RIZAL’S NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO

INTRODUCTION

The novels of Rizal represent his earnest desire of exposing the evils in the Spanish
colonial government and consequently of emancipation. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
are the most popular works of Rizal, of the many. These consist of themes radical in nature,
which made the Spanish authorities impose a ban on their circulation in the country. Both
accounts are narratives of abuse and struggles created by the power-relations between the
colonizers and the colonized.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Appraise important characters in the novel and what they represent

 Examine the present Philippine situation through the examples mentioned in the Noli
 Compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme the Noli and the El Fili
 Value the role of the youth in the development of future of society

OBJECTIVES

 Describe the context of the novels’ publication

 Identify and discuss the themes inherent to Rizal’s novels
 Explain the continuing relevance of the Rizal’s novels in understanding the country’s
current situation
 Understand and elucidate the differences and similarities of Rizal’s time and ours
 Evaluate Rizal as a novelist

TOPICS/CONTENT

 Summary of Rizal’s novels

 The Characters and Their Symbolisms
 Analysis of Rizal’s Novels

DISCUSSIONS

In order to fully understand Rizal’s novels, a thorough reading of the full texts is recommended
but since this is a refresher course, the module provides the summaries of said novels
alongside the discussion on their content, context, as well as their continuing relevance in the
contemporary times.

Summary of Rizal’s Novel Noli Me Tangere

(Taken from De Viana, et.al.’s book, Jose Rizal: Social Reformer and Patriot)

After seven years of study in Europe, Crisostomo Ibarra returned to the Philippines. He was
given a welcome party by Capitan Tiago, the father of Maria Clara. Maria Clara is Crisostomo’s
childhood sweetheart. Though numerous guests warmly welcomed him, Padre Damaso
immediately showed coldness and rudeness, much to the surprise of unsuspecting Crisostomo.

On the way back to his hotel, he was approached by Lt. Guevarra. The soldier told Crisostomo
that his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, died while trying to help a boy who was being punished by a
tax collector. Don Rafael accidentally pushed the tax collector who fell and hit his head on a
stone. Don Rafael suffered and died inside the prison cell. Later, he was buried in a Chinese
cemetery. Crisostomo found out that his father’s body was missing because those who were
ordered to remove Don Rafael’s body from the grave threw it into the river. Crisostomo was so
shocked and hurt by what he heard.

Crisostomo visited his sweetheart Maria Clara the following day. Though the meeting proved to
be romantic and sweet for the lovers, Crisostomo’s heart was still burdened by what he heard
about his father. Crisostomo was determined to find out the truth about his father’s death. He
went to San Diego to investigate. From the grave digger, he learned how his father’s remains
were disrespected. Upon seeing the present parish priest of San Diego, Crisostomo, blinded by
fury, collared the priest and demanded justice. Cowardly, Padre Salvi told him that he was not
the parish priest of San Diego when his father died. Padre Salvi even told him that it was all the
doings of Padre Damaso. Crisostomo met Pilosopo Tasyo whose line of thinking was different
and advanced for his generation; thus to some, he is “lunatic.”

The most affecting part in the novel was the story of Sisa. She was a rich girl-turned poor after
marrying Pedro, who was not only a gambler but an irresponsible husband and father to their
children. Sisa became insane when she lost her two sons, Crispin and Basilio. Crispn died from
the hands of a heartless Sacristan Mayor, and Basilio disappeared not fully comprehending
what happened to him, to his brother, and to his mother.

Meanwhile, Maria Clara, together with Capitan Tiago and Tia Isabel, arrived in San Diego for a
planned picnic. Crisostomo was there to be with Maria Clara. Girlfriends of Maria Clara also
came to join them. They were Sinang, Neneng, Victoria, and Iday. The boatman was a young
man named Elias.

The cheery picnic was disrupted by the crocodile incident. Elias tried to save the life of everyone
in the boat by diving into the water to kill the crocodile. But when Crisostomo saw that Elias’s life
was already in danger, he, too, jumped into the river to save Elias. After the incident, the
frightened atmosphere of the day was temporarily forgotten when Maria Clara played the harp
and sang the “Song of Maria Clara.” It was followed by a sumptuous meal enjoyed by everyone.
Later, Crisostomo and Capitan Tiago played chess while the girls played the “Wheel of
Chance.” The happy mood of the day was once again disrupted when Padre Salvi snatched the
book and destroyed it. He reprimanded everyone because he said it is a sin to play such kind of
game. At the same time, the guardia civil arrived to arrest Elias because he assaulted Padre
Damaso. But before he was arrested, Elias quietly sneaked away and successfully avoided the
arresting officers.

