre Irene does not eat pork unless he moves his nose away. Everyone says
“Down with Padre Irene’s nose!” Pecson asks everyone to be respectful but they ignore him. They dedicate the
torta (crab omelet) to the friars “for being such crabs”, so they call it torta of friars.
Macaraig dedicates the pansit guisado (sauteed noodles) to the government because it is believed to be a
Chinese or Japanese dish but is actually Filipino. Isagani wants to dedicate the pansit to Chinaman Quiroga.
He jokes that Chinaman Quiroga is “one of the four powers of the Filipino world”. Someone suggests
dedicating it to Simoun.
Someone announces that people in the plaza are listening to them because it has gone quiet outside.
Macaraig tells Tadeo to make a speech. Tadeo plagiarizes a speech by the president of the academy and
instead talks about chicken being “the treasure of a people”, yet now they are just eating it
The students demand the lumpia. Sandoval does not like lumpia because it has grease outside and tough pork
inside. Pecson quotes a line from Ben Zayb’s article, that is supposedly a quote by Don Custodio: that a full
belly glorifies God and a hungry belly glorifies the friars. Isagani says he respects one friar.
Sandoval sings: Un fraile, dos frailes, tres frailes en el coro,

Hacen el mismo effecto que un solo toro!
(One friar, two friars, three friars in the choir-loft
Has the same effect as one solo horny bull!)
Pecson says that friars are with them from the start of life (baptism) all the way to death (burial) and everything
in between (school, marriage) so they should try to pamper them because their absence would leave a void in
society. Pecson explains that friars unite them, and that without friars there would be no entertainment or rules
or values. Pecson continues saying that the friar is the sculptor and that the Indio is the statue. Without friars
and Indios, the government would be in the hands of the Chinese. Isagani says it will be a torta (crab).
MD-WK-12 3
4
A student announces that they are being watched by ‘the favorite of Padre Sibyla’. They see someone leave
the pansiteria and enter the carriage of Simoun. Macaraig says it is Padre Sibyla’s slave.
Chapter 26
Chapter Title: Pasquinades
Setting: Morning, Manila
Characters: Basilio, Macaraig, Professor of Pathology, Sandoval, Tadeo, Juanito Pelaez, Isagani, Corporal,
Juli (mentioned), Capitan Tiago (mentioned)
Plot: Basilio learns about the consequences of the students’ dinner.
Summary:
Basilio wakes up early in the morning to visit his patients in the hospital. After that, he plans to go to the
University to ask about his degree. He also wants to talk to Macaraig about expenses since he used up his
savings to ransom Juli.
Basilio does not notice students walking out of school, whispering to each other. He arrives at San Juan de
Dios hospital and is asked about a conspiracy. Basilio he assumes they are talking about Simoun. Basilio is
told by random students that there were students who were caught being involved in a conspiracy.
A professor of clinical medicine asks him if he was at the dinner. Basilio is confused and says no. The
professor asks if he is a member of the Association of Students. Basilio says he pays his dues and the
professor says Basilio should resign from the Association immediately. Basilio asks if Simoun is involved and
the professor says Simoun was mysteriously wounded. The professor explains that subversive posters were
found in the University. Another professor passes by and the first professor tells him that Capitan Tiago smells
like a cadaver.
Basilio finds out that someone put posters on the doors of the University, and the posters were full of threats. It
was reported that this was done by members of the Association. Basilio wonders if Simoun knew anything
about this. He goes to the University and sees guardia veterana (veteran guards) leading the students on
sidewalks. Basilio sees Sandoval, who ignores him. Tadeo looks happy and tells Basilio they are not going to
have classes because everyone who is part of the Association is going to jail.
Basilio sees Juanito Pelaez and asks what happened. Juanito Pelaez is scared and says he knows nothing.
He declares that Basilio is his witness and can help him prove that he was never involved with the Association.
Juanito Pelaez runs away when he sees a guard approaching.
Basilio goes to ask the secretariat about his degree but it is closed. He sees friars, officers and lawyers
gathering in the building. He sees Isagani giving a speech to students. Isagani says that they should not run
away. Someone asks who wrote the posters and Isagani says it does not matter, they should either support or
protest depending on the ideas of the poster.
Basilio goes to Macaraig’s house and sees two guardias de la Veterana. He says he wants to see Macaraig,
but they tell him to wait for the corporal. The corporal comes down with Macaraig, both of them talking nicely.
The corporal says Basilio is under arrest as well and Macaraig laughs, and says he will tell Basilio about the
dinner. They get into the carriage and Macaraig tells the driver to go to the Civil Government. Basilio asks
about the payment and Macaraig says no problem, and that they will invite the corporal and assisting officer to
their graduation festivities.
Chapter 27
Chapter Title: The Friar and the Filipino
Setting: Padre Fernandez’s office
Characters: Isagani, Padre Fernandez
Plot: Isagani and Padre Fernandez have a discussion on how friars should treat students.
MD-WK-12 3
5
Summary:
Vox po puli, vox Dei
(Voice of the people; voice of God)
A capista says Padre Fernandez wants to speak with Isagani. Isagani goes to his office. Padre Fernandez tells
Isagani that he likes it when young men can express themselves, even if they have different beliefs. Padre
Fernandez heard Isagani preaching to students outside and, says that he knows that Isagani was at the dinner.
He says Isagani can take a seat but Isagani remains standing.
Padre Fernandez asks what he should do when students treat friars nicely but then talk badly about them
behind their backs. Isagani explains that anyone who doesn’t agree with the powerful is punished, so only fools
would be honest about what they really think.
Padre Fernandez argues that he always let Isagani speak up in class (but not others, as Isagani is an
exception) and that if that were untrue he would’ve corrected him. Isagani says Padre Fernandez is also an
exception and he asks Padre Fernandez for another approach.
Padre Fernandez is surprised because Isagani is talking to him like they’re equals, even if he calls Padre
Fernandez “Professor”. He tells Isagani not to look at him as his professor and asks what the Filipino students
want them to do. Isagani is surprised and says they should do their duty. Padre Fernandez asks how they have
not done, their duty and what duties they would be assigned. Isagani says that as a Filipino student he wants
the friars to improve and guide them to be honest, prosperous, intelligent, virtuous, noble and loyal.
Isagani asks if the friars are doing that. Padre Fernandez first says they are but Isagani says Padre Fernandez
himself is but the rest of the order (the Dominicans) is not. Isagani says friars in towns limit education, and that
the friars who turn schools into a business destroy enthusiasm and dignity of the students, and teach false
principles and ancient ideas.
Isagani points out that the government tries to get the best people to keep criminals from starving but when it
comes to educating the youth, the government uses an organization (the church) that does not like teaching or
advancement. Padre Fernandez says those are harsh accusations.
Isagani says that friars say it’s not good for students to enlighten themselves because they will become
independent and that is considered a bad thing. The students are mad because the friars don’t want to educate
them properly. Padre Fernandez says that education is only for those who deserve it, and not for those who
don’t have morality. Isagani asks why there are men without morality and Padre Fernandez says they inherit it.
Isagani says that they are what they are because friars made them that way. That for three and a half centuries
friars have not helped them improve so it is the friars’ fault. He compares friars to a sculptor who cannot
produce anything good. Padre Fernandez says the ‘material’ for sculpting must be bad and Isagani says that
the sculptor is stupid then because he keeps wasting time and cheating, stealing money for no reason without
producing anything good.
Padre Fernandez feels as if Isagani is winning the argument. He says that that they are all at the mercy of the
government in the end, and that the government will throw the friars out if the students do not. Isagani says
that if that is the case, then the government purposely wants them to be demoralized.
Padre Fernandez says that the government has good intentions but sometimes despite that, the consequences
can be bad. The government makes laws but people will always find ways to break them because if something
is forbidden, the more people want to do it. Therefore, the flaws in the system are the government’s fault.
MD-WK-12 3
6
Isagani asks why they impose a society on others if they know it’s flawed. Padre Fernandez says they are
going off-topic. Isagani asks why they don’t ask those harmed by society if the society is defective. Padre
Fernandez says again that it is off-topic but Isagani says if the friars will hide behind the government, then the
students must address the government.
Padre Fernandez says he cannot be responsible for the actions of the government. He can only do what he
can do within his power for students. Isagani requests that the friars not oppose the freedom of education, to
push for it instead. Padre Fernandez says that is suicide. Isagani says it is better to ask for passage than to
“trample” (meaning to do it without asking), and Padre Fernandez says he should ask something that does not
cost so much so there will still be trust between them.
Isagani says the students would react better if the professors treated them better. Padre Fernandez asks if
students complained about his conduct. Isagani says he is speaking in general, and not about Padre
Fernandez specifically. Isagani says the students barely gain anything from studying and in fact they lose their
dignity from school. The more that learning is suppressed, the more the students want to learn because
humans always instinctively want to learn things. The students deserve a chance to earn money and have a
livelihood since they pay money and give their lives to the State.
Padre Fernandez says no one is forcing students to study but Isagani says the government is, because that
uneducated Indios’ rights are denied. Isagani asks if Padre Fernandez wants laborers instead of making
people as educated as him.
Padre Fernandez says he wants knowledge for those who will know how to use it. He says when students use
knowledge properly, the professors will be considerate. Therefore, the students should change first. Isagani
asks how can the students change first when they who have more difficulty changing? He points out even
Padre Fernandez has suffered just from wanting to be fair and fulfill his duty.
Padre Fernandez says he will talk to the other friars but they might not believe the students. Isagani says his
friends will not believe Padre Fernandez’s words either. Isagani leaves and Padre Fernandez sees him on the
street, telling a friend he is going to the Civil Government to see the posters.
Padre Fernandez says he is jealous of the Jesuits who educated Isagani (even though they disowned Isagani
after he was arrested).
Chapter 28
Chapter Title: Panic
Setting: Manila
Characters: Ben Zayb, Horatius, Chinaman Quiroga, Simoun, Padre Irene, Chichoy, Silversmith, Placido
Penitente, Pyrotechnist / Schoolmaster, Don Custodio (mentioned), Capitan General (mentioned), Padre
Sibyla (mentioned), Padre Salvi (mentioned), Tadeo (mentioned), Isagani (mentioned), Paulita Gomez
(mentioned)
Plot: Everyone in town is anxious after hearing about the students’ arrests.
Summary:
Ben Zayb is happy because the poster incident confirms what he said in an article a few days earlier: that
education is bad for the Philippines. Horatius, his rival, made fun of him for it in an article, calling Ben Zayb a
Muslim when he writes (because Muslims are known to have burned the library of Alexandria).
Even the Chinese are tense, and the friars do not go to Chinaman Quiroga’s bazaar anymore. Chinaman
Quiroga does not allow stranger Indios to enter, and even hires a veteran guard escort. He thinks of the rifles
and shells in his warehouse (that Simoun told him to keep) and is afraid he will be searched, since people
frame others by placing illegal objects in their homes, then force the owner to pay a fine.
MD-WK-12 3
7
Simoun told Chinaman Quiroga he doesn’t want to see him and instead tells him to keep the weapons where
they are. Chinaman Quiroga wants to go to Don Custodio to ask if he should get weapons to guard his bazaar
but Don Custodio doesn’t want to see him either. Chinaman Quiroga decides to ask Ben Zayb, but sees him
armed and using revolvers as paperweights so instead he locks himself in his house.
At 4:00 pm the rumors spread that the students had a deal with fugitives of San Mateo to surprise the city. It is
said the students were going to Malacanang to pretend to protest but were actually going to see Capitan
General, but Capitan General was meeting with the provincial governors at that time, as well as Padre Sibyla
and Padre Irene (who was sent by Padre Salvi).
Padre Irene had visited Capitan Tiago and told him that Capitan General was advised to spread terror and
teach the subversives a lesson. Some people say that the subversives should be shot, while others say that
soldiers should guard the streets and catch subversives. Others want to take advantage of the situation and
want a disturbance, so that the rich and ilustrados will be arrested, to help clean up the country. Padre Irene
claims that if not for him the streets would be in chaos. He is sad that Simoun got ill and couldn’t counsel
Capitan General also.
Capitan Tiago is already panicking because Basilio was arrested and his house house was searched. Because
of Padre Irene’s words he has what appears to be a heart attack and collapses, holding onto Padre Irene.
Padre Irene is so scared he runs out of the room, and Capitan Tiago falls to the floor.
Meanwhile, everyone in town is tense and there are many incidents:
Some cuartos are thrown to the children during a christening at church and an officer thinks it’s an act of
subversion. He pulls out his sword and gets tangled in the curtains. People see him and panic, thinking there is
a revolution. Stores are suddenly closed.
Neighbors find two people burying shotguns, and they get into a fight.
Someone sees a shadow near his house in Ermita and shoots it, thinking it’s a student. It turns out to be a
veteran guard. The witnesses bury the body of the veteran guard.
In Dulumbayan, a sentinel shoots a pig and a deaf old man by accident, who did not hear him ask who was
there.
In a confectionary shop, people speculate: one asks about Tadeo, who owes her money. There are rumors
that Isagani surrendered himself and that Paulita Gomez will probably marry a Spaniard. There are also
rumors that Tadeo and Isagani were shot.
Women pray and people stay off the streets.

