EL FILIBUSTERISMO:2nd novel

[Virtual Presenter] Rizal started writing this novel while he was in Calamba and continued working on it in London in 1888. Some parts of the novel were written in Paris and Madrid. It was completed on March 29, 1891 while he was in Biarritz, France..

[Audio] Four years separate the appearance of Rizal's two thought-provoking historical novels. The Noli Me Tangere was published under the most trying circumstances in Berlin, Germany in March, 1887. When Rizal returned to the Philippines in August, 1887, he saw the actual conditions of life in the country and had a good chance to relate them to the events and ideas narrated in the novel. His observations on the conditions of life were saddening and he would write another novel to continue the struggle of the people for their rights. During his visit to Father Federico Faura at the Ateneo, his former professor said to him: You have not written a novel, the book has nothing has nothing of the novel in it; you have described the sad conditions of our time. And Rizal confirmed the conclusion of Father Faura after his brief visit in the Philippines. Those five months that I spent there (in the Philippines) where a vivid example, a book much better than the Noli Me Tangere. So Rizal began his El Filibusterismo in October, 1887 which was finished and published on September 18, 1891 in Ghent, Belgium. Rizal was happy that he had done a piece of work to awaken his people to the problems of a revolution. He was indeed happy that he completed the work with greater ardour because he wanted his people to know their stand-to join, to oppose or to be indifferent to the demands of a revolution as the solution to the increasing sufferings of the Filipinos..

[Audio] Consequently, as expected of a determined character, Rizal apparently went in writing, for to his friend, Blumentritt, he wrote on March 29, 1891: "I have finished my book. Ah! I've not written it with any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good of those who suffer and for the rights of Tagalog humanity, although brown and not good-looking." To a Filipino friend in Hong Kong, Jose Basa, Rizal likewise eagerly announced the completion of his second novel. Having moved to Ghent to have the book published at cheaper cost, Rizal once more wrote his friend, Basa, in Hongkong on July 9, 1891: "I am not sailing at once, because I am now printing the second part of the Noli here, as you may see from the enclosed pages. I prefer to publish it in some other way before leaving Europe, for it seemed to me a pity not to do so. 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 and return to be at your side." Inevitably, Rizal's next letter to Basa contained the tragic news of the suspension of the printing of the sequel to his first novel due to lack of funds, forcing him to stop and leave the book half-way. "It is a pity," he wrote Basa, "because it seems to me that this second part is more important than the first, and if I do not finish it here, it will never be finished." Fortunately, Rizal was not to remain in despair for long. A compatriot, Valentin Ventura, learned of Rizal's predicament. He offered him financial assistance. Even then Rizal's was forced to shorten the novel quite drastically, leaving only thirty-eight chapters compared to the sixty-four chapters of the first novel. Rizal moved to Ghent, and writes Jose Alejandro. The sequel to Rizal's Noli came off the press by the middle of September, 1891..

[Audio] In a letter to Blumentritt announcing the publication of the book, Rizal wrote:I have finished my book. Oh no, I have not written in it my idea of revenge against my enemies but only what is for the good of those who are suffering; for the rights of the Tagalog race, though brown and may not have good features. In dedicating the book to the memory of Fathers Mariano Gomes y de los Angeles, Jacinto Zamora, and Jose A. Burgos who had been unjustly executed on February 17, 1872.

[Audio] Rizal, in his letter to Blumentritt explained the title of his novel. "The word filibusterismo is very little known in the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. I heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic execution took place. I still remember the panic that this word caused. Our father forbade us to say it.... The Manila newspapers and the Spaniards used this word to describe those whom they want to render suspect of revolutionary activities. The educated Filipinos fear its scope. It does not have the meaning of "pirate"; it means rather a dangerous patriot who will soon be on the gallows, or else a conceited fellow.".