The following day, Crisostomo consulted Pilosopo Tasyo about his plan to put up a school in
San Diego. The laying of the cornerstone coincided with the celebration of the town fiesta.
Though the old sage was pessimistic, Crisostomo was determined to make it work.

And while everyone in San Diego was happily celebrating the town’s fiesta, Elias discreetly
warned Crisostomo about the plot against his life. It was when Crisostomo was about to lay the
cornerstone for the schoolhouse, a suspicious Yellow Man was spotted by Elias. Elias’s
presence of mind and quick reflexes saved Crisostomo from death. Crisostomo was pushed
away from the collapsing derrick.

Another trial came to Crisostomo when he again crossed paths with Padre Damaso. They were
dining with some close guests at the house of Capitan Tiago when Padre Damaso repeatedly
insulted him. He lost his self-control and attacked the priest with a knife on his hand. Maria
Clara pleaded for him to stop. The incident caused him his engagement with his childhood
sweetheart. He was also excommunicated. What happened became too much for Maria Clara
to bear. She got sick and was treated by a fake doctor named Don Tiburcio de Espadaňa. He
was the henpecked husband of Doňa Victorina, an indio woman desperately trying to become a
European. She was also the one who introduced Don Alfonso Linares de Espadaňa to Maria
Clara. Linares was favored by Padre Damaso despite the fact that he was jobless and penniless
and was just in the Philippines to look for a rich woman to marry.

The quarrel between Doňa Victorina and Doňa Consolacion was laughable. The vulgar
exchanges between the two foolish social climbers almost reached to physical fight if not for the
timely arrival of Padre Salvi. Elias considered Crisostomo as his trusted friend. He openly told
Crisostomo what happened to his family. He told Crisostomo everything about his life – from
one tragic story to another. His grandfather was wrongly accused, flogged, and crippled. His
grandmother became a prostitute to support her family. His uncle named Balat was beheaded.
His father was jailed for falling in love with a rich girl. He, as the son out of wedlock, had a twin
sister. They were sent to a good school by their rich grandparents. One day, a distant relative
exposed the shameful truth about them. They were forced to leave Tayabas and hide in shame.
One day, his twin sister disappeared and was found death in San Diego. From then on, he lived
a vagabond life.

Meanwhile, Crisostomo was arrested. He was accused by his enemies of leading those who
attacked the barracks of the guardia civil. Elias burned all the possible evidences which can be
used against Crisostomo in order to help and save his friend. Afterwards, he helped Crisostomo
to escape from prison. For the last time, Crisostomo found the time to see Maria Clara. He
came to forgive her for giving up his letters which were used by the Spanish authorities against
him. Maria Clara tearfully told him how she was blackmailed by Padre Salvi, forcing her to give
up Crisostomo’s letter in exchange of her mother’s scandalous letter. She said that she just
wanted to save the reputation of her mother, Doňa Pia. She also revealed the painful truth that
her biological father was Padre Damaso.

After the emotional goodbyes, Crisostomo returned to Elias quietly waiting on his banca. While
they were hurriedly rowing at the Pasig River, they heard gunshots from the pursuing guardia
civil. Elias told Crisostomo to hide under the zacate while he jumped into the water unmindful of
the bullets from the enemies’ guns. Elias effectively diverted the attention of the chasing soldiers
away from his friend.

Elias, who was seriously wounded, reached the forest. There he saw Basilio who was weeping
over his mother’s dead body. Elias told Basilio that he was too weak to help and would be dying
soon. He instructed Basilio to burn him and Sisa. He also told Basilio to dig and get his buried
gold and to use it for his education. Before dying, Elias uttered – “I die without seeing the dawn
brighten over my native land! You, who have it to see, welcome it – and forget not those who
have fallen during the night.

