DISS 12 Name___________________________________ Score ____________ Prefinals

MODULE
4 Rizal’s Work
The ills of the society as a result of deteriorating colonial rule are reflected in two of his major works, the Noli Me Tangere
(1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891). In Noli Me Tangere, Rizal pointed out the various weaknesses of Philippine society as a result
of oppressive colonial policies and the lack of reforms to address the pressing needs of the time. Undoubtedly, all these symptoms
could lead to violent events if left unresolved. We all know that Ibarra, Maria Clara, Padre Damaso and his cast of colorful
characters in the novel personify the multilayered contradiction in the Philippine society during Rizal’s time. Some of the major
characters in the novel are presented below.
Characteristics Roles
Ibarra The main character, a Filipino who studied in Europe and the lover of Maria Clara.
Elias Ibarra’s friend who is a fugitive and wants to start a revolution in the Philippines.
Maria Clara Ibarra’s love interest and daughter of Padre Damaso.
Padre Damaso A friar who is Maria Clara’s biological father.
Sisa Mother of Basilio and Crispin who lost her sanity when she lost her sons.
Basilio Elder son of Sisa
Crispin Younger son of Sisa
Kapitan Tiago Known father of Maria Clara
Padre Salvi Admirer of Maria Clara
PilosopoTasyo Considered a wise thinker but a lunatic for some of his neighbors