[Audio] These two novels differed in many respects. While Noli Me Tangere is a romantic novel, a work of heart and a book of feeling, El Fili is a political novel, a work of head, a book of the thought. Another point of difference between the two novels is in terms of their dedication. While Rizal dedicated the Noli to his motherland, the Fili was dedicated to the memory of Gom Bur Za. In terms of length of the novel, the Noli is longer since it consists of 64 chapters. On the other hand, the Fili is shorter as it consists of 38 chapters. One common trend in both the novels is the awakening of the Filipino to the idea that they belong to one nation, to make them realize they have a motherland to love, whose welfare should be their paramount concern. Moreover, both novels are focused towards the seeking of reforms in our society during the Spanish Regime. Rizal advocated peaceful reforms in the Noli through Crisostomo Ibarra. On the other hand, Rizal advocated a revolution in effecting reforms in Filipino society in the Fili through Simoun..

[Audio] The characters of the El Fili are as follows: Simoun, Basilio, Isagani, Padre Florentino, Ka Be Sang Ta Les, Wholly, Paulita Gomez, Padre Camorra, Placido Penitente, Quiroga, Tata Selo, and others..

[Audio] The main character in the Fili is Simoun. If you will recall, Crisostomo Ibarra, believed to be dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere, made his fortune abroad and returns to the Philippines as the wealthy jeweller, Simoun, disguised with a beard and tinted glasses. His sufferings, related in the first novel, have motivated him to take his revenge. Hence he becomes a rebel, the titular "filibustero". While he appears to side with the wealthy and influential in society, his motivation is actually to encourage them to abuse the masses who would then be driven to revolt by increasing abuses. Whereas he once sought reform and education, he now resorts to subterfuge and violence. Symbolically, Simoun could be made to represent the portion of Filipino society which, tired of the oppressor's rule wanted that rule to be overthrown at all cost, but had no systematic plan for the new society, if the old one is overthrown..

[Audio] Next is Basilio. Taking to heart the advice of the dying boatman Elias to study at the end of Noli Me Tangere, he went to Manila after burying his mother. There, he was taken in by Capitan Tiago and was able to go to San Juan de Letran. Though a diligent student, he failed to please his teachers, who were affronted by the efforts of a poor native to improve his status in life. His situation in the school improved when his skill in a fencing match impressed one of his teachers. Having high grades, he was encouraged by Capitan Tiago to move to Ateneo, where the teachers were more enlightened and encouraging. While there he pursued a medical degree and became involved in a movement of some students, headed by Isagani, to set up a school for the teaching of Spanish to natives. At the time of Simoun's arrival, he is looking forward to graduating as valedictorian then marrying his childhood sweetheart, Juliana. Basilio could be made to symbolize that segment of the educated Filipino society which has been so brutalized that it has become insensible to the social welfare..

[Audio] Isagani. The best friend of Basilio, he is a poor law student and poet. He has little fear of authority and speaks openly of his patriotic ideals, becoming the leader of a group of students who plan to set up a school for the teaching of Spanish to natives. With his idealism, he clashes with the cynical Simoun. He is in love with the spoiled, flirtatious Paulita Gomez, against the advice of his uncle and guardian Padre Florentino. He could be made to symbolize the untested and unreliable idealism of a segment of the educated Filipino youths of the time..

[Audio] Cabesang Tales. Aspiring to start his own farm, he suffered great losses. First, his wife and eldest daughter died while clearing their land. Then most of his land was seized and he was charged an exorbitant tax on the little left to him. Known to be dependable, he was elected the kabesa or head of the barangay, which meant often having to appease the higher officials by shouldering the expenses of those who were unable to pay their taxes. His son was conscripted by the Civil Guard and his daughter, Juliana, became a servant to help pay off their debts. Finally, when Simoun comes to pass the night at his house, he takes Simoun's revolver and goes to join the tulisanes. He murders the friar-adminstrator and the new tenants of his land. Later Juliana is killed in an encounter with a friar and his father, struck dumb, dies in an encounter with the Guardia Civil, shot by his own grandson. He symbolizes those victims of land grabbing who found no justice in the courts..