The novel has an epilogue which tells us what happened to the other characters in the novel.
Sad Maria Clara entered the Santa Clara convent despite of the pleading of Padre Damaso.
Padre Salvi left San Diego to follow Maria Clara in the convent. Padre Damaso was found dead
in his new parish. Capitan Tiago became an opium addict. Doňa Victorina continued harassing
her henpecked husband. Linares died of dysentery. The alferez returned to Spain leaving Doňa
Consolacion, his mistress.

The Publication of the Noli

The obsession of securing reforms in the Philippines under the colonial government, the
ilustrados who enjoyed the opportunity of being able to study abroad formed a propaganda
movement. They published creative works exposing the conditions of the time which include
commentaries, news bit, feature articles as well as paintings. And from among the literary
pieces, the one that stood out is Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.

Rizal already had interest in publishing a book which at first supposedly was a collaboration
among the ilustrados but since it did not materialize, he eventually decided to make one on his
own. It took him three years to finish his first novel, from 1884-1887. He drew inspiration from
works like Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, which is depictive of the people’s sufferings born out of
inequalities, and Harriet Beecher’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which is a narrative of slavery in
America (Wani-Obias, Mallari, Reguindin-Estella, 2018).

Rizal was faced with his greatest problem in making the Noli published. He was financially
challenged that he unable to make it happen. This circumstance also led him to delete a chapter
of his work, supposedly Chapter 25 in the original manuscript. This part talks about the story of
Elias which rejects Salome’s offer to go with her to Mindoro because of the fear that she might
get entangled with his troubled past. However, the incident did not stop him from having his
work published. Thanks to a fellow ilustrado who shouldered the costs of printing an initial 2000
copies. His name is Maximo Viola, a friend, a colleague, who would later do the effort because
he knows what it’s worth. (Palafox, 2012).

Motivations behind Writing the Noli

The title of Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere, sought inspiration from a Biblical passage, taken
from the Gospel of John in the words of Mary Magdalene: “Touch me not, for I am not yet
ascended to my Father” (Wani-Obias, et.al., 2018). This choice was perfect for Rizal wanted to
talk about matters that are taboo in the country, things that people did not talk much about or
not at all.

While the novel was made for the Filipinos, it was not meant for them to read. This is in fact the
very reason why the account was written in Spanish language. Rizal had an audience in mind
which will help him realize the desire for reforms such as representation and the granting of
equal rights.

“A Mi Patria” gives us ideas of Rizal’s purpose/s in writing the novel:

To My Motherland

In the annals of human adversity, there is etched a cancer, of a breed so

malignant that the least contact exacerbates it, and stirs in it the sharpest
of pains. An thus, may ties amidst modern cultures I have wanted to
evoke you, sometimes for memories of you to keep me company, other
times, to compare you with other nations – many times your beloved
 image appears to me afflicted and with a social cancer of similar
malignancy.

Desiring your well-being, which is our own and searching for the best
cure, I will do with you as the ancients of old did with their afflicted,
expose them on the steps of the temple so that each one who would
come to invoke the Divine would propose a cure for them.

And to this end, I will attempt to faithfully reproduce your condition without
much ado. I will lift part of the shroud that conceals your illness, sacrificing
to the truth everything, even my own self-respect, for, as your son, I also
suffer in your defects and failings.

Jose Rizal, 1886

As what is obvious, the purpose of writing the novel lies in Rizal’s desire to expose the ills of the
country experienced under the foreign rule. Reading through them, Rizal showed us pictures of
reality that he himself was in back in those times.

The Continuing Relevance of Noli Me Tangere

After the publication of the novel, as it revolved around the societal issues faced by the colonial
Philippines, it stirred controversy and the work was found in debates and discussions. There
were various reactions to it which ranged from praises to ridicules to disdain. Among those who
showed utter disgust were the Spanish clergy and officials. Consequently, this made the
circulation of the novel prohibited with efforts of enjoining devout Catholics to not read the novel
for they said it contained parts which are detrimental to their faith. While that is true, defenders
of the novel also surfaced from various sectors most especially from Rizal’s peers in the
Propaganda Movement like Marcelo H. del Pilar who wrote essays responding to critics of Noli.
Rizal’s friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, also expressed his support to the novel.

