Reviewer for RIZ1 are perceived by the uneducated as

weird or lunatic. He represents

1. Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo by Paciano, older brother of Rizal.
Constantino 10. Doña Victorina (La Doctora
Victorina de los Reyes de
Characters in Noli Me Tangere: Espadaña) - A pretentious Filipina
1. Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y woman who mimics Spanish ways.
Magsalin (Ibarra) - He represents She represents some ambitious
the small group of Filipinos who had Filipinas who wanted to be classified
a chance to study abroad and as Spanish, hence the putting on of
dreamt of improving the country. The heavy make-up.
protagonist who returned to the 11. Capitan Tiago - A wealthy and
Philippines after studying in Europe. influential Filipino, Maria Clara’s
He represents Rizal. foster father. He symbolizes the rich
2. Maria Clara- Ibarra’s beloved, Filipinos who oppress their fellow
known for her beauty and virtue. She countrymen in exchange for the
entered Santa Clara nunnery, She influence and the riches that they
represents Leonor Rivera. might gain from their powerful
3. Padre Damaso - A corrupt friar and association.
Maria Clara’s biological father. He 12. Don Tiburcio de Espadaña - Doña
represents the typical of a Victorina's Spanish husband, a fake
domineering friar during the day of doctor. Stands for incompetent and
Rizal who was arrogant, immoral, unqualified Spaniards who illegally
and anti-Filipino. practiced their supposed profession
4. Padre Salvi- A scheming and lustful in the Philippines.
friar who desires Maria Clara. 13. Padre Sibyla- A friar who is more
Meticulous and cunning man who moderate compared to others.
uses his religious stature for political 14. Tenyente Guevara - A loyal officer
influence, benefitting both himself who sympathizes with Ibarra. An
and the church. elderly and kind lieutenant of the
5. Elias - A mysterious boatman and Guardia Civil who told Ibarra the sad
revolutionary who helps Ibarra. He story of his father’s death in San
represents the common Filipino who Diego.
fights for their principle and 15. Don Rafael Ibarra - Crisostomo’s
injustices faced by the people. father, who was wrongfully
6. Sisa - A deranged mother searching imprisoned and died. As Ibarra’s
for her missing sons. father, he symbolized a rich landlord
7. Basilio- Sisa's elder son who later with a social conscience. He was
becomes a medical student. He is sent to jail after helping a boy from
also training to be a sexton. an abusive Spanish tax collector.
8. Crispin- Sisa’s younger son who is 16. Doña Consolación - The
accused of stealing and goes pugnacious wife of The Ensign. An
missing. He represents the older, cantankerous Filipina woman
innocents who have been wrongly who constantly lectures her
accused of the crime they did not husband. She is a vulgar mistress of
commit. the Spanish Alferez.
9. Don Anastacio / Pilosopo Tasyo - 17. The Ensign - A man of Spanish
The wise old philosopher who descent he is in a constant bitter
provides insights into society. This feud with Fr. Salví as he has come
character symbolizes those whose to hate the sly priest’s
ideas were advanced and wise but manipulations.
 18. Don Filipo - He represents the 8. Placido Penitente - A student
younger, less religiously shackled disillusioned with the educational
generation of movers and shakers in system. May symbolize the
San Diego. frustration and hopelessness felt by
many Filipino youth who faced social
Characters in El Filibusterismo: injustices and limited prospects for
1. Simoun - The alias of Crisostomo advancement.
Ibarra, who returns as a wealthy 9. Ben-Zayb - A journalist who writes
jeweler plotting a revolution. biased articles.
2. Isagani- A passionate and idealistic 10. Padre Camorra- A friar known for
student, Basilio's friend. He his lecherous behavior. Symbolizes
symbolizes the idealistic youth who the hypocrisy and moral decay
longs for social change through within the clergy.
peaceful means. Real-life 11. Padre Irene- A friar who pretends to
counterpart: Represents the support the students’ cause.
aspirations of Filipino intellectuals 12. Quiroga- A Chinese businessman
and students during the late 19th who deals with Simoun. Represents
century, advocating for reforms the ruthless and exploitative Chinese
within the colonial system. merchant class.
3. Paulita Gomez - Isagani’s love 13. Sandoval- A Spanish student
interest, who later marries Juanito sympathetic to the Filipino cause.
Pelaez. Represents the Filipina elite 14. Tandang Selo- Kabesang Tales’
who were torn between tradition and father, who is heartbroken by his
modernity. family's misfortunes.
4. Father Florentino - Isagani’s uncle, 15. Juanito Pelaez- A rich and arrogant
a patriotic and moral priest. student who marries Paulita.
Represents the moral conscience 16. Don Custodio - Symbolizes the
and spiritual guidance. He serves as intelligentsia compromised by
a mentor to the protagonist and self-interest and complacency.
embodies hope for redemption. Real-life counterpart: Reflects the
