By: Amado B.

Hernandez
The novel acts as a sequel to
Jose Rizal’s historic Noli Me
Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. The
protagonist Mando Plaridel is
tested by Tata Matyas, an old
revolutionary, on his
knowledge about Jose Rizal
and Rizal’s novel.
‘
Similar to Rizal’s novel the main
character examines Philippines
as an outsider while traveling in
Europe. Hernandez’s novel also
tackles the lead character’s
search for Simon’s treasure
acting as a continuation of
Rizal’s El Filibusterismo.
The novel portrays the
conditions of the citizenry
at the onset od
industrialization brought
forth by the Americans in
the Philippines.