[Audio] Paulita Gomez. A beautiful girl who is admired by all the students, she at first shows preference for Isagani. But she is thrown into the company of Juanito Pelaez because her aunt, the ridiculous Doña Victorina Noli Me Tangere, has taken an interest in the young heir, even contemplating marrying him if her runaway husband were found to be dead. Eventually the self-centered Paulita chooses to marry the amusing Juanito rather than the serious Isagani. Her romantic dilemma is similar to that faced by Rizal's real-life sweetheart Leonor Rivera. She can be made to represent that portion of Filipino womanhood which is relatively enlightened but which is itself almost thoroughly bereft of love of country and of a desire for the social good..

[Audio] Juliana. She was Kabesang Tales's daughter and Basilio's sweetheart. She is known by the nickname Wholly. Devoted to Basilio, when her family falls into debt she decides to become a servant rather than sell the locket he had given her, once a possession of Maria Clara's that had fallen into his hands. Pure and innocent, she is nevertheless aware of the curate's reputation as a womanizer. But she is made to feel by a devout, busybody neighbor woman that she has no other recourse but to ask his help in freeing Basilio. After much hesitation she approaches the friar, only to end up getting fatally injured running from him. She symbolizes women who values honor and chastity..

[Audio] Padre Florentino. A secular Filipino priest. Pressured by his mother, he became a priest even though he was in love. After his former sweetheart married a worthless man, he devoted himself to his priestly duties and the study of natural sciences. He prefers to live alone on his family's remote seaside property than to maintain the position of curate, which suggests his strong character in avoiding the temptations of a prestigious position and high income. Through his words to the dying Simoun, he reaffirms Rizal's stance that liberation must be achieved not through bloody revolution but through peaceful reforms. He symbolizes a man with honor and integrity..

[Audio] The synopsis of Rizal's 2nd novel, El Filibusterismo. The novel begins on board the steamer Tabo, plying the Pasig River to Laguna de Bay. With Simoun were Doña Victorina, Don Tiburcio de Espadaña, Paulita Gomez, Isagani, Fr. Florentino, Basilio and other passengers. Simoun arrived in the Philippines as an ominous figure whose origin was unknown to many but he wielded unlimited influence to the governor0general. He was known by many as a jeweler, who always sported large dark spectacles that concealed much of the upper part of his face. Inasmuch as Simoun enjoyed the patronage of the fovernor-general, many considered him influential in securing privileges from the country's chief executive. With the access he had to the country's high government officials, Simoun was able to use all the influence and power at his disposal to accumulate more fortune for himself. Meanwhile, Basilio, a young medical student returned to San Diego, his native town. He was the brother of Crispin, who was beaten to death by the head sacristan of Father Salvi in the Noli. Upon arriving at San Diego, he went to the spot in the forest where many years ago, he had met an exhausted man who assisted him in burying his mother and had built a funeral pyre for Elias, who was shot to death at the chase in the lake..

[Audio] Upon arriving at the grave of his mother, Basilio found Simoun, without his dark glasses, digging there. Basilio soon recalled the incident that happened in the spot where Simoun was 13 years ago. He recognized Ibarra, believed by many to have died during the chase in the lake. Simoun thought of eterminating Basilio, for fear that his identity might be revealed by the latter. Soon, Simoun realized that he should spare Basilio considering that he also had a grievance to resolve – that of avenging the brutal death of his mother, Sisa as well as his brother Crispin. In the conversation that ensued between the two, Simoun informed Basilio of his true intention of returning to the country – that is destroying the brutal system that had destroyed him. Meanwhile, Simoun continued using his wealth and political influence to encourage corruption and other illegal activities in the government. He promoted tyranny and complete disregard for the dignity and welfare of the poor for them to be accustomed to the idea of death, detest the government, become desperate and rise up in arms against the government. At the time Simoun had worked out his plan of fomenting revolution, Filipino students like Basilio and his friends, earnestly pressed for assimilation, the spread of the Spanish language and the appeals for loyalty to and confidence in the colonial government..

