RIZL211 FINAL government, he expresses his ideals in paper

written in a cryptographic alphabet similar from

WEEK 13: NOLI ME TANGERE AND INDOLENCE hieroglyphs and Coptic figures hoping "that the
OF THE FILIPINOS future generations may be able to decipher it" and
realized the abuse and oppression done by the
Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Filipino polymath
conquerors.
and national hero José Rizal first published in 1887 in
Berlin. 7. Doña Victorina -- An ambitious Filipina who classifies
herself as Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by
Early English translations used titles like An Eagle
putting on heavy make-up. The novel narrates
Flight (1900) and The Social Cancer (1912), but more
Doña Victorina ' s younger days: she had lots of
recent translations have been published using the original
admirers, but she did not choose any of them
Latin title.
because nobody was a Spaniard. Later on, she met
December 1886 - Rizal finished the novel and married Don Tiburcio de Espadaña, an official
of the customs bureau who is about ten years her
Due to financial constraints, Rizal feared the novel junior. However, their marriage is childless.
might not be printed, and that it would remain unread. But a
financial aid came from a friend named Máximo Viola which 8. Narcisa / Sisa - The deranged mother of Basilio and
helped him print his book at a fine print media in Berlin Crispín. Described as beautiful and young,
named Berliner Buchdruckerei-Actiengesellschaft. although she loves her children very much, she
cannot protect them from the beatings of her
Viola insisted and ended up lending Rizal P300 for husband, Pedro.
2,000 copies; Noli was eventually printed in Berlin,
Germany. The printing was finished earlier than the 9. Basilio - Sisa ' s 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to
estimated five months. ring the church bells for the Angelus, he faced the
dread of losing his younger brother and the
Viola arrived in Berlin in December 1886, and by descent of his mother into insanity. At the end of
March 21, 1887, Rizal had sent a copy of the novel to his the novel, Elías wished Basilio to bury him by
friend Blumentritt. burning in exchange of chest of gold located on his
death ground. He will later play a major role in El
CHARACTERS IN NOLI ME TANGERE Filibusterismo.
1. Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin - Ibarra or Crisóstomo, 10. Crispín - Sisa ' s 7-year-old son. An altar boy, he was
is the protagonist in the story. Son of a Filipino unjustly accused of stealing money from the
businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, he studied in church. After failing to force Crispín to return the
Europe for seven years. money he allegedly stole, Father Salví and the
2. María Clara de los Santos y Alba - Ibarra's fiancée. She head sacristan killed him.
was raised by Capitán Tiago, San Diego's cabeza 11. Padre Hernando de la Sibyla - A Dominican friar. He is
de barangay and is the most beautiful and widely described as short and has fair skin. He is
celebrated girl in San Diego. instructed by an old priest in his order to watch
3. Don Santiago de los Santos - Known by his nickname Crisóstomo Ibarra.
Tiago and political title Capitán Tiago is a Filipino 12. Padre Bernardo Salví - The Franciscan curate of San
businessman and the cabeza de barangay or head Diego, secretly harboring lust for María Clara. He is
of barangay of the town of San Diego. He is also described to be very thin and sickly. It is also
the known father of María Clara. hinted that his last name, "Salvi" is the shorter
4. Dámaso Verdolagas, or Padre Dámaso - Franciscan friar form of "Salvi" meaning Salvation, or "Salvi" is short
and the former parish curate of San Diego. He is for "Salvaje "
best known as a notorious character that speaks 13. EL ALFÉREZ OR ALPERES - Chief of the Guardia Civil;
with harsh words and has been a cruel priest mortal enemy of the priests for power in San Diego
during his stay in the town. and husband of Doña Consolacion.
5. Elias - Ibarra's mysterious friend and ally. Elías made his 14. DOÑA CONSOLACÍON - Wife of the Alférez, nicknamed
first appearance as a pilot during a picnic of Ibarra as la musa de los guardias civiles (The muse of the
and María Clara and her friends. He wants to Civil Guards) or la Alféreza, was a former
revolutionize the country and to be freed from laundrywoman who passes herself as a Peninsular;
Spanish oppression. best remembered for her abusive treatment of Sisa.
6. Filosofo Tacio - Pilosopo Tasyo is another major character
in the story. Seeking for reforms from the
15. DON TIBURCIO DE ESPADAÑA - Spanish Quack Doctor 30. SACRISTÁN MAYOR - One who governs the altar boys
who is limp and submissive to his wife, Doña and killed Crispín for his accusation.
Victorina.
NOLI ME TANGERE PLOT SUMMARY
16. TENIENTE GUEVARA - Close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra.
He reveals to Crisóstomo how Don Rafael Ibarra ' s ⚫ Having completed his studies in Europe, young Juan
death came about. Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin comes back to the
Philippines after a 7-year absence. In his honor, Don
17. Alfonso Linares - A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Santiago de los Santos, a family friend commonly
Espanada, the would-be fiancé of María Clara. known as Captain Tiago, threw a gettogether party,
Although he presented himself as a practitioner of which was attended by friars and other prominent
law, it was later revealed that he, just like Don figures.
Tiburcio, is a fraud. He later died due to given
medications of Don Tiburcio. ⚫ One of the guests, former San Diego curate Fray
Dámaso Vardolagas belittled and slandered Ibarra.
18. TÍA ISABEL - Capitán Tiago's cousin, who raised Maria Ibarra brushed off the insults and took no offense; he
Clara. instead politely excused himself and left the party
because of an allegedly important task
19. Governor General - Unnamed person in the novel, he is
the most powerful official in the Philippines. He ⚫ The next day, Ibarra visits María Clara, his betrothed,
has great disdain for the friars and corrupt officials, the beautiful daughter of Captain Tiago and affluent
and sympathizes with Ibarra. resident of Binondo. Their long-standing love was
clearly manifested in this meeting, and María Clara
20. Don Filipo Lino - Vice mayor of the town of San Diego, cannot help but reread the letters her sweetheart had
leader of the liberals. written her before he went to Europe.
21. PADRE MANUEL MARTÍN - Linguist curate of a nearby ⚫ Before Ibarra left for San Diego, Lieutenant Guevara, a
town who delivers the sermon during San Diego ' s Civil Guard, reveals to him the incidents preceding the
fiesta. death of his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, a rich hacendero
22. DON RAFAEL IBARRA - Father of Crisóstomo Ibarra. of the town
Though he is the richest man in San Diego, he is ⚫ According to Guevara, Don Rafael was unjustly accused
also the most virtuous and generous. of being a heretic, in addition to being a subservient —
23. DOÑA PÍA ALBA - Wife of Capitan Tiago and mother an allegation brought forth by Dámaso because of Don
of María Clara, she died giving birth to her Rafael' s nonparticipation in the Sacraments, such as
daughter. In reality, she was raped by Dámas Confession and Mass.
so she could bear a child. ⚫ Dámaso ' s animosity against Ibarra ' s father is
24. DON PEDRO Y BARRAMENDIA - Great- grandfather of aggravated by another incident when Don Rafael
Crisóstomo Ibarra who came from the Basque helped out on a fight between a tax collector and a child
area of Spain. He started the misfortunes of fighting, and the former ' s death was blamed on him,
Elias' family. although it was not deliberate.