It should be noted that while Rizal exposed the venalities and cruelties of the Spaniards, it also
pointed out the contributions of the misguided Filipinos to the creations of these ills in the
society. Rizal underscored the importance of education as a tool to achieve progress. Alongside
this are also his highlighted thoughts on how the country can be emancipated from the bondage
of colonial rule. Rizal also emphasized that Filipinos also have with them good qualities
necessary in the struggle for emancipation.

Summary of El Filibusterismo
(Taken from De Viana, et.al.’s book, Jose Rizal: Social Reformer and Patriot)

As a continuation of Noli Me Tangere, Rizal intended El Filibusterismo to be his Book 2. Most of

his characters are the same and play significant roles in the sequel novel. While Noli Me
Tangere focuses on the ideal and regulated ways of dealing with human dramas and trials, the
second novel talks about tragedy and revolution headed by the main character, Crisostomo
Ibarra-turned-jeweler named Simoun.
As a flashback, Crisostomo a.k.a. Simoun, left the Philippines to avoid the Spanish arrest. He
fled to Cuba carrying with him all his wealth. While in hiding for many years, he worked hard to
further amass wealth as well as establish the right connection to influential leaders in the
Spanish government. Upon his return in the Philippines, people regarded him as influential,
formidable, fearsome, and strongly connected to the governor general. Behind his visible front,
his heart is aching with hatred and revenge directed to the Spaniards. Simoun’s earnest goals
are to protect and save Maria Clara from Santa Clara monastery and lead a revolution against
the loathsome Spaniards.

The novel starts with a scene onboard steamer Tabo as it cruises from Manila toward Laguna
de Bay. On the upper deck from the moneyed and privileged people, one will find some of the
important characters in El Filibusterismo. They are Simoun, Doňa Victorina, Paulita Gomez,
Ben-Zayb, Fy. Sybila, Fr. Camorra, Don Custodio, Fr. Salvi, Fr. Irene, Fr. Florentino, Isagani,
and Basilio.

In the course of the story, Simoun continues to be regarded as a strong influence to the
governor general. He is a trusted friend and adviser to the same person. With Simoun’s
influence in Malacaňan, he was tagged as the Black Cardinal or the Black Eminence. He is a
sleek confidante encouraging graft and corruption in the government, exploitation of the poor
and needy, and moral collapse in the Philippine society. All these evilness are Simoun’s way to
corrupt the Spanish governor general. Surely, his true intention is to push the Filipino people to
their limit and make them mad at Spain so that they may find in their hearts the courage to seek
for a free and better society through a bloody revolution.

To prepare for a revolution, Simoun convinces and uses Quiroga, an ambitious Chinese
businessman, to smuggle arms into the country. When all are set and ready for the big fight, the
death of Maria Clara jolts him. The sad news is so devastating and heart-wrenching that he
failed to give the signal to start the revolution. Without Maria Clara in his life, Simoun gets very
sick. He is heartbroken, downtrodden, and uninspired for a period of time.

After sometime, finally Simoun recovers and is once again back to his usual self. This time, he
is even more determined and revengeful. For the second time, he plans to lead a revolution that
will overthrow the hated Spanish government. His revolution will happen on the occasion of the
wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez. His special gift to the newly weds will start the
blast to signal the beginning of the fight. It is a beautiful lamp with nitroglycerine in its secret slot.
Lighting of its wick would lead to explosion enough to burn the house and kill the invited guests
including the governor general, the friars, and other highly placed Spanish officials. The plan
would have been a success if not for Isagani and Basilio. Being a concerned friend, Basilio tries
to save Isagani by telling the latter to leave the place. Basilio explains to Isagani the menace
that will happen. After listening and realizing the danger it will cause to Paulita Gomez, his
former girlfriend and love of his life, Isagani hurriedly ran into the house, snatched the lamp, and
threw it into the water where it exploded with fury and strength.