[Audio] Simoun reacted vehemently to this program of Hispanization that young students were advocating. For Simoun this would mean death of the people, destruction of national identity, and institutionalization of tyranny in the country. He even contradicted the students in their plan of establishing an Academy of Spanish Language. According to him, Spanish will never be a lingua franca in the country since the people will never speak it because the idea of its brain and the sentiments of its heart find no phrases to express themselves in that language. As Simoun said, " as long as a people keeps its language, it keeps the pledge of its liberty, just as the man preserves his independence as long as he preserves his own way of thinking. Language is the thought of its peoples.".

[Audio] Simoun, therefore, prodded Basilio to help him in mobilizing the youth in working for equality of rights, for brotherhood and representation in the Spanish Cortes, rather than waste his time advocating assimilation. Basilio was not convinced by Simoun to join him in his struggle, as he was apolitical or not interested in politics. For Basilio, his only hope was to utilize his studies to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow Filipinos. Moreover, Basilio was on the belief that redemption of the country rests not on political revolution but through devotion in science. At this point Simoun reminded Basilio of the wrong done to his mother and brother, thinking that Basilio would change his mind. Simoun failed to get Basilio's commitment but left the door open for Basilio should he change his frame of mind..

[Audio] Meanwhile Simoun continued preparing the way for his ultimate plan. He created abuses when they are not in existence. He encouraged the governor general to order the demolition of all nipa houses for a substantial bribe from a businessman engaged in the selling of iron roofing. HE tried to win the support of the army officers by paying their debts. This in effect made him win the loyalty of these officers such that they were ready to start a mutiny at his command. To ensure that the army officers would support, he made it appear that the revolution was backed up by the friars to strengthen their position and that it was a plan by the governor-general to prolong his tenure of office in the country. When everybody was ready for the uprising, he again approached Basilio and convinced him to support the revolution that was to break out within an hour. According to Simoun this revolution will sacrifice not only the lives of the tyrants but also those who shall refuse cooperation. Simoun informed Basilio of the role he was to play in the uprising. Basilio was to take a group of men to destroy the gates of the convent of Sta. Clara at the height of revolution to rescue Maria Clara. When Basilio came to inform him of the demise of Maria Clara, Simoun became dumbfounded and was not able to give the signal of the commencement of hostilities to his followers, who were eagerly waiting to begin the revolution. Out of his dejection and depression, the revolution did not take place..

[Audio] For the time being, the project of the young students to establish an academy for the teaching of the Spanish language was rejected by the administrators of the university, despite the all-out support of Fr. Fernandez. The students, therefore sought the assistance of Don Custodio, a pseudo-liberal official counsellor. To satisfy the friars and the wishes of Pepay, his favorite dancer, whose support was enlisted by the students, Don Custodio recommended that the project be approved under the direction of the university friars. The next day, anti-friar posters were posted at the door of the university. What followed was the arrest of the members of the student association, including Basilio. Eventually, all were released from prison except Basilio, who was jailed for a number of moths to uphold the prestige of the authority..

[Audio] After his release from prison, Basilio presented himself to Simoun, ready to follow the latter's orders. A wedding feast was to take place that night, to be attended by the Governor-general, the friars, and other high officials of the government. Simoun prepared a magnificent lamp, filled with nitroglycerin and dynamite, as the governor's wedding gift to Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez. At a given moment, the said lamp will explode killing all guests and the high officials of the State and the Church. The explosion shall serve as a signal for Simoun's followers to attack the city. Basilio was to lead the people to the warehouse where Simoun stored weapons. Being the head of people who were convinced of the necessity of defending themselves, Basilio was tasked with executing those who shall refuse to follow. Convinced by Simon and driven by his desire for revenge, Basilio agreed with the plan. Waiting for the appointed moment, Basilio wandered to the scene of the nuptial feast. Seeing the lamp already in place, he suddenly left and met Isagani, the frustrated lover of Paulita Gomez.. Aware of what was to take place, Basilio tried to convince Isagani to leave the place. Upon learning the horrible secret device in the lamp, Isagani, who was still in love with Paulita, realized that Paulita's life was in danger. He rushed into the house, grabbed the lighted lamp, and hurled it into the nearby river. The gunpowder planted in the entire house , where the nuptial feast was held, was soon discovered. The perpetrators of the bandit raid in the area were arrested, who in turn, implicated Simoun..

