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Rizal Notes
Rizal Notes
Rizal Notes
REPUBLIC ACT 1425 - also known as "Rizal Law" 1. Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo
Authored by Senator Claro M. Recto 2. Senator Mariano Cuenco
▪ Sponsored by Senator Jose P. Laurel 3. Senator Decoroso Rosales
▪ Signed into a Law by President Ramon
Magsaysay “Whatever our condition might be then, let
▪ Enacted in June 12, 1956 us love our country always and let us wish
• AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE nothing but her welfare. Thus we shall
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND labor in conformity with the purpose of
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND humanity dictated by God which is the
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, harmony and universal peace of His
WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, creations
PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME ▪ Letter of Rizal to Dr. Ferdinand Blum
TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR RIZAL AS A FILIPINO HERO
OTHER PURPOSES
Selection And Proclamation Of National Heroes
• WHEREAS, today, more than any other And Laws Honoring Filipino Historical Figures
period of our history, there is a need for a
re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and Executive Summary
nationalism for which our heroes lived and
died; No law, executive order or proclamation has been
enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino
• WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, historical figure as a national hero. However,
particularly the national hero and patriot, because of their significant roles in the process of
Jose Rizal, we remember with special nation building and contributions to history, there
fondness and devotion their lives and works were laws enacted and proclamations issued
that have shaped the national character; honoring these heroes
The Patriotic Objectives of Rizal Law Even Jose Rizal, considered as the greatest among
the Filipino heroes, was not explicitly proclaimed as
• To rededicate the lives of youth to the a national hero. The position he now holds in
ideals of freedom and nationalism, for Philippine history is a tribute to the continued
which our heroes lived and died veneration or acclamation of the people in
• To pay tribute to our national hero for recognition of his contribution to the significant
devoting his life and works in shaping social transformations that took place in our
the Filipino character country.
• To gain an inspiring source of patriotism
through the study of Rizal’s life, works, Aside from Rizal, the only other hero given an
and writings implied recognition as a national hero is Andres
• To recognize the importance of Rizal’s Bonifacio whose day of birth on November 30 has
ideals and teachings in relation to been made a national holiday.
present conditions and situations in the
society. Despite the lack of any official declaration explicitly
• To encourage the application of such proclaiming them as national heroes, they remain
ideals in current social and personal admired and revered for their roles in Philippine
problems and issues. history. Heroes, according to historians, should not
• To develop an appreciation and deeper be legislated. Their appreciation should be better
understanding of all that Rizal fought left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt,
and died for would be recognition enough.
To foster the development of the Filipino
youth in all aspects Filipino historical figures to be recommended as
National Heroes
1. Jose Rizal
2. Andres Bonifacio • Patriotism is the love of your country and
3. Emilio Aguinaldo culture. Patriots know that you can love your
4. Apolinario Mabini own nation without thinking it's objectively
5. Marcelo H. Del Pilar better than anyone else's. Patriots will
6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat usually engage in global cooperation
7. Juan Luna because they believe cooperation, treaties,
8. Melchora Aquino and the global spread of ideas can benefit
9. Gabriela Silang everyone.
Criteria for choosing a National Hero Why Rizal was considered as a hero
• Heroes are those who have a concept of • He was the first Filipino to unite and awaken
nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the Filipino people to peacefully rise for
the nation’s freedom. independence.
• Heroes are those who define and contribute
to a system or life of freedom and order for • He is a model for being a peacemaker by
a nation. his complete self-denial , his complete
• Heroes are those who contribute to the abandonment of his personal interest and to
quality of life and destiny of a nation. (As think only of his country and people.
defined by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz)
• A hero is part of the people’s expression. • He was a towering figure in the propaganda
But the process of a people’s internalization campaign from 1882-1896
of a hero’s life and works takes time, with
the youth forming a part of the • He was martyr at Bagumbayan where he
internalization. willingly died for our country.
