PLOT OF EL FILIBUSTERISMO

Thirteen years have passed since the events of Noli Me Tangere. At the opening of El Filibusterismo,
we are greeted by old faces and introduced to new ones, and one seemingly new one.

Chapter 1: On the Upper Deck

The steamer Tabo[1] makes its way up the Pasig river one December morning. On its upper deck is Dona
Victorina, traveling in search of her husband Don Tiburcio, who has fled from her abuse. On deck too are
Don Custodio, the writer Ben-Zayb and Padres Salvi, Sibyla, Irene and Camorra, and the steamer’s
captain. Also present is the jeweler Simoun, conspicuous for his long white hair and large blue
sunglasses. He is reputed to have advisory influence over the Captain-General.

The group fall into discussing the winding path of the river. Simoun suggests digging a new canal
straight from the mouth of the river passing Manila, and closing old Pasig. To achieve this, he further
suggests the destruction of towns, using prisoners as laborers to eliminate the cost, and increasing
forced labor among men and boys. Don Custodio and Padre Sibyla bring up the possibility of uprisings,
which Simoun sharply dismisses, as he leaves the group to head below deck.

Chapter 2: On the Lower Deck

Below deck, medical student Basilio and the young poet Isagani chat with Capitan Basilio. The younger
Basilio first updates the capitan on the lack of improvement in Capitan Tiago’s health condition and
supposed continued use of opium. Their conversation turns to the Spanish language academy the
young men are planning to start. Capitan Basilio is doubtful of their success, but the young men calm his
doubts by revealing they expect a permit soon, and that they have teachers and funds contributed by
fellow students. Their venue will be the house of a student named Makaraig. Capitan Basilio accepts
their explanation and heads off.

The young men move on to other topics including Paulita, Dona Victorina’s niece and Isagani’s love
interest; Dona Victorina’s hiring of Isagani to look for Don Tiburcio, and the fact that Don Tiburcio is
actually hiding in Isagani’s uncle’s house. Simoun joins them briefly, and Basilio introduces him to
Isagani.

Also below deck on the rear is Isagani’s uncle, Padre Florentino, now retired and with a fortune left to
him by his long departed mother in exchange for his agreeing to become a priest.

Chapter 3: Legends

Padre Florentino and Simoun join the group on the upper deck, and the captain launches into the topic
of legends about the Pasig river. He talks about Malapad-na-bato,[2] believed to have been the home of
spirits but later became a bandits’ nest.

Padre Florentino next tells the story of Doña Jeronima, a woman who had grown old waiting for her
betrothed who had forgotten her and had gone on to become the Archbishop of Manila. To appease
her, he prepared a cave for her where she lived and died. Hearing this, Simoun turns to Padre Salvi and
pointedly remarks at how ungallant the Archbishop had been. He believes it would have been more
fitting if the lady were shut up in a nunnery like Santa Clara.
An uncomfortable Padre Salvi changes the topic and relates a legend of his own about an unbelieving
Chinaman who, when attacked by a cayman, invoked St. Nicholas, and the cayman turned to stone.

As the steamer enters the lake, Ben-Zayb asks the captain where a certain Ibarra had been killed. The
captain gives a quick account of the pursuit on the lake thirteen years ago and indicates where Ibarra
had been lost.

Chapter 4: Cabesang Tales

Herein is the story of Tandang Selo and his son Tales, old friends of Basilio.

Tales, experiencing some improvements in his family’s fortune, decides to clear a portion of the woods
to cultivate. During their first harvest, a religious corporation claims the land as their own and charges
Tales an annual fee. He pays dutifully, but begins to rebel when the fee becomes too high. He takes the
religious order to court, arms himself and begins patrolling his land. Tales loses the case and ends up
draining his resources. His only son, Tano, is conscripted, as he is unable to pay for a substitute.[3] Tano
is later rumored to have either gone to the Carolines[4] or become a guardia civil.[5] To make matters
worse, bandits kidnap Tales and demand a ransom.

