El F i l i b u s t e r i s m o |1

EL FILIBUSTERISMO

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Compare and contrast the characters, plot and theme of the Noli and the El Fili
2. Value the role of the youth in the development and future of society

EL Filibusterismo is the second and last

novel by Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896). It was his
sequel to the Noli Me Tangere known by its
alternative English title The Reign of Greed. It is a
novel about revolution that failed which was
orchestrated by Simoun. He described the
government in a very cynical way by lambasting the
friars and the Spanish officials for their greed,
corruption, exploitation and injustice to satisfy their
evil desires and to seek their own interest. Noli and
Fili illustrated the actual conditions in the
Philippines during the time of Rizal which became
instrumental in awakening the spirit of Filipino
nationalism.
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The Writing and Printing of Fili

Rizal started writing El FIlibusterismo in October 1887 in Calmaba during his first
homecoming. The novel was thus written against the background of threats and oppressions
he and his family suffered because of the Noli and the so called Calamba agrarian trouble.
He continued working on it making some revisions in London in 1888. Rizal then
went on to write the novel in Paris and then in Brussels where distractions were less, and
the cost of living was cheaper. Being able to focus on finishing the book, Rizal had finally
completed it by March 29, 1891 in Biarritz.
Jose Alejandrino, Rizal’s roommate in Belgium related that he was the one who
looked for a printing press for El Filibusterismo. He delivered proofs and revisions of F.
Meyer Van Loo in Ghent. For his assistance, Rizal gave him the El Fili ‘s corrected proofs
and the pen used in doing the corrections. Unluckily, these historical souvenirs were either
lost or destroyed during the revolution (Ocampo,2012. P. 111) (For Rizal’s collaboration
and relation with Jose Alejandrino, read Appendix O of “Rizal’s Relations with other
Filipino Patriots and Heroes.”)
Alejandrino, who later became a general in the Philippine revolution, might have
possibly been the first person to read the novel aside from the author. However, the honor
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of being called “the savior of the “Fili” had gone to Valentin Ventura, Rizal’s friend who
partially financed the novel’s publication. (Ventura’s steal of the title, one may argue, in
another classic elucidation of the expression” That’s what money can do”)
Initially, Rizal financed El Fili’s printing by pawning his properties. In a letter to
Jose Basa dated July 9,1891, he related: 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 pawnable I will stop” (El
Filibusterismo” n.d.)
Rizal’s next letter to Basa carried the sad news that the printing had to be suspended
for lack of funds, and it was at this point where Valentin Ventura came into the picture.
Having known Rizal’s predicament, Ventura offered him financial help in hindsight, we
can assume that Ventura was bothered by his conscience, hence his generous monetary
assistance for Rizal’s novel. Remember that Ventura was one of the Filipinos who
promised to co- author Rizal’s proposed first book but ended up contributing nothing.
But even with Ventura’s help, Rizal found it necessary to fundamentally shorten
the novel, erasing 47 whole pages from the 279page manuscript to save expenses (Ocampo,
2012.p111.) Thus, the printed El Fili, which came off the press by the middle of September
1891, turned out comprising only 38 chapters compared with the 64 of the Noli contrary to
his original plan to made a longer sequel.
For Ventura’s salvific act, Rizal gave him the novel’s original manuscript, a pen
and an autographed printed copy in 1925, the Philippine government bought the El Fili
manuscript from Ventura fo a large sum of 10,000 pesos G. Zaide. (G. Zaide & S. Zaide,
194) It is now being kept in the National Library.
Filibustero and Gomburza
The Filibusterismo in the novel’s title is derived from the simple term filibuster.
Rizal defined the word (filibustero) to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt who encountered
but did not fully comprehend the word in the Noli. Rizal, thus explained in a letter (“El
Filibusterismo” 2011).
The word filibuster is little known in the Philippines, I
heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic executions
(of Gomburza) took place. I still remember the panic that this
word created. Our father forbade us to utter it, as well as the
words Cavite, Burgos (one of the executed priests) etc. The
Manila newspaper and the Spaniards apply this word to one
whom they want to make a revolutionary suspect. the Filipinos
belonging to the educated class fear the reach of the word. It
means a dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or well a
presumptuous man”
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The word filibustero thus, contextually means subversive, dissident,

