GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal

First Semester S.Y. 2022-2023

Learning materials

LESSON 10: EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CONTEXT AND CONTENT

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

a. Trace the meaning of the term filibuster across time;

b. Explain the historical context in which El Filibusterismo was written;
c. Examine current events through the eyes of the characters; and
d. Evaluate Rizal as a novelist.

Vocabulary:
Filibustero (19th century context) – translated as “subversive”; a patriot who was usually
associated with revolutionary activities.
Guardia civil – police/military force assigned by the colonial government to maintain peace and
order.
Cabeza de barangay – head of the barangay.

Lesson introduction:
Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo, is a story set in twilight years of the Spanish
colonial government in the Philippines. It was first translated into English by Charles
Derbyshire in 1912 under the title, The Reign of Greed. The book according to the translator
“represents Rizal’s more mature judgment on political and social conditions in the islands, and
in its graver and less hopeful tone reflects the disappointments and discouragements which he
had encountered in his efforts to lead the way to reform.”
This lesson will narrate how Rizal was able to write and publish his second noble
despite threats from the Spanish colonial government that regarded his first book, Noli Me
Tangere, as subversive. A brief synopsis of his novel will also be presented for discussion and
analysis.

Lesson Discussion:
Filibustero: History and Context

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 Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo as a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere after he
returned to Europe on February 1888. The novel, therefore, was written in the midst of threats
and oppressions he and his family were expressing because of the Noli and the Calamba
incident.
Rizal continued working on his novel and made some revisions while he was in London
in 1888. He was able to complete the novel after three years when he was in Biarritz, France on
March 29, 1891. However, because of financial constraints, it was not until September of the
same year that the book was published with the help of his friend, Valentin Ventura.
In March 1887, after reading the Noli Me Tangere, Blumentritt asked Rizal the meaning
of the word “filibustero” which he did not find in the Spanish language. To recall, Rizal replied”
The word filibustero is still very little known in the Philippines; the common people
as yet do not know it. I heard if for the first time in 1872 when the tragic
executions took place. I still remember the terror it aroused. Our father forbade us
ever to utter it, as well as the words Cavite, Burgos, etc. The Manila newspapers
and the Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to render suspect of
revolutionary activities. The educated fear the reach of the word. It does not have
the meaning of freebooter; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will soon
be hanged, or a presumptuous fellow.
In 1890, Wenceslao Retana wrote about the “filibustero” and described the term as “the one
who, eager for the independence of the country, resorts to various extralegal proceedings in
order to reach the objective that he pursues”. By theend of the 19 th century, the Spanish colonial
government defined “filibustero” as “someone who works for the separation of our overseas
provinces”. With these definitions, one will have an idea about the plot of Rizal’s second novel. It
deals with subversion. It pictures the lives of people under an oppressive regime. It narrates the
struggles of every Filipino in fighting for independence.
El Fili is dedicated to Gomburza, the three priests who were accused of being filibusters
in 1872. In his dedication, Rizal expressed his high regard for the priests who became victims of
“the evil that I am trying to fight.”

To the Memory of the priests:

Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old)
Don Jose Burgos (30 years old)
Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old)

Executed on the scaffold at Bagumbayan on February 28, 1872

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The Church, in refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime imputed to you; the
Government, in shrouding your cause with mystery and obscurities, creates belief in some error
committed in critical moments, and the whole Philippines, in venerating your memory and calling
you martyrs, in no way acknowledges your guilt.
As long therefore as your participation in the Cavite uprising is not clearly shown, whether or not
you were patriots, whether or not you nourished sentiments of justice and liberty, I have the right
to dedicate my work to you, as to victims of the evil that I am trying to fight. And while we wait for
Spain to reinstate you and make herself jointly culpable for your death, let these pages serve as
belated wreath of dried leaves laid on your unknown graves; and may your blood be upon the
hands of those who, without sufficient proof, assail your memory!

Rizal, however, made mistakes in indicating the age of the three priests and the date
they were executed. The Gomburza were publicly executed by garrotte on the early morning of
February 17, 1872. Gomez was then 73, Burgos was 35, and Zamora was 37.
In her translation of the novel, Soledad Lacson-Locsin described the book based on the
themes that can be seen in the story: “El Fili begins where the Noli leaves off, where love,
romance, disillusionment and vengeance.” Unlike Noli, El Fili burns with passion and ideology.
Rizal’s biographers opined that El Fili showed his maturity as a novelist.

Synopsis
The story of El Filibusterismo revolved around the main character, Simoun, who was a
rich jeweller. Simoun was actually Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli whom everyone thought was
killed by the guardia civil at the Laguna de Bay 13 years ago. He was able to escape and fled to
Cuba. He became wealthy and was able to establish connections with prominent Spanish
officials. Upon his return to the Philippines, Simoun became very influential being the
consultant of the governor-general.
Simoun came back with his grand plan to exact revernge on Spanish officials and to
rescue Maria Clara who entered the convent after learning the news of Ibarra’s death. He
planned to launch a revolution which he started by smuggling arms and recruiting followers,
mainly from the exploited and abused natives. One of his recruits was Basilio, the son of Sisa.
With the help of Kapitan Tiago, Basilio was able to study Medicine in Manila. Simoun also began
to establish an alliance with Kabesanf Tales and his revolutionary group. Kabesang Tales was a
former cabeza de barangay who was maltreated by the friars. Using his position, Simoun
encouraged corruption and more oppressive government policies to enrage the people and
thus, provoke them to revolt.
Simoun’s plan 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 and
other students were then arrested for allegedly forming a seditious organization. Simoun
arranged the release of Basilio who became bitter andvengeful. However, he was very grateful

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to Simoun and offerd his full support for the revolution. The second attempt at starting the
revolution entailed the planting of a bomb at the wedding reception of Paulita Gomez and
Juanito Pelaez. Illustrious guest at the mansion (formerly the house of Kapitan Tiago) included
Padre Salvi and the governor-general. In Simoun’s plan, the revolution would be triggered by his
gift to the couple – a kerosene lamp with an explosive. When the lamp starts flickering and
someone turn the wick, there would be an explosion, signalling the revolutionaries to attack all
government buildings in Manila.
As planned, Simoun gave the lamp during the reception. Before leaving the venue, he left
a note with a message: “You will die tonight,” signed by Crisostomo Ibarra.
Meanwhile, when Basilio saw all the people at the venue, his conscience bothered him.
He saw his friend, Isagani, who was secretly watching his love, Paulita, celebrating her wedding.
Basilio told Isagani about the explosive and asked him to leave the place.
When Padre Salvi confirmed Ibarra’s handwriting, the guests began to panic. The lamp
flickered and Padre Salvi tried to turn the wick. But Isagani, wanting to save Paulita, ran into the
house, 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 guardias
civiles, however, learned about the whereabouts of the fugitive, and informed the priest that
they would come in the evening to arrest Simoun.
Instead of surrendering to the authorities, Simoun poisoned himself. As the poison
started to take effect on his body, he confessed to Padre Florentino his true identity and his
plans for revenge. After the long and tedious confession, 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.
The story ended with Padre Florentino throwing Simoun’s jewels into the sea so that
they would not be used by the greedy. He also prayed that when the right time comes, the
treasure would be recovered and used for a noble purpose.

Evaluation: (See the separate file for learning activity)

References:
Rhodalyn Wani-Obias et. al., The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C&E Publishing Inc. (2018)
Eugene Raymond P. Crudo et. al. The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. REX Book Store. (2019)

Prepared by:

John Rey R. Buan

Instructor

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