25. DON SATURNINO IBARRA - Son of Don Pedro, father of ⚫ Suddenly, all of those who thought ill of him surfaced
Don Rafael and grandfather of Crisóstomo Ibarra. with additional complaints. He was imprisoned, and just
He was the one who developed the town of San when the matter was almost settled, he died of
Diego. He was described as a cruel man but was sickness in jail.
very clever. ⚫ Still not content with what he had done, Dámaso
26. Sinang - Maria Clara ' s friend. Because Crisóstomo arranged for Don Rafael' s corpse to be dug up from the
Ibarra offered half of the school he was building to Catholic Church and brought to a Chinese cemetery,
Sinang, he gained Capitan Basilio ' s support. because he thought it inappropriate to allow a heretic a
Catholic burial ground.
27. CAPITÁN BASILIO - Sinang ' s father, leader of the
conservatives. ⚫ Unfortunately, it was raining and because of the
bothersome weight of the body, the undertakers decide
28. Pedro - Abusive husband of Sisa who loves cockfighting to throw the corpse into a nearby lake.
29. TANDÁNG PABLO - Leader of the tulisanes (bandits), ⚫ Revenge was not in Ibarra ' s plans, instead he carried
whose family was destroyed because of the through his father ' s plan of putting up a school, since
Spaniards. he believed that education would pave the way to his
country ' s progress (all over the novel the author refers
to both Spain and the Philippines as two different
 countries as part of a same nation or family, with Spain ⚫ The letters were from her mother, Pía Alba, to Dámaso
seen as the mother and the Philippines as the alluding to their unborn child; and that María Clara was
daughter). therefore not Captain Tiago ' s biological daughter, but
Dámaso ' s.
⚫ During the inauguration of the school, Ibarra would
have been killed in a sabotage had Elías — a mysterious ⚫ Afterwards, Ibarra and Elías fled by boat. Elías
man who had warned Ibarra earlier of a plot to instructed Ibarra to lie down, covering him with grass to
assassinate him — not saved him. Instead the hired conceal his presence. As luck would have it, they were
killer met an unfortunate incident and died. The spotted by their enemies. Elías, thinking he could
sequence of events proved to be too traumatic for outsmart them, jumped into the water. The guards
María Clara who got seriously ill but was luckily cured rained shots on him, all the while not knowing that they
by the medicine Ibarra sent. were aiming at the wrong man.Afterwards, Ibarra and
Elías fled by boat. Elías instructed Ibarra to lie down,
⚫ After the inauguration, Ibarra hosted a luncheon during covering him with grass to conceal his presence. As luck
which Dámaso, gatecrashing the luncheon, again would have it, they were spotted by their enemies. Elías,
insulted him. thinking he could outsmart them, jumped into the
⚫ Ibarra ignored the priest' s insolence, but when the water. The guards rained shots on him, all the while not
latter slandered the memory of his dead father, he was knowing that they were aiming at the wrong man.
no longer able to restrain himself and lunged at ⚫ It was Christmas Eve when Elías woke up in the forest
Dámaso, prepared to stab him for his impudence. fatally wounded, as it is here where he instructed Ibarra
⚫ As a consequence, Dámaso excommunicated Ibarra, to meet him. Instead, Elías found the altar boy Basilio
taking this opportunity to persuade the alreadyhesitant cradling his alreadydead mother, Sisa.
Tiago to forbid his daughter from marrying Ibarra. ⚫ The latter lost her mind when she learned that her two
⚫ The friar wished María Clara to marry Linares, a sons, Crispín and Basilio, were chased out of the
Peninsular who had just arrived from Spain. convent by the sacristan mayor on suspicions of
stealing sacred objects.
⚫ With the help of the Governor-General, Ibarra ' s
excommunication was nullified and the Archbishop ⚫ (The truth is that, it was the sacristan mayor who stole
decided to accept him as a member of the Church once the objects and only pinned the blame on the two boys.
again. But, as fate would have it, some incident of which ⚫ The said sacristan mayor actually killed Crispín while
Ibarra had known nothing about was blamed on him, interrogating him on the supposed location of the
and he is wrongly arrested and imprisoned. The sacred objects. It was implied that the body was never
accusation against him was then overruled because found and the incident was covered-up by Salví)
during the litigation that followed, nobody could testify
that he was indeed involved. ⚫ Elías, convinced that he would die soon, instructs
Basilio to build a funeral pyre and burn his and Sisa ' s
⚫ Unfortunately, his letter to María Clara somehow got bodies to ashes.
into the hands of the jury and is manipulated such that
it then became evidence against him by the parish ⚫ He tells Basilio that, if nobody reaches the place, he
priest, Fray Salví. With Machiavellian precision, Salví come back later on and dig for he will find gold.
framed Ibarra and ruined his life just so he could stop
him from marrying María Clara and making the latter ⚫ He also tells him (Basilio) to take the gold he finds and
his concubine. go to school.

⚫ Meanwhile, in Capitan Tiago ' s residence, a party was ⚫ In his dying breath, he instructed Basilio to continue
being held to announce the upcoming wedding of María dreaming about freedom for his motherland with the
Clara and Linares. Ibarra, with the help of Elías, took words: “ I shall die without seeing the dawn break upon
this opportunity to escape from prison. my homeland. You, who shall see it, salute it! Do not
forget those who have fallen during the night. ”
⚫ Before leaving, Ibarra spoke to María Clara and
accused her of betraying him, thinking that she gave ⚫ Elías died thereafter.
the letter he wrote her to the jury. ⚫ In the epilogue, it was explained that Tiago became
⚫ María Clara explained that she would never conspire addicted to opium and was seen to frequent the opium
against him, but that she was forced to surrender Ibarra house in Binondo to satiate his addiction.
' s letter to Father Salvi, in exchange for the letters ⚫ María Clara became a nun where Salví, who has lusted
written by her mother even before she, María Clara, was after her from the beginning of the novel, regularly used
born. her to fulfill his lust.
⚫ One stormy evening, a beautiful crazy woman was seen 5. The Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise
at the top of the convent crying and cursing the heavens manual labor. The officials reported to work at noon and
for the fate it has handed her. left early, all the while doing nothing in line with their
duties. The women were seen constantly followed by
⚫ While the woman was never identified, it is suggested servants who dressed them and fanned them –
that the said woman was María. personal things which they ought to have done for
SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS themselves.
6. Gambling was established and widely propagated during
- Essay those times. Almost every day there were cockfights,
- Published in La Solidaridad and during feast days, the government officials and
- Madrid, Spain (July 15, 1890 –September 15, 1890) friars were the first to engage in all sorts of bets and
gambles.
INDOLENT 7. There was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught
✓ Idle the naïve Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to
✓ Lazy enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work and
✓ Little love for work remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after
✓ Lack of activity they died.
8. The taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge
Sobre La Indolencia de los Filipinos, more popularly portion of what they earned went to the government or
known in its English version, "The Indolence of the Filipinos," to the friars. When the object of their labor was removed
is an exploratory essay written by Philippine national hero Dr. and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction.
Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged idleness of his people “An hour’s work under that burning sun, in the midst of
during the Spanish colonization. pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is
The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the equal to a day ’s labor in a temperate climate. ”
causes why the people did not, as was said, work hard during
CAUSES OF THE INDOLENCE OF THE FILIPINOS
the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that long before the
coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and 1. WARS – The inhabitants of the Philippines were
hardworking. dragged to maintain the honor of Spain
(thousands and thousands of Filipinos were sent
Causes of decline in economic activities in the Philippines
but nothing was said if they ever returned to their
1. The stablishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all homes.)
previous associations of the Philippines with other - great diminution of the natives because the
countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result, governors got them as crews for the vessels they
business was only conducted with Spain through sent out.
Mexico. Because of this, the small businesses and 2. PIRATE ATTACKS – Devastation of the terrible pirates
handicraft industries that flourished during the - Reduced more and more the number of
preSpanish period gradually disappeared inhabitants of the Philippines
2. Spain also extinguished the natives ’ love of work - Burned down the towns, captured and enslaved
because of the implementation of forced labor. Because men
of the wars between Spain and other countries in Europe - Disarmed and subjected to tributes so that they
as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were were left without the means to defend
compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public themselves
works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce. 3. ATTITUDE OF THE FRIARS - At that time, the friars
3. Spain did not protect the people against foreign advised their poor parishioners:
invaders and pirates. With no arms to defend ➢ to stop work in the mines,
themselves, the natives were killed, their houses ➢ to abandon their industries,
burned, and their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the ➢ to destroy their looms and pointing them that
Filipinos were forced to become nomads, lost interest in heaven is their sole hope
cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that ➢ the friars told them that it is easier for a poor
were shut down, and simply became submissive to the man to enter heaven than for a rich man
mercy of God. 4. LESSENING ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOR - Trade
4. There was a crooked system of education, if it was to be contact or relations between the Borneans,
considered an education. What was being taught in the Siamese, Cambodians and Japanese nations were
schools were repetitive prayers and other things that being cut off. The coast wide trade which was
could not be used by the students to lead the country to flourishing before disappeared.
progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, 5. MISERSLY RETURN FOR ONE’S LABOR - Because of
etc., which were badly needed by the Philippines during selfish, greedy, mean Encomenderos who:
those times. ❖ reduced many to slavery
❖ compelled Filipinos to work for their benefit
 ❖ Made them sell their products at an insignificant 13. FEELING OF INFERIORITY - Constant plucking (pulling,
price or for nothing or cheated them with false removing) of the soul
measures
❖ Treated them like slaves ✓ Deadens the energy
6. GAMBLING - The local word sugal (from the Spanish ✓ Paralyzes all tendency towards advancement
word jugar, means to gamble) indicates that
gambling was unknown in the Philippines before 14. VICIOUS DRESSING OF THE INTELLIGENCE AND WILL
the Spaniards arrived
⚫ Balasa – from the Spanish word barajar, the ➢ “You can’t do more than old So and So!-
introduction of playing cards ➢ Don’t aspire to be greater than the curate! You belong
7. FIESTAS - Gave their contribution to large number of to an inferior race! You haven’t any energy.”
fiestas, lengthy masses, novenae, processions,
rosaries ➢ They say this to the child; and as it is repeated so
- Filipinos were much less lazy before the word often, it has inevitably engraved in his mind and
miracle was introduced into their language thence it seals and shapes all his actions.
8. CURTAILMENT OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
✓ Curtail means to cut off, to cut short ➢ Ridicules with cruel sarcasm
✓ Individual liberty is being cut off 15. LACK OF AN IDEAL WORKER
✓ Accused of being a filibustero (rebel) or a suspect
✓ Lack of confidence in the future ⚫ The Filipinos’ spirits were transformed according to the
✓ Uncertainty of reaping the fruits of their labor taste of the nation that imposed upon them its God
9. APATHY OF THE GOVERNMENT and its laws
⚫ No encouragement, aid pertaining to commerce or
agriculture INSTEAD:
⚫ The products coming from the Philippines were ⚫ Ideal and prototype tanned and muscular laborer (who
burdened with imposts and duties and have no should have brought along with him the useful iron
free entry in the ports of the mother country and implements and the hoes to till the fields)
the consumption of the products are not
encouraged BUT IT WAS AN:
⚫ Due to the fraudulent (dishonest, deceitful)
manipulations of the Chinese, the Filipino ⚫ Aristocratic lord who brought along with him stamped
industries were dying. papers, crucifixes, bulls and
10. OWNERSHIP OF THE BIG ESTATES BY THE FRIARS ⚫ prayer books
⚫ The best estates, the best tracts of land in some
provinces were in the hands of the religious AS A RESULT:
corporations
⚫ The friars have deceived many by making them ⚫ The imitative people became clerks, devout, prayer
believe that those estates were prospering loving, acquired ideas of luxurious and ostentatious
because those were under their supervision living without improving correspondingly their
means of subsistence.
11. LACK OF MORAL SUPPORT
16. LACK OF NATIONAL SENTIMENT
⚫ Absence of moral support
✓ (expression of emotional ideas, feelings, etc.)
⚫ Absence of help from the government
✓ Scarcity of any opposition to the measures that are
⚫ Chemist (competitive examination) prejudicial to the people and the absence of any
initiative that will redound to their welfare
⚫ Young man won a prize in a literary contest
✓ Deprived of the right of association, therefore they
⚫ Education of the Filipino were weak and inert (inactive, unmotivated,
12. DEPRIVATION OF HUMAN DIGNITY passive)