• A hero thinks of the future, especially the
future generations.
The choice of a hero involves not only the JOSE RIZAL’S GENEALOGY AND EARLY
recounting of an episode or events in history, EDUCATION
but of the entire process that made this
particular person a hero. (As defined by Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Alfredo Lagmay)
Jose- was chosen by his mother who was devotee
of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph)
Nationalism
Protacio- was taken from St. Protacio, who were
• a feeling that people have of being loyal to very properly was a martyr. That a Filipino priest
and proud of their country often with the baptized him and a secular Archbishop confirmed
belief that it is better and more important him seem fitting.
than other countries.
Rizal- the name was adapted in 1850 by authority
• Nationalism is a belief that your nation sits of the Royal Decree of 1849, upon the order of
that the top of a hierarchy of nations. You Governor Narciso Claveria. Rizal was a shortened
believe your nation's interests are is form of Spanish word for “second crop,” seemed
inherently more important than those of any suited to a family of farmers who were making a
other country in the world. Nationalists in second start in a new home.
government are reluctant to engage in
global cooperation because they Alonzo- old surname of his mother.
see geopolitics as a zero-sum battle of
nations. Y-and-Realonda- it was used by Doña Teodora
from the surname of her godmother based on the
Patriotism culture by that time
• love that people feel for their country Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the
paternal great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal)
which the Spanish term mercado means ‘market’ in November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in
English. Manila
• Rizal grew up a good Catholic The Inspiration of the parable of the Moth
• The Real Padre Florentino of El The story is about a daughter moth who was
Filibusterismo (NHCP, 2012) warned by her mother against going too near
• Filipino priest at the church across the a lamp flame.
street (San Juan Bautista parish church of
Calamba), and a friend of the Mercado Though the young moth promised to comply,
family she later succumbed to the pull of the light’s
• June 6, 1868 - Jose and his father left for mysterious charm, believing that nothing bad
Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, would happen if she would approach it with
in order to fulfill his mother’s vow which was caution.
made when Rizal was born.
• It was the first trip of Jose across Laguna de The moth then flew close to the flame. Feeling
Bay and his pilgrimage to Antipolo. comforting warmth at first, she drew closer
• After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of and closer, bit by bit, until she flew too close
Antipolo, Jose and his father went to Manila. enough to the flame and perished"
1. Al Niňo Jesus(To the Child Jesus) • To impart essential lessons in life, Lolay
• Was written in Spanish by Jose Rizal in held regular storytelling sessions with the
1875 at the age of 14. The poem is an young Rizal (also called Pepe). Doña
octave real or a short poem with eight Teodora loved to read to Pepe stories from
verses only. the book ‘Amigo de los Niños’ (The
Children’s Friend).
• One day, she scolded his son for making Like many children of the well-to-do, Jose received
drawings on the pages of the story book. To his early education at home. He had private tutors,
teach the value of obedience to one’s but it quickly became obvious that he was
parents, she afterward read him a story in it. advanced beyond his teachers.
Early Education
Father Francisco De Paula Sanchez
This lesson presents the early education of Jose • Remarked that Rizal was becoming
Rizal which was an important aspect of his political proficient in Spanish.
thought. • Recognized Rizal’s talent as a poet and
encouraged him to practice this craft.
Father Jose Villaclara Philosophy and Letters
• FRESHMAN YEAR
• Rizal’s instructor in sciences and philosophy.
• Believed that Rizal was wasting his time with Reasons:
poetry. • His father, Don Francisco wanted for him.
• Developed a scientific curiosity in young Rizal • Failed to seek advice from Father Ramon
that lasted until his death. Pablo.
