Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Province of Laguna

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

LSPU Self-paced Learning Module (SLM)

Course Philippine Institution 100
Sem/AY Second Semester 2022-2023
Module No. 4
Lesson Title Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
Week
14-17
Duration
Date May 8 - 26
Description This lesson will discuss the characters, symbolism, synopsis, and epilogue of Noli Me
of the Tangere and characters and plot summary of El Filibusterismo. This lesson will also
Lesson provide activity and task about the two novels.

Learning Outcomes
Intended Students should be able to meet the following intended learning outcome:
Learning ● determine the characters, symbolism, synopsis, and epilogue of Noli Me Tangere
Outcomes and characters and plot summary of El Filibusterismo
Targets/ At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Objectives ● describe the characters of the two novels
● identify the symbolism in Noli Me Tangere
● explain the synopsis and epilogue of the Noli
● analyze the plot summary of El Filibusterismo

Student Learning Strategies

Online Activities A. Online Discussion via Google Meet
(Synchronous/ You will be directed to attend a Three -Hour class discussion on Two
novels of Jose Rizal. To have access to the Online Discussion, refer to
Asynchronous) this link: ____________________.

B. Learning Guide Questions:

1. Who are the characters of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo?
2. What is the synopsis of Noli Me Tangere?
3. What is the plot summary of El Filibusterismo

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Offline Activities
(e-Learning/Self-P Lecture Guide
aced)
Noli Me Tangere
Rizal, a voracious reader, had read almost any book that he could get his
hands on. One time he came across Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin,
a novel about the brutalities of the white American to their Negro slaves. The
book ignited Rizal’s nationalistic fire; it made him decide to write a book that
would expose to the world the sad plight of his own countrymen in the
Philippines.
Using his foremost talent, Rizal started writing one of his masterpieces,
the Noli Me Tangere.
Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid in 1884 and finished about
one-half of it. He continued writing when he went to Paris and finished it in
Germany. He made the final revisions in Berlin Germany.
The title of the novel, Noli Me Tangere, is a Latin phrase which means,
“touch me not” lifted from the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20, verses 13 - 17).
The novel was dedicated to the Philippines, which reads as follows:
Recorded in the history of human sufferings, is a cancer so malignant that
the least irritates it and awakens in its sharpest pain. Thus, how many times,
when in the midst of modern civilizations, I have wished to call you before me,
now to accompany me in memories, now to compare you with other countries,
has your dear image presented itself showing a social cancer.
Desiring your welfare, which is our own, seeking the best treatment, I will do
with you what the ancients did with their sickness, exposing them on the steps of
the temple so that everyone who came to evoke the Divinity might offer them a
remedy.
And to this end, I will try to reproduce your condition faithfully, without
discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to
truth everything, even vanity itself, since as your son, I am conscious that I also
suffer from your defects and weaknesses.
Printing of Noli Me Tangere
With his funds running low, Rizal almost lost hope of publishing his
novel. In the middle of his despondency, a good friend, by the name of Maximo
Viola, a wealthy young man of Bulacan, lent Rizal the needed funds to publish
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100
Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

his novel. He found the cheapest printer, in Berlin Germany. Rizal paid 300
pesos for 2,000 copies. Rizal sent copies to his closest friends like Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce,
and Felix R. Hidalgo.
He gave the galley proofs of the novel to Maximo Viola to show gratitude for
helping him to publish his first novel, the Noli Me Tangere.
Cover Symbolisms of Noli Me Tangere

❖ Silhouette of a Filipina
● believed to be the "Inang Bayan" to whom Rizal dedicate the
novel
❖ Cross/Crucifix
● represents the Catholic faith
● also symbolizes sufferings and death
❖ Pomelo Blossoms & Laurel Leaves
● represent honor and fidelity, which are the values Rizal aspires to
be embodied by Filipinos
● Pomelos are used to scent their air commonly during prayers and
cleansing rituals.
● Laurel leaves are used as crowns during Greek Olympics for
honoring the best.
❖ Burning Torch
● Rage and passion
❖ Sunflower
● symbolizes a new beginning
● compared to the happiness of which appears to be always
bowing down
❖ Feet
● symbolizes the power of the friars
❖ Shoes
● represents wealth
● it is also the footprints left by friars in teaching Catholicism