✓ The students have to contend with the daily preaching

that lowers human dignity, gradually or brutally
killing their self-respect
✓ Priests who boldly declared that it is evil for the
Filipinos to know Castilian, that the Filipinos should
not be separated from his carabao, and that he
should not have any further ambition
WEEK 14: EL FILIBUSTERISMO & THE PHILIPPINES A With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as their mediator
CENTURY HENCE and Don Custodio’s decision, the academy is established;
however they will only serve as caretakers of the school not
EL FILIBUSTERISMO as the teachers. Dejected and defeated, they hold a mock
celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars
- Spanish for “The Filibustering”
witnesses the proceedings.
- The Reign of Greed – english alternate title
- Second novel written by Jose Rizal Simoun, for his part, keeps in close contact with the bandit
- Sequel to Noli Me Tangere group of Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay
- First book written in Spanish who suffered misfortunes at the hands of the friars. Once a
- First published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation and a
cabeza de barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give
PLOT SUMMARY
everything to the greedy and unscrupulous Spanish friars.
Thirteen years after leaving the Philippines, Crisostomo
His son, Tano, who became a civil guard, was captured by
Ibarra returns as Simoun, a rich jeweler sporting a beard
bandits; his daughter Hulî had to work as a maid to get
and blue-tinted glasses, and a confidant of the Captain-
enough ransom money for his freedom; and his father,
General. Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical
Tandang Selo, suffered a stroke and became mute. Before
saboteur, seeking revenge against the Spanish Philippine
joining the bandits, Tales took Simoun’s revolver while
system responsible for his misfortunes by plotting a
Simoun was staying at his house for the night.
revolution.
As payment, Tales leaves a locket that once belonged to
Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and
María Clara. To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun
influences every decision of the Captain-General to has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed consul
mismanage the country’s affairs so that a revolution will
to the Philippines, smuggle weapons into the country using
break out. He cynically sides with the upper classes,
Quiroga’s bazaar as a front.
encouraging them to commit abuses against the masses to
encourage the latter to revolt against the oppressive Simoun wishes to attack during a stage play with all of his
Spanish colonial regime. enemies in attendance. He, however, abruptly aborts the
attack when he learns from Basilio that María Clara had
This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities
died earlier that day in the convent.
through legal means, but through violent revolution using
the masses. Simoun has reasons for instigating a A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the
revolution. First is to rescue María Clara from the convent people are agitated when disturbing posters are found
and second, to get rid of ills and evils of Philippine society. displayed around the city. The authorities accuse the
students present at the pancitería of agitation and
His true identity is discovered by a now grown-up Basilio
disturbing peace and have them arrested.
while visiting the grave of his mother, Sisa, as Simoun was
digging near the grave site for his buried treasures. Simoun Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is
spares Basilio’s life and asks him to join in his planned also arrested. Captain Tiago dies after learning of the
revolution against the government, egging him on by incident and as stated in his will—forged by Irene, all his
bringing up the tragic misfortunes of the latter's family. possessions are given to the Church, leaving nothing for
Basilio. Basilio is left in prison as the other students are
Basilio declines the offer as he still hopes that the country’s
released.
condition will improve.
A high official tries to intervene for the release of Basilio but
Basilio, at this point, is a graduating student of medicine at
the Captain-General, bearing grudges against the high
the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. After the death of his
official, coerces him to tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s
mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his younger
girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries to ask
brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying
Father Camorra’s help upon the advice of an elder woman.
boatman, Elías, and traveled to Manila to study. Instead of helping Julî, however, the priest tries to rape her
Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after María Clara as he has long-hidden desires for Julî.
entered the convent. With Captain Tiago’s help, Basilio was
Julî, rather than submit to the will of the friar, jumps over
able to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán where, at first, the balcony to her death. Basilio is soon released with the
he is frowned upon by his peers and teachers not only
help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man, after hearing
because of the color of his skin but also because of his
about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution.
shabby appearance.
Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita
Captain Tiago’s confessor, Father Irene is making Captain
Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. His
Tiago’s health worse by giving him opium even as Basilio
plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-
tries hard to prevent Captain Tiago from smoking it. He and
styled Kerosene lamp that Simoun will give to the
other students want to establish a Spanish language
newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception.
academy so that they can learn to speak and write Spanish
despite the opposition from the Dominican friars of The reception will take place at the former home of the late
the Universidad de Santo Tomás. Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted
by Simoun. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted ISAGANI – Poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as
for only 20 minutes before it flickers; emotional and reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend before
being dumped for fellow student Juanito Peláez
If someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill
everyone—important members of civil society and the KABESANG TALES – Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a
Church hierarchy—inside the house. Basilio has a change of former cabeza de barangay of Sagpang, a barangay in San
heart and attempts to warn Isagani, his friend and the Diego's neighboring town Tiani, who resurfaced as the
former boyfriend of Paulita. feared Luzón bandit Matanglawin
Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a
note behind: DON CUSTODIO – Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de
“Mene Thecel Phares.” Monteredondo, a famous "journalist" who was asked by the
—Juan Crisostomo Ibarra students about his decision for the Academia de
Castellano.
Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salví
recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed PAULITA GOMEZ - The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of
Ibarra’s. As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers. Father Doña Victorina. In the end, she and Juanito Peláez are wed,
Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his and she dumps Isagani
undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the
lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans. MACARAIG – One of Isagani's classmates at the University
of Santo Tomas. He is a rich student and serves as the
He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after leader of the students yearning to build the Academia de
him. He later regrets his impulsive action because he had Castellano.
contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation more
than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could FATHER FLORENTINO – Isagani's godfather, and a secular
have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society. priest; was engaged to be married, but chose to be a priest
after being pressured by his mother
Simoun, now unmasked as the perpetrator of the
attempted arson and failed revolution, becomes a fugitive.
JULI/HULI – Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and
Wounded and exhausted after he was shot by the pursuing
the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales. To claim her
Guardia Civil, he seeks shelter at the home of Father
father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid under
Florentino, Isagani’s uncle, and comes under the care of
the supervision of Hermana Penchang.
Doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña, Doña Victorina's husband,
who was also hiding at the house.
JUANITO PELAEZ – The son of Don Timoteo Pelaez, a
Simoun takes poison in order for him not to be captured Spanish businessman, he is also one of the members of
alive. Before he dies, he reveals his real identity to Macaraig's gang who wish to have the Academia de
Florentino while they exchange thoughts about the failure Castellano built.
of his revolution and why God forsook him. Florentino
opines that God did not forsake him and that his plans DOÑA VICTORINA – Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaña,
were not for the greater good but for personal gain. known in Noli Me Tangere as Tiburcio de Espadaña's cruel
wife.
Simoun, finally accepting Florentino’s explanation,
squeezes his hand and dies. Florentino then takes FATHER CAMORRA – The parish priest of Tiani. He has
Simoun’s remaining jewels and throws them into the Pacific been desiring young women ever since. He nearly raped Juli
Ocean with the corals hoping that they would not be used causing the latter to commit suicide.
by the greedy, and that when the time came that it would
be used for the greater good, when the nation would be BEN-ZAYB – The pseudonym of Abraham Ibañez, a
finally deserving liberty for themselves, the sea would journalist who believes he is the "only" one thinking in the
reveal the treasures. Philippines.