To save her father, Juli sells her belongings except for a locket Basilio gave her, a locket Basilio received
from a leper patient who in turn obtained if from Capitan Tiago’s daughter.[6] To complete the ransom
amount, Juli borrows money from an old religious lady and agrees to work as a servant to pay for it.

Chapter 5: A Cochero’s Chirstmas Eve

Basilio’s arrival in San Diego is delayed as his cochero[7] had been detained and knocked about by the
guardia civil for forgetting his cedula.[8] They are delayed a second time as they wait for the Christmas
procession to pass. The cochero envies the time of the saints, thinking there were no civil guards then,
else Methuselah[9], would not have lived to an old age, nor a black magi allowed to be with the others.

As they continue down the road, Basilio notes the fewer ornaments and sounds of merriment, and
thinks this is because things had gone badly with agriculture, taxes had risen and civil guards had
become more abusive.

The cochero is stopped a second time for an unlighted coach lamp, so Basilio proceeds on foot. Passing
by Capitan Basilio’s house, he glimpses Simoun making deals with his jewelry with the capitan, the
curate and the alferez. Basilio does not think well of Simoun, who he thinks is always going about
something, and who, he has been told, sells his jewels for double the price he bought them for.

Basilio reaches his guardian Capitan Tiago’s house where the old man narrates an assortment of bad
news including the kidnapping of Cabesang Tales.

Chapter 6: Basilio

Basilio steals out of the house at midnight and heads to the old wood previously owned by the Ibarras,
and now belonging to Capitan Tiago. He visits his mother’s grave by the balete[1] tree and recalls the
night thirteen yeas ago when his mother died on the spot and a stranger came and helped him bury his
mother and burn the body of another stranger.[2]
Basilio thinks back too on the events of his life since then. He had suffered hunger and poverty in his
journey to Manila in search of employment, until he was taken in as an unpaid servant at Capitan Tiago’s
house in exchange for permission to study.

Poor and badly dressed, he was shunned by his classmates and ignored by his teachers, so he was
unable to make a mark in his first three years. With continued diligence and hard work however, he
eventually distinguished himself in his studies and went on to study medicine.

In two months, Basilio is set to complete his medical studies and will cap his academic career as
commencement speaker. He plans to marry Juli.

Chapter 7: Simoun

Basilio is about to leave his mother’s tomb when he hears someone arrive. He sees Simoun, but without
the jeweler’s blue glasses, Basilio also recognizes the face of the man who helped him bury his mother
thirteen years ago. He concludes from the events and memories of the past, that Simoun may actually
be Ibarra.

Basilio reveals himself, and Simoun, to protect his secret identity, thinks of killing Basilio, but decides
instead to try to recruit Basilio to his cause. Simoun confesses that his goal is to destroy society’s system
of corruption by encouraging the vices and greed of the governing powers with his wealth. This in turn
has led to more injustices, poverty and misery, which he expects will eventually push the downtrodden
to rebel.

Simoun then mocks the youth’s desire for Hispanism and the teaching of Spanish, seeing it as a means
for the loss of nationality and the subjugation of the Filipino’s unique thought and feeling. Simoun asks
for Basilio’s help to convince the youth to abandon their calls for Hispanization.

Basilio declines, professing the task to be beyond his abilities. Simoun attempts a different approach
by reminding Basilio of the injustice his mother and brother suffered.[3] Basilio remians uncommitted.

Chapter 8: Merry Christmas

Early in the morning, Juli prepares to leave Tandang Selo to begin her new employment in payment for
the money loaned for her father’s ransom. She tries to keep her spirits up, but she is miserable. Later,
when relatives come to visit Tandang Selo, they discover he has lost his ability to speak.

Chapter 9: Pilates

Certain townspeople do not feel particularly bothered by the misfortune of Tandang Selo and Cabesang
Tales’ family. The lieutenant of the guardia civil feels he did his duty by pursuing the bandits when he
could, while the local friar, Padre Clemente thinks Cabesang Tales is simply being punished for resisting
the friars.