The sequel to the Noli Me Tangere, the El Filibusterismo begins with the return of the main protagonist-turned-villain
Simon. The corrupt system and practice of ill-willed people, the evils of frailocracy, and the decadent ways of the colonial
government will subjects of Spain. However, the planned revolution will fail without sufficient arms and organization.
Characters Roles
Simon The affluent jeweler who wanted to start a revolution but eventually failed in the end
Basilio The son of Sisa who is now a medicine student
Isagani A close friend of Basilio and former lover of Paulita Gomez
Kabesang Tales A former local official turned into an outlaw named Matanglawin
Don Custodio A journalist who married a rich woman to become part of the elite class
Paulita Gomez The former love interest of Isagani who married Juanito Pelaez instead
Father Florentino The godfather of Isagani and a secular priest
Huli The love interest of Basilio
Ben Zayb A journalist who considers himself as the only one thinking in the Philippines
Placido Penitente A student in University of Santo Tomas
Quiroga A Chinese businessman
Rizal also wrote essays that highlight his views on so many important social issues of his time. In Filipinas Dentro de Cien
Anos, he predicted of an independent Philippines co-equal with Spain as well as the steady rise of the United States as a world
power. According to the essay, independence may be obtained by the Filipinos but not after a bloody revolution because of
widespread discontent and dissent to Spanish authorities. In Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos, he defended the natives against the
negative backlash by the colonial masters, Rizal reminded the readers that laziness is innate in all races. However, harsh policies
implemented by the officials.
In his letter To The Young Women of Malolos (1888), Rizal praised the Filipino women of his time for their continuing
effort to establish a night school for Spanish language despite the opposition of friar-curate. Rizal emphasized that the primacy of
education must also apply to women and that day they should retain positive values as they teach their children.
It is also worth mentioning here that Rizal tried to establish the La Liga Filipina in Tondo, Manila on July 3, 1892 with the
hope of directly involving the people to help reform the society and assist fellow Filipinos to improve their lot. The aims of the
organization as stated in its constitution drafted by Rizal include:
1) To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and homogenous body;
2) Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
3) Defense against all violence and injustice;
4) Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and
5) Study and application of reforms.
FT1. Answer the following: FT2. Complete the table.
1. How many years did it take for Rizal to complete El Filibusterismo? Works of Rizal Meaning of Content of the
2. Two unhappy events led Rizal to finally pursue writing El Fili. the Title book/program
3. Aside from losing support from Paciano, what other issue did Rizal face in
publishing El Fili? El Filibusterismo
4. Who funded the publishing of El Fili? Noli Me Tangere
5. El Filibusterismo was dedicated to who?
6. El Filibuterismo exactly meant ________. To the Young
7. Is Noli Me Tángere anti-Catholic or anti-religion? Why or why not? Women of Malolos
8. Do you think Rizal portrays education as the solution to oppression? Why
La Liga Filipina
or why not?
9. What caused the disbandment of La Liga Filipina? END
10. What is the English Version of the motrro of La Liga Filipina?
FT1. Answers
 1. Rizal took 3 years to complete the novel.
2. He dedicated ElFilibusterismo, which main theme is to convey the message that the system of government in thePhilippines
governed by corrupt officials and dominated by the friars can lead to the downfall ofthe Spaniards, to GOMBURZA
because they are the ones who inspired him to do everything inthe first place. Further, after he read the novel Uncle Tom's
Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, he had an inspiration to write his own novel with the same topic–to expose Spanish
colonial abuse in print.
3. All copies of the first edition of El Filibusterismo were placed in wooden boxes and shipped to Hong Kong, but almost all
the boxes were lost. The book immediately became rare and the few available copies were sol at a very high prices.
4. It was first printed in 1891 by F. Meyer-Van Loo Press, a printing shop in Ghent, Belgium. Rizal immediately sent two
copies to Hongkong and gave the original manuscript and a printed copy with his autograph to Valentin Ventura who
funded the printing after Rizal went out of budget.
5. Father Gomez, Burgos and Zamora
6. The Reign of Greed
7. No. The novel portrays many deeply religious characters, such as Elías, positively. Furthermore, despite their status as
priests, villainous characters like Father Dámaso and Father Salví aren't actually very pious—the former is horrified when
María Clara wants to be a nun, while the latter makes no attempt to curb his lust. Instead of criticizing Christianity or
religion as a whole, Noli Me Tángere criticizes materialism and corruption of power in particular.
8. While Rizal seems to believe education can be a key way to escape oppression, he does not seem to think that it alone can
free someone. Despite his significant education, Ibarra takes a long time to understand the faults of Philippine society and
begin working for a better future. Indeed, his education is in some ways an obstacle to realizing how flawed his society is,
since it provides him with privilege. Rizal also illustrates the inadequacies of some systems of education when the
schoolmaster tells Ibarra he's forbidden from teaching his students Spanish—they are not allowed to learn the language that
would allow them to obtain the best jobs.
9. La Liga later disbanded due to differences in principles among its members.
10. Unas Instar Omnium- “One Like All”
FT2.
Works of Rizal Meaning of the Title Content of the book/program

El Filibusterismo The Reign of the Greed El Filibusterismo, also known by its English title The Reign of
Greed, is the second novel written by Jose Rizal and the sequel
to Noli Me Tangere. Published in 1891, it continues the Noli's
criticisms of the abuses and corruption perpetrated by the Spanish
government.
Noli Me Tangere Noli Me Tangere In more than a century since its appearance, José Rizal’s Noli Me
Tangere has become widely known as the great novel of the
Philippines. A passionate love story set against the ugly political
backdrop of repression, torture, and murder, “The Noli,” as it is
called in the Philippines, was the first major artistic manifestation
of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a
guiding conscience—and martyr—for the revolution that would
subsequently rise up in the Spanish province.
To the Young Women of Rizal addresses all kinds of Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the
Malolos women – mothers, wives, the young women of Malolos had shown. His letter is his own way of
unmarried, etc. and expresses recognition for them as brave Filipinas who are no longer blinded
everything that he wishes them by the fraud religious beliefs brought by the friars. In his letter, he
to keep in mind.  expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had
fought.

Rizal also emphasizes in the letter his desire for women to be

La Liga Filipina The Philippine League As Rizal envisioned it, the league was to be a sort of mutual aid
and self-help society dispensing scholarship funds and legal aid,
loaning capital and setting up cooperatives.