Group 8

Reporter: Gajana, Jhobie

Libron, Janice
 EL FILIBUSTERISMO
( THE REIGN OF GREED)

DR. JOSE RIZAL

CHARACTERS IN EL
FILIBUSTERISMO
 Simoun Ben Zayb
Crisóstomo Ibarra Abraham Ibañez is
reincarnated as a his real name. He is
wealthy jeweler, a journalist who
thinks he is the
bent on starting a only one thinking in
revolution the Philippines
Basilio Padre Sibyla
Sisa's son, now Hernando de la Sibyla, a
an aspiring Filipino friar and now
vice-rector of the
doctor
University of Santo
Tomas
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
Isagani
poet and Basilio's best
friend; portrayed as
emotional and reactive;
Paulita Gómez' boyfriend
before being dumped for
fellow student Juanito
Peláez
Juanito Peláez Huli
– Isagani's rival for Juliana de Dios, the
Paulita Gómez's girlfriend of Basilio, and
affection. He was
the youngest daughter
the son of a
Timoteo Peláez, a of Kabesang Tales
metalworks trader.
Tadeo Pecson
– a truant and charlatan – described as chubby,
who regularly dreamed of pessimistic, and having an
an eternal "holiday" from annoying grin. He is
Sandoval's regular foil when
school, but was all the Sandoval launches into any
same beloved by kind of patriotic, optimistic
professors and passed speech
courses.
Sandoval
– a Peninsular who had come
to Manila as a government
employee and was finishing
his studies, and who had
completely identified himself
with the cause of the Filipino
students.
Macaraig
– the leader. He is
described as wealthy, with
his own coach, driver, and
set of horses.
Hermana Báli Hermana Penchang
– Juli's mother-figure – the one among the "rich
and counselor. folks" of Tiani who lent Juli
money to ransom Kabesang
Tales from the bandits.
Tano Tandang Selo
– Kabesang Tales's son, – father of Kabesang Tales and
second to Lucia who died grandfather of Tano and Juli. A
in childhood. deer hunter and later a broom-
maker, he and Tales took in the
young, sick Basilio who was then
fleeing from the Guardia Civil.
Kabesang Tales
– Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former
cabeza de barangay of Barrio
Sagpang in Tiani. He was a
sugarcane planter who cleared lands
he thought belonged to no one,
losing his wife and eldest daughter
in the endeavor.
Placido Penitente
– a student of the University
of Santo Tomas who had a
distaste for study and would
have left school if it were
not for his mother's pleas
for him to stay.
Father Írene
Father Camorra
– Capitán Tiago's spiritual adviser.
– the parish priest of
Along with Don Custodio, Írene is
Tiani. Ben-Zayb's regular
severely criticized as a
foil, he is said to look
representative of priests who allied
like an artilleryman in
themselves with temporal
counterpoint to Ben-
authority for the sake of power and
Zayb's friar looks.
monetary gain.
Don Custodio
– Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez
de Monteredondo, a famous
"contractor" who was tasked by
the Captain-General to develop
the students association's proposal
for an academy for the teaching of
Spanish, but was then also under
pressure from the priests not to
compromise their prerogatives as
monopolizers of instruction
Quiroga
– a Chinese businessman
who aspired to be a consul
for China in the Philippines.
Simoun coerced Quiroga
into hiding weapons inside
the latter's warehouses in
preparation for the
revolution
Father Millon Father Bernardo Salví
– a Dominican who – the former parish priest of
serves as a physics San Diego in Noli Me Tángere,
professor in the and now the director and
University of Santo Tomás chaplain of the Santa Clara
convent.
Captain-General
– the highest-ranking
official in the Philippines
during the Spanish
colonial period.
Capitán Tiago
– Don Santiago de los
Santos. María Clara's
father.
Father Fernández Father Florentino –
– a Dominican who was a Isagani's uncle and a
friend of Isagani. retired priest. Florentino
was the son of a wealthy
and influential Manila
family.
 Chapter 1: On the Upper Deck

