CHAPTER II:

“Below Deck”

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements

In Rizal’s Life & Works

A Chapter Review for El Filibusterismo

To be submitted to:

Sir. Neil Bartolo

Submitted by:

Dela Cruz, Rayna Dane M.

Abuel, Anne B.

BACOMM-211

Monday, January 18, 2021

 Abstract

On This chapter being tackled, the main characters that were in this chapter were Basilio

Where he is in deep conversation with Isagani wherein he was an orphan taken in by Padre

Florentino, rumored to be his own son by a female cousin or a son of his widowed former

sweetheart. As well as Don Custudio who is a famous Journalist. The three important characters

having a deep conversation in discussion on the lower deck of the streamer Tabo.

The two students tell Don Custodio about the plan to put up a Spanish academy, and

although the two boys are hopeful that the plan will be approved, Don Custudio is rather

pessimistic. While Capitan Basilio is convinced that such a school will never be set-up, Isagani

expects to get the permit, courtesy of Father Irene. Father Sibyla is also against this, which is

why Father Irene is on his way to Los Baños to see the Governor General. To support the

funding of the project, every student was asked to contribute fifteen centavos.

Even the professors offered to help half were Filipinos and half were Spaniards from

Spain. The building itself will be one of the houses of the wealthy Makaraig. Isagani is in love

with Paulita Gomez, but his uncle, Father Florentino is against it. Father Florentino would rather

not go on deck because he might bump into Doña Victorina who might ask him about her

husband, Don Tiburcio who happens to be hiding in Father Florentino’s house. Coming from the

upper deck, Simoun finds Basilio who then introduces Isagani to him. Isagani takes offense when

Simoun talks about the poverty in Basilio’s province.

Characters:

Basilio

Isagani

Capitan Basilio

Simoun

Padre Florentino

Padre Florentino’s servant

Skipper

Paulita Gomez (mentioned)

Padre Irene (mentioned)

Capitan Tiago (mentioned)

Padre Sibyla (mentioned)

Capitan General (mentioned)

Don Tiburcio (mentioned)

Dona Victorina (mentioned)

Padre Camorra (mentioned)

Macaraig (mentioned)
Analysis

The reader’s attention is focused on two characters: Basilio, a student of medicine and Isagani, a

poet from the Ateneo. Conversing with them is the rich Capitan Basilio. The main point of

discussion is the establishment of an academy for the teaching of Spanish. While Capitan Basilio

is convinced that such a school will never be set-up, Isagani expects to get the permit, courtesy

of Father Irene. Father Sibylais also against this, which is why Father Irene is on his way to Los

Baos to see the Governor General.

To support the funding of the project, every student was asked to contribute fifteen centavos.

Even the professors offered to help half were Filipinos and half were Spaniards from Spain. The

building itself will be one of the houses of the wealthy Makaraig. Note that some people in Spain

were in favor of teaching Spanish to the Filipinos.

Compare them with Spaniards based in the Philippines who did not want the Filipinos to learn

their language. Isagani is in love with Paulita Gomez, but his uncle, Father Florentino is against

it. Father Florentino would rather not go on deck because he might bump into Doa Victorinawho

might ask him about her husband, Don Tiburcio who happens to be hiding in Father Florentino's

house. Coming from the upper deck, Simoun finds Basilio who then introduces Isagani to him.

Isaganitakes offense when Simoun talks about the poverty in Basilios province.
CHAPTER II: Below Deck

Below deck, sick Chinese peddlers are sleeping. But students are also there and are wearing

‘spotless white attire’. They are in good moods because they are returning home for the holidays.

Basilio complains that Capitan Tiago is sending him to San Diego on the suggestion of Padre

Irene so that Tiago can just smoke opium at home. Capitan Basilio tells Basilio and Isagani that

he himself does not like opium use.

Isagani explains that they have given Padre Irene 2 chestnut horses as a bribe so he can see

Capitan General about the permit. Capitan Basilio points out that Padre Sibyla opposes their

permit, but Isagani says it doesn’t matter. Capitan Basilio asks about funds and they explain that

each student contributes a real and that they already found professors half are Filipinos, half are

Peninsulares, and that Macaraig will let them have one of his houses. Capitan Basilio accepts

their explanation and understands their desire to learn Spanish since their books are in Spanish.