• Convinced Rizal to take a “scientific attitude”
about life. Subjects:
• Cosmology & Methaphysics
• Theodicy
Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through • History of Philosophy
Education the Fatherland Receives Glory)
Ambeth Ocampo
MEDICINE
• Filipino revisionist historian, is a popular writer • UNIVERSITY COURSE
and general debunker of local history, suggests
that Rizal was not a good student. Change of heart factors:
• He went into Ateneo archives and found that • Father Ramon Pablo advised him
Rizal was an excellent student. • Rizal’s mother, Dona Teodora failing
eyesight
University of Sto. Tomas
• UNIBERSIDAD DE SANTO TOMAS Rizal’s unhappy at UST
• DOMINICAN SCHOOL Main Factors:
• 1877-1882 • Dominican professors hostility.
• Only University in the Philippines during 19th • Discrimination to Filipino students.
century. • UST method of instruction was obsolete and
• Rizal continued his vision of Philippine repressive.
Nationalism.
Rizal’s struggling academic performance.
Why was UST influential upon Rizal’s intellectual Main Reasons:
development? • Unsatisfaction with the system of education.
• Distractions.
History of University of Sto. Tomas.Rizal: • Medicine’s not his true vocation.
• Continued to work on his political ideas.
• Remained poet at heart.
• Education goal: Liberal Arts
Jesuit Priests:
• Rizal former mentors
• Advised him to take farming or be a man of
cloth
Rizal Interests:
• Law
• Literature
• Medicine
ARTS - RIZAL’S REAL CALLING
• He joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia
in Madrid. His reason for joining was to
JOSE RIZAL’S TRAVELS ABROAD secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight
against the friars in the Philippines.
March 1883
• Rizal left Paris on, after acquiring enough
experience in the clinic of Dr. Weckert. He 6. Treschen
was set to go to Germany. He visited
Strasbourg and other German towns. • Rizal and Viola traveled to Teschen during
their journey. Upon arriving in Teschen, they
April 22, 1886 sent a wire to Blumentritt, following the advice
given by Dr. Jagor.
• He wrote a poem to the beautiful blooming
flowers at the Neckar River. Among those 7. Leitmeritz
was his favorite flower—the forget-me-not.
• Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia,
on May 13, 1887.
July 31, 1886 • They received a warm welcome from
Professor Blumentritt and his family upon
• Rizal wrote his first letter in German to their arrival.
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt. Rizal heard • It was the first meeting between Rizal and
that Blumentritt was interested in the Blumentritt, and they enjoyed the hospitality
Philippine languages. of Blumentritt's home.
• Noli Me Tangere during Rizal’s stay in Berlin • Rizal and Viola arrived in Vienna on May 20.
was unable to be published. But with the help • They presented a letter of recommendation
of Maximo Viola, who gave him the necessary to Norfenfals from Blumentritt. Additionally,
funds to publish the novel, Noli Me Tangere Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin while
was published. in Vienna.
10. Lintz
March 21, 1887
• The Noli Me Tangere came off the printing May 24
press. Rizal immediately sent copies to his • Rizal and Viola departed Vienna for Linz.
intimate friends, including Blumentritt, Dr. • They traveled on a river boat along the
Antonio Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix R. Danube River.
Hidalgo. • During the journey, they observed various
sights along the way.
RIZAL AND VIOLA
11. Salzburg, Munich, Nuremberg
5. In Dresden
• In Nuremberg, he observed torture
• Rizal and Viola visited Dresden during a machines.
regional floral exposition. While in Dresden, • Additionally, he witnessed the manufacture
Rizal focused on studying botany, including of dolls during his visit.
visits to Dr. Adolph B. Meyer and the Museum
of Art. 12. Ulm, Stuttgart, Rheinfall
• During his time at the Museum of Art, Rizal was
particularly impressed by the painting • Rizal traveled to Ulm, Stuttgart, and
"Prometheus Bound." Rheinfall.
• At Rheinfall, they witnessed the famous
waterfall. • Tetcho Suehiro- a Japanese journalist,
novelist and a champion of human rights, who
13. Switzerland was forced by the Japanese government to
leave the country.