The steamer Tabo makes its way up the Pasig river one
December morning. On its upper deck is Dona Victorina,
traveling in search of her husband Don Tiburcio, who has fled
from her abuse. On deck too are Don Custodio, the writer Ben-
Zayb and Padres Salvi, Sibyla, Irene and Camorra, and the
steamer’s captain. Also present is the jeweler Simoun,
conspicuous for his long white hair and large blue sunglasses.
He is reputed to have advisory influence over the Captain-
General.
 Chapter 2: On the Lower Deck

Below deck, medical student Basilio and the young poet Isagani
chat with Capitan Basilio. The younger Basilio first updates the
capitan on the lack of improvement in Capitan Tiago’s health
condition and supposed continued use of opium. Their conversation
turns to the Spanish language academy the young men are planning
to start. Capitan Basilio is doubtful of their success, but the young
men calm his doubts by revealing they expect a permit soon, and
that they have teachers and funds contributed by fellow students.
Their venue will be the house of a student named Makaraig.
Capitan Basilio accepts their explanation and heads off.
 Chapter 3: Legends

Padre Florentino and Simoun join the group on the upper deck, and the
captain launches into the topic of legends about the Pasig river. He talks
about Malapad-na-bato, believed to have been the home of spirits but later
became a bandits’ nest.

Padre Florentino next tells the story of Doña Jeronima, a woman who had
grown old waiting for her betrothed who had forgotten her and had gone
on to become the Archbishop of Manila. To appease her, he prepared a
cave for her where she lived and died. Hearing this, Simoun turns to Padre
Salvi and pointedly remarks at how ungallant the Archbishop had been. He
believes it would have been more fitting if the lady were shut up in a
nunnery like Santa Clara.
 Chapter 4: Cabesang Tales
Herein is the story of Tandang Selo and his son Tales, old friends of
Basilio. Tales, experiencing some improvements in his family’s fortune,
decides to clear a portion of the woods to cultivate. During their first
harvest, a religious corporation claims the land as their own and
charges Tales an annual fee. He pays dutifully, but begins to rebel
when the fee becomes too high. He takes the religious order to court,
arms himself and begins patrolling his land. Tales loses the case and
ends up draining his resources. His only son, Tano, is conscripted, as he
is unable to pay for a substitute. Tano is later rumored to have either
gone to the Carolines or become a guardia civil. To make matters
worse, bandits kidnap Tales and demand a ransom.
 Chapter 5: A Cochero’s Chirstmas Eve

Basilio’s arrival in San Diego is delayed as his cochero had been detained
and knocked about by the guardia civil for forgetting his cedula.They are
delayed a second time as they wait for the Christmas procession to pass.
The cochero envies the time of the saints, thinking there were no civil
guards then, else Methuselah, would not have lived to an old age, nor a
black magi allowed to be with the others.

As they continue down the road, Basilio notes the fewer ornaments and
sounds of merriment, and thinks this is because things had gone badly with
agriculture, taxes had risen and civil guards had become more abusive.
 Chapter 6: Basilio

Basilio steals out of the house at midnight and heads to the old wood
previously owned by the Ibarras, and now belonging to Capitan Tiago.
He visits his mother’s grave by the balete tree and recalls the night
thirteen yeas ago when his mother died on the spot and a stranger
came and helped him bury his mother and burn the body of another
stranger. Basilio thinks back too on the events of his life since then. He
had suffered hunger and poverty in his journey to Manila in search of
employment, until he was taken in as an unpaid servant at Capitan
Tiago’s house in exchange for permission to study.
 Chapter 7: Simoun

Basilio is about to leave his mother’s tomb when he hears someone

arrive. He sees Simoun, but without the jeweler’s blue glasses, Basilio
also recognizes the face of the man who helped him bury his mother
thirteen years ago. He concludes from the events and memories of the
past, that Simoun may actually be Ibarra. Basilio reveals himself, and
Simoun, to protect his secret identity, thinks of killing Basilio, but
decides instead to try to recruit Basilio to his cause. Simoun confesses
that his goal is to destroy society’s system of corruption by encouraging
the vices and greed of the governing powers with his wealth. This in
turn has led to more injustices, poverty and misery, which he expects
will eventually push the downtrodden to rebel.
 Chapter 8: Merry Christmas

Early in the morning, Juli prepares to leave Tandang Selo to

begin her new employment in payment for the money loaned
for her father’s ransom. She tries to keep her spirits up, but she
is miserable.