revolutionary, seditious, insurrectionary and treasonous. Fittingly Rizal dedicated the book
to the memory of the Gomburza, the three Filipino, patriotic priest who were accused of
being filibuster and thus, executed. In his dedication, Rizal fearlessly declared his
conviction that the Spanish officials’ treatment of the priest’ case was unjust as [their]
complicity in the Cavite Mutiny is not clearly proved.
The dedication partly reads “To the memory of the priest, Don Mariano Gomez
(85 years old). Don Jose Burgos (30 years old) and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old).
Executed in the Bagumbayan Field on the 28th of February 1872, I have the right to dedicate
my work to you as victims of the evil which I undertake to combat. “(“El Filibusterismo,”
n.d.)
Rizal however made mistakes in indicating the ages of the priest and the date of
their execution. During their martyrdom on the 17th (not 28th) of February, 1872. Gomez
was then 73 (not 85) Burgos was 35 (not 30) and Zamora was 37 (not 35). Like many other
students today (especially men), Rizal was perhaps not that good in memorizing historical
details like dates and ages.
The foreword of the Fili was nonetheless addressed “To the Filipino People and
Government. “The original manuscript also included a “warning “and an “inscription” on
the title page written by the author’s friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt.
Themes of Fili
Indeed, a continuation of the Noli, the El Filibusterismo exposes the real picture
of Filipino society at the hands of the Spanish authorities. Socio- political issues mentioned
in the Noli are also dealt with in its sequel: abuses and hypocrisy of the members of the
Spanish Catholic clergy ,superstitions disguising as religious faith ,the need for reform in
educational system, the exploitation and corruption of government officials, and the
pretenses of some social –climbing Filipinos and Spaniards.
What makes El Fili essentially different from its prequel is that it offers various
means of attaining social reform and somewhat hinted what the author believed was ideal.
Some dialogues and incidents seem to suggest the apparent improbability of any radical
socio-political change. The main character’s persistence to push through with the rebellion,
on the other hand, seems to suggest that independence is attainable through revolution.
However, the closing chapters rather insinuate that freedom must be attained without
bloodshed as the story ends with the failure of Simoun’s planned uprising.
The novel’s ending some scholars explain, however, should not be interpreted as
Rizal’s categorical stand against revolution. At best, Rizal can be said to be against
unprepared and disorganized rebellion of uneducated people, which could have a slim
chance of victory. It is important to note that Rizal once commented that an upright,
patriotic and selfless individual like Noli’s Elias would be a viable revolutionary leader. In
fact, Rizal was said to have confessed that he seriously regretted having killed Elias insted
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of Ibarra. These seem to prove that Rizal, though practically promoting the attainment of
reforms peacefully, also advocated the idea of armed revolution under some conditions.
Intelligent as he was, what Rizal would never subscribe to is the “useless spilling of blood
“but not the uprising per se.
Noli vs. Fili
Rizal wrote the El Filibusterismo about four years after the Noli. The experiences
he had in those four years spelled a lot of differences in the way he treated his two novels.
In depicting the social conditions in the country both novels employ satire and
caricatures. El Fili however is more serious as there is less humor and more bitterness in
the treatment of situations.
In the Noli, the author reveals the cruelty and exploitation suffered by the natives
at the hands of the colonizers. In El Fili, Rizal depicts a society at the brink of rebellion as
the native’s minds have been awakened and revolutionary forces have been found formed.
Generally, El Fili presents a gloomier depiction of the country under the Spanish
regime. More radical and revolutionary, the novel has less idealism and romance than the
Noli. The El Fili manifest Rizal’s more mature and less hopeful attitude toward the socio-
political situation in the country. The grimmer outlook and more tragic mood can be
attributed to the persecutions and sufferings the author and his family experienced from the
Spanish friars and officials in the years he was writing the novel.
Notwithstanding the sufferings caused by the Spaniards to the Rizal family, the
Fili its author claimed, is not a matter or revenge. Jose wrote to Blumentritt: “I have not
written in it [ Fili] any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good of
those who suffer for the rights of Tagalogs.
Some of Rizal’s friends like Blumentritt and Graciano Lopez Jaena, expressed that
Fili was superior o Noli. Rizal himself apparently once believed in the superiority of the
Fili.When its printing had to be stopped for lack of funds, he wrote to Basa: “It is a pity
because it seems to me that this second part [the Fili] is more important than the [Noli]”
(“The El Filibusterismo,”2013)
After the Fili was published, nonetheless, Rizal appeared to have a change of heart.
In his October 13, 1891 letter to Marcelo Del Pilar, he said: I appreciate what you say about
my work, and I value your opinion highly that considered my Filibusterismo inferior to the
Noli I, too frankly, without irony or words with a double meaning share your opinion. For
me, the Filibuserismo as a novel is inferior to the Noli. You are the firsy one to tell me the