Real-life counterpart: Could be Filipino intellectuals and bureaucrats
inspired by various figures, including who prioritized personal gain over
Fr. Jose Burgos, a Filipino martyr genuine reform efforts during the
priest who fought against Spanish Spanish colonial period.
colonial abuses. 17. Kapitan Heneral - Represents the
5. Kabesang Tales- A farmer who highest authority of Spanish colonial
turns into a bandit after losing his power in the Philippines.
land to the friars. Embodies the
struggle for land rights and justice.
His character reflects the grievances Main Themes:
of the peasantry against landowners ● Social Justice - The novels critique
and colonial authorities. the social injustices under Spanish
6. Juli - Kabesang Tales’ daughter and rule.
Basilio's love interest. Symbolizes ● Reform vs. Revolution - The
the oppressed and marginalized tension between peaceful reform
women in society who endured and armed revolution.
discrimination, abuse, and limited ● Clerical Corruption - The abuse of
opportunities under Spanish colonial power by the friars.
rule. ● National Identity - The search for
7. Macaraig- A wealthy student who Filipino identity.
supports the movement for reforms.
Themes of revolution, responsibility, and ● Cultural Displacement - Loss of
colonial suffering are explored in Rizal's indigenous culture and identity due
novels, Noli Me Tangere and El to Spanish colonization.
Filibusterismo, delving into political urgency
and the nature of responsibility. Themes in ● Economic Exploitation - Farmers
Noli Me Tangere include clothing's role in were driven off their lands.
colonial power dynamics, gender politics,
and social status. Cited Quotes on Indolence and A
Century Hence:
Writing of the Novels: 1. Indolence of the Filipinos: Rizal
- Noli Me Tangere was written to expose argues that indolence is a result of
the social ills and injustices in the the colonial policies, not an inherent
Philippines. trait.
- El Filibusterismo is a darker sequel 2. A Century Hence: Rizal predicts the
emphasizing revolution and radical change. eventual rise of Filipino
consciousness and struggle for
"Noli Me Tangere" independence.
Written: Began writing in 1884
Published: March 21, 1887, in Berlin,
Germany. 2. Rizal's Annotations on Morga's
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
"El Filibusterismo"
Written: Began writing in 1887. Background of Morga:
Published: September 18, 1891, in Ghent, ● Antonio de Morga was a Spanish
Belgium. historian and high-ranking colonial
official in the Philippines.
● His work "Sucesos de las Islas
Meaning of Obsolete: Filipinas" (Events in the Philippine
● Obsolete means outdated or no Islands) is a detailed account of the
longer in use. Tagalog: (Luma na o early colonial period.
hindi na ginagamit)
Why Rizal Chose Morga:
● Obsolete (laos): Refers to outdated ● Rizal chose Morga's work because it
or no longer used practices and was a credible Spanish account that
ideas, often those imposed by presented the Filipinos in a more
colonial rulers that no longer serve favorable light before colonization
the society's needs. had fully taken hold.
Roots of Social Ills:
● Colonialism - The exploitation and Assertions vs. Evidences:
oppression by Spanish colonizers. ● Rizal's Assertions: He used
Colonialism is defined as “control by Morga’s accounts to challenge
one power over a dependent area or biased Spanish narratives, providing
people.” factual corrections and highlighting
● Feudalism - The land system that Filipino achievements and
oppressed the farmers. advancements prior to Spanish
● Clerical Abuse - The misuse of colonization.
power by the church officials.
● Isabelo de los Reyes: A Filipino
scholar, writer, and activist who
How Filipinos Became an Uprooted supported Rizal’s efforts to reclaim
Race: and promote Filipino history and
 culture, often referred to as the
"Father of Philippine Folklore".

Assertions vs. Evidences:

● Rizal’s Annotations - He corrected
Morga’s biases and highlighted the
advanced state of Philippine
civilization before Spanish
colonization.

● Evidence of Advanced Culture -

Rizal provided evidence of Filipino
achievements in agriculture, trade,
and etc.

3. The Indolence of the Filipinos

Meaning of the Word Indolence:
Indolence (katamaran): Laziness or lack of
activity; used by Spanish colonizers to
describe Filipinos as inherently lazy, a
notion Rizal refuted.
-Indolence means laziness or lack of
activity. Tagalog: Katamaran.

Spanish Claims vs. Rizal's Defense:

● Spanish Claims: Claimed that
Filipinos were naturally lazy and
unproductive. Filipinos are naturally
indolent.
● Rizal's Defense: Argued that
indolence was not inherent but
rather a result of oppressive colonial
policies, economic exploitation, and
the destructive impact of Spanish
rule on Filipino society and culture.

Reasons for Filipinos' Indolence:

● Climate - The tropical heat affects

productivity.
● Colonial Oppression - The
exploitative policies discouraged
hard work.
● Lack of Education and
Opportunities - Limited access to
education and jobs under Spanish
rule.