After what happened, Simoun’s plot was finally revealed to the unsuspecting Spanish authority.
Though Simon is badly wounded by the pursuing soldiers, he manages to escape. Carrying his
filled treasure chest, he seeks refuge at the house of Fr. Florentino by the sea. However the
lieutenant of the Guardia Civil finds out where he is hiding. Simoun chooses to take poison
rather than be arrested and executed. While dying, he confesses to Fr. Florentino his true
name, what he had done to his life and friends, and his plan to use his wealth to destroy his
enemies. With that admission, Fr. Florentino appeases Simoun’s heart by saying God is
merciful and forgiving, He will understand your aches and humbleness for you had admitted
your crime and sin. In front of the dying Simoun, Fr. Florentino begins to beseech the youth, the
fair hope of the motherland…the youth of tomorrow with noble hearts to bring pride and
happiness to their beloved country. He also offers a silent prayer for Simoun to have a pure
conscience and peaceful death. Right after, Fr. Florentino takes the treasure chest and tosses it
into the sea with fervent prayer that it will no longer be used to sin and greed and let it be, in
God’s time, be used for worthwhile cause.

The other characters that left their mark in the novel are Doňa Victorina who is so desperate to
be part of the Spanish circle thus will do everything to bring back into her life her weak husband,
the fake doctor Don Tiburcio de Espadaňa. Ben-Zayb is an irresponsible Spanish journalist who
writes stupid news about the Filipinos. Fr. Camorra is the perverted Spanish priest of Tiani who
likes to rape Juli. Don Custodio is a government official who discreetly supports the dream of
Filipino students to have an academy. Pepay is an attractive dancer and mistress of Don
Custodio who uses her charm over Don Custodio to give help to the Filipino students. Macaraig
belongs to a rich family and a leader of the student crusade aiming to have a school for Spanish
language. Placido Penitente is a disgruntled and unhappy student because of the poor method
of teaching in the university. Seňor Pasta is the indifferent Filipino lawyer who refuses to help
the Filipino students in their petition for a better education. Fr. Salvi is the Franciscan friar who
harbors a malicious feeling for Maria Clara. Fr. Irene is a kind friar and a friend to Filipino
students. Capitan Tiago supports the medical study of Basilio and is known in the novel as an
opium addict who died because of his vice. Cabesang Tales is a victim of landgrabbing who is
also Matanglawin in the novel. Juli is the girlfriend of Basilio who kills herself rather than be
violated by Fr. Camorra.

Filibustero: History and Content

The sequel to the first novel, El Filibusterismo, was written by Rizal on his way back to Europe
in 1888 amid all threats and oppressions to his family brought about by the negative reactions
caused by his publication of Noli. He was able to finish it in 3 years at Biarritz, France. Like Noli,
Rizal also had difficulty in financing the publication of his second novel. And if it were not for the
help of another friend, Valentin Ventura, the publication of El Filibusterismo could have taken
much longer than 6 months. The novel was completed in March of 1891 and published 6
months after on the same year (Wani-Obias, 2018).

To recall, El Fili is a dedication to the three martyr priests, GomBurZa, who were accused of
being filibusters in 1872. In memory of them, Rizal offered his highest regard to them who, in his
words, became victims of “the evil that I am trying to fight” (Wani-Obias, 2018).

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 on the scaffold at Bagumbayan on February 28, 1872

The Church, in refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime
imputed to you; the Government, in shrouding your cause with mystery and
obscurities, creates belef in some error committed in critical moments, and
the whole Philippines, in venerating your memory and calling you martyrs,
in no way acknowledge your guilt.
 As long therefore as your participation in the Cavite uprising is not clearly
shown, whether or not you were patriots, whether or not you nourished
sentiments of justice and liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to
you, as to victims of the evil that I am trying to fight. And while we wait for
Spain to reinstate you and make herself jointly culpable for your death, let
these pages serve as belated wreath of dried leaves laid on your unknown
graves; and may your blood be upon the bands of those who, without
sufficient proof, assail you memory!

To Blumentritt’s eagerness to know the meaning of the term filibuster, he asked Rizal of it since
he cannot find it in the Spanish language (Aguilar, 2011 as cited in Wani-Obias, 2018). Rizal
replied:

The word filibuster is still very little known in the Philippines; the common
people as yet do notknow it. I heard it for the first time in 1872 hen the tragic
executions took place. I still remember the terror it aroused. Our father forbade us
ever to utter it, as well as the words Cavite, Burgos, etc. The Manila newspapers and
the Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to render suspect of
revolutionary activities. The educated fear the reach of the word. It does not have the
meaning of freebooter; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will soon be banged,
or a presumptuous fellow.