Sister Penchang, the woman who employs Juli, believes bad things happen to sinners or to people who
have sinning relatives. She believes Juli is a sinning relative, and when she learns that Basilio intends to
ransom Juli from servitude, she believes Juli is a lost woman.
The friars win the case against Tales with finality, and they take his land and award it to a new renter.
Tales learns about this and the misfortunes of his father and daughter upon his return. At the same
time, he receives a court order to vacate his house.

Chapter 10: Wealth and Want

Simoun obtains temporary lodgings at Cabesang Tales’ house where the townspeople come to see his
jewels. They are both awed and terrified by Simoun’s display of excessive and dazzling wealth. Aside
from selling, Simoun also buys old jewelry from the townspeople and he asks if Tales has any to sell.
Maria Clara’s[4] locket is of course in the house and when Simoun sees it, he makes an offer for it. Tales
asks to go to town to ask his daughter. Along the way, he sees the friar administrator and the man
awarded his land. A feeling of anger overcomes him.

In the morning, Simoun finds the locket and a note from Tales in his holster. Tales says he intends to join
some bandits and has exchanged the locket for Simoun’s gun. Guardia civil arrive, but in the absence of
Tales, they arrest Tandang Selo instead. Three people had been killed in the night, the friar
administrator, the man who had been given Tales’ land, and his wife, beside whom was found a piece
of paper with the name Tales written in blood.

Chapter 11: Los Baños

The Captain-General is on a working vacation in Los Baños. With him are some friars, Don Custodio,
Ben Zayb and Simoun. Among matters settled is the banning of one type of sport pistol to prevent
bandits from acquiring more, a decision that came as a result of Simoun’s having been held up and
losing his pistols to bandits. The Captain-General also settles the Tiani schoolmaster’s appeal for a better
building by suspending him for complaining.

The final point for discussion is the youth’s request to open an academy for studying Spanish. Padre
Sibyla opposes it as he thinks it is a form of rebellion, and a challenge to the prestige of the University of
Santo Tomas.[1] Padre Camorra and Simoun are against it too. Padre Fernandez believes it is a
reasonable request and believes the people’s interests can eventually no longer be denied. On his side
are Padre Irene and Don Custodio.

Meanwhile, Juli is in the premises to request for the release of her grandfather, Tandang Selo. Padre
Camorra supports her petition and the Captain-General gives his approval.

Chapter 12: Placido Penitente

Placido Penitente walks reluctantly to the University of Santo Tomas. He wishes to withdraw from his
studies despite his having been previously known to be a good pupil in his province. With him is Juanito
Pelaez, a rich student and teacher’s pet who doesn’t care about his classes.

They arrive at the university entrance where other students gather around, some observing the people
arriving at the neighboring church. Among those seen is Paulita Gomez who notices and smiles at
Isagani. With Paulita is Doña Victorina who smiles at Juanito.

On their way to class, Placido is detained by a student attempting to convince him to sign a protest
against the proposed Spanish academy. As a result he is late for the class roll call, the most important
part of class. Placido decides to stay as it is nearly examinations and the teacher hasn’t noticed him
yet, as a result of which he may fail the school year.

Chapter 13: The Class in Physics

Padre Million asks students to recite lessons from memory, giving good grades to those who make no
mistakes. He calls on a student he sees yawning, and the student immediately launches into a
memorized lesson about the classification of mirrors, but is confused when Padre Million asks him
questions requiring analysis.

The professor next calls on his favorite, Juanito to answer a question about the composition of
mirrors. Juanito signals to Placido for answers, but Placido cannot help and is in turn called upon by
the professor. Placido is also unable to answer, and when the professor asks him to recite, he makes
mistakes, earning him a bad mark.

Padre Million further announces that Placido has had fifteen absences despite his having really had
fewer. Placido reasons that he could not have recited and been absent at the same time. Padre Million
insults him for philosophizing. Angered, Placido declares he has had enough and storms off. Padre
Million launches into a sermon about the ingratitude of the youth and the impertinence of students
requesting to establish an academy for teaching Spanish.
Chapter 14: In the House of the Students

Makaraig’s large house is alive with student activity. Mixed in with those studying are those engaged in
horseplay. The noise dies down with the arrival of distinguished students, including the optimists Isagani
and Sandoval, a peninsular.[2]

Sandoval believes the permit for the Spanish academy will not be denied, as Spain experiences what the
Philippines feels and will not deny the same rights as Spaniards enjoy. Another student, Pecson, is more
of a pessimist and thinks that the church may fear that an academy may help Filipinos understand
each other, thereby threatening the integrity of the state. He thinks too that the academy attacks the
dignity of the University.