CHARACTERS OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO PLACIDO PENITENTE – A student of the University of Santo

Tomas who was very intelligent and wise but did not want, if
SIMOUN – A powerful man who has a great influence over not only by his mother's plea, to pursue his studies.
the Kapitan Heneral. Using this, he plans to destroy the
Spaniards as his vendetta for the sufferings of Crisostomo HERMANA PENCHANG – Sagpang's rich pusakal (gambler).
Ibarra. She offers Huli to be her maid so the latter can obtain
money to free Kabesang Tales.
BASILIO – The eldest of Sisa's two sons, now an aspiring
doctor whose medical education was being financed by TIBURCIO DE ESPADAÑA – Don Tiburcio is Victorina de
Capitan Tiago. He is now at the point of graduation during Espadaña's lame husband. He is currently on hiding with
the events in the novel. Father Florentino.
FATHER ÍRENE – Captain Tiago's spiritual adviser. Although FATHER BERNARDO SALVI – Former parish priest of San
reluctant, he helped the students to establish the Academia Diego, now the director and chaplain of the Santa Clara
de Castellano after being convinced by giving him a convent.
chestnut.
CAPTAIN TIAGO – Santiago delos Santos, although making
QUIROGA – A Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a cameo appearance, Captain Tiago is Maria Clara's
a consul for his country in the Philippines. He hid Simoun's stepfather and the foster-father to Basilio.
weapons inside his house.
MARIA CLARA – Introduced in Dr. Rizal's first novel "Noli Me
DON TIMOTEO PELAEZ – Juanito's father. He is a rich Tangere". She was once the girlfriend of Crisostomo Ibarra
businessmen and arranges a wedding for his son and but chose to became a nun despite Father Damaso's (her
Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners. real father) arguments. She eventually committed suicide,
as witnessed by Basilio when he visited the convent of
TANDANG SELO – Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the Santa Clara.
sick and young Basilio after he left their house in Noli Me
Tangere. “Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años”
(The Philippines A Century Hence)
FATHER FERNÁNDEZ – The priest-friend of Isagani. He
promised to Isagani that he and the other priests will give in Rizal estimated the future of the Philippines in the span of
to the students' demands. a hundred years and foretold the catastrophic end of
Spanish rule in Asia.
SANDOVAL – The vice-leader of Macaraig's gang. A Spanish
classmate of Isagani. He ‘prophesied’ Filipinos’ revolution against Spain, winning
their independence, but later the Americans would come as
HERMANA BÁLI – Another gambler in Tiani. She became the new colonizer.
Huli's mother-figure and counselor; helped to release
Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits The essay also talked about the glorious past of the
Philippines, recounted the deterioration of the economy,
PASTA – One of the great lawyers of mid-Hispanic Manila, and exposed the causes of natives’ sufferings under the
opposed the students' demands for a Spanish language cruel Spanish rule.
academy
WEEK 15: RIZAL’S ANNOTATIONS TO MORGA’S SUCESOS
FATHER MILLON – The Physics teacher of the University of DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS; and ANALYSIS OF THE LETTER TO
Santo Tomas. He always becomes vindictive with Placido THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS
and always taunts him during class.
MEANING OF SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS
TADEO – Macaraig's classmate. He, along with the other
three members of their gang, supposedly posted the Las Islas Filipinas means “The Philippine Island” in English
posters and was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain

LEEDS – An American who holds stage plays starring Sucesos means the work of an honest observer, versatile
decapitated heads; he is good friends with Simoun. bureaucrat, who knew the workings of the administration
from the inside.
TANO – Kabesang Tales's elder son after his older sister,
Lucia died in childhood. ABOUT SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

PEPAY – Don Custodio's supposed "girlfriend". A dancer, One of the important works of the Philippines about the
she is always agitated of her boyfriend’s plans. She seems colonization of Spain, published by Antonio De Morga in
to be a close friend of Macaraig. Mexico 1609.

GOBERNADOR GENERAL – The highest-ranking official in Explains the political, social and economical aspects of a
the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. colonizer and the colonized country.