❖ Hairy Legs
● symbolizes the Legend of the Wolf
● the wolf shape shifts just like how friars hide their true nature
and character
❖ Helmet of a Guardia Civil
● represents the arrogance of those in authority
❖ Whip

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

● represents the abuses and cruelties done by the Spaniards and

friars as depicted in the novel
❖ Flogs (Suplina)
● used for self-flagellation
● just like the whip, this also symbolizes the cruelties of the
Guardia Civil
❖ Chain
● symbolizes slavery and imprisonment
❖ Rizal's Signature
● shows that Rizal experienced and witnessed the ills and abuses
that happened during his time
❖ Bamboo Stalks
● represents Filipino resiliency
● despite the sufferings, Filipinos can still stand tall and firm
The Characters of the novel
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra Y Magsalin
✔ the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra.
✔ He came from Europe after 7 years of studying
✔ Outspoken and idealistic.
✔ Patient and serious man
✔ He becomes very violent and impulsive when he provoked.
✔ Ibarra as Rizal’s reflection of himself.
✔ Symbolizes the idealism of the privileged youth.
✔ The love interest of Maria Clara.

Elias

✔ He distrusts human judgment and prefers God’s justice instead.

✔ He prefers a revolution over the reforms.
✔ He represents the common Filipino.
✔ A man hiding from the authorities.
✔ He is bound to save Ibarra until death.

Don Santiago de los Santos

✔ The foster father of Maria Clara

✔ He is said to be a good Catholic, friend of the Spanish government.
✔ Don Santiago de los Santos also known as Kapitan Tiyago

Fray Dámaso Verdolagas

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

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Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

✔ Talkative and cruel priest.

✔ He raped Doña Pia, Maria Clara’s mother.
✔ He continually antagonizes Ibarra and prevents his marriage to Maria
Clara.
✔ He symbolizes the Spanish friars of Rizal’s time.
✔ The former parish priest of San Diego.

Fray Bernardo Salvi

✔ Manipulates people to get what he wants.

✔ He is described to be very thin and sickly.
✔ The Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly harboring lust for María
Clara.

Fray Hernando Sibyla

✔ He is often cool and intelligent, especially when correcting the other
friar
✔ A Dominican friar who is the curate of Binondo and had been a former
professor at San Juan de Letran college
✔ He is aware of the injustices done to the natives but would not do
anything to change it, as all he cares about is getting his congregation in
power.

Basilio
✔ He is 10 years old.
✔ An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus
✔ He represented the innocent who were wrongly accused of crimes they
did not commit.

Crispin
✔ He is 7 years old, often talks about silly things and Sisa’s favorite son.
✔ An altar boy, he was unjustly accused of stealing money from the church.

Don Anastacio also known Pilosopo Tasyo

✔ He considered a fool by uneducated and a philosopher by educated

✔ He spent most of his money on books
✔ He symbolizes the learned Filipinos.
✔ He is a pessimist.

Don Tiburcio de Espadaña

✔ Doña Victorina’s husband.
✔ He is timid and rarely joins in conversation.
✔ Makes living as a quack doctor.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

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Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

✔ Represented the ignorant Spaniards whose foolishness the other

Spaniards tolerated, often resulting in disastrous consequences for the
natives.

Alferez
✔ Dona Consolascion’s husband, shares rivalry with the priest, particularly
Padre Salvi and frequently has violent fights with his wife
✔ Represented the officials of the state who frequently had power
struggles with Church officials.