• Rizal crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen,
Switzerland. 20. Rizal in America
• He visited Basel, Bern, Lausanne, and
Geneva during his travels. • April 28, 1888 His arrival was marred by racial
prejudice for he saw the discriminatory
14. Madrid Exposition treatment of the Chinese and the Negroes by
the white Americans.
• Rizal received news of the deplorable
conditions of primitive Igorots Rizal’s trip to America started on April 28, 1888
• exhibited at the Madrid Exposition. to May 16, 1888.
• In February 1888, Rizal left for Hong Kong. 21. Life in London
• He briefly visited Macao during his travels.
• Dr. Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of
18. Japan Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan
languages and customs. He called Rizal “a
• Rizal stayed in Japan for one and a half pearl of a man” he became the honorary
months. president of a patriotic society cooperating
• During his time in Japan, he studied the for reforms called Asociacion La Solidaridad.
language, drama, arts, and customs. It was inaugurated on December 31, 1888.
• He visited various cities in Japan. Rizal also wrote his first article in La
• Rizal fell in love with Seiko Usui during his Solidaridad, a patriotic newspaper founded
stay in Japan. by Graciano Lopez Jaena, entitled Los
Agricultores Filipinos which was published
SEIKO USUI on March 25, 1889
• It was during Rizal’s second trip abroad • Rizal wrote several works while in London
when he met Seiko Usui. From Hong Kong, including:
he arrived in Japan in February 1888 and
moved to the Spanish Legation in the Azabu • La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Letter to the
district of Tokyo upon the invitation of an Young Women of Malolos, he also
official in the legation. contributed some articles to Dr. Rost’s
journal entitled Specimens of Tagal Folklore
and Two Eastern Fables.
19. Across the Pacific
GERTRUDE BECKETT 25. Hongkong
• Gertrude was the daughter of Rizal’s • After publishing El Filibusterismo, Rizal left
landlord—Charles Beckett who is an organist Europe for Hong Kong, residing there from
at St. Paul’s Church in London. Coming from • November 1891 to June 1892.
brief stay in Japan and the United States of
America, Rizal chose to live in the capital city October 18, 1891
of the United Kingdom on May, 1888. • he boarded the steamer Melbourne in
• On March 19, 1889, Rizal bade goodbye to Marseilles bound for Hong Kong, where he
the Beckett family and left London for Paris. began writing his third novel in Tagalog,
among other unfinished works.
22. Rizal in Madrid • Rizal practiced ophthalmology in Hong Kong,
becoming a well-known medical practitioner.
August 1890
• Rizal arrived in Madrid. Rizal ‘s Exile, Arrest and Execution
• Leonor Rivera married a British engineer.
• Rizal rallied the Filipino colony against • Four days after the civic organization's
injustices in Calamba. foundation, Jose Rizal was arrested by the
• Received news of eviction orders and Spanish authorities on four grounds:
deportations of family members. Learned of
his co-worker the Propaganda Movement 1. for publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar
Jose Panganiban's death. books and articles;
• Almost dueled Antonio Luna over remarks 2. for having in possession a bundle of
about Nellie. handbills, the Pobres Frailes, in which
advocacies were in violation of the Spanish
NELLIE BOUSTEAD orders;
3. for dedicating his novel, El Filibusterismo
• Nellie Boustead, also called Nelly, was the to the three “traitors” (Gomez, Burgos and
younger of the two pretty daughters of the Zamora) and for emphasizing on the novel's
wealthy businessman Eduardo Boustead, son title page that “the only salvation for the
of a rich British trader, who went to the Orient Philippines was separation from the mother
in 1826. country (referring to Spain)”; and
4. for simply criticizing the religion and
Completion of El Filibusterismo aiming for its exclusion from the Filipino
culture.
23. Biarritz
October 3 December 29
• The Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, • Rizal visited by family, Jesuit priests, Spanish
with Rizal as prisoner on board. Rizal was correspondent, friends; finished last poem and
kept under heavy guard in his cabin for 3 farewell letter.
days.