Basilio asks what Isagani’s uncle says about Paulita. They talk about how Dona Victorina asked

Isagani to look for her husband as an exchange for letting Isagani date Paulita. Isagani laughs

because the husband is in his Uncle Padre Florentino’s house. That is why his uncle did not go

on deck: because Dona Victorina might ask about Don Tiburcio. Simoun arrives and Basilio

introduces Isagani to him.

They realize that Isagani and Simoun lived in towns close to each other. Simoun asks about the

province and admits he hasn’t gone there because people in the province do not buy jewels.

Isagani is annoyed and says people in the province don’t need them. Simoun offers them beer

and they refuse.

Simoun says he heard Padre Camorra say that morning that there is a lack of energy in the

country because people drink too much water. Isagani argues and says that water can put out

fires and turn into steam, and becomes the ocean which can destroy humanity. Basilio quotes

Isagani’s verses and Simoun leaves to get beer. Basilio asks Isagani why he is annoyed. Isagani

says he does not know. He says Simoun makes him feel afraid, but he does not know why.

Florentino’s servant calls Isagani and tells him to go to Florentino. While waiting for Isagani, the

skipper tells Florentino to go up on deck or else the friars will think he won’t want to join them.

Florentino advises Isagani not to visit the deck because it would be abusing the skipper’s

hospitality but Isagani thinks it’s so he won’t talk to Dona Victorina.

Implied topic

The topic implied in this chapter is all about not to drink beer especially as young people learn to

refuse offers especially if you know it will satisfy you, emulate the rejection made by Basilio and

Isagani when Simoun offered them beer according to the two they did not drink then, the two

were praised because they knew how to refuse and they knew what was wrong with them. Fight

for goals especially, that is what two students who want to build an academy do even though

they are told that their desires are unlikely to happen they still struggle for what they want

because they know it will help many young people to expand their knowledge.

Also the topic implied to this chapter is to support the wishes of others especially and you know

many will benefit from it, do not imitate Captain Basilio when it comes to preventing young

people who want to build academia, he added that young people and certainly many opponents

he entices young people to be discouraged so as not to pursue the intention of building an

academy instead of hoping to support him. Because he knows it will help the youth a lot. The last

one is that we should not interfere with the wishes of our children as parents.
We are here to guide them in their wishes, let us not imitate the mother of Father Florentino

forcing her to be a priest even against her will. Of one he did nothing but follow his mother, so

his girlfriend married someone else, and when Father Florentino's mother died even though he

was left with a lot of wealth he was not happy.

Interpretation of your junior high school teacher for this chapter

The main Interpretation of my junior high school teacher is that the main point of discussion is

the establishment of an academy for the teaching of Spanish. While Capitan Basilio is convinced

that such a school will never be set-up, Isagani expects to get the permit, courtesy of Father

Irene. Also my Junior high school teacher also said that they are interrupted when Isagani is

informed by a servant that his uncle, Father Florentino needed him. Take note of the description

of Fr. Florentino as well as the story of how helots the woman he loved because he became a

priest. Father Sibyla is also against this, which is why Father Irene is on his way to Los Baños to

see the Governor General. After Simoun leaves, Basilio chastises Isagani for treating the jeweler

that way. Basilio emphasizes Simoun‘s position in society be calling him the Brown Cardinal, or

Black Eminence of the Governor-General. This is in reference to His Grey Eminence, a

Capuchin adviser of Cardinal Richelieu, a once all-powerful Prime Minister of France.

Personal reflection

In the deck, it is divided into two categories according to status or state in life and it is the top of

the deck and the bottom of the deck. Above the deck, there are the rich with freedom and ample

space. Underneath the deck were the poor and the various luggage of everyone aboard the ship.