PECSON – Basilio's classmate who had no idea on the The book is based on the experience and observation of
happenings occurring around him. He suggested that they Antonio De Morga
held the mock celebration at the panciteria.
Annotated by Jose Rizal with a prologue by Dr. Ferdinand
FATHER HERNANDO DE LA SIBYLA – A Dominican friar Blumentritt
introduced in Noli Me Tangere, now the vice-rector of
the University of Santo Tomas.
 INTRODUCTION negritos, igorots and other heathens yet occupy the greater
part territorially of the archipelago. Then the islands which
To The Filipinos: In Noli Me Tangere I started to sketch the the Spaniards early held but soon lost are non-Christian-
present state of our native land. But the effect which my Formosa, Borneo, and the Moluccas. And if there are
effort produced made me realize that, before attempting to Christians in the Carolines, that is due to Protestants,
unroll before your eyes the other pictures which were to whom neither the Roman Catholics of Morga's day nor
follow, it was necessary first to post you on the past. So many Catholics in our own day consider Christians.
only can you fairly judge the present and estimate how
much progress has been made during the three centuries It is not the fact that the Filipinos were unprotected before
of Spanish rule. the coming of the Spaniards. Morga himself says, further
on in telling of the pirate raids from the south, that previous
Like almost all of you, I was born and brought up in to the Spanish domination the islands had arms and
ignorance of our country ' s past and so, without knowledge defended themselves. But after the natives were disarmed
or authority to speak of what I neither saw nor have the pirates pillaged them with impunity, coming at times
studied, I deem it necessary to quote the testimony of an when they were unprotected by the government, which was
illustrious Spaniard who in the beginning of the new era the reason for many of the insurrections.
controlled the destinies of the Philippines and had personal
knowledge of our ancient nationality in its last days. The civilization of the Pre-Spanish Filipinos in regard to the
duties of life for that age was well advanced, as the Morga
Governor Antonio de Morga was not only the first to write history shows in its eighth chapter.
but also the first to publish a Philippine history. This
statement has regard to the concise and concrete form in The islands came under Spanish sovereignty and control
which our author has treated the matter. Father Chirino ' s through compacts, treaties of friendship and alliances for
work, printed at Rome in 1604, is rather a chronicle of the reciprocity. By virtue of the last arrangement, according to
Missions than a history of the Philippines; still it contains a some historians, Magellan lost his life on Mactan and the
great deal of valuable material on usages and customs. The soldiers of Legaspi fought under the banner of King Tupas
worthy Jesuit in fact admits that he abandoned writing a of Cebu.
political history because Morga had already done so, so
one must infer that he had seen the work in manuscript The term "conquest" is admissible but for a part of the
before leaving the Islands. islands and then only in its broadest sense. Cebu, Panay,
Luzon Mindoro and some others cannot be said to have
ANNOTATIONS been conquered.

By the Christian religion, Doctor Morga appears to mean The discovery, conquest and conversion cost Spanish blood
the Roman Catholic which by fire and sword he would but still more Filipino blood. It will be seen later on in Morga
preserve in its purity in the Philippines. Nevertheless, in that with the Spaniards and on behalf of Spain there were
other lands, notably in Flanders, these means were always more Filipinos fighting than Spaniards.
ineffective to keep the church unchanged, or to maintain its
supremacy, or even to hold its subjects. Morga shows that the ancient Filipinos had army and navy
with artillery and other implements of warfare. Their prized
Great kingdoms were indeed discovered and conquered in krises and kampilans for their magnificent temper are
the remote and unknown parts of the world by Spanish worthy of admiration and some of them are richly
ships but to the Spaniards who sailed in them we may add damascened. Their coats of mail and helmets, of which
Portuguese, Italians, French, Greeks, and even Africans and there are specimens in various European museums, attest
Polynesians. The expeditions captained by Columbus and their great advancement in this industry.
Magellan, one a Genoese Italian and the other a
Portuguese, as well as those that came after them, Morga's expression that the Spaniards "brought war to the
although Spanish fleets, still were manned by many gates of the Filipinos" is in marked contrast with the word
nationalities and in them went negroes, Moluccans, and used by subsequent historians whenever recording Spain's
even men from the Philippines and the Marianas Islands. possessing herself of a province, that she pacified it.
Perhaps "to make peace" then meant the same as "to stir
Three centuries ago it was the custom to write as up war."
intolerantly as Morga does, but nowadays it would be called
a bit presumptuous. No one has a monopoly of the true Magellan ' s transferring from the service of his own king to
God nor is there any nation or religion that can claim, or at employment under the King of Spain, according to historic
any rate prove, that to it has been given the exclusive right documents, was because the Portuguese King had refused
to the Creator of all things or sole knowledge of His real to grant him the raise in salary which he asked.
being.
Now it is known that Magellan was mistaken when he
The conversions by the Spaniards were not as general as represented to the King of Spain that the Molucca Islands
their historians claim. The missionaries only succeeded in were within the limits assigned by the Pope to the
converting a part of the people of the Philippines. Still there Spaniards. But through this error and the inaccuracy of the
are Mohamedans, the Moros, in the southern islands, and
nautical instruments of that time, the Philippines did not came to have a sort of ironical signification. To entrust a
fall into the hands of the Portuguese. province was then as if it were said that it was turned over
to sack, abandoned to the cruelty and covetousness of the
Cebu, which Morga calls "The City of the Most Holy Name of encomendero, to judge from the way this gentry
Jesus," was at first called "The village of San Miguel." misbehaved.

The image of the Holy Child of Cebu, which many religious Legaspi's grandson, Salcedo, called the Hernando Cortez of
writers believed was brought to Cebu by the angels, was in the Philippines, was the " conqueror's" intelligent right arm
fact given by the worthy Italian chronicler of Magellan's and the hero of the "conquest." His honesty and fine
expedition, the Chevalier Pigafetta, to the Cebuano queen. qualities, talent and personal bravery, all won the
admiration of the Filipinos. Because of him they yielded to
The expedition of Villalobos, intermediate between their enemies, making peace and friendship with the
Magellan's and Legaspi's, gave the name "Philipina" to one Spaniards. He it was who saved Manila from Li Ma-hong.
of the southern islands, Tendaya, now perhaps Leyte, and He died at the early age of twenty-seven and is the only
this name later was extended to the whole archipelago. encomendero recorded to have left the great part of his
possessions to the Indians of his encomienda. Vigan was
Of the native Manila rulers at the coming of the Spaniards, his encomienda and the Ilokanos there were his heirs.
Raja Soliman was called "Rahang mura", or young king, in
distinction from the old king, "Rahang matanda". Historians The expedition which followed the Chinese corsair Li Ma-
have confused these personages. The native fort at the Hong, after his unsuccessful attack upon Manila, to
mouth of the Pasig river, which Morga speaks of as Pangasinan province, with the Spaniards of whom Morga
equipped with brass lantakas and artillery of larger caliber, tells, had in it 1,500 friendly Indians from Cebu, Bohol,
had its ramparts reinforced with thick hardwood posts such Leyte and Panay, besides the many others serving as
as the Tagalogs used for their houses and called "harigues", laborers and crews of the ships. Former Raja Lakandula, of
or "haligui". Tondo, with his sons and his kinsmen went, too, with 200
more Bisayans and they were joined by other Filipinos in
Morga has evidently confused the pacific coming of Legaspi Pangasinan.
with the attack of Goiti and Salcedo, as to date. According
to other historians it was in 1570 that Manila was burned, If discovery and occupation justify annexation, then Borneo
and with it a great plant for manufacturing artillery. Goiti did ought to belong to Spain. In the Spanish expedition to
not take possession of the city but withdrew to Cavite and replace on its throne a Sirela or Malaela, as he is variously
afterwards to Panay, which makes one suspicious of his called, who had been driven out by his brother, more than
alleged victory. As to the day of the date, the Spaniards fifteen hundred Filipino bowmen from the provinces of
then, having come following the course of the sun, were Pangasinan, Cagayan, and the Bisayas participated.
some sixteen hours later than Europe. This condition
continued till the end of the year 1844, when the 31st of It is notable how strictly the earlier Spanish governors were
December was by special arrangement among the held to account. Some stayed in Manila as prisoners, one,
authorities dropped from the calendar for that year. Governor Corcuera, passing five years with Fort Santiago as
his prison.
Accordingly, Legaspi did not arrive in Manila on the 19th
but on the 20th of May and consequently it was not on the In the fruitless expedition against the Portuguese in the
festival of Santa Potenciana but on San Baudelio ' s day. island of Ternate, in the Molucca group, which was
The same mistake was made with reference to the other abandoned because of the prevalence of beriberi among
early events still wrongly commemorated, like San Andres ' the troops, there went 1,500 Filipino soldiers from the
day for the repulse of the Chinese corsair Li Ma-hong. more warlike provinces, principally Cagayan and
Pampanga.
Though not mentioned by Morga, the Cebuans aided the
Spaniards in their expedition against Manila, for which The "pacification" of Cagayan was accomplished by taking
reason they were long exempted from tribute. advantage of the jealousies among its people, particularly
the rivalry between two brothers who were chiefs. An early
The southern islands, the Bisayas, were also called "The historian asserts that without this fortunate circumstance,
land of the Painted People " (or Pintados, in Spanish) for the Spaniards, it would have been impossible to
because the natives had their bodies decorated with subjugate them.
tracings made with fire, somewhat like tattooing.
Captain Gabriel de Rivera, a Spanish commander who had
The Spaniards retained the native name for the new capital gained fame in a raid on Borneo and the Malacca coast,
of the archipelago, a little changed, however, for the was the first envoy from the Philippines to take up with the
Tagalogs had called their city "Maynila." King of Spain the needs of the archipelago.

