WEEK 13 – EL FILIBUSTERISMO
EL FILIBUSTERISMO CHARACTERS
Character Definition
Simoun a wealthy jeweler, bent on starting
a revolution.
Basilio Has risen from poverty to become
Captain Tiago’s charge. Close to
acquiring his medical degree, he is
pledged to Julí, the beautiful
daughter of Cabesang Tales.
Isagani poet and Basilio's best friend;
portrayed as emotional and
reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend
before being dumped for fellow
student Juanito Peláez.
Kabesang Tales Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former
cabeza de barangay who
resurfaced as the feared Luzón
bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for
Hawkeye).
Makaraig Makaraig shared the same
nationalistic ideals with that of
Isagani. The both of them led their
fellow students in the movement
for the establishment of the
Spanish academy for Filipinos. The
only difference between the two is
their social status.
Paulita Gómez The girlfriend of Isagani and the
niece of Doña Victorina. In the end,
she and Juanito Peláez are wed,
and she dumps Isagani, believing
that she will have no future if she
marries him.
Father Florentino Isagani's godfather, and a secular
priest; was engaged to be married,
but chose the priesthood instead,.
The story hinting at the
ambivalence of his decision as he
chooses an assignment to a remote
place, living in solitude near the
sea.
Juli Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of
Basilio, and the youngest daughter
of Kabesang Tales.
Ben Zayb Abraham Ibañez is his real name.
He is a journalist who thinks he is
the only one thinking in the
Philippines.
Placido Penitente A student of the University of
Santo Tomas who is always
miserable, and therefore controls
his temper.
Symbolism
Simoun represents the
revolutionaries during that time
who supported the idea of holding
bloody revolt against the Spanish
government. His death in El
Filibusterismo tells readers that
Rizal does not support the armed
revolution.
He represents the youth with a
simple dream that his education
will improve his social and
economic status in the future and
is indifferent and selfish to the
needs of society.
Isagani is the symbol of the youth
whose love for the country is great
to the point of being branded as
idealistic.
He personified a typical Filipino
who is content with living a simple
life. He also symbolizes the natives
and farmers whose lands were
seized by the friars, an explanation
as to why Filipinos became rebels.
Makaraig represented the well-todo
Filipino youth during the
Spanish era who had good dreams
for the country. His character also
provided readers a glimpse of how
different the rich and the poor
were treated during that time in
society.
Paulita Gomez is a caricature of a
woman who chooses the best
option for a more stable future.
She knows what is best for her and
would take advantage of her
admirers to get what she wants.
Father Florentino represented the
secular Filipino priests in Rizal’s
time. It was also through his
character that the author stressed
his disapproval of a bloody revolt.
Juli, like Maria Clara, symbolizes
the purity and innocence of the
lower class women during Rizal's
time. She would rather sacrifice
rather than give up her ideals.
Personifies a corrupted media.
Placido means – silent and
Penitente means – suffering.
Combining those words, “silent
suffering” or in tagalog “tahimik na
 pagluluksa”.

Señor Pasta He is an old Filipino lawyer who He represents the part of the
refuses to help the Filipino society that is only generous and
students in their clamor for sympathetic to the rich and
educational reforms. powerful.
Father Irene He is a kind friar who is a friend of He embodies the few Spaniards
the Filipino students. He supports who are sympathetic to the
the students who appeal to the Filipinos.
government for an academy of
Spanish language.
Summary:
El Filibusterismo is a sequel to Noli Me Tangere. A dark, brooding, at times satirical novel of revenge,
unfulfilled love, and tragedy, the Fili (as it is popularly referred to) still has as its protagonist Juan Crisóstomo
Ibarra. Thirteen years older, his idealism and youthful dreams shattered, and taking advantage of the belief
that he died at the end of Noli Me Tangere, he is disguised as Simoun, an enormously wealthy and mysterious
jeweler who has gained the confidence of the colony’s governor-general.

El Filibusterismo was written by the unofficial national hero of the Philippines, José Rizal, and first
published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium. It is Rizal’s second novel and the sequel to his first novel, Noli Me
Tángere. The novel’s alternate title is The Reign of Greed. Rizal wrote both novels in Spanish because at the
time of writing, the Philippine islands were Spanish colonies. His two novels were a part of the Filipino
Propaganda Movement, which sought greater autonomy from Spain, if not independence. El Filibusterismo
addresses topics of great importance to the movement, namely clerical abuses, racism against the Philippine
people, and the need for political reform. The novels resulted in Rizal’s exile to Hong Kong, and later, his
execution by firing squad in 1896 at the age of 35. His two novels are required reading for all Philippine high
school students, having been translated to English, Filipino, and other Philippine languages.