Later, when relatives come to visit Tandang Selo, they discover

he has lost his ability to speak.
 Chapter 9: Pilates
Certain townspeople do not feel particularly bothered by the misfortune of
Tandang Selo and Cabesang Tales’ family. The lieutenant of the guardia civil feels
he did his duty by pursuing the bandits when he could, while the local friar, Padre
Clemente thinks Cabesang Tales is simply being punished for resisting the friars.

Sister Penchang, the woman who employs Juli, believes bad things happen to
sinners or to people who have sinning relatives. She believes Juli is a sinning
relative, and when she learns that Basilio intends to ransom Juli from servitude,
she believes Juli is a lost woman.

The friars win the case against Tales with finality, and they take his land and award
it to a new renter. Tales learns about this and the misfortunes of his father and
daughter upon his return. At the same time, he receives a court order to vacate
 Chapter 10: Wealth and Want

Simoun obtains temporary lodgings at Cabesang Tales’ house where

the townspeople come to see his jewels. They are both awed and
terrified by Simoun’s display of excessive and dazzling wealth. Aside
from selling, Simoun also buys old jewelry from the townspeople
and he asks if Tales has any to sell. Maria Clara’s locket is of course
in the house and when Simoun sees it, he makes an offer for it. Tales
asks to go to town to ask his daughter. Along the way, he sees the
friar administrator and the man awarded his land. A feeling of anger
overcomes him.
 Chapter 11: Los Baños
The Captain-General is on a working vacation in Los Baños. With him are some
friars, Don Custodio, Ben Zayb and Simoun. Among matters settled is the
banning of one type of sport pistol to prevent bandits from acquiring more, a
decision that came as a result of Simoun’s having been held up and losing his
pistols to bandits. The Captain-General also settles the Tiani schoolmaster’s
appeal for a better building by suspending him for complaining.

The final point for discussion is the youth’s request to open an academy for
studying Spanish. Padre Sibyla opposes it as he thinks it is a form of rebellion,
and a challenge to the prestige of the University of Santo Tomas. Padre Camorra
and Simoun are against it too. Padre Fernandez believes it is a reasonable
request and believes the people’s interests can eventually no longer be denied.
On his side are Padre Irene and Don Custodio.
 Chapter 12: Placido Penitente

Placido Penitente walks reluctantly to the University of Santo Tomas. He wishes

to withdraw from his studies despite his having been previously known to be a
good pupil in his province. With him is Juanito Pelaez, a rich student and
teacher’s pet who doesn’t care about his classes. They arrive at the university
entrance where other students gather around, some observing the people
arriving at the neighboring church. Among those seen is Paulita Gomez who
notices and smiles at Isagani. With Paulita is Doña Victorina who smiles at
Juanito. On their way to class, Placido is detained by a student attempting to
convince him to sign a protest against the proposed Spanish academy. As a result
he is late for the class roll call, the most important part of class. Placido decides
to stay as it is nearly examinations and the teacher hasn’t noticed him yet, as a
result of which he may fail the school year.
 Chapter 13: The Class in Physics

Padre Million asks students to recite lessons from memory, giving good grades
to those who make no mistakes. He calls on a student he sees yawning, and
the student immediately launches into a memorized lesson about the
classification of mirrors, but is confused when Padre Million asks him
questions requiring analysis.

The professor next calls on his favorite, Juanito to answer a question about
the composition of mirrors. Juanito signals to Placido for answers, but Placido
cannot help and is in turn called upon by the professor. Placido is also unable
to answer, and when the professor asks him to recite, he makes mistakes,
earning him a bad mark.
 Chapter 14: In the House of the Students
Makaraig’s large house is alive with student activity. Mixed in with
those studying are those engaged in horseplay. The noise dies down
with the arrival of distinguished students, including the optimists
Isagani and Sandoval, a peninsular.