When Morga says that the lands were "entrusted" (given as The early conspiracy of the Manila and Pampanga former
encomiendas) to those who had "pacified" them, he means chiefs was revealed to the Spaniards by a Filipina, the wife
"divided up among." The word " entrust, "like " pacify," later of a soldier, and many concerned lost their lives.
The artillery cast for the new stone fort in Manila, says For Governor Dasmariňas ' expedition to conquer Ternate,
Morga, was by the hand of an ancient Filipino. That is, he in the Moluccan group, two Jesuits there gave secret
knew how to cast cannon even before the coming of the information. In his 200 ships, besides 900 Spaniards, there
Spaniards, hence he was distinguished as 4" ancient." In must have been Filipinos for one chronicler speaks of
this difficult art of ironworking, as in so many others, the Indians, as the Spaniards called the natives of the
modern or present-day Filipinos are not so far advanced as Philippines, who lost their lives and others who were made
were their ancestors. captives when the Chinese rowers mutinied. It was the
custom then always to have a thousand or more native
When the English freebooter Cavendish captured the bowmen and besides the crew were almost all Filipinos, for
Mexican galleon Santa Ana, with 122,000 gold pesos, a the most part Bisayans
great quantity of rich textiles-silks, satins and damask,
musk perfume, and stores of provisions, he took 150 The historian Argensola, in telling of four special galleys for
prisoners. All these because of their brave defense were Dasmariňas ' expedition, says that they were manned by an
put ashore with ample supplies, except two Japanese lads, expedient which was generally considered rather harsh. It
three Filipinos, a Portuguese and a skilled Spanish pilot was ordered that there be bought enough of the Indians
whom he kept as guides in his further voyaging. who were slaves of the former Indian chiefs, or principales,
to form these crews, and the price, that which had been
From the earliest Spanish days, ships were built in the customary in pre-Spanish times, was to be advanced by the
islands, which might be considered evidence of native encomenderos who later would be reimbursed from the
culture. Nowadays this industry is reduced to small craft, royal treasury. In spite of this promised compensation, the
scows and coasters. measures still seemed severe since those Filipinos were
not correct in calling their dependents slaves. The masters
The Jesuit, Father Alonso Sanchez, who visited the papal treated these, and loved them, like sons rather, for they
court at Rome and the Spanish King at Madrid, had a seated them at their own tables an gave them their own
mission much like that of deputies now, but of even greater daughters in marriage.
importance since he came to be a sort of counsellor or
representative to the absolute monarch of that epoch. One Morga says that the 250 Chinese oarsmen who manned
wonders why the Philippines could have a representative Governor Dasmariňas’ swift galley were under pay and had
then but may not have one now. the special favor of not being chained to their benches.
According to him it was covetousness of the wealth aboard
In the time of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmariňas, Manila that led them to revolt and kill the governor. But the
was guarded against further damage such as was suffered historian Gaspar de San Agustin states that the reason for
from Li Ma-Hong by the construction of a massive stone the revolt was the governor's abusive language and his
wall around it. This was accomplished " without expense to threatening the rowers. Both these authors' allegations may
the royal treasury." The same governor, in like manner, also have contributed, but more important was the fact that
fortified the point at the entrance to the river where had there was no law to compel these Chinamen to row in the
been the ancient native fort of wood, and he gave it the galleys. They had come to Manila to engage in commerce
name Fort Santiago. or to work in trades or to follow professions.

The early cathedral of wood which was burned through Still the incident contradicts the reputation for enduring
carelessness at the time of the funeral of Governor everything which they have had. The Filipinos have been
Dasmariňas' predecessor, Governor Ronquillo, was made, much more long-suffering than the Chinese since, in spite
according to the Jesuit historian Chirino, with hardwood of having been obliged to row on more than one occasion,
pillars around which two men could not reach, and in they never mutinied.
harmony with this massiveness was all the woodwork
above and below. It may be surmised from these how hard It is difficult to excuse the missionaries ' disregard of the
workers were the Filipinos of that time. laws of nations and the usages of honorable politics in their
interference in Cambodia on the ground that it was to
A stone house for the bishop was built before starting on spread the Faith. Religion had a broad field awaiting it then
the governor-general' s residence. This precedence is in the Philippines where more than nine-tenths of the
interesting for those who uphold the civil power. Morga's natives were infidels. That even now there are to be found
mention of the scant output of large artillery from the here so many tribes and settlements of non-Christians
Manila cannon works because of lack of master takes away much of the prestige of that religious zeal which
foundrymen shows that after the death of the Filipino in the easy life in towns of wealth, liberal and fond of
Panday Pira there were not Spaniards skilled enough to display, grows lethargic.
take his place, nor were his sons as expert as he.
Truth is that the ancient activity was scarcely for the Faith
It is worthy of note that China, Japan and Cambodia at this alone, because the missionaries had to go to islands rich in
time maintained relations with the Philippines. But in our spices and gold though there were at hand Mohamedans
day it has been more than a century since the natives of and Jews in Spain and Africa, Indians by the million in the
the latter two countries have come here. The causes which Americas, and more millions of protestants, schismatic and
ended the relationship may be found in the interference by heretics peopled, and still people, over six-sevenths of
the religious orders with the institutions of those lands. Europe. All of these doubtless would have accepted the
Light and the true religion if the friars, under pretext of Witness the Moluccas where Spanish missionaries served
preaching to them, had not abused their hospitality and if as spies; Cambodia, which it was sought to conquer under
behind the name Religion had not lurked the unnamed cloak of converting; and many other nations, among them
Domination. the Filipinos, where the sacrament of baptism made of the
inhabitants not only subjects of the King of Spain but also
In the attempt made by Rodriguez de Figueroa to conquer slaves of the encomenderos, and as well slaves of the
Mindanao according to his contract with the King of Spain, churches and convents. What would Japan have been now
there was fighting along the Rio Grande with the people had not its emperors uprooted Catholicism? A missionary
called the Buhahayenes. Their general, according to record of 1625 sets forth that the King of Spain had
Argensola, was the celebrated Silonga, later distinguished arranged with certain members of Philippine religious
for many deeds in raids on the Bisayas and adjacent orders that, under guise of preaching the faith and making
islands. Chirino relates an anecdote of his coolness under Christians, they should win over the Japanese and oblige
fire once during a truce for a marriage among Mindanao them to make themselves of the Spanish party, and finally
"principalia." Young Spaniards out of bravado fired at his it told of a plan whereby the King of Spain should become
feet but he passed on as if unconscious of the bullets also King of Japan.