Plot Summary
El Filibusterismo Summary Crisostomo Ibarra is back and as Simoun. During the period in between the story
line of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which is 13 years, Ibarra left the Philippines and became a
wealthy jeweler. He came back to the Philippines as Senor Simoun, disguised with a beard. He seems to have
long abandoned his once vision of ending the despotism of Spain with words and peace. He becomes hungry
for vengeance for all the misfortune our country has suffered under the tyranny of the Spaniards . And near the
end of the novel, when he discovers that his lover, Maria Clara, died in the convent, he becomes all the more
furious. Simoun is a confidant of the Captain-General. He encourages the government to make bad decisions
and to abuse their power so that it would spark a revolution among the masses.
Basilio, now all grown up, is at first reluctant to join in on Simoun’s idea but ends up being part of the plan.
Simoun started planning uprisings and stashed guns in the shop of an ally. At the wedding reception of
newlyweds (the bride being the ex-girlfriend of one of the friends of Basillo—Isagani), Simoun tells Basilio that
his plan was to conceal an explosive which contains nitroglycerin inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene lamp
that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The reception will take place at
the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted by Simoun. According
to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick,
it will explode and kill everyone—important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the
house. Simoun leaves the reception early and leaves a note with the words: “Mene Thecel Phares” which
means “the future is predetermined” and is generally implied that a bad event is going to happen.
Simoun signed it with his real name “Juan Crisostomo Ibarra”. The people at the reception were shocked
because Ibarra is supposedly dead. One of the priests who knew Ibarra before the ending of Noli Me Tangere
confirmed to the people that it was the writing of Ibarra. The lamp started to dim… Outside the house, Basilio
was about to walk away because he knew the lamp was going to explode anytime soon when he saw Isagani,
the still heart-broken ex-boyfriend of the bride whose reception was still going on in the house of Capitan
Tiago. Isagani said that he just wanted to congratulate the newly-weds. Basilio who then feared for the safety
of his friend told him about the plan of Simoun. Isagani ran to the house.
A priest was about to fix the lamp but once Isagani got in, he found the lamp and threw it out the window into
the river outside the residence. Since the guards were chasing Isagani, he himself jumped out of the window
into the river as well. There was an uprising planned by Simoun during the time of the reception. The band got
caught and confessed that Simoun lead them. Ibarra was now wanted both as himself and as Simoun. Days
passed and a good priest found Simoun walking along the shore, wounded and weak. The noble priest tended
to Simoun while the latter explained that he is Ibarra and that he was greatly saddened and angry due to the
failure of the revolution and that he was questioning God as to why he was the one who is suffering and not the
ones who have forsaken the people of the Philippines.

The priest explains that all punishments will come in due time. Ibarra died as he weakly held the hand of the
priest. The latter blessed the former and threw away all the remaining jewels of Ibarra in the hopes that they
may always be used for good.

El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal explores several underlying themes that reflect the social, political, and
cultural realities of the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. Some of the prominent themes in the
novel include:

Social Injustice and Oppression: The novel vividly depicts the social inequalities and injustices suffered by the
Filipino people under Spanish rule. It explores the exploitation and abuses committed by those in power,
particularly the friars and the colonial government, against the common people.

 Abuse of Power: Rizal critiques the abuse of power by both the religious and civil authorities. The
oppressive actions of the clergy, exemplified by the character Padre Salvi, and the corrupt practices of
the government officials contribute to the suffering of the Filipino masses.
 Colonial Mentality: The novel delves into the psychological and cultural effects of colonization on the
Filipino identity. It examines how the colonized people internalize the values and beliefs of the
colonizers, leading to a distorted sense of self and a disconnection from their own heritage.
 Resistance and Revolution: "El Filibusterismo" explores the theme of resistance against tyranny and
the call for social change. Characters like Simoun symbolize the spirit of revolution and the desire for a
just and free society. The novel raises questions about the legitimacy and morality of armed resistance
against oppressive regimes.
 Education as Liberation: Rizal emphasizes the importance of education as a tool for enlightenment
and liberation. Characters like Isagani and Basilio are portrayed as individuals who seek education as a
means to uplift themselves and their society.
 The Tragic Consequences of Revenge: The novel also delves into the theme of revenge through the
character of Simoun. While seeking revenge for the injustices he and his family endured, Simoun's
actions lead to tragic consequences, illustrating the destructive nature of vengeance.

Overall, "El Filibusterismo" serves as a powerful critique of the socio-political landscape of 19th-century
Philippines under Spanish rule, and it advocates for social reform and the pursuit of justice and equality.
 Week 13
(EL Filibusterismo)

Name: Francheska Kate A. Labios Yr. & Section: BSCRIM 3D Date: November 22, 2023

Learning Objectives:
1. Can assess the important characters in El Filibusterismo and the symbolism each represents.
2. Be able to analyze the underlying theme of the novel, El Filibusterismo.

ACTIVITY:
SYMBOLISMS IN EL FILIBUSTERISMO. Complete the table below to describe your own symbolism of the characters used in the El
Filibusterismo. It can be an object, a person in the present time, or any other representation. Briefly explain your symbolism on the third
column. Kindly pick 5 characters.

Characters in EL
Descriptions Symbolism Explanation
Filibusterismo

Simoun represents the revolutionaries during Simoun is just a

that time who supported the idea of holding José Protacio Rizal representation of Rizal—a
Simoun bloody revolt against the Spanish government. Mercado y Alonso man driven insane and
His death in El Filibusterismo tells readers that Realonda brimming with rage who
Rizal does not support the armed revolution. wants a revolution.
The character of Basilio
represents the struggle
against injustice and for
social justice. Several
He represents the youth with a simple dream
Children/Youth movements and
that his education will improve his social and
Basilio organizations are still
economic status in the future and is indifferent
working today to promote
and selfish to the needs of society.
social justice and deal with
structural problems which
reinforce inequality and
injustice.
He personified a typical Filipino who is content Kabesang Tales,
with living a simple life. He also symbolizes the Farmers represents the farmers
Kabesang Tales natives and farmers whose lands were seized whose territories were
by the friars, an explanation as to why Filipinos taken by the friars.
became rebels.
Just like a lotus flower, Juli
Juli, like Maria Clara, symbolizes the purity represents rebirth, power
and innocence of the lower class women A lotus flower over misfortune, and purity.
Juli
during Rizal's time. She would rather sacrifice Lotus flowers are also
rather than give up her ideals. symbols of strength and
resilience.
Ben Zayb is an
embodiment of the
social media in the present
time, which fabricates
Social Media stories to give them
Ben Zayb Personifies a corrupted media. credibility. tells individuals
on whom to hate, whom to
love, and other control
measures that turn
vulnerable Filipinos into
pawns in this manipulation.