December 30
Rizal’s interviewed with Despujol he would • Rizal heard mass, confessed sins, bid
be shipped back in goodbye to Josephine, gave her a religious
Manila. book.
8. CHAINS- slavery
Maria Clara de los Santos Padre Salvi
• commonly referred to as María Clara, is Ibarra's
fiancée and the most beautiful and widely • Padre Salvi was the town curate of San Diego
celebrated girl in San Diego. She was raised by and the successor of Padre Damaso.
Kapitán Tiago delos Santos, and his cousin, Possessing a rivalry with the town's alferez, he
Isabel. later orchestrated the downfall of Crisostomo
• In the later parts of the novel, she was revealed Ibarra, manipulating the townspeople in the
to be an illegitimate daughter of Father process.
Dámaso, the former curate of the town, and
Doña Pía Alba, Kapitán Tiago's wife, who had • At some point, he began lusting after Maria
died giving birth to María Clara. Clara. Around this time, he also discovered
• At the novel's end, a heartbroken yet resolved Padre Damaso's letters to Maria Clara's mother,
María Clara entered the Beaterio de Santa Doña Pia, learning that Padre Damaso was in
Clara (a nunnery) after learning the truth of her fact Maria Clara's real father.
parentage and mistakenly believing that her
lover, Crisóstomo, had been killed. In the Elias
epilogue, Rizal stated that it is unknown • Elías is Ibarra's mysterious friend and ally. Elías
whether María Clara is still living within the made his first appearance as a pilot during a
walls of the convent or is already dead picnic of Ibarra and María Clara and her friends.
(however, it is later confirmed that Maria Clara
is still alive in El Fili) • Elias worked as a boat pilot during Ibarra's
• A character of Leonor Rivera who was Rizal’s fishing trip. Seeing a crocodile entangled in the
longtime love interes nets, Elias jumped in to kill it, although
struggling. With his life soon after saved by
Kapitán Tiago Ibarra, Elias fled the picnic, knowing he was
• Don Santiago de los Santos, known by his being pursued by the Guardia Civil.
nickname Tiago and political title Kapitán • Elias was born to a rich family in Manila
Tiago, is said to be the richest man in the alongside his twin sister, with his father being
region of Binondo and possessed real the son of a prostitute and his mother being the
properties in Pampanga and Laguna de Baý. daughter of a rich man. Told that their father
• He is said to be a good Catholic, a friend of the was dead, the twins also witnessed their mother
Spanish government and thus was considered die in their youth. Raised by their maternal
a Spaniard by the colonial elite. Kapitán Tiago grandfather, the two lived happy lives.
never attended school, so he became the • One day, Elias antagonized a distant relative
domestic helper of a Dominican friar who gave and they taunted him with his supposed
him an informal education. He later married Pía illegitimacy. As Elias was insulted, the relative
Alba from Santa Cruz later made Elias' heritage known to the public
using Elias' family servant, which was actually
Padre Dámaso his father in disguise.
• At some point, he came into contact with the
• Dámaso Verdolagas, better known as Padre group of bandits led by Capitan Pablo in
Dámaso, is a Franciscan friar and the former Tanauan, Batangas. He also at one point
parishcurate of San Diego. He is notorious for discovered that the root of his family's
speaking with harsh words, highhandedness, misfortune was the rich man his grandfather
andhiscruelty during his ministry in the town. An worked for, Don Pedro Eibarramendia.
enemy of Crisóstomo's father, Don Rafael
Ibarra, Dámaso is revealed to be María Clara's Pilósopong Tasyo
biological father. • Filósofo Tasio (Tagalog: Pilósopong Tasyo)
• Later, he and María Clara had bitter arguments was enrolled in a philosophy course and was a
on whether she would marry Alfonso Linares de talented student, but his mother was a rich but
Espadaña. However, Maria Clara wanted to superstitious matron.
enter the nunnery instead. • Like many Filipino Catholics under the sway of
• At the end of the novel, he is again reassigned the friars, she believed that too much learning
to a distant town and later found dead in his condemned souls to hell. She then made Tasyo
bed. choose between leaving college or becoming a
priest. Since he was in love, he left college and of Elías and Salomé was omitted, classifying
married. her as a totally non-existent character.
