EL FILIBUSTERISMO

A. BACKGROUND
Sources of Inspiration
***The Count of Monte Cristo
- The plot of the novel was similar to this novel of Alexander Dumas. Both narratives revolve around a
mans determination to avenge himself and reclaim his beloved fiance. The protagonist of each novel
disguises his identity and comes up with an intricate plot of revenge and retribution.
***The book was dedicated to the memory of GOMBURZA, three priests who were accused of being seditious
and executed. In his dedication, Rizal audaciously expresses his conviction that their treatment at the hands of
the Spanish authorities was unjust.
Dedication:
To the memory of the priests. Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos (30 years old), and
Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumbayan Field on the 28th of February, 1872.
The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has place in doubt the crime that has been imputed to you;
the Government, by surrounding your trials with mystery and shadows, causes the belief that there was some
error, commited in fatal moments; and all the Philippines by worshipping your memory and calling you martyrs,
in no sense recognizes your culpability. In so far, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not
clearly proved, as you may or may not have been patriots, and as you may or may not have cherished
sentiments for justice and for liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which I
undertake to combat. And while we wait expectantly upon Spain some day to restore your good name and
cease to be answerable for your death, let these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over your
unknown tombs, and let it be understood that every one who without clear proofs attacks your memory stains
his hands in your blood.
Origin and Meaning of the Title
- Rizal had to define the word filibuster to his German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt who did not
understand his use of word in Noli me Tangere. In a letter, Rizal explained: The word filibuster is little known in
the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. I heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic executions
(of Gomburza) took place. I still remember the panic that this word created. Our father forbade us to utter it, as
well as the words Cavite, Burgos (one of the executed priests), etc. The Manila newspapers and the Spaniards
apply this word to one whom they want to make a revolutionary suspect. The Filipinos belonging to the
educated class fear the reach of the word. It does not have the meaning of freebooters; it rather means a
dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or well, a presumptuous man.

By the end of the 19th century, the word filibuster had acquired the meaning subversive in the
Philippines, hence the book is about subversion.
Series of Writing
Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 while he was practising medicine in Calamba. In
London (1888), he revised the plot and some chapters. Rizal continued to work on his manuscripts in Paris. He
later moved to Brussels, Belgium where the cost was cheaper and he would be less likely to be distracted by
social events so he could focus on finishing the book. He finally completed the book on March 29, 1891 in
Biarritz, France.
Rizal found a publisher in Ghent- F. MEYER-VAN LOO PRESS, No. 66 Viaanderen Street- who was
willing to print his book on installment basis. On August 6, the printing had to be suspended because Rizal
could no longer give the necessary funds to the printer.
Rizals Calvary in connection with the printing of the Noli was repeated in the Filis printing. His funds
ran out in Ghent, a similar calamity that he experienced in Berlin in the winter of 1886. Once more he felt the
dolorous grip of despair. In a moment of bitter disillusionment, he almost hurled the manuscript of the Fili into
the flames, just as he almost did the Noli in Berlin.
When everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source. Valentin Ventura in Paris learned
of Rizals predicament and immediately sent him the necessary funds. With his financial aid, the printing of the
Fili was resumed.
B. Characters
Simoun
He was Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli. Many years after he fled to Cuba where he became rich and
befriended many Spanish officials, he returns to the Philippines, where he freely moved around. He is a
powerful figure not only because he is a rich jeweler, but also because he is a good friend and adviser of
the governor-general.
-Outwardly, he is a friend of Spain. However, deep in his heart, he is secretly cherishing a terrible
revenge against the Spanish authorities. His two magnificent obsessions are (1) to recue Maria Clara from
the nunnery of Santa Clara and (2) to foment a revolution against the hated Spanish masters.