Sandoval believes the permit for the Spanish academy will not be
denied, as Spain experiences what the Philippines feels and will not
deny the same rights as Spaniards enjoy. Another student, Pecson, is
more of a pessimist and thinks that the church may fear that an
academy may help Filipinos understand each other, thereby
threatening the integrity of the state. He thinks too that the academy
attacks the dignity of the University.
 Chapter 15: Señor Pasta

Isagani visits Señor Pasta and relates the developments regarding the
students’ petition. Señor Pasta feigns ignorance but actually already knows
what has happened and even knows that it was actually Padre Sibyla, who
suggested the commission to buy time.

Señor Pasta does not wish to be involved with the students’ cause and tells
Isagani that the best way to help the government is to let it do what it thinks
is best. He adds that it is offensive to try to do more than the government
gives as it injures its prestige. Isagani counters Señor Pasta’s arguments by
declaring justice and reason to be stronger bases for colonial government
than prestige. He adds that it is reasonable for people to ask a blessing of its
government as of a parent.
 Chapter 16: The Tribulations of a Chinese
The Chinese Quiroga, who hopes to open a consulate for his nation,
hosts a dinner for important people from the church, government,
military and business.

Some merchants gather around Simoun complaining about the

difficulties of doing business in the country in the hopes that Simoun
will pass on their ideas for solutions to the Captain-General. Quiroga
too shares his difficulties with Simoun about a bribe he had attempted
to pull off with Simoun’s jewellery that had resulted instead in a
financial loss. Simoun offers to reduce Quiroga’s debt if Quiroga agrees
to temporarily keep some rifles for him. Quiroga agrees.
 Chapter 17: The Quiapo Fair

Spotted at the fair is the exquisitely beautiful Paulita Gomez,

accompanied by Isagani and Dona Victorina, who calls out to her
favorite, Juanito Pelaez.

The group from Quiroga’s dinner stroll around the fair and stop by a
stall of figurines, majority of which are figures of priests. Unlike the
depictions of priests in Europe, who are shown participating in
worldly activities or having fun, the priests’ figurines in the stall are
elegant, saintly and serene.
 Chapter 18: Legerdemain

At Mr. Leeds’ room, Ben Zayb examines the table for mirrors, which he thinks is the
trick behind the exhibit. Finding none, Mr. Leeds produces a box containing some
ashes and a piece of papyrus which he supposedly found during a visit to the
pyramid of Khufu. Leeds pronounces a word from the papyrus and the box reveals
the head of a cadaver. Leeds commands the head to tell its story.

The head introduces himself as Imuthis, whose life was ruined after returning
home from his studies abroad and discovering the secret of the governing
impostor, Gaumata. With the help of tyrannical Egyptian priests, Gaumata
engineers the ruin of Imuthis through the young priest Abydos, who coveted the
woman Imuthis loved. Abydos falsely implicated Imuthis in a rebellion, which led to
the death of Imuthis in a lake during an attempted escape.
 Chapter 19: The Fuse
Placido Penitente is enraged by his experience at the university. Back at his rented
room, he finds his mother, Cabesang Andang on a visit. He narrates what
happened to him, and his mother reminds him of both their sacrifices and asks
him to be patient and humble.

Placido leaves to escape his mother and sees Simoun with whom he shares his
story. Simoun invites him to tag along, and they make their way to the house of a
pyrotechnist. Placido hears the two converse about bombs, and an event that is to
transpire the following week involving Cabesang Tales and his men, any delay in
which may mean death for Maria Clara.

Placido later spends a few hours at Simoun’s house from which he emerges
thoughtful. He later concedes to his mother’s plan to try to placate the friars at his
university.
 Chapter 20: The Arbiter
Don Custodio has been mulling over the question of the Spanish academy for many
days without a solution, wanting to please both those who are for and against it.
Who is Don Custodio? He met with some success after using his wife’s money to go
into business, which led to numerous distinguished appointments. He once
returned to Spain from where he gathered an assortment of ideas, which he then
implemented in unusual projects in the Philippines which others criticized.
Regarding his opinion of the native population, he thinks them only fit for
mechanical work and imitative arts, and refuses to think them capable of being
distinguished. Don Custodio is Catholic, but only because he thinks it necessary to
be so among backward people. In the Philippines, he thinks the friars are necessary
and are superior colonial masters. It is because of this that the friars think favorably
of him.
 Chapter 21: Manila Types

People flock to the theater for the first show of a French operetta company.
Outside, an unkempt Spaniard nicknamed, The Shrimp, chats about the show
with Uncle Quico. The Shrimp thinks that the performance sold out because
people grew curious as a result of the friar’s strong opposition to it on moral
grounds, and the public chatter among the show’s prominent supporters.