[Audio] Simoun was able to escape despite the cordon of soldiers surrounding the place. Nonetheless, the soldiers pursued Simoun relentlessly. Mortally wounded, Simoun, with his treasure chest, sought refuge in the home by the sea of Fr. Florentino, a retired Filipino priest. The Spanish authorities learned that Simoun was hiding in the house of Fr. Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil sent a word that he would be coming to arrest Simoun. Upon learning that he would be arrested by the Guardia Civil, Simoun took poison before Fr. Florentino could stop him. Before he died, however, Simoun divulged his secret to the kind-hearted priest. As Simoun dies, Fr. Florentino murmurs: Where are the youths who are to consecrate their budding years, their idealism and enthusiasm to the good of their country? Where are they who are to pour out their blood generously to wash away so much shame, so many crimes, and abominations? Pure and immaculate must the victim be so that the holocaust may be acceptable! Where are you, oh youth, who are to embody in yourselves the vigor of life which has been drained from our veins, the purity of ideas which has been stained in our minds, the fire of enthusiasm which has been quenched in our hearts? We await you, oh youth; come, for we await you. Fr. Florentino gazed at the lifeless body of Simoun and took the treasure chest and threw it to the sea. As the chest sank into the sea he said: May nature guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls and corals of her eternal seas. When for some holy and sublime purpose man may need you, God wills in his wisdom draw you from the bosom of the waves. Meanwhile, there you will not work woe, you will not distort justice, you will not foment avarice..

[Audio] Rizal's message in El Filibusterismo is very clear; that the system of government in the Philippines through corrupt officials, dominated by the friars can lead to the downfall of Spain. This point was stressed by Simoun in the novel, when he 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". From the foregoing, Rizal was certain that because of the nature and operation of the government, those who are intelligent, generous, hard-working, courageous and loyal citizens were driven into opposition, crime and subversion. The Spanish colonial government for Rizal was arbitrary cruel, lacking in a sense of justice and responsibility, without interest in the people under its tutelage. While Rizal described the government in a very negative way, his picture of the friars in the Fili was harsher. In this novel, Rizal painted them as abusing their power for the following reasons: to satisfy their evil desires; to preserve their control of education; to rob men of their land; and to seek their own interests. While Rizal lambasted the friars in the Fili and the Spanish corruption, greed, exploitation, and injustice, he did not spare his fellow Filipinos from his harsh criticism of the regime. He condemned them for their greed, corruption, hypocrisy, and cowardice, which contributed so much to the abuses of the civil officials and friars. Another message communicated by Rizal was on the course of action Filipinos should take if ever Spain will not listen to his warning. As Filipinos had desired assimilation for a long time, Spain should grant it. Should Spain not accede to the clamor for assimilation, the people may eventually prefer to die rather than endure the miseries any longer. Violent means to effect change would thus become inevitable to achieve their goal..

[Audio] The conversation that transpired between Father Florentino and Simoun, during the dying moment of Simoun goes to show that Rizal was a reluctant revolutionary (Guerrero, 1998). While he was on the belief that assimilation is not possible and that independence was the remedy to alleviate the sufferings of the Filipinos under Spanish rule, Rizal hesitates and backs down. To Rizal's thinking, the Filipinos of his time were not ready for a revolution as they were not ready for independence as they were still unworthy to become independent. They will only be worthy of independence the moment they had learned to prioritize social good over their personal advantage and had become a nation. For Rizal, God would provide the means, be it a revolution or peaceful separation from Spain. From the foregoing, Rizal made it plain and clear that the Filipinos have to make themselves worthy of freedom before they can become independent. Deserving freedom, however, necessitates the need for the Filipinos to travel the following paths or roads: education, exemplary lives; and willingness to sacrifice for one's convictions..

[Audio] As we conclude our topic on Rizal's novels kindly reflect and answer this question. "In Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, José Rizal emphasized the vital role of the youth in shaping the nation's future. As the next generation of voters and leaders, how can you apply the lessons from these novels in the upcoming May 12, 2025, national election to help ensure a government that truly serves the people?".