truth and I agree with you. This flatters me as it proves that I still know how to judge myself
(“Rizal and Other Reformers,” n.d)
As regards his friends who told him that Fili was better, Rizal explained in the
same letter “Blumentritt, all those in Paris and Barcelona, for their benevolence towards
me say the Fili is superior, I attribute it only to their benevolence”
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Synopsis
The story in in El Filibusterismo revolves around its main character Simoun who is
an affluent jeweler. Simoun is actually Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli whom everyone
thought had been killed by the Guardia Civil at Laguna de bay. He has in fact escaped, fled
to Cuba, became wealthy, and made connections with influential Spanish officials. Upon
his return to the Philippines after many years, he becomes very influential as the governor
–general, who owes so much to him, consults him in making decisions.
In reality, however, everything Simoun does is just part of his grand plan to take
revenge against the Spanish officials and rescue Maria Clara from the convent. Planning
to stage a revolution, he smuggles arms and looks for followers, mainly from the exploited
and abused natives. One of his recruits is Basilio, the son of Sisa, who with Capitan Tiago’s
help was to study in Manila. Simoun also makes an alliance with the revolutionary group
of Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered maltreatments from the
hands of the friars, using his influence, Simoun encourages corruption, decadence, and
more oppressive government policies so that the citizens may become more infuriated.
However, the planned revolt one night is not carried out because Simoun, upon
hearing that Maria Clara has died in the nunnery, decides not to give the signal for the
outbreak of the uprising.
Another plan is made some months later. At the venue of the wedding reception
of Juanito Pelaez, Simoun plants many explosives –enough to kill the invited guest,
primarily the friars and government officials. According to the plot the big explosion shall
be started by the gift he will give to the newlyweds at the reception –a Kerosene lamp with
an explosive. When the lamp flickers and someone turns the wick, it will result into a big
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explosion that will become a signal to the revolutionary troops to simultaneously attack all
the government buildings in Manila.
During the reception, Simoun gives his gift to the newlyweds. Before he
hurriedly leaving the venue, he leaves a piece of mysterious paper. Bearing the message
“You will die tonight” signed by Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.
Meanwhile Isagani, the rejected lover of Paulita, is standing outside the reception.
His friend Bailio tells hm to leave the place because the lamp will soon blow up.
When father Salvi identifies the writing in the note and confirms that it is indeed
Ibarra’s the guest begin to panic. When the lamp flickers, Father Irene tries to turn the wick
up. But Isagani wanted to save the Paulita’s life rushes in to the house, grabs the lamp and
throws it into the river where it explodes.
Simuon’s revolutionary plot is thus known, and he is hunted by the law
enforcers. He manages to escape but is seriously wounded. Carrying his jewelry chest, he
finds shelter in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea. Learning of his presence in the
house of the priest, the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil informs Padre Florentino that will
come in the evening to arrest Simoun.
Simoun then takes poison so that he will not be caught alive. As poisons effects
start to take toll on his body, he confessed, to Florentino his true identify and his plan of
revenge through body revolution. After the emotional and agonizing confession of the
dying man the priest absolves the dying man from his sins, saying “God will forgive you
Senor Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen that you have suffered – He has
frustrated your plans one by one – first by the death of Maria Clara, then by lack of
preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us know bow to His and render Him thanks!
The story ends with the priest throwing treasures in the sea so that they will not be
used by the greedy. The priest hopes that when the right time comes, they will be recovered
and used only for good.
Noli and El Fili Stolen
In Rizal; time, the Permanent of Commission of Censorship recommended the
absolute prohibition on the importance, reproduction, and circulation of the Noli. The
copies of the Fili, on the other hand, were destroyed by customs in Manila upon shipment
to the Philippines. The rare surviving copies of were secretly purchased and according to
one friend of the family. It had to be read in the smallest, most private room in the house –
the toilet “
This was the fate of the first editions of Rizal’s novels. But that is nothing compared
to what happened to their original manuscript about 70 years of publication.
The original manuscripts of the of the Noli and Fili (along with that of the poem “Mi
Ulimo Adios.”) were stolen from the national library on the evening of December 8, 1961.
After some days, the thieves who outsmarted the buildings sleepy guards sent a ransom
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note “made of newspaper cutouts” to the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission
(JRNCC) Ocampo 2012. p. 2012. P148) The robbers demanded 1.4 million pesos for the
return of the original texts, else for the return of the original texts, else Rizal’s, else Rizal
hard works would be burned.