The people upstairs despised the people below the deck because they were Indians. Young

people are enthusiastic about their plans. They are looking for ways to accomplish their

aspirations. Young people are full of hope. The bottom of the Deck symbolizes social

discrimination, with the poor always at the bottom. What they do not know is that there is no

choice in life in being good and useful. Because the people on top of the deck put the Indians

under the deck which was too crowded and there was no space so it was difficult to move. Large

space is given to those who have more money than those who are in need. This Chapter also

reveals the oblivion of the importance of one's own language. Because Basilio and Isagani no

longer realized that they were no longer giving their own language, Filipino, in response to

building their own academy that would teach Spanish.

The intended messages of Both Novels

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo have similarities in terms of aim and purpose. Both aim

to enlighten the Filipinos on what is happening in the country. They want the people to fight for

their country and have the total freedom.

Rizal's Masterpiece: El Filibusterismo. El Filibusterismo was written in dedication to the three

martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an

indelible mark in his mind. Like Noli Me Tangere, Fili aims at enlightening the society, at

bringing the Filipinos closer to the truth.

Freedom from Spain Likewise, as "Noli Me Tangere" portrays the different aspects of gaining

independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive power, family devotion, self-

sacrifice, and purity and faithfulness. The story of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo gives

off a societal message that the citizens should be the leaders of its governing body, and not the

other way around.

Difference between the two novels

The book focuses on the inevitable revolution and whether or not the Philippines should rebel

peacefully and diplomatically or violently. The theme of Noli Me Tangere seems to expose the

exploitations committed by the Spanish friars and government officials.

El Filibusterismo is Spanish title which is known in English as The Reign of Greed. Noli Me

Tangere is a love story or a romantic novel, dedicated to our motherland while El Fili is a

political novel associated with revenge and anger and is dedicated to GOMBURZA.
How does El Filibusterismo impact our current society?

El Filibusterismo serves as an inspiration to the Filipino people. It brings a profound effect on

Philippine society in terms of views about national identity, the Catholic faith and its influence

on Filipino's choice, and the government's issues of corruption, abuse, and discrimination, and on

a larger scale, the issues related to the effect of colonization on people's lives and the cause for

independence. The book awakened the Filipinos in the past and is still awakening the Filipinos of

today, to fight for what we believe is right. We may not be the victor always in every battle but

the most important is, we continue to fight until our very last breath, just like Rizal. It brings a

profound effect on Philippine society in terms of views about national identity, the Catholic faith

and its influence on Filipino's choice, and the government's issues of corruption, abuse, and

discrimination, and on a larger scale, the issues related to the effect of colonization on people's

lives

Is the novel too radical for the national hero? Why or why not?

In terms of moral lesson, El Filibusterismo is what I'd choose over Noli Me Tangere. El

Filibusterismo showed us how anger and vengeance can take over a person's being. I also find

very much delight in the conversation between Ibarra and Father Florentino.

Do you believe that radicalism can bring change to the country? Why or why not?

The essential mystery of the future poses a huge challenge to activists. If change is only

explicable in the rear-view mirror, how can we accurately envision the future changes we seek,

let alone achieve them? How can we be sure our proposals will make things better, and not fall

victim to unintended consequences? People employ many concepts to grapple with such

questions. I find “systems” and “complexity” two of the most helpful.

Did Jose Rizal really changed his thoughts about his purpose for change in the Philippine

society?

During this time, I think Rizal felt pain, hatred, bitterness and sorrow. Despite all the

surrounding problems, there was still lightness and freshness and a hope for a better tomorrow

and a great change and future. The explanation is that this didn't changed his thoughts about his

purpose and did not affect his perspective on their call for reforms from the Spanish government.
References:

Phil Star Global

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/young-star/2006/05/26/338679/remembering-noli-and-fili

Rizalville (Powered by Wordpress)

http://rizalville.com/el-filibusterismo-chapter-2-summary

Monique Buensalido: Youthspeak Phil Star Global 2006

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/young-star/2006/05/26/338679/remembering-noli-and-fili

Jose Claro: iTeach 2011

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2011/06/21/697817/teaching-rizal-and-

filipino

Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). José Rizal : life, works and writings of a genius, writer, scientist and

national hero. Metro Manila, Philippines :National Book Store

Floro Quibuyen (1998) Vol. 46, No. 2 (Second Quarter 1998), pp. 151-183 (33 pages)

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42634256