At the silversmith’s house, people also talk. A worker says it is Padre Salvi who put the posters. The
silversmith says there might be people spying on them right now. A clerk tells Chichoy that it was Chinaman
Quiroga because he has a hundred thousand pesos in Mexican silver waiting at the bay, and he’s creating a
distraction to get the goods in. They all hear footsteps and become quiet. The silversmith says San Pascual
Bailon is a great saint.
Placido Penitente arrives with the pyrotechnist and says that he couldn’t talk to the prisoners. There are about
thirty of them in jail. The pyrotechnist says there is going to be a slaughter that night. The silversmith gets
scared and starts shaking. Chichoy says there won’t be a slaughter because Simoun is sick.
The pyrotechnist asks what they should do now that the revolution has failed. Chichoy says they have to revolt
for real because they are going to die. The pyrotechnist tells them to be prepared since now it’s kill or be killed.
The silversmith starts coughing. They all go home with hammers, saws and weapons, worried they are going
to die.
Peninsular artillerymen replace the sentries at the city gates. Ben Zayb takes a walk the next morning and
sees near the Luneta walls, a corpse of an India, half-naked. He thinks he should write an article about it but
MD-WK-12 3
8
no one is discussing it in the newspapers. Instead there are articles about accidents and falls caused by
banana peels.
Ben Zayb instead writes about a cyclone in America that destroyed towns and killed two thousand people. His
article says that the cause of the cyclone is because charity is more common in Catholic countries, so the
Philippines should be thankful it does not suffer incidents like in the United States.
Horatius writes an article criticizing Ben Zayb for “reducing himself to pleading for the Philippines” since Ben
Zayb is not Catholic.
Chapter 29
Chapter Title: Last Words About Capitan Tiago
Setting: Capitan Tiago’s house
Characters: Capitan Tiago, Padre Irene, Don Primitivo, Martin Aristorenas, Chinaman Quiroga, Capitan
Tinong
Dona Patrocinio, Basilio (mentioned)
Plot: Guests attend Capitan Tiago’s funeral.
Summary:
The chapter begins with a quote:
Talis vita finis ita.
(His end befitted his life.)
Capitan Tiago’s funeral takes place at his house. The parish priest tells Padre Irene that Capitan Tiago died
without confession, but Padre Irene just laughs. Capitan Tiago left Padre Irene in charge of his will. According
to Padre Irene, Capitan Tiago divided his estate between Santa Clara, the Pope, the Archbishop and the
Religious Orders. Capitan Tiago also left twenty pesos for needy students, which was suggested by Irene.
Capitan Tiago annulled 20 pesos for Basilio due to Basilio being “ungrateful” but Padre Irene gave him money
from his own share, saying it’s due to his conscience.
Friends gather at Capitan Tiago’s house. There are rumors that while, he was dying, his soul appeared to nuns
surrounded by light. He was wearing a swallow-tailed coat, his cheek filled with sapa of buyo and a pipe for
opium, and he had a fighting cock.
The guests say that now, Capitan Tiago is cockfighting against St. Peter in heaven, though no one is sure if the
cocks are immortal or who serves as the referee. Don Primitivo argues using quotes by philosophers and says
no one would lose because there is no quarrelling in heaven. Martin Aristorenas argues back and says it would
be a tie at best. Don Primitivo says Martin Aristorenas is going to hell. Martin Aristorenas gets scared.
Chinaman Quiroga gives Don Primitivo a cigar and says when he himself dies, he will be his own contractor.
Capitan Tinong wants to to dress Capitan Tiago in Franciscan attire, as he has an outfit that a friar gave to him
after donating thirty-six pesos to the church. Capitan Tinong is sure that the corpse would be saved from the
flames of hell. A tailor says that Capitan Tiago should have a frock coat since that is how the nuns saw him,
and he can make one for thirty-two pesos only. Padre Irene says Capitan Tiago will be in any of his old suits
because God doesn’t take note of attire.
Three friars officiate the funeral rites. All rites possible are performed. Padre Irene sings Dies Irae in falsetto
and the neighbors get headaches. Dona Patrocinio, Capitan Tiago’s rival, feels jealous and wants to die so she
can have better funeral rites.
Chapter 30
Chapter Title: Juli
Setting: January, San Diego
Characters: Juli, Sister Penchang, Sister Bali, Padre Camorra, Tandang Selo, Juez de Paz (Justice of Peace)
Teniente of the Guardia Civil, Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Capitan Tiago (mentioned), Basilio (mentioned)
MD-WK-12 3
9
Plot: Juli finds a way to free Basilio from prison.
Summary:
News reaches the town that Capitan Tiago has died and that Basilio is in prison. People speculate that Basilio
will be exiled and murdered during the trip, because January is a “fatal month” (the three priests were hanged
in Cavite in January).
Sister Penchang says Basilio is suffering because he would not cross himself if the holy water in the church
was dirty. She believes the holy water cures disease and claims that it fixed her indigestion when she splashed
some on her navel. Other men, who know that Basilio is a good person, think it’s the friars trying to get revenge
on Basilio because he rescued Juli. Sister Penchang says she doesn’t regret kicking out Juli to not anger the
friars, but she is angry about Juli being free because Juli made progress by praying and fasting for her.
Sister Bali goes to Juli’s house and has to tell her twice about Basilio’s imprisonment. Juli at first thinks she’s
joking. When she realizes it is true, she faints. When she wakes up, she cries, thinking it is now her turn to
rescue Basilio.
Juli thinks of Padre Camorra and how she has to go to him for help. The authorities have also imprisoned
Tandang Selo in order to get Cabesang Tales to surrender. Padre Camorra said before that he could have
Tandang Selo freed, but had asked for “sacrifices” from Juli in return. He made her kiss his hand and he often
tended to pinch her. Padre Camorra had also beaten men in the barrio who were serenading girls. Everyone in
the village knows that Cabesang Tales would be pardoned if Juli went to Padre Camorra.
Juli has become sad and quiet since her family’s troubles started. She once asked Sister Bali if those who
committed suicide went to hell, and Sister Bali said “of course”.
The relatives tried to raise money for Basilio but only managed to gather thirty pesos. Sister Bali says to ask
four the advice of a clerk, who will help if they give a real and a cigar. She mentions her neighbor Simon, who
went to jail for being an unreliable witness during a robbery. The clerk saved him but he could barely walk and
died anyway because “his rear rotted”.
Juli gives Sister Bali four reales and deer meat (hunted by Tandang Selo) to talk with the clerk but the clerk
says he can do nothing because Basilio is in Manila. The clerk says to see the Juez de Paz (Justice of Peace).
Sister Bali explains the problem to the Juez de Paz, but he says the only person who can save Basilio is Padre
Camorra. The Juez de Paz advises Juli to speak with Padre Camorra in person.
Juli is afraid to go but Sister Bali says she will accompany her. Sister Bali quotes Tandang Basio’s booklet,
which says that young women should go to the convent to report on what goes on in their homes. Juli says
Sister Bali should go but the Juez de Paz says that a young face would be more moving.
Juli refuses to go, thinking she did not make that sacrifice to pardon her father and should not make it to save
Basilio. The relatives do not know what Padre Camorra would do to Juli. They laugh at her fears, thinking he
has better options for girls.
Juli wants advice but Tandang Selo is silent and staring at his spear. Juli has a nightmare of Cabesang Tales
being shot and then transforming into Basilio. The next afternoon, there is talk of shootings so Juli decides to
give herself up the next morning then kill herself afterward.
The next morning, she changes her mind, and after several days Juli is still waiting, and thinks there might be a
miracle. There is news that some prisoners were freed due to patrons but she wonders who will be sacrificed.
Juli has more nightmares about Cabesang Tales and Basilio dying.
A traveler from Manila reports that all prisoners have been freed except Basilio. He was forced to sign a
petition to ask for exile to the Carolines. Juli finds Sister Bali and says she is ready. She fixes herself up and
MD-WK-12 4
0
appears to be happy. She acts impatient. As they approach the convent, Juli becomes silent and loses her
confidence.