• Persons of culture called him Don Anastacio, or
Pilósopong Tasyo, while the great crowd of the • This chapter, entitled Elías y Salomé, was
ignorant knew him as Tasio el Loco on account probably the 25th chapter of the novel.
of his peculiar ideasand his eccentric manner of However, recent editions and translations of
dealing with others Noli include this chapter either on the
appendix or as Chapter X (Ex)
Doña Victorina
• Doña Victorina de los Reyes de de Espadaña, El Filibusterismo
commonly known as Doña Victorina, is an
ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a • (transl. The filibusterism; The Subversive or The
Spaniard and mimics Spanish ladies by putting Subversion, as in the Locsín English translation,
on heavy make-up. are also possible translations)
• The novel narrates Doña Victorina's younger • El filibusterismo , also known by its alternative
days: she had lots of admirers, but she spurned English title The Reign of Greed, is the second
them all because none of them were Spaniards. novel written by Philippine national hero José
Later on, she met and married Don Tiburcio de Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me Tángere and,
Espadaña, an official of the customs bureau ten like the first book, was written in Spanish.
years her junior. However, their marriage is • It was first published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium.
childless • The novel centers on the Noli-El fili duology's
main character Crisóstomo Ibarra, now
Sisa returning for vengeance as "Simoun".
• Narcisa, or Sisa, is the deranged mother of • The novel's dark theme departs dramatically
Basilio and Crispín. Described as beautiful from the previous novel's hopeful and romantic
andyoung, although she loves her children very atmosphere, signifying Ibarra's resort to solving
much, she cannot protect them from the his country's issues through violent means,
beatings of her husband, Pedro. after his previous attempt in reforming the
country's system made no effect and seemed
Crispin impossible with the corrupt attitude of the
• is Sisa's seven-year-old son. An altar boy, he Spaniards toward the Filipinos.
was unjustly accused of stealing money from • The novel was banned in some parts of the
the church. After failing to force Crispín to return Philippines as a result of their portrayals of the
the money he allegedly stole, Father Salví and Spanish government's abuses and corruption.
the head sacristan killed him. It is not directly These novels, along with Rizal's involvement in
stated that he was killed, but a dream of organizations that aimed to address and reform
Basilio's suggests that Crispín died during his the Spanish systemanditsissues, led to Rizal's
encounter with Padre Salví and his minion. exile to Dapitan and eventual execution
• Both the novel and its predecessor, along with
Basilio Rizal's last poem, are now considered Rizal's
• Basilio is Sisa's 10-year-old son. An acolyte literary masterpieces.
tasked to ring the church's bells for the Angelus, • Both of Rizal's novels had a profound effect on
he faced the dread of losing his younger brother Philippine society in terms of views about
and the descent of his mother into insanity. national identity, the Catholic faith and its
• At the end of the novel, a dying Elías requested influence on the Filipino's choice, and the
Basilio to cremate him and Sisa in the woods in government's issues in corruption, abuse of
exchange for a chest of gold located nearby. power, and discrimination, and on a larger
• He later played a major role in El filibusterismo. scale, the issues related to the effect of
colonization on people's lives and the cause for
Salome independence.
• Elías' sweetheart. She lived in a little house by
the lake, and though Elías would like to marry • These novels later on indirectly became the
her, he tells her that it would do her or their inspiration to start the Philippine Revolution.
children no good to be related to a fugitive like • A social document of late 19th Century
himself. In the original publication of Noli Me Philippines
Tángere, the chapter that explores the identity
• The theme and plot of El Filibusterismo was misfortunes as Crisóstomo Ibarra, as well as
changed to convey the message that the hasten Elias' reformist goals
present system of government in the Philippines
through corrupt officials, dominated by the friars Basilio
can lead to the downfall of Spain.