Argensola has preserved the name of the Filipino who killed In corroboration of this may be cited the claims that Japan
Rodriguez de Figueroa. It was Ubal. Two days previously he fell within the Pope's demarcation lines for Spanish
had given a banquet, slaying for it a beef animal of his own, expansion and so there was complaint of missionaries
and then made the promise which he kept, to do away with other than Spanish there. Therefore, it was not for religion
the leader of the Spanish invaders. A Jesuit writer calls him that they were converting the infidels!
a traitor though the justification for that term of reproach is
not apparent. The Buhahayen people were in their own The raid by Datus Sali and Silonga of Mindanao, in 1599
country, and had neither offended nor declared war upon with 50 sailing vessels and 3,000 warriors, against the
the Spaniards. They had to defend their homes against a capital of Panay, is the first act of piracy by the inhabitants
powerful invader, with superior forces, many of whom were, of the South which is recorded in Philippine history. I say
by reason of their armor, invulnerable so far as rude "by the inhabitants of the South" because earlier there had
Indians were concerned. Yet these same Indians were been other acts of piracy, the earliest being that of
defenseless against the balls from their muskets. Magellan ' s expedition when it seized the shipping of
friendly islands and even of those whom they did not know,
By the Jesuit's line of reasoning, the heroic Spanish extorting for them heavy ransoms.
peasantry in their war for independence would have been a
people even more treacherous. It was not Ubal' s fault that It will be remembered that these Moro piracies continued
he was not seen and, as it was wartime, it would have been for more than two centuries, during which the indomitable
the height of folly, in view of the immense disparity of arms, sons of the South made captives and carried fire and sword
to have first called out to this preoccupied opponent, and not only in neighboring islands but into Manila Bay to
then been killed himself. Malate, to the very gates of the capital, and not once a year
merely but at times repeating their raids five and six times
The muskets used by the Buhahayens were probably some in a single season. Yet the government was unable to repel
that had belonged to Figueroa's soldiers who had died in them or to defend the people whom it had disarmed and
battle. Though the Philippines had lantakas and other left without protection. Estimating that the cost to the
artillery, muskets were unknown till the Spaniards came. islands was but 800 victims a year, still the total would be
more than 200,000 persons sold into slavery or killed, all
That the Spaniards used the word "discover" very carelessly sacrificed together with so many other things to the
may be seen from an admiral's turning in a report of his prestige of that empty title, Spanish sovereignty.
"discovery" of the Solomon Islands though he noted that
the islands had been discovered before. Still the Spaniards say that the Filipinos have contributed
nothing to Mother Spain, and that it is the islands which
Death has always been the first sign of European owe everything. It may be so, but what about the enormous
civilization on its introduction in the Pacific Ocean. God sum of gold which was taken from the islands in the early
grant that it may not be the last, though to judge by years of Spanish rule, of the tributes collected by the
statistics the civilized islands are losing their populations at encomenderos, of the nine million dollars yearly collected
a terrible rate. Magellan himself inaugurated his arrival in to pay the military, expenses of the employees, diplomatic
the Marianas islands by burning more than forty houses, agents, corporations and the like, charged to the
many small craft and seven people because one of his Philippines, with salaries paid out of the Philippine treasury
boats had been stolen. Yet to the simple savages the act not only for those who come to the Philippines but also for
had nothing wrong in it but was done with the same those who leave, to some who never have been and never
naturalness that civilized people hunt, fish, and subjugate will be in the islands, as well as to others who have nothing
people that are weak or ill-armed. to do with them.

The Japanese were not in error when they suspected the Yet all of this is as nothing in comparison with so many
Spanish and Portuguese religious propaganda to have captives gone, such a great number of soldiers killed in
political motives back of the missionary activities. expeditions, islands depopulated, their inhabitants sold as
slaves by the Spaniards themselves, the death of industry, been so, considering the hatred and rancor then existing,
the demoralization of the Filipinos, and so forth, and so but those in command set the example.
forth. Enormous indeed would the benefits which that
sacred civilization brought to the archipelago have to be in The loss of two Mexican galleons in 1603 called forth no
order to counterbalance so heavy a-cost. comment from the religious chroniclers who were
accustomed to see the avenging hand of God in the
While Japan was preparing to invade the Philippines, these misfortunes and accidents of their enemies. Yet there were
islands were sending expeditions to Tonquin and repeated shipwrecks of the vessels that carried from the
Cambodia, leaving the homeland helpless even against the Philippines wealth which encomenderos had extorted from
undisciplined hordes from the South, so obsessed were the the Filipinos, using force, or making their own laws, and,
Spaniards with the idea of making conquests. when not using these open means, cheating by the weights
and measures.
In the alleged victory of Morga over the Dutch ships, the
latter found upon the bodies of five Spaniards, who lost The Filipino chiefs who at their own expense went with the
their lives in that combat, little silver boxes filled with Spanish expedition against Ternate, in the Moluccas, in
prayers and invocations to the saints. Here would seem to 1605, were Don Guillermo Palaot, maestro de campo, and
be the origin of the anting-anting of the modern tulisanes, Captains Francisco Palaot, Juan Lit, Luis Lont, and Agustin
which are also of a religious character. Lont.They had with them 400 Tagalogs and
Kapampangans. The leaders bore themselves bravely for
In Morga's time, the Philippines exported silk to Japan Argensola writes that in the assault on Ternate, "No officer,
whence now comes the best quality of that merchandise. Spaniard or Indian, went unscathed."

