Sypnosis

The story of El Filibusterismo revolved around the main character, Simoun, who
was a rich jeweler. He was also Crisostomo Ibarra that everyone though was killed by
guardia civil thirteen years ago. Simoun became very influential when he returned to the
Philippines as a consultant of governor-general.
Simoun came back to exact revenge on Spanish officials and to rescue Maria
Clara. He planned to launch a revolution which started by smuggling arms and recruiting
followers, mainly from the exploited and abused natives. One of the recruits was Basilio,
the son of Sisa. Simoun also began to establish an alliance with Kabesang Tales and his
revolutionary group. Using his position, Simoun encouraged corruption and more
oppressive government policies to enrage the peoples and thus, provoke them to revolt.
Simoun’s plans of revolution failed twice. In his first attempt, he decided not to give
the signal for the outbreak of the uprising upon hearing the news of Maria Clara’s death.
Basilio was arrested so he was released by Simoun that became bitter and vengeful. The
second attempt was planting a bomb at wedding reception of Paulita Gomez and Juanito
Pelaez. The revolution would be triggered by his gift to the couple- a kerosene lamp with
an explosive. After the explosion, it will signal the revolutionaries to attack all government
buildings in Manila.
Simoun gave the lamp during the reception and left a note with a message: “You
will die tonight,” signed by Crisostomo Ibarra. Basilio saw all the people at the venue
including Isagani who was secretly watching his love Paulita.
When Padre Salvi confirmed Ibarra’s handwriting, the guests began to panic.
Isagani want to save Paulita so he grabbed the lamp and threw it into the river where it
exploded.
Simoun took refuge in the house of a kind Filipino priest, Padre Florentino. The
guardia civiles informed the priest that they would come in the evening to arrest Simoun.
Simoun poisoned himself and confessed to Padre Florentino his true identity and his
plans for revenge. The priest told Simoun that his plans might have failed because of the
unjust means that were used. He assured Simoun that there was still hope for the freedom
of the country.
Padre Florentino threw Simoun’s jewels into the sea so that they would not be used
by the greedy and he prayed that when the treasure would be recovered and used for
noble purposes.