Makaraig arrives in a joyful mood and relates how Padre Irene defended their cause, preventing their
petition for a permit from getting shelved. Padre Irene succeeded in allowing the formation of a
commission under Don Custodio to provide its opinion on the petition. The students brainstorm ideas to
influence Don Custodio. Isagani offers to approach Señor Pasta, Don Custodio’s legal retainer, in the
hopes of convincing him.

Chapter 15: Señor Pasta

Isagani visits Señor Pasta and relates the developments regarding the students’ petition. Señor Pasta
feigns ignorance but actually already knows what has happened and even knows that it was actually
Padre Sibyla, who suggested the commission to buy time.

Señor Pasta does not wish to be involved with the students’ cause and tells Isagani that the best way to
help the government is to let it do what it thinks is best. He adds that it is offensive to try to do more
than the government gives as it injures its prestige. Isagani counters Señor Pasta’s arguments by
declaring justice and reason to be stronger bases for colonial government than prestige. He adds that it
is reasonable for people to ask a blessing of its government as of a parent.
Señor Pasta advises Isagani to just study hard, marry a rich girl, attend to his religious duties, and to
not get involved trying to improve the situation of others and the country. Isagani rejects his advice.

Chapter 16: The Tribulations of a Chinese

The Chinese Quiroga, who hopes to open a consulate for his nation, hosts a dinner for important people
from the church, government, military and business.

Some merchants gather around Simoun complaining about the difficulties of doing business in the
country in the hopes that Simoun will pass on their ideas for solutions to the Captain-General. Quiroga
too shares his difficulties with Simoun about a bribe he had attempted to pull off with Simoun’s
jewellery that had resulted instead in a financial loss. Simoun offers to reduce Quiroga’s debt if
Quiroga agrees to temporarily keep some rifles for him. Quiroga agrees.

Later, some of the guests, including Don Custodio, Ben Zayb, Juanito Pelaez, Simoun and Padres Salvi,
Camorra and Irene decide to head off to the Quiapo Fair to see a head which an American, Mr. Leeds
has been exhibiting.

Chapter 17: The Quiapo Fair

Spotted at the fair is the exquisitely beautiful Paulita Gomez, accompanied by Isagani and Dona
Victorina, who calls out to her favorite, Juanito Pelaez.

The group from Quiroga’s dinner stroll around the fair and stop by a stall of figurines, majority of which
are figures of priests. Unlike the depictions of priests in Europe, who are shown participating in worldly
activities or having fun, the priests’ figurines in the stall are elegant, saintly and serene.

Chapter 18: Legerdemain[1]

At Mr. Leeds’ room, Ben Zayb examines the table for mirrors, which he thinks is the trick behind the
exhibit. Finding none, Mr. Leeds produces a box containing some ashes and a piece of papyrus which he
supposedly found during a visit to the pyramid of Khufu.[2] Leeds pronounces a word from the papyrus
and the box reveals the head of a cadaver. Leeds commands the head to tell its story.

The head introduces himself as Imuthis, whose life was ruined after returning home from his studies
abroad and discovering the secret of the governing impostor, Gaumata. With the help of tyrannical
Egyptian priests, Gaumata engineers the ruin of Imuthis through the young priest Abydos, who coveted
the woman Imuthis loved. Abydos falsely implicated Imuthis in a rebellion, which led to the death of
Imuthis in a lake during an attempted escape.

Padre Salvi recognizes the similarities between the story of Imuthis and events of his past.[3] He
collapses in terror, calls for mercy and declares some woman still lives.

Chapter 19: The Fuse

Placido Penitente is enraged by his experience at the university. Back at his rented room, he finds his
mother, Cabesang Andang on a visit. He narrates what happened to him, and his mother reminds him of
both their sacrifices and asks him to be patient and humble.