Juli shakes when she sees the convent and says they should go home. Sister Bali drags her but Juli says no.
Sister Bali eventually gives up and says they will go home, but Basilio will be exiled and shot on the way. That
changes Juli’s mind and she enters the convent.
At night, there are reports that a woman (Juli) leaped to her death from the convent, and that another woman
(Sister Bali) ran out screaming.
An old man (Tandang Selo) goes to the convent but he is not let in. He goes to the Gobernadorcillo’s house
but no one is there. He is told that the Gobernadorcillo is at the convent. The Juez de Paz is also at the
convento, and so is the teniente mayor and teniente of the Guardia Civil. Tandang Selo returns to his barrio,
crying.
At 8:00 pm, more than seven friars from other towns go to the convent to hold a meeting. Tandang Selo
disappears the next day with his spear.
Chapter 31
Chapter Title: The High Official
Setting: Malacanang Palace
Characters: Ben Zayb, Capitan General, High Official, Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Padre Camorra
(mentioned), Macaraig (mentioned), Isagani (mentioned), Padre Florentino (mentioned), Simoun (mentioned),
Basilio (mentioned)
Plot: The high official argues with Capitan General for Basilio’s release form jail.
Summary:
L’Espagne et sa vertu, l’Espagne et sa grandeur
Tout s’en va!
(Spain and her virtue, Span and her grandeur
All that is lost!)
-Victor Hugo
Newspapers in Manila talk about murders in Europe instead of the killings in the provinces. There are no
articles about a band of tulisanes being led by a chieftain called Matanglawin (Hawkeye). There are only few
articles that mention the murders of people in convents and Spaniards.
The public knows that Padre Camorra left Tiani, but they don’t know if he moved to a different town or went to
stay in a convent in Manila. Ben Zayb feels bad for Padre Camorra, and says that Padre Camorra has a “good
heart”.
Most students were freed thanks to donations. The first was Macaraig and the last was Isagani (when Padre
Florentino went to Manila a week later). People praised Capitan General for being ‘merciful’ to the students.
Basilio stayed in jail because he was found with prohibited books (referring to the pamphlets of Simoun or his
copy of “Legal Medicine and Toxicology” by Dr. Mata).
Capitan General was advised that there had to be someone to stay in jail or else no one will respect authority.
The high official argues for Basilio’s freedom, saying that if he stays in jail he cannot graduate and has to study
for another year. But the high official and Capitan General disagree most of the time. Capitan General says it is
more reason for Basilio to stay in jail, as studying another year will be good for him.
The high official says Basilio is innocent and that he wasn’t at the dinner, but Capitan General says the more
innocent the criminal, the better, so that people will be terrified. It is better to sacrifice the good of one for the
good of many.
MD-WK-12 4
1
The high official asks if Capitan General is afraid of the responsibility. Capitan General asks “What do I have to
fear?” as his conscience is clean. He explains that the minister who appointed him won’t care. The high official
argues that he should not forget about the country. Capitan General asks why he should care about the
country when he has no duties to it and it is not the one that elected him.
The high official says that Capitan General was chosen by Spain, so he should treat the Indios well so they will
not hate Spain. He reminds Capitan General that when he was on his way to the Philippines, he promised to
govern with justice. Capitan General argues that he is doing what he promised. He asks the high official if he,
too, should share the blame and the high official says he cannot be ordered to because he has rights.
The high official says he does not want Spain to lose the Philippines but he also doesn’t want Filipinos to be
abused. He says that to be great, Spain does not need to be cruel, and in fact was greater when it only had its
own territory. The high official accuses General of not understanding the greatness of the Spanish name and
that he does not have honor because for Capitan General, the Spaniard can do evil to keep what he wants, but
for the high official, Spain should lose everything before honor.
High official says he does not want Spain to be known as a tyrant as that’s not what the ancient kings’ purpose
was. He says that they promised to protect the Philippines and yet they are taking away the freedoms of
Indios. They should put themselves in the place of Filipinos to ask themselves what they would do if put in the
same situation.
The high official explains that when people are denied their rights, it is natural to treat those that denied them
as if they were robbers. The high official says that he is not a soldier but would allow himself to be torn apart to
defend the integrity of Spain. He would rather stand beside the Filipinos than to conquer them, even if Spain is
conqueror.
Capitan General ignores the speech and just asks the high official when the boat leaves. The high official
stares at him then leaves the palace, goes to the garden and gets in a carriage. He tells the driver that when
they eventually declare themselves independent someday, to remember that in Spain there were people who
fought for their rights. The driver just asks where he wants to be brought.
The high official hands in his resignation letter two hours later and plans to return to Spain on the next boat.
Chapter 32
Chapter Title: Consequences of the Posters
Setting: Summer, Manila
Characters: Pecson, Tadeo, Juanito Pelaez, Macaraig, Isagani, Sandoval, Basilio, Cochero / Sinong, Ben
Zayb, Capitan General, Simoun, Don Timoteo Pelaez, Paulita Gomez, Padre Fernandez (mentioned), Juli
(mentioned), Tandang Selo (mentioned)
Plot: The students are suspended. Paulita Gomez decides to marry Juanito Pelaez.
Summary:
Due to the events at school, mothers tell sons to quit studying and come back to the province to become
farmers. and become. The arrested students are suspended during exams so only few of them are able to
pass.
Pecson, Tadeo and Juanito Pelaez are suspended. Pecson laughs and says he will become a clerk in court.
Tadeo burns his books. Juanito Pelaez is sad about being suspended, and ends up running his father’s store.
But later on he is seen smiling again. Macaraig was able to get a passport due to his wealth, so he ends up
sailing to Europe. Isagani passes Padre Fernandez’s course but is suspended by the others. Sandoval’s skills
at public speaking allow him to pass the exams.
Basilio is left in Bilibid prison and is interrogated every three days. The cochero, Sinong, has been updating
Basilio of news in Tiani. He has told Basilio about Juli’s death and Tandang Selo disappearing.
MD-WK-12 4
2
The newspapers (and Ben Zayb) announce that Simoun has recovered, and Ben Zayb hears a rumor that
Simoun will hold a fiesta to celebrate his recovery. It is also to celebrate his leaving since he will leave with
Capitan General (whose term expires in May). According to rumors, Simoun tried to encourage Capitan
General to ask for an extension but Capitan General refused.
Ben Zayb suggests that Simoun should have bought Capitan Tiago’s house, which Don Timoteo Pelaez had
bought for a low price. Simoun stars hanging out in Don Timoteo Pelaez’s store.
Weeks later, in April there is a rumor that Juanito Pelaez will marry Paulita Gomez. Paulita Gomez has fallen
out of love with Isagani because of his involvement with the posters, and how he gave himself up to the police
instead of hiding, which to her means he is not sensible. Instead, Paulita Gomez admires Juanito Pelaez
because he is smart, rich and mestizo (since people think Don Timoteo Pelaez is a full-blooded Spaniard).
Paulita Gomez now looks down on Isagani for being provincial, not having a respectable family, and not caring
about money. Paulita Gomez has complied with “Darwin’s law” by choosing the “fitter male” who adapts to the
environment.
During Holy Week, there is a mutiny by artillerymen but the reason is unknown. Houses that were made of light
materials are demolished by cavalrymen and the owners are sad, so Simoun goes to see them.
Don Timoteo Pelaez plans to throw a fiesta at the end of April, to celebrate the wedding of Juanito Pelaez.
Capitan General is to be the godfather/sponsor, which was arranged by Simoun. The fiesta will be scheduled
two days before Capitan General leaves the Philippines.
There are rumors that Simoun will throw jewelry as part of his farewell party. Everyone wants to attend the
fiesta and many buy iron and zinc sheets from Don Timoteo Pelaez to try to get invited.