Elsewhere, the student Tadeo is accompanied by a newcomer to whom he gives

an overview of the backgrounds of every important looking person they see.
Tadeo makes up stories about those he doesn’t really know.

Makaraig, Pecson, Sandoval and Isagani arrive and Tadeo accepts their offer to
join them in their theater box.
 Chapter 22: The Performance

The performance opens late to an impatient audience due to the delayed arrival of
the Captain-General. Across the students’ box is one procured by Makaraig for
Pepay, Don Custodio’s dancer, in an effort to get her to influence Don Custodio in
their favor regarding the appeal for a Spanish academy permit. They are in good
spirits seeing Pepay’s happy looks. Only Isagani is in a bad mood, seeing Paulita
with his rival Juanito Pelaez.

Don Custodio, who earlier sided with the friars against the show, is also there
under the guise of critiquing the show. Padre Irene in disguise is likewise in
attendance, with the excuse that he had been sent by Padre Salvi as a secret
religious police.
 Chapter 23: A Corpse
Since his return from San Diego to rescue Juli, Basilio has been devoting his
time to studying, visiting the hospital and attending to a sick and severely
opium-addicted Capitan Tiago.

On the night of the French operetta, Basilio is at his studies, but is interrupted
by the arrival of Simoun who asks after Capitan Tiago. Basilio apprises him of
the dire condition of Tiago’s health, but Simoun cuts him off and reveals that a
revolution, which came about under his influence, will break out in an hour. He
asks Basilio to choose sides.

Basilio reluctantly asks what is expected of him and Simoun asks him to head a
group to rescue Maria Clara from the convent. Basilio tells him he is too late,
and informs him of Maria Clara’s death as confirmed by a letter from Padre
Salvi. Simoun runs out in anguish.
 Chapter 24: Dreams
While waiting to meet Paulita, Isagani overhears Ben Zayb talk about
Simoun falling ill and refusing to see even the Captain-General’s men.
Isagani thinks bitterly about the care given to the rich, and the
contrasting lack of attention to sick soldiers returning from fighting
abroad.

Paulita arrives and acts resentful at Isagani for his having paid too much
attention to the operetta performers. She forgives him and explains she
was only at the performance hoping to see him. They laugh that it is
actually Doña Victorina, Paulita’s aunt, who is in love with Juanito.
Isagani reveals that Don Tiburcio, Doña Victorina’s husband, is still in
hiding in his uncle’s home.
 Chapter 25: Smiles and Tears

Makaraig and the other students celebrate their loss at a pansiteria and
put on an air of forced gaiety. They launch into mocking jests,
dedicating the soup bones to Don Custodio to make a project out of.

They then dedicate the lumpia to Padre Irene, the crab omelette to the
friars for the crabs that they are, and the stewed noodles to the
disorganized government. Pecson then jestingly takes the aspect of an
Augustinian preacher. He jokes about the ubiquity of friars in life, the
necessity of their hairy limbs in sustaining unity, and the need for
scapularies and masses to occupy people and have something to put
their money on.
 Chapter 26: Pasquinades
Basilio sets out early to inquire at the university about his license and to ask
Makaraig for help with the costs, having spent most of his money in ransoming
Juli. Along the way he learns from acquaintances that subversive posters had been
found at the university gates and that the students’ union of which he is a
member, is being blamed for it.

He meets Sandoval who seems unable to hear his call, and then Tadeo, who,
though ecstatic over the cancellation of classes, thinks every union member will
be arrested. He also encounters Juanito Pelaez who denounces his involvement
with the union.

At the university, he hears Isagani berating students for fleeing at the threat of
imprisonment. Basilio turns away from him and proceeds to Makaraig’s house
 Chapter 27: The Friar and the Filipino
Padre Fernandez hears Isagani’s impassioned speech to his fellow students and
asks to speak with him. He asks Isagani what the students want of the friars.
Isagani tells him to do their duty to improve the development of the youth, and
not to stifle the pursuit of education. The priest declares education should only be
given to the morally worthy. In response, Isagani blames the failings of the
subjugated Filipino to the conquerors who have had centuries, and yet
supposedly failed, to mold the moral character of an oppressed people.