Placido leaves to escape his mother and sees Simoun with whom he shares his story. Simoun invites
him to tag along, and they make their way to the house of a pyrotechnist. Placido hears the two
converse about bombs, and an event that is to transpire the following week involving Cabesang Tales
and his men, any delay in which may mean death for Maria Clara.

Placido later spends a few hours at Simoun’s house from which he emerges thoughtful. He later
concedes to his mother’s plan to try to placate the friars at his university.

Alone at his house, Simoun momentarily revolts at his own actions, but he quickly turns away from his
conscience.

Chapter 20: The Arbiter

Don Custodio has been mulling over the question of the Spanish academy for many days without a
solution, wanting to please both those who are for and against it.

Who is Don Custodio? He met with some success after using his wife’s money to go into business,
which led to numerous distinguished appointments. He once returned to Spain from where he
gathered an assortment of ideas, which he then implemented in unusual projects in the Philippines
which others criticized.

Regarding his opinion of the native population, he thinks them only fit for mechanical work and imitative
arts, and refuses to think them capable of being distinguished. Don Custodio is Catholic, but only
because he thinks it necessary to be so among backward people. In the Philippines, he thinks the friars
are necessary and are superior colonial masters. It is because of this that the friars think favorably of
him.

As he continues to ponder the question of the academy, his eyes land on one of his project files
concerning the School of Arts and Trades. He has a eureka moment and declares he has arrived at a
decision.

Chapter 21: Manila Types

People flock to the theater for the first show of a French operetta company. Outside, an unkempt
Spaniard nicknamed, The Shrimp, chats about the show with Uncle Quico.[1] The Shrimp thinks that the
performance sold out because people grew curious as a result of the friar’s strong opposition to it on
moral grounds, and the public chatter among the show’s prominent supporters.

Elsewhere, the student Tadeo is accompanied by a newcomer to whom he gives an overview of the
backgrounds of every important looking person they see. Tadeo makes up stories about those he
doesn’t really know.

Makaraig, Pecson, Sandoval and Isagani arrive and Tadeo accepts their offer to join them in their theater
box.

Chapter 22: The Performance

The performance opens late to an impatient audience due to the delayed arrival of the Captain-General.
Across the students’ box is one procured by Makaraig for Pepay, Don Custodio’s dancer, in an effort to
get her to influence Don Custodio in their favor regarding the appeal for a Spanish academy permit .
They are in good spirits seeing Pepay’s happy looks. Only Isagani is in a bad mood, seeing Paulita with
his rival Juanito Pelaez.

Don Custodio, who earlier sided with the friars against the show, is also there under the guise of
critiquing the show. Padre Irene in disguise is likewise in attendance, with the excuse that he had been
sent by Padre Salvi as a secret religious police.

At the end of the first act, Makaraig heads off to see Pepay and Padre Irene and learns that the
commission has accepted Don Custodio’s recommendation in favor of the Spanish academy, but
stipulates that the implementation of the plan must be supervised by a religious order. The student’s
participation is to be restricted to the collection of fees. The dejected students leave the theater.

Chapter 23: A Corpse

Since his return from San Diego to rescue Juli, Basilio has been devoting his time to studying, visiting the
hospital and attending to a sick and severely opium-addicted Capitan Tiago.

On the night of the French operetta, Basilio is at his studies, but is interrupted by the arrival of Simoun
who asks after Capitan Tiago. Basilio apprises him of the dire condition of Tiago’s health, but Simoun
cuts him off and reveals that a revolution, which came about under his influence, will break out in an
hour. He asks Basilio to choose sides.

Basilio reluctantly asks what is expected of him and Simoun asks him to head a group to rescue Maria
Clara from the convent. Basilio tells him he is too late, and informs him of Maria Clara’s death as
confirmed by a letter from Padre Salvi. Simoun runs out in anguish.

Chapter 24: Dreams

While waiting to meet Paulita, Isagani overhears Ben Zayb talk about Simoun falling ill and refusing to
see even the Captain-General’s men. Isagani thinks bitterly about the care given to the rich, and the
contrasting lack of attention to sick soldiers returning from fighting abroad.