Maria Clara
✔ The major woman character in Rizal’s novels, symbolized the
Philippines, a victim of circumstances which involved human
weaknesses as hypocrisy and greed, thus defeating the noble objectives
of Spain.
Sisa
✔ seemed to the much – abused Filipino wife who was supposed to be long
patient suffering, and mother who loved her sons at the expense of her
health and welfare.
Julia
✔ personified the helpless and downtrodden, a victim to the wickedness of
friars.
Donya Pia
✔ a victim of blind faith in the teaching of the friars, faith that gained a
stronghold in ruling the natives.
Donya Victorina
✔ a hypocrite incarnates, a social climber, and a victim of colonial
mentality.
Donya Consolacion
✔ a symbol of an upstart, too eager to rule the country to the extent of
being inhumane.
Paulita
✔ foreshadowed the seemingly uninhibited present – day teenagers.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Tia Isabel
✔ typified the ever- zealous maternal guardian
Capitana Maria
✔ the embodiment of the sterling qualities of a mother, wises, solicitous,
courageous and understanding.

Synopsis of the Novel

After completing his studies in Europe, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, returns to
his homeland. He is absent from the country for long seven years, and to
celebrate his homecoming, Capitan Tiago holds a get together party. The party
in his house is attended by some dignitaries; Fray Damaso, Fray Sibila, Lt.
Guevearra, Donya Victorina and many others.
Maria Clara, a beautiful lady known to be the daughter of Capitan Tiago, is
the sweetheart of Ibarra. After the party, the lovers had a happy reunion. Maria
kept all letters written to her by Ibarra before he left for Europe. In that happy
homecoming, Maria reread to him the letters.
At the time Ibarra was preparing to leave for San Diego. Lt. Guevarra of
the Guardia Civil told him about the misfortune of his father Don Rafael, the
rich haciendero of the town. The lieutenant recounted Don Rafael was accused
of being a heretic, an allegation raised by Fray Damaso because as told his
father refused to participate in confession and mass rites that allegation was
strengthened by incident. One day Don Rafael saw a tax collector fighting
against a student.
The don was a man of compassion so that during the course of the fight he
intervened to help the student. Unfortunately, the tax collector fell and his head
hit a stone that eventually caused him death. Investigation ensued. Everyone
who wronged Don Rafael showed up and he was imprisoned. His case was on
the verge of settlement when he got sick and died.
Fray Damaso was not content with his allegation to Don Rafael. He
ordered that his corpse be transferred from the catholic cemetery to the
Chinese one because being a heretic Don Rafael did not deserve a Christian
burial. It was raining when the corpse was exhumed. The men were bothered
by the weight of the cadaver. They decided to throw it into the lake, and it did.
Ibarra being a man of education and a man who does not carry a vengeful
idea, tried to forget everything. He wanted to continue the liberal mind of his