In the same manner, in 1890, Wenceslao Retana had his work on “filibustero” where he defined
the term as “the one who, eager for the independence of the country, resorts to various
extralegal proceedings in order to reach the objective that he pursues” (Aguilar, 2011 as cited
in Wani-Obias, 2018). From there, it can be made clear that a filibuster is someone who works
his/her way out of being subjected to colonial authority. It can be inferred that with this fact, the
novel deals with subversion. There is a great deal of narrative about people wanting struggling
for independence.

El Filibusterismo: Continuing Relevance (Wani-Obias, 2018)

Much to our surprise, the ills Rizal fought many years back – ineffective governance, corruption,
abuse of women, and Church influence over social and political affairs – are the same problems
that persist to this day. This leaves us with reading the works of Rizal as tool of interpreting the
present and discerning what course of action to take. El Fili helps us mirror the reality of Rizal
and the reality we see nowadays – the conditions, the characters. These facts makes us see the
importance of the novel at present.

Revolution as a Means of Social Change

Simoun, the main character of the El Fili, was the filibustero who orchestrated the bloody revolt
against the Spanish colonial government. He encourages the principalia into making evil things
which will later drive the people to resist. The death of Simouns has been interpreted as a way
of expressing Rizal’s rejection of the revolution. Consequently, the failed attempt to revolt was a
symbolism of his condemnation of violence and bloodshed.

There was a failure from the natives to see that Rizal, like any other reformists, believed in the
granting of reforms and eventual assimilation as the first step to independence. His letter to
Blumentritt on June 19, 1887 proves this point:
 “I assure you that I have no desire to take part in conspiracies wich see
to me very premature and risky. But if the government drives us to the brink,
that is to say when no other hope remains but seek our destruction in war,
when the Filipinos would prefer to die rather than endure their misery any
longer, then I will also become a partisan of violent means. The choice of
peace or destruction is in the hands of Spain, because it is a clear fact, known
to all, that we are patient and peaceful, mild, unfeeling, etc. But everything
ends in this life, there is nothing eternal in the world and that refers also to our
patience” (Ocampo, 2010 as cited in Wani-Obias, 2018).
The words in the letter speak volume of how much Rizal wanted to use violence if necessary, if
the colonial government leaves them with no more choice. For Ambeth Ocampo, it was not
because Rizal was against the revolution that Simoun failed but because he had a reflection
that success start with good intention, something he did not have at the time their family was in
agrarian dispute in Calamba.

On Leadership and Governance

El Fili’s message is very clear – the inept leaders, corrupt officials, and system
of government in the Philippines could lead to Spain’s downfall. When Simoun
said: “What is a man to do when he is denied justice? Take the law into his
own hands or wait for Spain to give him rights…?” he stressed that if the
demands of the people would not be granted, they would be driven to oppose
the system and organize movements to fight for their rights.

Rizal himself was admired as a good leader. His colleagues in the

Propaganda Movement respected him because he showed a kind of
leadership that was not motivated by personal interest. The call for a good
leadership could be gleaned from El Fili when he stressed the importance of
national sentiment to guard the society against all kinds of injustices and
oppression.

Rizal condemned the friar-led officials for their greed, corruption, and
exploitation of the natives. On the other hand, he also criticized his fellow
Filipinos who did not respond to the challenges under the abusive leadership
of the Spaniards. The character of Basilio, for example, who despite the
extreme sufferings that he and his family experienced, did not support
Simoun’s plan of overthrowing the government. He only joined the
revolutionary group after being arrested and imprisoned, followed by the death
of his sweetheart, Juli. There was also one character, Seňor Pasta, who
abandoned his noble ideas to serve only the interest of those who hired him.