Paulita arrives and acts resentful at Isagani for his having paid too much attention to the operetta
performers. She forgives him and explains she was only at the performance hoping to see him. They
laugh that it is actually Doña Victorina, Paulita’s aunt, who is in love with Juanito. Isagani reveals that
Don Tiburcio, Doña Victorina’s husband, is still in hiding in his uncle’s home.

This turns their conversation to Isagani’s town, for which he expresses a deep love, as he describes its
beauty and his happy diversions there in former years. But Paulita refuses to travel to it without a coach.
Isagani is optimistic, and eventually expects progress and a much better future for the Philippines owing
to the youth in Madrid working for its welfare. Paulita is doubtful and declares these sentiments dreams.

Chapter 25: Smiles and Tears

Makaraig and the other students celebrate their loss at a pansiteria[2] and put on an air of forced gaiety.
They launch into mocking jests, dedicating the soup bones to Don Custodio to make a project out of.

They then dedicate the lumpia[3] to Padre Irene, the crab omelette to the friars for the crabs that they
are, and the stewed noodles to the disorganized government. Pecson then jestingly takes the aspect of
an Augustinian preacher. He jokes about the ubiquity of friars in life, the necessity of their hairy limbs in
sustaining unity, and the need for scapularies and masses to occupy people and have something to put
their money on.

The students later notice they are being watched. They spot Padre Sibyla’s man leaving the pansiteria
and entering Simoun’s carriage with an unknown man.

Chapter 26: Pasquinades[1]

Basilio sets out early to inquire at the university about his license and to ask Makaraig for help with the
costs, having spent most of his money in ransoming Juli. Along the way he learns from acquaintances
that subversive posters had been found at the university gates and that the students’ union of which he
is a member, is being blamed for it.

He meets Sandoval who seems unable to hear his call, and then Tadeo, who, though ecstatic over the
cancellation of classes, thinks every union member will be arrested. He also encounters Juanito Pelaez
who denounces his involvement with the union.

At the university, he hears Isagani berating students for fleeing at the threat of imprisonment. Basilio
turns away from him and proceeds to Makaraig’s house where he and Makaraig are both arrested.

Chapter 27: The Friar and the Filipino

Padre Fernandez hears Isagani’s impassioned speech to his fellow students and asks to speak with him.
He asks Isagani what the students want of the friars. Isagani tells him to do their duty to improve the
development of the youth, and not to stifle the pursuit of education.

The priest declares education should only be given to the morally worthy. In response, Isagani blames
the failings of the subjugated Filipino to the conquerors who have had centuries, and yet supposedly
failed, to mold the moral character of an oppressed people.

Padre Fernandez deflects blame by reasoning that the friars are limited by the the government’s laws.
He asks Isagani for a simpler request that the friars can grant, and Isagani asks that students be treated
better, to which the priest responds that the students should change first. Isagani reminds him of what
happens to students who stand up to their professors.

The priest commits to speaking with his brethren about Isagani’s thoughts. He envies the Jesuits who
were responsible for Isagani’s early education. The Jesuits however, openly denounce Isagani.

Chapter 28: Tatakut[2]

The incident about the subversive posters results in a great deal of unease among many people. Quiroga
sets off to see Simoun about the rifles the jeweller had stored in his warehouse. Simoun, still refusing to
see anyone, leaves a message for Quiroga to keep the rifles where they are.

In the afternoon, there is talk of the students having allied themselves with outlaws to take the city by
surprise. Padre Irene tells Capitan Tiago that some have advised the Captain-General to implement a
reign of terror. The more moderate suggest only a show of force. Capitan Tiago passes away of fright
from the priest’s stories.
In other places, the prevailing feeling of anxiety leads to a number of unfortunate consequences, such as
an officer mistaking the commotion at a baptism for a riot, and two individuals getting shot by mistake.