Chapter 33
Chapter Title: The Final Argument
Setting: April, Simoun’s residence
Characters: Simoun, Basilio, Maria Clara (mentioned), Capitan General (mentioned), Cabesang Tales
(mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned)
Plot: After Simoun has him freed from prison, Basilio decides to join Simoun’s cause.
Summary:
Simoun packs his things in the morning. His jewels are in a steel chest, though he plans to give away bracelets
and brooches as gifts.
Capitan General didn’t want to stay any longer in the country because he is afraid of what people might say.
Some people say Simoun does not want to stay because without Capitan General people that he has angered
will get revenge on them. The next General is said to be a man of morals and might tell Simoun to return his
riches. Other people say that Simoun will move on to another country because there is nothing left to exploit in
the Philippines.
Simoun tells his servant that if Basilio comes, to let him enter. He locks himself in his room.
Basilio arrives. He has been in jail for two months and his appearance looks haggard. Simoun is surprised and
feels sorry for him. Basilio explains that he refused to join Simoun’s plans and he was imprisoned, and was
only released thanks to Simoun. Now he is ready to join Simoun.
Simoun is pleased and becomes confident. He tells Basilio that the movement failed because many left him
when they saw him unsure. But now Simoun can control his emotions because he has no one to care about
anymore.
MD-WK-12 4
3
Simoun tells Basilio that if he had joined earlier they would have been successful, with Simoun getting rid of
the corrupt from violence and Basilio helping unite the youth. Simoun says that the educated were afraid, the
rich were selfish and the youth were dishonest. Only in the mountains did he find men to join his cause.
Simoun brings Basilio to his laboratory. On a table there is a dark green box. Simoun opens it and shows
Basilio a lamp shaped like a pomegranate but as large as a head. It is colored gold. Simoun opens the burner
and reveals a vessel of steel inside. Simoun shows a yellow crystal flask with Nitroglycerine/dynamite inside.
Basilio knows what it is and feels afraid.
Simoun calls the nitroglycerine “the final argument of the weak” and that they must fight violence with violence.
Simoun tells Basilio he was unsure about using it until Basilio visited him. He says that tonight, the tyrants will
blow up. Simoun assembles the bomb and puts a lamp shade on it. He explains his plan to Basilio.
The lamp will be on a table at the fiesta later tonight and will be bright enough to light the whole room. But after
twenty minutes the light will become dim. If someone adjusts the wick, the capsule of fulminate of mercury will
detonate and the pomegranate will explode. The dining room’s roof and floor have sacks of gunpowder in them
so there will be a chain reaction.
Basilio says there is nothing he can assist with. Simoun says that at 9:00 pm the explosion will be heard in the
mountains. He confesses to Basilio that he plotted with the artillerymen but the uprising failed because of “lack
of direction.” The oppressed people will come out and join Cabesang Tales in Santa Mesa to invade the city.
Simoun convinced the military that Capitan General will stage an uprising so that he has reasons to stay longer
in the Philippines, so they will be on guard and shoot whoever invades. The people will be scared so Basilio’s
job is to lead them to Chinaman Quiroga’s warehouse where Simoun’s guns are. Cabesang Tales and Simoun
will take over the city and Basilio will be in charge of the bridges, ready to help them. Basilio’s job is to kill
those who fight back or refuse to join them.
Simoun argues that anyone who is not on their side is an enemy and deserves to be killed because:
Cowardly fathers will have cowardly sons so their family lines must end.
A helpless population should die to be replaced by a new, energetic population.
Death is nothing compared to the suffering of the next generation.
Death is just like going to sleep.
Because Basilio’s mind has been weakened by months of imprisonment, he does not think to counter
Simoun’s arguments. But the chapter states that Basilio should have said the following:
That the worst man is better than a plant because he has a soul and intelligence, which means he can be
redeemed instead of destroying weeds to plant better things.
Man has no right to kill one life to save another because everyone has the right to live.
Governments are abusive if they blame criminals for crimes they weren’t aware of, just like how man should
not blame others for the faults of their governments or ancestors.
Only God can do such things because He can create and is all-powerful, unlike man.
Basilio asks what the world will think of the violence, and Simoun says that the world will cheer because it has
always accepted those that are strongest. Simoun points out that people celebrated when ‘Indians’ died in
America, when Portugal invaded other islands, when there were revolutions and civil wars in Europe, and
when England invaded the Pacific.
Simoun says that people don’t care about the methods but only see the effects. Any crime that is executed well
will be admired. Basilio agrees and says that the world does not care about the oppressed. He no longer cares
about society because society doesn’t care about him.
Simoun gives Basilio a revolver and tells him to wait in front of San Sebastian church at 10:00 pm. At 9:00
pm,he should be far from Anloague street. Basilio agrees, cocks the gun and leaves.
MD-WK-12 4
4
Chapter 34
Chapter Title: The Wedding
Setting: Evening of April, Manila
Characters: Basilio, Juanito Pelaez, Paulita Gomez, Simoun, Cochero / Sinong, Don Timoteo Pelaez, Isagani
(mentioned), Capitan Tiago (mentioned), Juli (mentioned), Capitan General (mentioned), Don Custodio
(mentioned)
Plot: Basilio watches people attend the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez at Captain
Tiago’s house.
Summary:
Basilio walks on the streets, waiting for time to pass. The students have all gone home for vacation. Isagani did
not want to go home but Basilio found out that he disappeared in the morning, when Basilio tried to visit him to
ask for a place to stay. Basilio has no money, but tries to feel better by thinking that he is going to be feared
and obeyed in Manila when Simoun’s plan succeeds.
Basilio goes to Capitan Tiago’s old house to get his stuff and saw that it was prepared for the wedding
reception. As he is leaving the street, Basilio sees many carriages pass him containing well-dressed people.
They go in the direction of Rosario Street. He sees a carriage with Juanito Pelaez inside, beside a girl dressed
in white. Basilio recognizes Paulita Gomez.
Basilio feels sorry for Isagani and wonders if it would be bad to tell him the plan. He thinks that Isagani would
not join them because he did not go through what Basilio went through. Basilio thinks about how if not for his
arrest he would be married, and practicing medicine in the province. He thinks of Juli being dead and feels
angry.
Basilio sees Simoun leave the house with the lamp and enter a carriage. He recognizes the cochero, Sinong,
and is surprised. Basilio sees all the people in Capitan Tiago’s house joining the party and a lot of veteran
guards are on duty.
Capitan General was godfather at the wedding but did not attend the wedding reception. Instead, Don
Custodio is representing him instead. Capitan General’s wedding gift is a lamp that was brought to the wedding
reception by Simoun.
Capitan Tiago’s house had been transformed, with no more smell of opium. There are carpets, mirrors and
chandeliers. The floor is polished. The furniture has been replaced by other pieces of Louis XC style, with red
curtains and vases from Japan. Don Timoteo Pelaez has replaced Capitan Tiago’s engravings and saints with
oil paintings done by Spaniards.
Chapter 35
Chapter Title: The Fiesta
Setting: April evening, Capitan Tiago’s house
Characters:, Juanito Pelaez, Paulita Gomez, Dona Victorina, Ben Zayb, Don Timoteo Pelaez, Capitan
General, Capitan General’s Wife, Padre Irene, Padre Salvi, Simoun, Basilio, Isagani, Don Custodio, High
Official (mentioned)
Plot: Simoun delivers the lamp to the wedding reception while Basilio bumps into Isagani.
Summary:
Danzar sobre un volcano
(To dance on a volcano)
The guests who aren’t as wealthy are the first to arrive (employees, merchants, business executives) and the
mood is serious. After a while they start to loosen up, though some people pretend to not enjoy themselves in
order to seem more elite.
MD-WK-12 4
5