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

father. He planned on putting up a school because he firmly believes that

education is a liberating instrument.
But there was a sabotage to kill Ibarra which is supposed to be carried
during the inauguration of the school. A man in the name of Elias helped him
and instead the hired killer is the one killed.
In the luncheon as part of the school’s inauguration. Fray Damaso for the
second time insulted Ibarra. Again, the latter ignored the priest. But Ibarra’s
patience comes to an end when Padre Damaso belittles the dignity of his dead
father Don Rafael. He takes a knife and in the point of stabbing the impudent
priest when Maria Clara stops him.
The incident makes the Archbishop of the church to excommunicate
Ibarra. Fray Damaso persuaded the parents of Maria Clara to stop marrying
Maria to Ibarra. The priest has a man named Maria Clara, a Spanish, in the
name of Linares. He has just arrived in the Philippines.
After some time, the bishop nullifies the excommunication of Ibarra. It
happens through the help of a Captain General. For another reason, Ibarra gets
arrested and jailed. During the litigation nobody could testify about the crime
of Ibarra. It is a chance in favor of Ibarra, but again fate is very unfriendly to
him. His letters to Maria Clara are manipulated and used as evidence against
him.
With the help of Elias. Ibarra escapes from prison. Before leaving he talks
to Maria Clara discreetly. He accuses her for betraying him. Maria explains to
Ibarra that those letters were written by her mother long before her birth. The
letter said that Fray Damaso raped her mother and the truth comes out that
Capitan Tiago is not her real father.
Ibarra and Elias board a boat and flee. Elias covers Ibarra with grasses in
the boat. The Guardia Civil spot them. Elias dives into the river and the soldiers
shoot him unaware that they are firing a wrong man.
Maria is so sad to hear the fate of her forlorn sweetheart. She asks Fray
Damaso to take her to nunnery, but the priest is reluctant on the thought that
Maria will take her own life.
Christmas, Elias wounded arrives in the forest where he finds Basilio and
his dead mother Sisa. Elias dies without seeing the victory of his country.
Epilogue of the Noli Me Tangere
Maria Clara entered the nunnery of Santa Clara to remain loyal to her
love for Ibarra. Padre Salvi left San Diego and became a chaplain of Santa Clara
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100
Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

nunnery. Padre Damaso was transferred to a remote province; the next day he
was found dead in his bedroom. Capitan Tiago became an opium addict.
Linares, who didn’t succeed in winning Maria Clara ‘s love, later died of
dysentery; while Donya Victorina still henpecked Don Tiburcio.

El Filibusterismo
● It is the second novel written by José Rizal as the sequel to Noli Me
Tangere.
● Like Noli Me Tangere, it was written in Spanish.
● “The reign of Greed” in English
● It consist of 38 chapters
Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to the three martyred priests of
Cavite mutiny. The execution of the three priests was significant to the title of
the novel.
● Rizal took 3 years to write his second novel.
● Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 while he was in
Calamba.
● In London (1888), he revised the plot and some chapters. Rizal
continued to work on his manuscript in Paris. He later moved to
Brussels where the cost of living was cheaper and he would be less
likely to be distracted by social events so he could focus on finishing the
book.
Jose Rizal finally completed the book on March 29, 1891 in Biarritz
September 18, 1891- the novel was published in Ghent, partially funded by
Rizal’s friend Valentin Ventura. Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed
copies to Hong- Kong, one for Basa and other for Sixto Lopez.
● Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed
printed copy to Valentin Ventura. Rizal sent complimentary copies to
Blumentritt, Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, T.H.
Pardo de Tavera, Juan Luna and other friends.

● The El Nuevo Regimen-liberal Madrid newspaper serialized the novel in

its issues of October 1891.
● Original manuscript of El filibusterismo in Rizal’s own handwriting is
now preserved in the Filipiniana Division of the Bureau of Public
libraries in Manila. Acquired by Philippine government from Valentin
Ventura for 10,000 pesos. Consists of 279 pages of long sheets paper

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Objectives of Jose Rizal in writing El Filibusterismo

● To discuss what religion and belief can really do to everyday lives.
● To expose the cruelties, graft and corruption of the false government
and honestly show the wrong doings of Filipinos that led to further
failure.
● To defend Filipino people from foreign accusations of foolishness and
lack of knowledge.
● To show how the Filipino people live during Spanish colonial period and
the cries and woes of his countrymen against abusive officials.

Characters

Simoun - Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for dead at the end of Noli me
tangere. Ibarra has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler, Simoun, sporting a beard,
blue-tinted glasses, and a revolver. Fueled by his mistreatment at the hands of
the Spaniards and his fury at Maria Clara's fate, Simoun secretly plans a
revolution to seek revenge against those who wronged him.

Basilio - Son of Sisa and another character from Noli Me Tangere. He became a
servant of Capitan Tiyago in exchange for education. In the events of the book,
he is a graduating medical student who befriended Simoun. His girlfriend is
Juli.