Basilio
son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical education is financed by his patron,
Capitan Tiago.
Isagani
a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino; Basilios best friend; Paulita Gmez boyfriend before being
dumped for fellow student Juanito Pelez; portrayed as emotional and reactive
Kabesang Tales
Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who resurfaced as the feared
Luzn bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for Hawkeye); his father, Tandang Selo, dies eventually after his own
son Tano, who became a guardia civil, unknowingly shoots his grandfather in an encounter

 Don Custodio Custodio de Salazar y Snchez de Monteredondo, a pro-Spanish Filipino who is

holding a high position in the government. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich
woman in order to be a member of Manilas high society.
Paulita Gmez
The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doa Victorina. In the end, she and Juanito Pelez are wed,
and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.
Doa Victorina
- the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked
husband Tiburcio de Espaada, who has deserted her.
Padre Florentino
Isaganis 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.
Juli
Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales; she kills
herself rather than be dishonored by Padre Camorra.
Ben Zayb
Abraham Ibaez is his real name; a Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about the Filipinos
Quiroga
a Chinese businessman who dreamt of being a consul of a Consulate of China in the Philippines. He
hid Simouns weapons inside his house.
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 mothers, Cabesana Andang, plea to pursue his studies. He is also discontented with the poor method of
instruction in the university
Tandang Selo
father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio after his mother Sisa had died.
Padre Fernandez
a good Dominican friar and friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he and the other priests will
give in to the students demands.
Padre Camorra
-the parish priest of the town of Tiani; tried to dishonor Juli
Padre Salvi
-thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego
Padre Irene
-a kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students
Padre Sibyla
- Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar and now vice-rector of theUniversity of Santo Tomas
Macaraig

-a rich student and leader of the Filipino students in their movement to have an academy where they could
learn Spanish

Padre Millon- bigoted Dominican friar-professor, who teaches Physics in the University of Santo Tomas
without scientific experiments
Sandoval
-a Spanish student who supports the cause of the Filipino students to propagate the teaching of Spanish
Pecson
-one of the Filipino students who agitates for the teaching of Spanish
Pepay
-the pretty dancer and mistress of Don Custodio
Seor Pasta
the old Filipino lawyer, who refuses to help the Filipino students in their petition to the government for
educational reforms
Don Timoteo
-the father of Juanito Pelaez
Chichay
-the silversmith who made the bridal earrings for Paulita Gomez.
***Characters drawn from real life:
Padre Florentino- Father Leoncio Lopez, Rizals friend and priest of Calamba
Isagani- poet Vicente Ilustre, Batangueo friend of Rizal in Madrid
Paulita Gomez- Leonor Rivera

C. IMPACT OF THE NOVEL

To the Filipinos
-Ang mga simulain sa nobelang ito (Ang Filibusterismo) ay siyang nagpasigla at nagpatibay ng loob
ng mga Pilipino sa pakikidigma laban sa Espanya, at siya rin namang nagtaguyod sa kanila sa mahabang
panahong ginugol sa pagtuklas ng kasarinlan. Ang FILI ang siyang nagturo sa kapilipinuhan ng pagkabihasa,
ng pagbabagumbuhay, at ng landas na tungo sa kaligtasan- kaligtasang matatamo lamang sa pamamagitan
ng sariling pagsisikap.
-Ang ilang sipi ng nobela na nakarating at nabasa sa Pilipinas ay nakalikha ng malaking sigla sa
kilusang nauukol sa Paghihimagsik.
To the Spaniards
-The Spanish authorities condemned it as subversive.They confiscated most copies of the book making
it rare overnight. It was banned to the public; therefore, copies of the novel were smuggled into the Philippines
for many years.
Comparison
Like Noli Me Tangere, Fili aims at enlightening the society, at bringing the Filipinos closer to the truth. But
whereas in the first novel, we are encouraged to ask and aspire for change and liberation, in this novel, the