The married couple (Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez) arrives with Dona Victorina. Ben Zayb calls them
Cupid and Psyche, and compares them to gods presenting themselves in Olympus.
Don Timoteo Pelaez is getting tired waiting for Capitan General, while Padre Irene and Padre Salvi are already
there. Someone insults the art prints, saying they ruin the walls but Don Timoteo Pelaez says they are
expensive. In his anger, he promises to collect the IOUs that the person owes him. Soon, Capitan General
finally arrives with his wife.
Capitan General feels sad as this is his last “triumph” after three years of ruling. He tries to look forward to
going back to Europe because he is bringing back a lot of money. But he remembers that he has enemies in
the Court, like the high official. Other generals like him became bankrupt instead. Capitan General wonders if
he should have stayed longer like Simoun suggested, but realizes that people are not afraid to stare at him
now and do not hide their dislike of him. One party guest tells another woman that the skirt of the general’s wife
was made of the palace curtains.
Meanwhile, Basilio is outside the house watching people enter. He feels bad when he sees happy people and
young girls, thinking they are going to die. He wants to save them, but when he sees Padre Irene and Padre
Salvi arrive he feels angry. He tells himself that he shouldn’t care because he tried to be a good person but he
suffered anyway.
Basilio sees Simoun arrive with the lamp. He watches Simoun stop, unsure, before going up the stairs. Basilio
imagines death and fires around him and tells himself to calm down because Capitan General has not arrived
yet. He starts shaking. Capitan General soon arrives and Basilio watches Simoun greet him. Everyone is
talking about the lamp.
Basilio thinks of the innocent people and wants to save them. He tries to enter the house but is stopped
because of his poor attire. Basilio sees Simoun come out, and knows Simoun already lit the lamp. Simoun gets
in a carriage and tells the cochero to go to Escolta. Basilio tries to run away, pushing through the crowd of
people.
Basilio sees Isagani. He tells Isagani to come with him and that they have to get away from the house. Isagani
is watching Paulita Gomez through the window. Isagani asks why, and that tomorrow Paulita Gomez will no
longer be herself. Basilio asks if Isagani wants to die and Isagani just shrugs. Basilio explains that the lamp in
the azotea is actually a bomb.
Isagani does not want to leave, saying he wants to see Paulita Gomez one last time. Basilio decides to let
Isagani be and leaves. Isagani realizes that Basilio looked scared, so he starts to believe Basilio’s words. He
realizes that Paulita Gomez will die so he goes into the house.
In the dining room, a parchment is being passed around. It has words written in red ink:
Mene Thecel Phares
Juan Chrisostomo Ibarra
(“Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting”)
The line was said to have been written on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast, foretelling Babylon’s destruction.
Capitan General asks who Ibarra is. Don Custodio says it is a bad joke because Ibarra was a subversive
(filibusterillo) who died more than ten years ago. Padre Irene sees Padre Salvi looking scared. He asks if
Padre Salvi recognizes the signature of his friend. Padre Salvi is sweating. Padre Salvi says it is written
Ibarra’s handwriting. Everyone looks nervous.
Capitan General says to continue eating but he is also shaking. Don Custodio asks if the words mean they will
be murdered tonight. They wonder if they are going to be poisoned. The light starts to dim.
Capitan General asks Padre Irene to turn up the wick. Someone runs in and takes the lamp and runs to the
azotea. He throws the lump into the river. The dining room goes black. The figure jumps into the river.
MD-WK-12 4
6
Chapter 36
Chapter Title: The Predicaments of Ben Zayb
Setting: Manila
Characters: Ben Zayb, Editor, Capitan General, Padre Camorra, Don Custodio, Padre Irene (mentioned),
Padre Salvi (mentioned), Cabesang Tales (mentioned), Simoun (mentioned)
Plot: Ben Zayb writes about the bomb plot incident.
Summary:
Ben Zayb learns about what happened and enters the dining room when new lights are brought in. Everyone
looks surprised. He decides to go home and write the most brilliant article ever read.
Ben Zayb exaggerates the story. His article states that he fell on his back and that sauce landed on Capitan
General’s brow. He thinks Capitan General will read his article, so he makes the Capitan General look like a
hero. Ben Zayb says in his article that Padre Irene going under the table was an act of bravery because he
was trying to catch the thief. Ben Zayb’s article says that Padre Salvi fainted because he felt sadness at the
poor harvest of the Indios. Ben Zayb’s article says that the rest of the people at the table (like the Countess
who held
Padre Salvi) didn’t move because they were being calm and used to danger, but were doing their duties.
Ben Zayb describes the thief as angry and being of a different race, and says that that is why there should be a
permanent military tribunal established in the Philippines. Ben Zayb ends the article by saying “Go peacefully,
brave warrior” (perhaps referring to Capitan General) and that they will try to find his gift (the lamp) because it
is proof of his bravery.
Ben Zayb sends the article before dawn and goes to sleep. He is woken up at sunrise with his article and a
note from the editor saying that it was rejected because Capitan General banned any talk of the incident.
Ben Zayb feels sad. He is leaving for Spain in a month or two and cannot publish the article there because
unlike in the Philippines, facts have to be proven in Spain. He thinks his articles in the Philippines have effects
whether they are read or not, unlike in Spain where people won’t notice him. Ben Zayb wishes a crime would
be committed soon.
Ben Zayb goes to see his editor. The editor says that Capitan General explained that if people knew that they
were robbed, the integrity of the nation would be “endangered”. Because of that, there will be no search for the
lamp or thief and it will be recommended to the next generals that when dining anywhere, he must have
guards. Only government officials and military are aware of the incident. Ben Zayb understands, thinking
Captain General made a heroic choice.
Ben Zayb is happy when another crime happens. There was a raid on a villa on the shores of Pasig, where
friars are known to spend their vacations. Bandits took 2,000 pesos,leaving a wounded priest and two
servants. Ben Zayb exaggerates in his article and says there were fifty bandits with weapons and that the
priest defended himself with a chair, and instead 10,000 pesos were taken.
Ben Zayb goes to the villa and finds that the wounded priest is Padre Camorra who was “exiled” to Pasig.
There were only three robbers with bolos and they stole fifty pesos. Padre Camorra was left with a wound on
his hand and contusion on his head. Ben Zayb does not want to believe it and says Padre Camorra does not
know what happened. They start arguing.
The captured robbers confess. They are known as the tulisanes of Matanglawin (secretly Cabesang Tales) and
they are supposed to join him in Santa Mesa to sack convents and rich homes. A Spaniard (most likely
Simoun) was supposed to guide them, and said he acted on the orders of Capitan General. The military was
MD-WK-12 4
7
also supposed to join them and that the bandits would be pardoned and get a third of the riches. The signal
was the sound of a cannon shot.
They had waited and nothing happened. Some returned home, some went to the mountains, and some wanted
revenge on the Spaniard who did not keep his promise for the second time. The captured robbers attacked the
villa on their own, promising to give two-thirds of the riches to the Spaniard.
Simoun had vanished, and gunpowder and bullets had been found in his house. Rumors spread, and people
are
thankful that they were saved, but are surprised that it was Simoun all along.
Ben Zayb goes to Don Custodio, bringing revolvers. Don Custodio is working on a project against American
jewelers. He whispers something to Ben Zayb. Ben Zayb gets scared. Don Custodio makes a signal with his
arms, of Simoun creeping up on them. Ben Zayb asks about the diamonds. Don Custodio mimes a windmill,
implying sweeping away objects. Ben Zayb imitates swallowing air.
Chapter 37
Chapter Title: The Mystery
Setting: Orenda house, Santa Cruz
Characters: Tinay Orenda, Isagani, Chichoy, Momoy,Sensia Orenda, Capitana Loleng, Domingo / Capitan
Toringoy, Senor Pasta, Don Timoteo Pelaez (mentioned), Paulita Gomez (mentioned), Juanito Pelaez
