GROUP 3 REPORT

MEMBERS
Lacerna, Charlyn
Laydia, Andrei
Levita, Christine D.
Malicdem, Lou Antonette C.
Manese, Jevelyn Grace A.
Mabbun, Carlota M.
Molina, Bhonjo B.
Onego, Joselito R.
Background of Noli Me Tangere

Most of the members wanted to write about the characters and activities of the
Filipino women. Most of them were not interested in Rizal’s proposed project. He did
not lose hope, using his talent and writing skills he started to write his masterpiece
the, “Noli Me Tangere”. He managed to finish the first half of the novel in Madrid.
He continued writing in Paris and finished in Germany.

The book itself is a fictional story, but it contains the hidden truth about the
corruption and abuse by the colonial government and the Catholic Church. In Rizal's
book, he expressed the growing national consciousness of many Filipinos who
opposed Spanish colonial tyranny and aspired to attain democratic rights. Noli me
Tangere is subdivided into 63 chapters, each are simultaneous from one another and
explored lives of different characters embedded into single time frame and has
interconnections.

Noli Me Tangere
Literally translated, the Latin words “noli me tángere” means, “touch me not”.
Taken from John 20:17 when Mary Magdalene holds on to Jesus and he tells her not
to touch him.
Noli Me Tangere’s Major Characters
Crisostomo Ibarra
Crisostomo Ibarra - also known in his full name as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y
Magsalin, a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years, the love interest of Maria
Clara Son of the deceased Don Rafael Ibarra. The main and most important character
in the novel manifesting in him the Filipino who acquired European idea through his
education in Europe.

Captain Tiago
Captain Tiago - also known in his full name as Don Santiago de los Santos, the
known father of Maria Clara but not the real one, lives in Binondo. An illegal opium
leader who subsequently was a landlord. He represented a businessman who used his
money to work for him even in religious life and obligations.

Father Damaso
Father Damaso - also known in his full name as Damaso Verdolagas, a friar and
Maria Clara's biological father. An antagonist in character and represents the in
Christian works for the Catholic friars who are in the church.

Maria Clara
Maria Clara - Maria Clara de los Santos, Ibarra's sweetheart; the legitimate
daughter of Father Damaso and Pia Alba. She was raised by Capitán Tiago and is the
most beautiful and widely celebrated girl in San Diego.

Elias
Elias - Ibarra's mysterious friend and ally. He wants to revolutionize the country
and to be freed from Spanish oppression.

Sisa
 Sisa - the mother of Basilio and Crispin who became insane after losing his sons.
She represented in the novel unfortunate Filipina mothers losing her two sons; Basilio
and Crispin. In the novel, Sisa loses her sanity.
Basilio
Elder son of Sisa.

Crispin
Crispin - the younger son of Sisa who died from the punishment of the soldiers
from the false accusation of stealing an amount of money.

Doña Consolacion
Doña Consolacion - wife of the Alferez, another woman who passed herself as a
Peninsular; best remembered for her abusive treatment of Sisa. Being the only
competitor of Captain Tiago in godliness, she did everything to pretend that she was
really religious by showing off to the public what she could contribute to the Church.

Doña Victorina
Doña Victorina - Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña, a woman who poses
herself as a Peninsulares. Wife of Don Tiburcio de Espadana, known in the novel as a
trying hard rich woman who abhors anything that is Filipino and clings for Spanish
way of life. This kind of character was manifested on some Filipinos of that time.

Don Rafael Ibarra

Don Rafael Ibarra - known in the plot as a concerned citizen and property owner
who was a father of Crisostomo Ibarra. Padre Damaso who played an antagonist role
called him a heretic and filibustero due to his view on relating to liberalism in society.

Padre Salvi
Padre Salvi - also known in his full name as Bernardo Salvi, a secret admirer of
Maria Clara. He is also the one who raped Maria Clara.
Padre Sibyla
 Padre Sibyla - Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar. He is described as short and
has fair skin.

The Noli me Tangere

After publication, Noli me Tangere was considered to be one of the key
instruments that initiated Filipino nationalism leading to the 1896 Philippine
Revolution. The novel did not only awaken sleeping Filipino awareness, but also
established the grounds for aspiring to independence.

The Noli Me Tangere by Dr. Jose Rizal encourages us to consider our actions and
ideas in the context of our country. The novel's concept of promoting nationalism and
accepting change in oneself is still relevant today.

Noli Me Tangere was brilliantly described Philippine society with its memorable
characters. The fate of Maria Clara and the insanity of Sisa characterized the
country's pitiful state, which was once beautiful, turned miserable. Reading Noli Me
Tangere will open one's mind about oppression and tyranny.