At the silversmith’s where Placido Penitente lodges, he and Simoun’s pyrotechnist join the smith
workers just as they finish swapping theories about the posters. The pyrotechnist cautions everyone
to prepare, as there may be a massacre in the evening.

Chapter 29: Exit Capitan Tiago

Padre Irene is the executor of Capitan Tiago’s last will and testament which divides most of his wealth
among the nunnery of St. Clare, and various other religious entities and orders. He revokes Basilio’s
legacy of twenty-five pesos, but Padre Irene declares he will pay this anyway out of his own pocket.

It is said Capitan Tiago appeared to the nuns, radiant and dressed in a frock coat. People believe he has
been saved due to his numerous masses and pious legacies. His funeral rites are first class, filled with
many prayers, rites, incense, holy water and tolling of the bells.

Chapter 30: Juli

News of Basilio’s arrest reaches San Diego and Juli is devastated, more so because people say the
arrest was motivated by revenge against her and her father. Juli thinks Padre Camorra may be able to
help free Basilio, but shrinks from approaching him when she remembers how the priest asked her for
certain sacrifices in exchange for his having procured Juli’s grandfather’s freedom.ll

A traveler from Manila soon relates that all the prisoners have been released except for Basilio who has
no influential protector. This finally convinces Juli to see Padre Camorra. On the same day she visits
the priest, a girl is said to have thrown herself from a parish window and died. The following day,
Tandang Selo, grieved and stricken, takes his hunting spear and leaves the village forever.

Chapter 31: The High Official

The girl’s death[1] and even her identity are largely left unremarked by both the newspapers and the
locals, even as Padre Camorra leaves town for another.

Meanwhile, through the intervention of their relatives, the detained students are released, except for
Basilio who is further accused of possessing prohibited books. The Captain-General keeps him detained
to maintain the appearance of authority.

One high official advocates for Basilio, believing he is innocent, and argues with the Captain-General.
The official tells the Captain-General to treat the Filipinos better to give them no cause to reproach
Spain. The official ends up resigning shortly after the argument and heads back to Spain.

Chapter 32: Effect of the Pasquinades[2]

As a result of the events involving the students, Pecson, Tadeo and Pelaez are suspended from their
courses, and Makaraig leaves for Europe. Isagani passes only Padre Fernandez’s course but is suspended
from the others. Only Sandoval is able to sway the examiners in his favor. Basilio remains in jail, where
someone brings him the news of Juli’s passing.
Simoun recovers from his illness and is rumored to be leaving soon with the Captain-General at the end
of his term. In the interval, he is purported to have become the business partner of Don Timoteo,
Juanito’s father.

Paulita ditches Isagani and decides to marry Juanito Pelaez. It is rumored that Simoun is responsible
for arranging all the particulars of the couple’s celebratory party, where the Captain-General will be
present as the couple’s wedding patron.

Chapter 33: La Ultima Razon[3]

Basilio, having been released from prison through Simoun’s intercession, visits the jeweler. Basilio
castigates himself for forgetting his mother and brother’s misfortunes[4]and pledges to support
Simoun’s plans for a violent revolution.

Simoun welcomes his support. He reveals that he plans to ignite dynamite hidden in a decorative
lamp at nine in the evening during Juanito and Paulita’s wedding party, at the venue of which, sacks
of gunpowder are hidden. Simoun intends to take the city after the explosion with the help of Cabesang
Tales and his group of malcontents. He instructs Basilio to take charge at the appointed hour of arming
anyone willing to fight from the store of rifles in Quiroga’s warehouse, and to put to death those
unwilling to join.

Chapter 34: The Wedding

While waiting for the agreed time for the uprising, Basilio whiles away the time. His thoughts swing
between feeling sorry for the jilted Isagani and anger over Juli’s death and his own broken dreams. He
heads off to Capitan Tiago’s old house, now owned by Don Timoteo, where he witnesses the lavish
preparations for the evening wedding party.

It is revealed that the Captain-General will be bearing a lamp, confidentially procured by Simoun, as a
wedding gift at the dinner party.