Isagani - Basilio's friend and one of the students who planned to set up a new
school. He is very idealistic and hopes for a better future for the Philippines. His
girlfriend was the rich and beautiful Paulita Gomez, but they broke up once he
was arrested. Despite this, his love for her still endured. He sabotaged Simoun's
plans by removing the lamp that contained explosives and threw it in the
waters.

Kabesang Tales - Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de

barangay (barangay head) of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diego's neighboring
town Tiani, who resurfaced as the feared Luzón bandit Matanglawin. He is the
son of Tandang Selo, and father of Juli and Tano.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

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Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Don Custodio - Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo, a famous

"journalist" who was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia
de Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich
woman in order to be a member of Manila's high society.

Paulita Gómez - The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the
old Indio who passes herself off as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack
doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and Juanito Peláez are wed, and
she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.

Macaraig - One of Isagani's classmates at the University of Santo Tomas. He is a

rich student and serves as the leader of the students yearning to build the
Academia de Castellano.

Father Florentino - Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be

married, but chose to be a priest after being pressured by his mother, the story
hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a
remote place, living in solitude near the sea. He took in Don Tiburcio de
Espandaña when he was hiding from his wife, Donya Victorina.

Huli - Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of
Kabesang Tales. To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid
under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but
committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her.

Juanito Pelaez - A favorite student of the professors. They belong to the noble
Spanish ancestry. After failing in his grades, he became Paulita's new boyfriend
and they eventually wed.

Doña Victorina - Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaña, known in Noli Me

Tangere as Tiburcio de Espadaña's cruel wife. She is the aunt of Paulita Gomez,
and favors Juanito Pelaez over Isagani. She is searching for her husband, who
has left her and is in hiding. Although of Indio heritage, she considers herself as
one of the Peninsular.

Father Camorra - The lustful parish priest of Tiani, San Diego's adjacent town
who has longtime desires for young women. He nearly raped Juli causing the
latter to commit suicide.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

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 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Ben-Zayb - The pseudonym of Abraham Ibañez, a journalist who believes he is

the "only" one thinking in the Philippines. Ben-Zayb is an anagram of Ybanez,
an alternate spelling of his name.

Placido Penitente - A student of the University of Santo Tomas who was very
intelligent and wise but did not want, if not only by his mother's plea, to pursue
his studies. He also controls his temper against Padre Millon, his physics
teacher. During his High School days, he was an honor student hailing from
Batangas.

Hermana Penchang - Sagpang's rich pusakal (gambler). She offers Juli to be

her maid so the latter can obtain money to free Kabesang Tales. Disbelieving of
Juli and her close friends, she considers herself as an ally of the friars.

Tiburcio de Espadaña - Don Tiburcio is Victorina de Espadaña's lame

husband. He is currently in hiding at Father Florentino's.

Father Írene - Captain Tiago's spiritual adviser. Although reluctant, he helped

the students to establish the Academia de Castellano after being convinced by
giving him a chestnut. The only witness to Captain Tiago's death, he forged the
last will and testament of the latter so Basilio will obtain nothing from the
inheritance.

Quiroga - A Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a consul for his

country in the Philippines. He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house.

Don Timoteo Pelaez - Juanito's father. He is a rich businessmen and arranges a

wedding for his son and Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners.

Tandang Selo - Father of Kabesang Tales and grandfather of Tano and Juli. He
raised the sick and young Basilio after he left their house in Noli me tangere. He
died in an encounter on the mountains with his son Tales, when he was killed
by a battalion that included his own grandson, Tano.

Father Fernández - The priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he

and the other priests will give in to the students' demands.

Sandoval - The vice-leader of Macaraig's gang. A Spanish classmate of Isagani,

he coerces his classmates to lead alongside him the opening of the Spanish
language academy.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

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 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Hermana Báli - Another gambler in Tiani. She became Juli's mother-figure and
counselor; helped to release Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits.