Padre Fernandez deflects blame by reasoning that the friars are limited by the the
government’s laws. He asks Isagani for a simpler request that the friars can grant,
and Isagani asks that students be treated better, to which the priest responds that
the students should change first. Isagani reminds him of what happens to
students who stand up to their professors.
 Chapter 28: Tatakut
The incident about the subversive posters results in a great deal of unease among
many people. Quiroga sets off to see Simoun about the rifles the jeweller had
stored in his warehouse. Simoun, still refusing to see anyone, leaves a message for
Quiroga to keep the rifles where they are.

In the afternoon, there is talk of the students having allied themselves with
outlaws to take the city by surprise. Padre Irene tells Capitan Tiago that some have
advised the Captain-General to implement a reign of terror. The more moderate
suggest only a show of force. Capitan Tiago passes away of fright from the priest’s
stories.

In other places, the prevailing feeling of anxiety leads to a number of unfortunate

consequences, such as an officer mistaking the commotion at a baptism for a riot,
and two individuals getting shot by mistake.
 Chapter 29: Exit Capitan Tiago

Padre Irene is the executor of Capitan Tiago’s last will and testament which
divides most of his wealth among the nunnery of St. Clare, and various
other religious entities and orders. He revokes Basilio’s legacy of twenty-five
pesos, but Padre Irene declares he will pay this anyway out of his own
pocket.

It is said Capitan Tiago appeared to the nuns, radiant and dressed in a frock
coat. People believe he has been saved due to his numerous masses and
pious legacies. His funeral rites are first class, filled with many prayers, rites,
incense, holy water and tolling of the bells.
 Chapter 30: Juli

News of Basilio’s arrest reaches San Diego and Juli is devastated, more so
because people say the arrest was motivated by revenge against her and her
father. Juli thinks Padre Camorra may be able to help free Basilio, but shrinks
from approaching him when she remembers how the priest asked her for certain
sacrifices in exchange for his having procured Juli’s grandfather’s freedom.

A traveler from Manila soon relates that all the prisoners have been released
except for Basilio who has no influential protector. This finally convinces Juli to
see Padre Camorra. On the same day she visits the priest, a girl is said to have
thrown herself from a parish window and died. The following day, Tandang Selo,
grieved and stricken, takes his hunting spear and leaves the village forever.
 Chapter 31: The High Official

The girl’s death and even her identity are largely left unremarked by both the
newspapers and the locals, even as Padre Camorra leaves town for another.

Meanwhile, through the intervention of their relatives, the detained students

are released, except for Basilio who is further accused of possessing prohibited
books. The Captain-General keeps him detained to maintain the appearance of
authority.

One high official advocates for Basilio, believing he is innocent, and argues with
the Captain-General. The official tells the Captain-General to treat the Filipinos
better to give them no cause to reproach Spain. The official ends up resigning
shortly after the argument and heads back to Spain.
 Chapter 32: Effect of the Pasquinades
As a result of the events involving the students, Pecson, Tadeo and Pelaez are
suspended from their courses, and Makaraig leaves for Europe. Isagani passes only
Padre Fernandez’s course but is suspended from the others. Only Sandoval is able
to sway the examiners in his favor. Basilio remains in jail, where someone brings
him the news of Juli’s passing.

Simoun recovers from his illness and is rumored to be leaving soon with the
Captain-General at the end of his term. In the interval, he is purported to have
become the business partner of Don Timoteo, Juanito’s father.

Paulita ditches Isagani and decides to marry Juanito Pelaez. It is rumored that
Simoun is responsible for arranging all the particulars of the couple’s celebratory
party, where the Captain-General will be present as the couple’s wedding patron.
 Chapter 33: La Ultima Razon

Basilio, having been released from prison through Simoun’s intercession, visits the
jeweler. Basilio castigates himself for forgetting his mother and brother’s
misfortunes and pledges to support Simoun’s plans for a violent revolution.