Chapter 35: The Fiesta[5]

Important people arrive at the party, and Basilio hesitates when he observes the number of innocent
individuals. He experiences a momentary strengthening of his resolve when he sees Padre Irene and
Padre Salvi, but his good heart gets the better of him. He attempts to warn the guests of the impending
danger, but is stopped by the doorman.

Basilio sees Simoun leave the house and knows the lamp has been lit. He flees and meets Isagani, who
is in the street hoping to get a glimpse of Paulita. In the hopes of saving his friend, Basilio reveals the
planned explosion. Isagani rushes toward the house.

Inside, a note with the words: Mane Thecel Phares[6] Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, is circulating among the
guests. Padre Salvi recognizes Ibarra’s handwriting and is struck with terror, along with those who
knew of Ibarra’s story.

Chapter 36: Ben-Zayb’s Afflictions

Ben-Zayb writes an embellished account of what transpired at the wedding party, making the Captain-
General appear more heroic and the distinguished guests more stoic than they had actually been in the
face of danger. His editor returns his work unpublished following the Captain-General’s orders not to
discuss the incident.

Ben-Zayb turns his journalistic energies towards investigating an assault and theft at an inn where
priests had been injured. In the process, he learns that the apprehended thieves confessed that they
had been part of a plot, led by a Spaniard fitting Simoun’s description, to sack abbeys and houses of the
rich. When the signal did not materialize, they broke off from their gang to do some mischief on their
own.

Meanwhile, Simoun is nowhere to be found, and the sacks of gunpowder are found hidden at the
wedding party venue. People become suspicious of Simoun.

Chapter 37: The Mystery

While on a visit to the wealthy Orenda family’s house, Isagani listens to Chichoy relate how he had been
to Don Timoteo’s house in time to witness the discovery of the sacks of gunpowder there. He also
reveals hearing the rumor that government staff believe Simoun is the culprit. The civil guards are now
looking for the missing jeweler.

Momoy, the fiance of the eldest Orenda girl, who had been at the party then relates how an unknown
thief had stolen the lamp at the Captain-General’s dining room. Chichoy then shares the prevailing belief
that the lamp was meant to ignite the gunpowder and set the house on fire.

Isagani tells Momoy that if the thief had known what it was about and had time to reflect, he would
not have stolen the lamp. Later, Isagani leaves for his uncle’s place for good.

Chapter 38: Fatality

Along a mountainside, soldiers escort a group of individuals suspected of being members of the feared
Matanglawin’s gang of bandits. The soldiers cruelly whip their already exhausted detainees, and one
soldier called Carolino speaks up in protest against the cruelty to no avail.

As they move along, unseen individuals shoot at the soldiers from an elevated position screened by
trees. The corporal at the head of the soldiers immediately orders the shooting of all prisoners and then
orders his men to fire at their invisible enemies

One of the attackers reveals himself. Carolino shoots him, and the attacker disappears. Another man
with a spear appears and the soldiers shoot him too. Carolino approaches the fallen man and recognizes
his grandfather, Tandang Selo. Carolino, back from the Carolines, is Tano, son of Cabesang Tales. The old
man, already dead, has his eyes fixed on Tano and his finger pointed at something behind the rocks.

Chapter 39: Conclusion

Padre Florentino receives a note from a lieutenant warning of the arrival of the civil guards to arrest the
Spaniard hidden at the padre’s house. Don Tiburcio, thinking the note refers to him and that his wife
Dona Victorina had finally discovered his location decides to leave. Padre Florentino however is certain
that the note pertains to Simoun who had arrived at his house injured.
Simoun confesses his real identity and his story to Padre Florentino, including how he had befriended
and used the current Captain-General’s greed to commit more injustices and stir up discontent among
the people. Padre Florentino believes God will forgive Simoun and will not abandon an oppressed
people.

When Simoun laments how God has denied freedom to an oppressed people and saved others more
criminal than he, Padre Florentino points out how the just must suffer for their ideals. He further
stresses how suffering improves and makes worthy those among the people who are complicit in vice.

Simoun passes away and Padre Florentino takes the jeweler’s fortune in its steel case and hurls it into
the ocean, exhorting nature to keep it, only to emerge when men need it for a holy reason.