Father Millon - The Physics teacher of the University of Santo Tomas. He

always becomes vindictive with Placido and always taunts him during class.

Tadeo - Macaraig's classmate. He, along with the other three members of their
gang, supposedly posted the posters that "thanked" Don Custodio and Father
Irene for the opening of the Academia de Castellano.

Leeds - An American who holds stage plays starring severed heads; he is good
friends with Simoun.

Tano - Kabesang Tales's elder son after his older sister, Lucia died in childhood.
He took up the pseudonym "Carolina" after returning from exile in the Caroline
Islands, and became a civil guard. He was among the battalion killed his
grandfather, Selo, who was part of a group of an attacking rebels.

Pepay - Don Custodio's supposed "girlfriend". A dancer, she is always agitated

of her "boyfriend"'s plans. She seems to be a close friend of Macaraig

Gobernador General - The highest-ranking official in the Philippines during

the Spanish colonial period, this unnamed character pretends that what he is
doing is for the good of the Indios, the local citizens of the country, but in
reality, he prioritizes the needs of his fellow Spaniards living in the country.

Father Hernando de la Sibyla - A Dominican friar introduced in Noli Me

Tangere, now the vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas.

Pecson - classmate who had no idea on the happenings occurring around him.
He suggested that they held the mock celebration at the panciteria.

Father Bernardo Salvi- Former parish priest of San Diego in Noli Me Tangere,
now the director and chaplain of the Santa Clara convent.

Captain Tiago - Santiago delos Santos, Captain Tiago is Maria Clara's

stepfather and the foster-father to Basilio. His health disintegrates gradually
because of the opium he was forced to smoke. Eventually, he died because
Padre Irene scared him about the revolt of the Filipinos.
Plot summary

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Thirteen years after leaving the Philippines, Crisostomo Ibarra returns

as Simoun, a rich jeweler sporting a beard and blue-tinted glasses, and a
confidant of the Captain-General.
Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical saboteur, seeking
revenge against the Spanish Philippine system responsible for his misfortunes
by plotting a revolution. Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and
influences every decision of the Captain-General to mismanage the country’s
affairs so that a revolution will break out.
He cynically sides with the upper classes, encouraging them to commit
abuses against the masses to encourage the latter to revolt against the
oppressive Spanish colonial regime. This time, he does not attempt to fight the
authorities through legal means, but through violent revolution using the
masses. His two reasons for instigating a revolution are at first, to rescue María
Clara from the convent and second, to get rid of ills and evils of Philippine
society.
His true identity is discovered by a now grown-up Basilio while
visiting the grave of his mother, Sisa, as Simoun was digging near the grave site
for his buried treasures. Simoun spares Basilio’s life and asks him to join in his
planned revolution against the government, egging him on by bringing up the
tragic misfortunes of the latter's family.
Basilio declines the offer as he still hopes that the country’s condition
will improve.
Basilio, at this point, is a graduating medical student at the Ateneo
Municipal. After the death of his mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his
younger brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elías,
and traveled to Manila to study. Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after
María Clara entered the convent.
With the help of the Ibarra's riches and Captain Tiago, Basilio was able
to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán where, at first, he is frowned upon by his
peers and teachers because of his skin color and his shabby appearance but is
able to win their favor after winning a fencing tournament. Captain Tiago’s
confessor, Father Irene, is making Captain Tiago’s health worse by giving him
opium even as Basilio tries hard to prevent Captain Tiago from smoking it.
He and other students want to establish a Spanish language academy so
that they can learn to speak and write Spanish despite the opposition from the
Dominican friars of the Universidad de Santo Tomás. With the help of a
reluctant Father Irene as their mediator and Don Custodio’s decision, the