• In El Filibusterismo, we can observe that in the • The son of Sisa and another character from Noli
end, revolution brought only by ambition and Me Tángere. In the events of El fili, he is an
vengeance not by unity will not succeed. Truly, aspiring and so far successful physician on his
Ibarra has suffered in the hands of the last year at university and was waiting for his
Spaniards. However this does not mean that his license to be released upon his graduation.
means are justifiable. At the end of the story, • After his mother's death in the Noli, he applied
we see that he and his plans failed. as a servant in Kapitán Tiago's household in
exchange for food, lodging, and being allowed
Theme to study.
• revolution, responsibility, colonial suffering • Eventually he took up medicine, and with Tiago
having retired from society, he also became the
• El Filibusterismo addresses topics of great manager of Tiago's vast estate.
importance to the movement, namely clerical • He is a quiet, contemplative man who is more
abuses, racism against the Philippine people, aware of his immediate duties as a servant,
and the need for political reform. The novels doctor, and member of the student association
resulted in Rizal's exile to Hong Kong, and later, than he is of politics or patriotic endeavors.
his execution by firing squad in 1896 at the age • His sweetheart is Juli, the daughter of
of 35. Kabesang Tales whose family took him in when
he was a young boy fleeing the Guardia Civil
and his deranged mother.
PUBLICATION
Kapitan Tiago
Padre Millon
• Don Santiago de los Santos is María Clara's • A Dominican who serves as a physics
stepfather. Having several landholdings in professor in the University of Santo Tomas
Pampanga, Binondo, and Laguna, as well as
taking ownership of the Ibarras' vast estate, Quiroga
Tiago still fell into depression following María's • A Chinese businessman who aspired to be a
entry into the convent. He alleviated this by consul for China in the Philippines. Simoun
smoking opium, which quickly became an coerced Quiroga into hiding weapons inside the
uncontrolled vice, exacerbated by his latter's warehouses in preparationfor the
association with Padre Írene who regularly revolution.
supplied him with the substance.
• Tiago hired Basilio as a capista, a servant who Don Custodio
given the opportunity to study as part of his • Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de
wages; Basilio eventually pursued medicine and Monteredondo, a famous "contractor" who was
became his caregiver and the manager of his tasked by the Captain-General to develop the
estate. students association's proposal for an academy
• Tiago died of shock upon hearing of Basilio's for the teaching of Spanish, but was then also
arrest and Padre Írene's embellished stories of under pressure from the priests not to
violent revolt. compromise their prerogatives as monopolizers
of instruction.
Kapitan-Heneral • Some of the novel's most scathing criticism is
reserved for Custodio, who is portrayed as an
• The highest-ranking official in the Philippines opportunist who married his way into high
during the Spanish colonial period. The society, who regularly criticized favored ideas
Captain-General in El fili is Simoun's friend and that did not come from him, but was ultimately,
laughably incompetent in spite of his scruples.
Tiago's last will and testament, ensuring he
Ben-Zayb inherited nothing.
Hermana Penchang
• One of the "rich folks" of Tiani who lent Juli
money to ransom Kabesang Tales from the
bandits. In return, Juli will serve as her maid
until the money was paid off. Penchang is
described as a pious woman who speaks
Spanish; however, her piety was clouded over
by the virtues taught by the friars.
• While Juli was in her service, she made her
work constantly, refusing to give her time off so
she can take care of her grandfather Selo.
• Nevertheless, when the rich folks of Tiani
shunned Juli because to support her family in
any way might earn some form of retribution
from the friars, Penchang was the only one who
took pity upon her.
Hermana Bali
• Juli's mother-figure and counselor. She
accompanied Juli in her efforts to secure
Kabesang Tales' ransom and later on
Basilio's release.