While Rizal exposed the injustices done by the colonial government, he also
challenged the Filipinos to guard their rights as one of their main
responsibilities. Good leadership and governance bring about social,
economic, and political reforms in the country. All this can be achieved if the
leaders have moral fiber, and are ready to give up their personal interests for
the welfare of their constituents.
 On Education and Language

At the time that Simoun was planning to lunch the revolution, students
including Basilio were also fighting for the establishment of a school that would
allow natives to learn the Spanish language. Simoun strongly reacted against
the project advocated by the students. For him, it would mean the death of
national identity and the institutionalization of tyranny. In chapter 6 (Basilio)
and 7 (Simoun), Simoun expressed his disapproval of the students’ program,
convincing Basilio to join him in his plan of revolution instead. He questioned
the students’ advocacy and said:

What will you be in the future? A people without character, a nation

without liberty. Everything in you will be borrowed, even your very defects. You
are asking to be Hispanized and you do not blanch with shame when it is
denied you! Even if it is conceded, what would you want? What would you
gain? At best, to become a country of pronouncements, a country of civil wars,
a republic of the rapacious and the discontented, like some republics of South
America. Why do you now come with your teaching of Spanish, a pretension
that would be ridiculous were it not for its deplorable consequences? Do you
wish to add another idiom to the more than forty already spoken in the islands
so that you may understand each other, each time, less…?

Still about the language issue, Simoun added:

You allow yourselves to be misled by big words and you never get to the
bottom of things to examine the effects in their ultimate manifestations.
Spanish will never be the common language in the country; the people will
never speak it because for the ideas of its mind and the sentiments of its
heart there are no words in that idiom. Each country has its own, as it has its
manner of feeling. What will you gain with Spanish? The few who speak it? To
stamp out your originality, subordinate your thoughts to other minds and
instead of making yourselves free, make yourselves truly slaves! Nine out of
ten of those among you who presume to be enlightened, are renegades to
your motherland. Those among you who speak that language are indifferent to
their own tongue, so much so that they neither write nor understand it. How
many have I seen who pretend not to know a single word of it!

Basilio, on the other hand, believed that through education, he would be able
to alleviate the lives of his fellow Filipinos. He did not believe that revolution
could be an effective means to achieve freedom. For him, education and
science would save the country from its present situation.

On the Filipino Youth

Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours, their illusions,
and their enthusiasm for the welfare of their country? Where are they who
would generously shed their blood to wash away so much shame, so much
crime, so much abomination? Pure and spotless the victim has to be for the
holocaust to be acceptable!... Where are you, youth who will incarnate in
yourselves the vigor of life that has fled from our veins, the purity of ideas that
 have been soiled in our minds, and the fire of enthusiasm that has been
extinguished in our hearts?... We wait for you, O youth! Come, for we await
you!

Such were the words of Jose Rizal through the character of Padre Florentino,
a patriotic Filipino priest in El Fili. Rizal saw the youth as the future of the
country because this generation would one day lead the nation. Their actions
today would shape the path of tomorrow.

Rizal stressed the important role of the youth in challenging the government
as seen in the efforts of students like Basilio and Isagani to organize
themselves and unite to call for reforms. For Simoun, it was a way of
embracing the Hispanization of the country. On the other hand, it could also
be seen as Rizal’s way of showing what the youth could do if they wanted
reforms from the government.

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

Activity 1. NOLI AND THE COLONIAL SOCIETY

Instructions: Complete the table below by identifying what the major characters in Noli
Me Tangere symbolize in relation to colonial Philippine society.

Character Symbolism

Crisostomo Ibarra

Maria Clara

Capitan Tiago

Padre Damaso

Sisa

Pilosopo Tasio

Doňa Victorina
 Basilio

Activity 2. ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

Instructions: Relate the following characters in El Filibusterismo to current social issues

they represent and justify your answer.

Character Current social issue/s he/she represents

1. Juli

2. Capitan Tiago

3. Seňor Pasta

4. Ben-Zayb

5. Pepay

REFERENCES

De Viana, Augusto V., Helena Ma. F. Cabrera, Emelita P. Samala, Myrna M. De Vera, and
Janet C. Catutubo. (2018). “Jose Rizal: Socal reformer and patriot; a study of his life
and times.” Rex Book Store, Inc.: Quezon City, 2018.

Palafox, Quennie Ann J. “Dr. Maximo S. Viola, The Man Who First Read the Noli Me Tangere.”
National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved from http://nhcp.gov.ph/dr-
maximo-s-viola-the-man-who-first-read-the-noli-me-tangere/ on May 29, 2020.

Wani-Obias, Rhodalyn, Aaron Abel Mallari, and Janet Reguindin-Estella. (2018). “The life and
wrks of Jose Rizal.” C&E Publishing: Quezon City, 2018.