(mentioned), Chinaman Quiroga (mentioned), Macaraig (mentioned), Office Clerk (mentioned), Simoun
(mentioned), Tia Tentay (mentioned), Padre Florentino (mentioned)
Plot: The Orenda family and Isagani discuss the bomb incident.
Summary:
The rumors of the bomb reach the public. Friends and family are in the Orenda house talking about it. Tinay is
playing sungka while everyone discusses the incident. Isagani usually plays with Tinay Orenda but this time he
is busy listening to Chichoy.
Chichoy tells everyone that he delivered earrings to Don Timoteo Pelaez as a gift for the wedding couple. He
saw them demolishing the kiosk which served as a dining room, and they found gunpowder under the floor,
table, seats and roof. Capitana Loleng asks who put the gunpowder there. Momoy is pale as he had been to
the wedding and was sitting near the kiosk. He says no one knows.
Senor Pasta says there could have not have been more than one person, and that it was probably an enemy of
Don Timoteo Pelaez or a rival of Juanito Pelaez. Everyone looks at Isagani, who smiles. Capitana Loleng tells
him to hide or else he will be accused. Chichoy said only Don Timoteo Pelaez and Simoun had been in charge
of the house. Isagani just smiles. Capitan Toringoy says all of Anloague street would be gone if the bomb had
exploded.
Capitana Loleng says the people who owe them debts would be gone as they were all at the wedding, and that
they own property near there. Chichoy says that he met his friend (office clerk) who said it was Simoun
responsible. Other people suggested that it was the friars, Chinaman Quiroga, a student, Macaraig or Isagani.
Capitan Toringoy looks at Isagani.
Everyone doesn’t want to believe it is Simoun as Simoun used to sell them gems and once complimented the
Orenda girls before. Sensia Orenda says but Simoun was at the fiesta. Momoy says he remembers Simoun
leaving when they were going to eat. Simoun was going to get his wedding gift. They guess that Simoun made
himself Don Timoteo Pelaez’s partner so he could try to kill all the Spaniards.
MD-WK-12 4
8
Sensia Orenda says Tia Tentay once called Simoun the devil. Capitan Toringoy removes his ring that Simoun
gave him. They realize that everything makes sense, and explains why Simoun is so rich, and why his house
smelled like sulfur. Binday Orenda says she saw blue flames at Simoun’s house.
They realize that the lamp was meant to be explode. They wonder if the thief is one of the “Black Hand”.
Momoy says no one knows if the thief was a Spaniard, Chinese or Indio.
Isagani says that if the thief had known what was going to happen, he wouldn’t have taken the lamp and that
he would never want to be in the thief’s place. He soon leaves to stay permanently with his uncle (Padre
Florentino)
Chapter 38
Chapter Title: A Trick of Fate
Setting: May, Luzon
Characters: Cabesang Tales, Mautang, Carolino / Tano, Corporal, Tandang Selo, Juan de Paz (mentioned)
Plot: Soldiers are attacked by bandits in the mountains.
Summary:
Matanglawin’s band appears in many provinces and causes chaos, destroying farms and assassinating the
juan de paz of Tiani. They steals weapons in the town hall in Cavite and are well-known even in Tayabas,
Pangasinan, Albay and Cagayan. Matanglawin captures villagers and tortures them if they fight back. They
know that if they ally with him they will be punished by the government instead, so most villagers decide to join
him.
Because of this, economy in the towns suffers. People are afraid to travel and the poor are captured by guardia
civiles and thought to be bandits, so they are tortured.
Six or seven suspects are being marched on a road around a mountain, surrounded by ten or twelve guards
and tied together. Anyone who falls is beaten with a branch. When the guards stop to drink, the prisoners are
not given water. They are beaten again in order to start moving.
One of the soldiers (named Mautang) stops using the branch and starts kicking the prisoner. Another soldier,
Carolino (who did not abuse the prisoners), tells him to stop. Mautang says Carolino is probably new, and that
he feels this way only because their prisoners are their countrymen.
Mautang says they should be treated like that so they won’t escape. One of the prisoners asks to rest. The
corporal says to keep going because the place is dangerous. Mautang hits the prisoner with a branch again
and the prisoner says he is more cruel than a Spaniard. Mautang starts hitting him some more when suddenly
he is shot dead.
The corporal tells everyone to halt but there is another bullet that hits him in the thigh. The corporal tells the
guards to shoot the prisoners. The prisoners beg for mercy but they are killed. The guards start shooting at the
mountains but they cannot see the enemy.
The corporal yells at Carolino to use his marksmanship skills. A man appears on the rock and makes signs
with his rifle. The corporal says to fire at him and the guards try but miss. The man keeps shouting.
Carolino thinks he recognizes the figure but the corporal yells to shoot. Carolino shoots and the man is hit and
falls. Another man appears holding a lance and the soldiers shoot him. The guards move forward (Carolino
walking behind them), and one of them sees a dying old man on the rock. He stabs him with his bayonet but
the old man does not notice. He looks at Carolino and points to something behind him. It is revealed that
Carolino is actually Tano, Cabesang Tales’ son who returned from the Carolines.
Carolino recognizes his grandfather, Tandang Selo. Tandang Selo keeps pointing behind the rocks, at
Cabesang Tales’ body.
MD-WK-12 4
9
Chapter 39
Chapter Title: The Final Chapter
Setting: Padre Florentino’s Retreat
Characters: Padre Florentino, Simoun, Padre Florentino’s servant, Don Tiburcio de Espadana (mentioned),
Teniente of the Guardia Civil (mentioned), Dona Victorina (mentioned), Isagani (mentioned), Capitan General
(mentioned)
Plot: Padre Florentino talks to a dying Simoun.
Summary:
Padre Florentino is playing the reed organ. His friend Don Tiburcio de Espadana, who was hiding there, just
left, after getting a note from the teniente of the guardia civil.
The note said the following:
My dear Chaplain: I have just received from the commandant a telegram which says: Spaniard hidden house
Padre Florentino lame capture dead alive. As the telegram is expressive enough, warn the friend so that he will
not be there when I go to arrest him at eight o’clock tonight.
Yours ever, PEREZ
Burn this letter.
Don Tiburcio de Espadana was shocked, thinking that Dona Victorina wanted him to be shot.
Padre Florentino explained to him the misspelling: cojera (which means ‘lameness’ in Spanish) is supposed to
be spelled as cogera (‘will catch’) and the hidden Spaniard refers to Simoun, who came two days ago, injured.
But Don Tiburcio de Espadana did not listen, because Isagani had written to him saying Dona Victorina wanted
him dead or alive. Don Tiburcio de Espadana left to hide in a woodcutter’s hut.
Simoun had arrived with a chest. He was bleeding and depressed. Padre Florentino took in Simoun because
he didn’t know yet about what happened in Manila. He thought that because Capitan General left, enemies
were trying to get revenge on Simoun. Padre Florentino wondered if the wounds were from Simon trying to get
away, or from a fight or a suicide attempt. Simoun refused to be treated by the doctor.
Padre Florentino looks out at the sea. When he told Simoun that the police were coming at 8:00 pm to arrest
him, Simoun only smiled. Padre Florentino wonders why Simoun doesn’t hide, and thinks it is because
Simoun is too proud. Padre Florentino compares Simoun’s situation from before (rich and powerful) to now
(being in hiding).
Padre Florentino does not care that two months ago Simoun ignored him when he tried to ask for help in
freeing Isagani from prison, or that Simoun helped plan Paulita Gomez’s wedding, which depressed Isagani.
Padre Florentino cares only about fixing Simoun’s injuries. He wonders if he should hide Simoun. A servant
says Simoun wants to speak to him.
Simoun is in Padre Florentino’s bedroom, in a camagong bed. Padre Florentino sees that Simoun is in pain.
Padre Florentino asks if Simoun is suffering, and Simoun says that soon his suffering will end. Padre
Florentino asks what Simoun took, pointing to a bottle. Simoun says it does not matter.
Simoun says he wants to tell Padre Florentino his secret and his last will. Simoun asks if there is a god. Padre
Florentino says he can give Simoun an antidote, like apomorphine, ether or chloroform. Padre Florentino
kneels to pray, and then sits beside the bed to hear Simoun’s story. Simoun tells Padre Florentino his real
name and Florentino is shocked.
Simoun tells his story:

Thirteen years ago, he came back from Europe to marry the woman he loved, and promised to do good and
forgive those who wronged him. But he was involved in an uprising plotted by his enemies and was only able
to escape death due to the help of a friend. He swore to avenge himself.
MD-WK-12 5
0
He dug up the family wealth in a forest and went abroad. He got involved in the war of Cuba and met Capitan
General (who was a comandante then). He lent Capitan General money, and eventually became his friend,
keeping Capitan General’s crimes a secret. He manipulated Capitan General and encouraged him to commit
injustices since he knew Capitan General was greedy.
The story continues until night, and Padre Florentino meditates. He says God will forgive Simoun because
everyone makes mistakes and Simoun has suffered. Padre Florentino says God ruined Simoun’s plans one by
one and that everyone should be thankful.
Simoun says that means God wants the islands to remain in their current state. Padre Florentino says he
cannot read God’s thoughts but he believes that God has not abandoned the people. He says that God is there
when the oppressed fight for their rights and family.
Simoun asks why God did not support him. Padre Florentino says it is because God cannot approve of his
ways because Simoun also helped ruin the country by committing wrongs to fix wrongs. Hate only creates
monsters, crime and criminals and only love can create good things. Padre Florentino tells Simoun that the
country will be free one day due to virtue, sacrifice and love instead of vice and crime.
Simoun asks then why God has to deny liberty to people and save those who are worse than Simoun, and why
does he allow so many good people to suffer? Padre Florentino answers that people must suffer so their ideas
will become known. Simoun says “I knew it” and realizes he made the tyranny worse.
Padre Florentino says that Simoun only helped the country decay instead of producing a single idea. An
immoral government produces immoral people. Simoun asks then what are they supposed to do. Padre
Florentino answers: “To suffer and to work”. Simoun says that is easy to say if one doesn’t suffer and when
work is
rewarded.
Simoun asks what kind of God would consider that just? Too many people suffer for no reason. Padre
Florentino says that only a just God does, because he punishes lack of faith and vices. People suffer the
consequences and their children suffer them too. Padre Florentino says God makes people suffer so they can
become better.
Padre Florentino says people must deserve liberty, fighting and dying for it, and when people do that, God will
help make the tyrants fall to allow liberty to win. Padre Florentino says Filipinos must blame themselves,
because Spain will only give them liberty when they become competent. There is no point of independence if
the slaves become tyrants as well.
Padre Florentino says that until Filipinos can stop abusing when they themselves are abused, they are not
prepared to have liberty because they do not understand it. He compares it to a husband not getting to marry
the wife until he loves her enough and is willing to die for her.
Simoun takes Padre Florentino’s hand but is quiet. Padre Florentino wonders where the youth are who will
fight for ideas and are willing to die for the country. He thinks to himself that everyone is waiting for them.
Padre Florentino cries and releases Simoun’s hand. He goes to the window. The servant knocks and asks if he
should light the lamp.
The lamp is lit. Padre Florentino realizes that Simoun is dead. Padre Florentino asks God to have mercy and
those like Simoun, who have turned away from the right path. The servants kneel and pray for Simoun’s body.
Padre Florentino gets Simoun’s chest of iron from the cabinet. He goes to the cliff where Isagani usually
watches the sea. Padre Florentino throws the chest into the sea.
Padre Florentino addresses the chest, saying it will do no evil by being at the bottom of the sea.
MD-WK-12 5
1
EVALUATE
A. Write an essay with the aim of answering the following questions:

1. What is Rizal’s message to the Filipino youth?
2. What is Rizal’s purpose in writing El Fili?
B. Using a graphic organizer, compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme of Noli and El Fili.
References:
Zaide, G. F. & Zaide, S. M. (2014). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and
National Hero, Mandaluyong City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
https://ourhappyschool.com/journalism/el-filibusterismo
https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/el-filibusterismo-the-reign-of-greed-by-dr-jose-rizal-book-notes-
summary-in-english-the-characters-the-summary-of-el-filibusterismo_202.html
http://rizalville.com/chapter-summaries
MD-WK-12 5
2

MS2 WK 12

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

MS2 WK 12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF BOTOLAN

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

STUDENT LEARNING MODULE (SLM)

COURSE MS 2 – The Life and Works of Rizal

INSTRUCTOR CLAUDINE E. ISIDORO

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

“There are no tyrants where there are no slaves.”

The writing and printing of El Filibusterismo

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 2

Filibustero and Gomburza

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 3

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 4

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 5

Malapad-na-bato (told by Skipper)

Cave of Dona Geronimo (told by Padre Sibyla)

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 6

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 7

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 8

MD-WK-12 ms 2 – the life and works of rizal 9

Simoun asks Capitan General to bet the following:

People who approve of it:

Metallic mirrors made of brass/alloy.

The ones who came just for dinner are:

Ben Zayb explains that it is all just an illusion caused by mirrors.

Everyone sits down.

But by then, Mr. Leeds has escaped to Hong Kong.

Sandoval sings: Un fraile, dos frailes, tres frailes en el coro,

Women pray and people stay off the streets.

Simoun tells his story:

A. Write an essay with the aim of answering the following questions:

You might also like