Photo shows Alejandro 'Anding' Roces

showing to his wife, Irene Viola Roces,
the recovered original Noli me Tangere,
before it was deposited in the National
Treasury vault.

Philippines, My Philippines Blogspot

To summarize the “historic robbery” the then Education Secretary Alejandro “Anding
Roces personally met with the burglars and after some various negotiations had retrieved
the documents without paying any single centavo .The manuscript were returned on
instalment basis- ‘Ultimo Adios” were returned on instalment basis- Ultimo Adios during
the first meeting the El Fili on the next negotiation on the next negotiation and lastly the
Noli . There was a time when the demanded ransom was reduced to 100,000 pesos and
then to 10,000 pesos (Ocampo, 2012, p.148) But recognizing perhaps that they would get
nothing from the government, the robbers ultimately settled on returning the expensive
documents, free of charge.
Many still find this “charge –free return of the manuscripts strange and mind
blowing. But the following additional details about the story could perhaps shed light on
the account.
During the negotiations, one of the burglars related to Roces that on the night of the
robbery,” the Rizal manuscripts suddenly became heavy as a cavan of rice. The thief, thus
exclaimed, the manuscript must be holy or haunted! (Ocampo, 2012.p.148). One robber
even claimed that he read Rizal’s handwritten novels and described the feeling,” Ang sarap
basahin, kinikilabutan ako!” (Ocampo, 2012, p.148) It is remarkably funny to note however
that the thief did not understand Spanish! Nonetheless, these indicate that the stealers were
probably bothered by their conscience, hence the consent to just send back the national
hero’s works
Anding promised not to identify the robbers or to be a witness against them in court.
Thus, the hilariously controversial thieves were never known.
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The Novel’s Legacy