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

academy is established but this turns bad as they will serve, not as the teachers
but as caretakers of the school. Dejected and defeated, they hold a mock
celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars disguised as a poor man
witnesses the proceedings. Basilio, however, was not with them during the
event.
Simoun, for his part, keeps in close contact with the bandit group of
Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered misfortunes at the
hands of the friars. Once a farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation
and a cabeza de barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give everything he
had owned to the greedy, unscrupulous Spanish friars and the Church. His son,
Tano, who became a civil guard was captured by bandits, his daughter Julî had
to work as a maid to get enough ransom money for his freedom, and his father,
Tandang Selo, suffered a stroke and became mute.
Before joining the bandits, Tales took Simoun’s revolver while Simoun
was staying at his house for the night. As payment, Tales leaves a locket that
once belonged to María Clara. To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has
Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed consul to the Philippines,
smuggle weapons into the country using Quiroga’s bazaar as a front. Simoun
wishes to attack during a stage play with all of his enemies in attendance. He,
however, abruptly aborts the attack when he learns from Basilio that María
Clara had died earlier that day in the convent.
A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the people are
agitated when disturbing posters are found displayed around the city. The
authorities accuse the students present at the pancitería of agitation and
disturbing peace and have them arrested.
Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is also arrested.
Captain Tiago dies after learning of the incident. But before he dies he signs a
will, unknown to him it was forged by Father Irene. His will originally states
that Basilio should inherit all his property but due to this forgery his property
is given in parts, one to Santa Clara, one for the archbishop, one for the Pope,
and one for the religious orders leaving nothing for Basilio to be inherited.
Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released.
A high official tries to intervene for the release of Basilio but the
Captain-General, bearing grudges against the high official, coerces him to
tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang
Tales, tries to ask Father Camorra's help upon the advice of Hermana Bali. The
two travel to the convent but things suddenly turn horrible as Camorra tries to
rape Juli, due to his long-hidden desires for young women. Julî, rather than

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

submit to the will of the friar, jumps over the balcony to her death. Basilio is
soon released with the help of Simoun.
Basilio, now a changed man, and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally
joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of
Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. 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. Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to
warn Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of Paulita. Simoun leaves the
reception early as planned and leaves a note behind.
Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salví recognizes
the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to
panic, the lamp flickers. Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani,
due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into
the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans.
He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later
regrets his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he
loved his nation more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could
have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society.
Simoun, now unmasked as the perpetrator of the attempted arson and
failed revolution, becomes a fugitive. Wounded and exhausted after he was shot
by the pursuing Guardia Civil, he seeks shelter at the home of Father
Florentino, Isagani’s uncle, and comes under the care of doctor Tiburcio de
Espadaña, Doña Victorina's husband, who was also hiding at the house. Simoun
takes poison in order for him not to be captured alive. Before he dies, he reveals
his real identity to Florentino while they exchange thoughts about the failure of
his revolution and why God forsook him, when all he wanted was to avenge the
people important to him that were wronged, such as Elias, Maria Clara and his
father, Don Rafael.
Florentino opines that God did not forsake him and that his plans were
not for the greater good but for personal gain. Simoun, finally accepting
Florentino’s explanation, squeezes his hand and dies. Florentino then takes
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100
Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

Simoun’s remaining jewels and throws them into the Pacific Ocean with the
corals hoping that they would not be used by the greedy and that when the
time came that it would be used for the greater good.

Learning Resources
● Galicia, R., Solmerano, E., and Palecia, Marjueve M., (2018) The Life and Works of
Rizal
(1st Edition) Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Fastbooks Inc.

● Purino A., (2008) Rizal, The Greatest Filipino Hero. Manila Philippines. Rex Book
store.,Inc.

● Tabotabo., and Leano R., (2009) Jose P. Rizal A Hero’s Life. Intramuros Manila:
Mindshapers Co., Inc.

● Zaide, G., and Zaide, S., (2008). Life and Works of Rizal (2nd Edition) Quezon City,
Philippines: All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: Philippine Institution 100

Prepared by: H. DE GUZMAN
Adopted by: MELL CONRAD R. ALCALA