society is urged to open its eyes to reality and rebel against the Spanish government for its oppression and
abuse.
In Noli, there is aspiration, beauty, romance, and mercy. In Fili, all the reader will feel is bitterness, hatred, and
antipathy. The romance and aspirations are gone. Even the characters' personalities seem to have undergone
radical change. This is how different Rizal's second novel is. Considering that both were written by the same
author, the plots are poles apart.
Outright scorn and bitterness may already be felt at the beginning of the story, where Simoun promotes abuse
and tyranny in the Spanish government, in the hope that the people will reach the limits of their endurance and
declare a revolution.
Simoun, who is actually Noli's Ibarra in disguise, conveys an entirely different personality in Fili. While Ibarra is
trusting, aspiring, and loving, Simoun is now cunningly careful in his dealings, distrusting, and extremely bitter.
Something changed in Rizal; and this is reflected in the personalities he gave his El Filibusterismo characters.

D. INTELLECTUAL LEGACIES
On Mans Redemption
The worst snd cowardliest of men is always something more than a plant because he has a soul and
an intelligence, which, however vitiated and brutalized they may be can be redeemed. (Narrative portion)
On the Right to Life
The right to life is inherent in every individual like the right to liberty and to light. (Narrative portion)
On Human Rights
To make a people criminal, there is nothing more needed than to doubt its virtue. (Father Fernandez
to Isagani)
On Men of Conviction
I like men of conviction. (Father Fernandez to Isagani)
On Virtues
I am tired of hearing virtues talked about. (Simoun to Father Irene)
On Consecration to a Great Idea
Dont you realize that it is a useless life which is not consecrated to a great idea? It is a stone wasted
in the fields without becoming a part of any edifice. (Simoun to Basilio)
On the Death of Society
What are physical sufferings compared to moral tortures? What is the death of a man in the presence
of the death of society? (Simoun to Basilio)
On Nationalism
Distinguish yourselves then by revealing yourselves in your own character, try to lay the foundations of
the Philippine fatherland! (Simoun to Basilio)
While a poeple preserves its language, it preserves the marks of its liberty, as a man preserves his
independence while he holds to his own way of thinking. Language is the thought of peoples. (Simoun to
Basilio)
On Liberty

Liberty is to man what education is to intelligence. (Isagani to Father Fernandez)

On Indifference
When a body is inert, it is useless to galvanize it. (Simoun to Basilio)
On Resignation to Fate
Resignation is not always a virtue; it is a crime when it encourages tyrants; there are no despots when
there are no slaves. (Simoun to Basilio)
On Positive Leadership
The greatness of a man is not in living before his time, a thing almost impossible, but in understanding
its desires in responding to its needs, and in guiding it on its forward way. (Simoun to Basilio)
On the Need of Correcting the Social Organization
If your social organization is defective, do you not change it or at least give heed to those who are
injured by it? (Isagani to Father Fernandez)
On Faithfulness to a Trust
He who is thus faithless to the trust in him and abuses his unlimited authority deserves neither the
protection of the fatherland nor the support of any Spanish citizen! (Sandoval to the students)
On the Right of the People to Protest
When a people is denied light, home, liberty, justice. . . things that are essential t life, and therefore
mans patrimony. . . that people has the right to treat him who despoils it as we would the robber who
intercepts on the highway. (The high government official to the Governor-General)
On National Progress
Study how other nations prosper and then do as they do. (Simoun to several companions)

REFERENCES:
http://cambridgeforecast.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/el-filibusterismo-jose-rizal-philippines-history-novel/
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http://carlojoe5.tripod.com/elfilibusterismo.html
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Rizal. 1st revised ed. Mandaluyong City: Cacho Hermanos, Incpp366-369
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Philippines: Goodwill Trading Co., Inc...pp.175-177
Zaide, G.F., Zaide, S.M., (1994). 'Noli Me Tangere Published in Berlin (1887)'. Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and
Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. 2nd ed. Quezon City, Philippines: All-Nations
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Zaide, G.F., Zaide, S.M., (1994). 'Noli Me Tangere Published in Berlin (1887)'. Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and
Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. 2nd ed. Quezon City, Philippines: All-Nations
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