For fearlessly depicting the corruptions and abuses by the Spanish clergy and the
colonial government during the Spanish regime in the Philippines, the two novels are
historically very significant. Basically, a social sketch of the country then, the Noli and Fili
reveal the true setting and condition of the Filipino society in the era.
As essential sources of sociological and anthropological studies, the books provide
rich insights into the culture of the 19th and 20th century Philippines. Their realistic
depiction exposed a conflicted colonial society seriously split between the oppressors and
the suffering local slaves. The novels’ character mimicked the various elements and types
of individuals in that society. Furthermore, they show favorable positive traits of the natives
then, like the sense of gratitude, the fidelity of women to their loved ones, and the yearning
for freedom and equality.
For their explicit portrayal of what the locals really wished for their country, the
books were instrument in forming the Filipino’s (Indios) sense of national identity.
Indirectly but significantly, the novels influenced the revolution led by the Katipunan as
they inspired Andres Bonifacio and the other revolutionaries in their cause.
Rizal was arrested, exiled to Dapitan, and ultimately executed in 1896 based
principally on his writings. In 1956, the Philippine Congress passed the Rizal Law
(Republic Act 1425) requiring all levels of Philippine schools to teach as part of the
curriculum the hero’s two novels.
Originally written in Spanish, the Noli and the Fili had been translated into various
languages like Filipino, English. German, French, Chinese, and some other Philippine
languages. In 2007, an English version of Noli Me Tangere was released to major
Australian bookstores. It was published by Penguin Books Classics as part of the
publication’s commitment to publish the major literary classics of the world.

Let us determine how much you have learned from

the lesson.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Directions: Read each statement carefully. Supply the
blank with the correct answer.
1-2. Jose Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in _______, 1887 while he was in
_______________.
3. The El Fili original cover title has an inscription of ____________, which is not
found in the English translations
4. There are about ____ chapters in the novel.
5. Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo in dedication to the three martyred priests or called
____________, expressing conviction that their treatment and deaths at the hands
of the Spanish authorities was unjust.
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6. The El Filibusterismo also knew as_________._____________.

7. He is the main character in El Filibusterismo _______________.
8. The antagonist of the novel El Filibusterismo ________________.
9. The character name ______ symbolized of the youth whose love for the country
is great to the point of being branded as idealistic.
10. This action _____ took the life of the main character in the novel.

Take time to breath, digest, reflect and analyze before

answering.

1. Compare the characters, plot and theme of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
2. Evaluate the role of the youth in the development and future of the society.
3. Choose a particular chapter/ scene / or conversation in El Filibusterismo. How does
it affect your view regarding the problems of the modern society you have right now?
What lessons did you gain from it?

References:
Almario, Virgilio. Si Riizal Nobelista. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2008
Anderson, Benedict. Why Counting Counts: A Study of Forms of Consciousness and
Problems of Language in Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo. Quezon City; Ateneo de Manila University
Press, 2008
Daroy, Petrolino. Rizal contrary essays. Quezon City Books: Guro Books, 1968
Reyes, Miguel Paolo. “El Filibustersimo and Jose Rizal as “Science Fictionist” in Humanities Diiliman vol.
10 no.2 (2013)
Rizal, Jose. El Felibusterismo. Trans. Virgilio Almario or Soledad Maximo Locsin
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NAME:___________________________________ DATE:__________________
COURESE/ YEAR/SECTION:________________ EXPLORE IT OUT 6

SEEING RIZAL’s NOVEL IN TODAY’S REALITY

Directions: Complete the chart below by recording details that Rizal uses to convey each
character’s personality. You might record a description of the character’s appearance,
thoughts or actions. Then state the character traits revealed by the identified characters.
Lastly, list and explain who the persons you see today depicts the same persona and
character.
Example:
Crisostomo Ibarra Vico Sotto
- believes that, although the - highly educated - uses him to voice ideas regarding
Catholic friars and the Spanish -cultured colonialism and the nature of
government are corrupt, they - respected power in the Philippines.
provide the Philippines with - well-mannered - insists upon reforming the
valuable support Philippines from the inside out,
- he later decides to build a secular working with the friars and
school in San Diego Spanish officials to bring about
positive change without
dismantling the system entirely.

Character in the Fictional Character Traits Character in Today’s

Novel Noli Me Tangere/ El Observed Reality
Filibusterismo
1.

2.

3.
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4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.