Simoun welcomes his support. He reveals that he plans to ignite dynamite hidden
in a decorative lamp at nine in the evening during Juanito and Paulita’s wedding
party, at the venue of which, sacks of gunpowder are hidden. Simoun intends to
take the city after the explosion with the help of Cabesang Tales and his group of
malcontents. He instructs Basilio to take charge at the appointed hour of arming
anyone willing to fight from the store of rifles in Quiroga’s warehouse, and to put
to death those unwilling to join.
 Chapter 34: The Wedding

While waiting for the agreed time for the uprising, Basilio whiles away
the time. His thoughts swing between feeling sorry for the jilted Isagani
and anger over Juli’s death and his own broken dreams. He heads off to
Capitan Tiago’s old house, now owned by Don Timoteo, where he
witnesses the lavish preparations for the evening wedding party.

It is revealed that the Captain-General will be bearing a lamp,

confidentially procured by Simoun, as a wedding gift at the dinner
party.
 Chapter 35: The Fiesta
Important people arrive at the party, and Basilio hesitates when
he observes the number of innocent individuals. He experiences a
momentary strengthening of his resolve when he sees Padre Irene
and Padre Salvi, but his good heart gets the better of him. He
attempts to warn the guests of the impending danger, but is
stopped by the doorman.

Basilio sees Simoun leave the house and knows the lamp has been
lit. He flees and meets Isagani, who is in the street hoping to get a
glimpse of Paulita. In the hopes of saving his friend, Basilio reveals
the planned explosion. Isagani rushes toward the house.
 Chapter 36: Ben-Zayb’s Afflictions
Ben-Zayb writes an embellished account of what transpired at the
wedding party, making the Captain-General appear more heroic and
the distinguished guests more stoic than they had actually been in the
face of danger. His editor returns his work unpublished following the
Captain-General’s orders not to discuss the incident. Ben-Zayb turns his
journalistic energies towards investigating an assault and theft at an
inn where priests had been injured. In the process, he learns that the
apprehended thieves confessed that they had been part of a plot, led
by a Spaniard fitting Simoun’s description, to sack abbeys and houses
of the rich. When the signal did not materialize, they broke off from
their gang to do some mischief on their own.
 Chapter 37: The Mystery
While on a visit to the wealthy Orenda family’s house, Isagani listens to Chichoy
relate how he had been to Don Timoteo’s house in time to witness the
discovery of the sacks of gunpowder there. He also reveals hearing the rumor
that government staff believe Simoun is the culprit. The civil guards are now
looking for the missing jeweler.

Momoy, the fiance of the eldest Orenda girl, who had been at the party then
relates how an unknown thief had stolen the lamp at the Captain-General’s
dining room. Chichoy then shares the prevailing belief that the lamp was meant
to ignite the gunpowder and set the house on fire.
 Chapter 38: Fatality
Along a mountainside, soldiers escort a group of individuals suspected
of being members of the feared Matanglawin’s gang of bandits. The
soldiers cruelly whip their already exhausted detainees, and one
soldier called Carolino speaks up in protest against the cruelty to no
avail.

As they move along, unseen individuals shoot at the soldiers from an

elevated position screened by trees. The corporal at the head of the
soldiers immediately orders the shooting of all prisoners and then
orders his men to fire at their invisible enemies
 Chapter 39: Conclusion
Padre Florentino receives a note from a lieutenant warning of the arrival of the civil guards to
arrest the Spaniard hidden at the padre’s house. Don Tiburcio, thinking the note refers to him
and that his wife Dona Victorina had finally discovered his location decides to leave. Padre
Florentino however is certain that the note pertains to Simoun who had arrived at his house
injured.

Simoun confesses his real identity and his story to Padre Florentino, including how he had
befriended and used the current Captain-General’s greed to commit more injustices and stir up
discontent among the people. Padre Florentino believes God will forgive Simoun and will not
abandon an oppressed people.

When Simoun laments how God has denied freedom to an oppressed people and saved others
more criminal than he, Padre Florentino points out how the just must suffer for their ideals. He
further stresses how suffering improves and makes worthy those among the people who are
complicit in vice.
Thank You