Morga's views upon the failure of Governor Pedro de The loss of two Mexican galleons in 1603 called forth no
Acuna’s ambitious expedition against the Moros unhappily comment from the religious chroniclers who were
still apply for the same conditions yet exist. For fear of accustomed to see the avenging hand of God in the
uprisings and loss of Spain's sovereignty over the islands, misfortunes and accidents of their enemies. Yet there were
the inhabitants were disarmed, leaving them exposed to repeated shipwrecks of the vessels that carried from the
the harassing of a powerful and dreaded enemy. Even now, Philippines wealth which encomenderos had extorted from
though the use of steam vessels has put an end to piracy the Filipinos, using force, or making their own laws, and,
from outside, the same fatal system still is followed. when not using these open means, cheating by the weights
and measures.
The peaceful countryfolk are deprived of arms and thus
made unable to defend themselves against the bandits, or The Filipino chiefs who at their own expense went with the
tulisanes, which the government cannot restrain. It is an Spanish expedition against Ternate, in the Moluccas, in
encouragement to banditry thus to make easy its getting 1605, were Don Guillermo Palaot, maestro de campo, and
booty. Captains Francisco Palaot, Juan Lit, Luis Lont, and Agustin
Lont.They had with them 400 Tagalogs and
Hernando de los Rios blames these Moluccan wars for the Kapampangans. The leaders bore themselves bravely for
fact that at first the Philippines were a source of expense to Argensola writes that in the assault on Ternate, "No officer,
Spain instead of profitable in spite of the tremendous Spaniard or Indian, went unscathed."
sacrifices of the Filipinos, their practically gratuitous labor
in building and equipping the galleons, and despite, too, The Cebuanos drew a pattern on the skin before starting in
the tribute, tariffs and other imposts and monopolies. to tattoo. The Bisayan usage then was the same procedure
These wars to gain the Moluccas, which soon were lost that the Japanese today follow.
forever with the little that had been so laboriously obtained,
were a heavy drain upon the Philippines. They depopulated Ancient traditions ascribe the origin of the Malay Filipinos to
the country and bankrupted the treasury, with not the the island of Sumatra. These traditions were almost
slightest compensating benefit completely lost as well as the mythology and the
genealogies of which the early historians tell, thanks to the
True also is it that it was to gain the Moluccas that Spain zeal of the missionaries in eradicating all national
kept the Philippines, the desire for the rich spice islands remembrances as heathen or idolatrous. The study of
being one of the most powerful arguments when, because ethnology is restoring this somewhat.
of their expense to him, the King thought of withdrawing
and abandoning them. The chiefs used to wear upper garments, usually of Indian
fine gauze according to Colin, of red color, a shade for
Among the Filipinos who aided the government when the which they had the same fondness that the Romans had.
Manila Chinese revolted, Argensola says there were 4,000 The barbarous tribes in Mindanao still have the same taste.
Pampangans " armed after the way of their land, with bows
and arrows, short lances, shields, and broad and long The "easy virtue" of the native women that historians note
daggers." Some Spanish writers say that the Japanese is not solely attributable to the simplicity with which they
volunteers and the Filipinos showed themselves cruel in obeyed their natural instincts but much more due to a
slaughtering the Chinese refugees. This may very well have religious belief of which Father Chirino tells. It was that in
the journey after death to "Kalualhatian," the abode of the
spirit, there was a dangerous river to cross that had no much so that they were not at all behind the women of
bridge other than a very narrow strip of wood over which a Flanders."
woman could not pass unless she had a husband or lover
to extend a hand to assist her. Furthermore, the religious Morga ' s statement that there was not a province or town
annals of the early missions are filled with countless of the Filipinos that resisted conversion or did not want it
instances where native maidens chose death rather than may have been true of the civilized natives. But the contrary
sacrifice their chastity to the threats and violence of was the fact among the mountain tribes. We have the
encomenderos and Spanish soldiers. As to the mercenary testimony of several Dominican and Augustinian
social evil, that is worldwide and there is no nation that can missionaries that it was impossible to go anywhere to make
'throw the first stone ' at any other. For the rest, today the conversions without other Filipinos along and a guard of
Philippines has no reason to blush in comparing its soldiers. "Otherwise, says Gaspar de San Agustin, there
womankind with the women of the most chaste nation in would have been no fruit of the Evangelic Doctrine
the world. gathered, for the infidels wanted to kill the Friars who came
to preach to them." An example of this method of
Morga's remark that the Filipinos like fish better when it is conversion given by the same writer was a trip to the
commencing to turn bad is another of those prejudices mountains by two Friars who had a numerous escort of
which Spaniards like all other nations, have. In matters of Pampangans. The escort's leader was Don Agustin Sonson
food, each is nauseated with what he is unaccustomed to who had a reputation for daring and carried fire and sword
or doesn't know is eatable. The English, for example, find into the country, killing many, including the chief, Kabadi.
their gorge rising when they see a Spaniard eating snails,
while in turn the Spanish find roast beef English-style "The Spaniards, says Morga, were accustomed to hold as
repugnant and can 't understand the relish of other slaves such natives as they bought and others that they
Europeans for beefsteak a la Tartar which to them is simply took in the forays in the conquest or pacification of the
raw meat. The Chinaman, who likes shark' s meat, cannot islands." Consequently, in this respect the " pacifiers "
bear Roquefort cheese, and these examples might be introduced no moral improvement. We even do not know if
indefinitely extended. The Filipinos' favorite fish dish is the in their wars the Filipinos used to make slaves of each
bagoong and whoever has tried to eat it knows that it is not other, though that would not have been strange, for the
considered improved when tainted. It neither is, nor ought chroniclers tell of captives returned to their own people.
to be, decayed. The practice of the Southern pirates almost proves this,
although in these piratical wars the Spaniards were the first
Colin says the ancient Filipinos had minstrels who had aggressors and gave them their character.
memorized songs telling their genealogies and of the deeds
ascribed to their deities. These were chanted on voyages in Source: Rizal' s Life and Minor Writings, pp. 310-331,
cadence with the rowing, or at festivals, or funerals, or Austin Craig, 1929,
wherever there happened to be any considerable Translations were made by Mr. Chas. E. Derbyshire for the
gatherings. It is regrettable that these chants have not author
been preserved as from them it would have been possible
to learn much of the Filipinos' past and possibly of the THE WOMEN OF MALOLOS
history of neighboring islands.
WHO? 20 women from prominent Chinese Filipino families
The cannon foundry mentioned by Morga as in the walled in Malolos, Bulacan
city was probably on the site of the Tagalog one which was
destroyed by fire on the first coming of the Spaniards. That WHY? Requesting permission to open a night school where
established in 1584 was in Lamayan, that is, Santa Ana they could be taught the Spanish language under Teodoro
now, and was transferred to the old site in 1590. It Sandiko
continued to work until 1805. According to Gaspar San
Agustin, the cannon which the pre-Spanish Filipinos cast WHAT? Signed and presented a letter to the Governor-
were " as great as those of Malaga," Spain's foundry. General Valeriano Weyler on December 12, 1888.

The Filipino plant was burned with all that was in it save a SO? M.H. Del Pilar (who was in Barcelon) asked Rizal (who
dozen large cannons and some smaller pieces which the is in London) on February 17, 1889, to write a letter in
Spanish invaders took back with them to Panay. The rest of Tagalog to these women. Rizal sent the letter back to Del
their artillery equipment had been thrown by the Manilans, Pilar on February 22, 1889 for transmittal to Malolos.
then Moros, into the sea when they recognized their defeat.
MAIN POINTS
Malate, better Maalat, was where the Tagalog aristocracy
lived after they were dispossessed by the Spaniards of their Saintliness is not just about going to church and kissing the
old homes in what is now the walled city of Manila. Among hands of the friars. It is not blond obedience. It is by reason
the Malate residents were the families of Raja Matanda because thoughts are noble and free
and Raja Soliman. The men had various positions in Manila
and some were employed in government work nearby.
"They were very courteous and well-mannered," says San
Agustin. "The women were very expert in lacemaking, so
Mother is the first influence of man’s consciousness. Do remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino
not be the women that friars created, rather be like the people and the country.
Spartan Woman
⚫ Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish
The power and good judgment of Filipinos are well known government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner.
but now in slavery. European and American women are For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And
educated and strong-willed.
through his writings, he exposed the corruption and
Mothers are very important in building a strong family. She wrongdoings of government officials as well as the
must teach her children well and love her husband Spanish friars.

If not yet married, she should be honorable and command ⚫ While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems,
respect allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La
Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and
ANALYSIS editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom,
specifically for the Filipino people. As part of his
Patriarchy is perpetuated by friars. Women should be
submissive and saintly reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the
Philippines to become a province of Spain.
Rizal believed that women should be empowered because
it will lead to a good citizens. ⚫ But, among his best works, two novels stood out from
the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El
The power of languange. A particular friar opposed the idea Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed).
of educating these women seeing it is a threat to the rule of
the government. ⚫ In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish
colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of
Be open-minded and use reason for better judgment. For
marriage, find an honorable man Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote
about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in
WEEK 16: JOSE RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE the country, the authorities banned Filipinos from
reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able
NATIONALISM – BAYANI AND KABAYANIHAN
to ban it completely. As more Filipinos read the books,
A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who their eyes opened to the truth that they were suffering
has been recognized as a national hero for his or her role in unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These
the history of the Philippines. Loosely, the term may refer to two novels by Rizal, now considered his literary
all Filipino historical figures recognized as heroes, but the masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the
term more strictly refers to those officially designated as Philippine Revolution.
such. In 1995 the Philippine National Heroes Committee
officially recommended several people for the designation, ⚫ Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a
but this was not acted upon. As of 2007, no one had ever progressive organization called the La Liga Filipina.
been officially recognized as a Philippine national hero. This civic movement advocated social reforms through
legal means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a
The reformist writer José Rizal, today generally considered threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels
the greatest Filipino hero and often given as the Philippine and essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan
national hero, has never been explicitly proclaimed as the (or in northern Mindanao.
even a) national hero by the Philippine government. Besides
Rizal, the only other Filipinos currently given implied ⚫ This however did not stop him from continuing his plans
recognition as national hero such as revolutionary Andrés for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal built a school,
Bonifacio. While other historical figures are commemorated hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and
in public municipal or provincial holidays, Rizal and Bonifacio worked on agricultural projects such as using abaca to
are commemorated in public nationwide (national) holidays make ropes.
and thus are implied to be national heroes.
⚫ In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERO General Blanco, after volunteering to travel to Cuba to
⚫ Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But at that time,
not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was
but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish accused of being associated with the secret militant
colonial government. While his death sparked a society. On his way to Cuba, he was arrested in
revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be
Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial
 before the court martial. Rizal was charged with ⚫ To commemorate what he did for the country, the
sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore, Philippines built a memorial park for him – now referred
sentenced to death by firing squad. to as Rizal Park, found in Manila. There lies a
monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture
⚫ Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain
motherland and countrymen through one of his final his remains. The monument stands near the place
letters, entitled Mi Último Adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. where he fell during his execution in Luneta.
José Rizal was executed on the morning of December
30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan (now
referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to
shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final
breath: “Consummatum est” (It is finished). According
to historical accounts, only one bullet ended the life of
the Filipino martyr and hero.

⚫ After his death, the Philippine Revolution continued

until 1898. And with the assistance of the United
States, the Philippines declared its independence from
Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that
Source: ALL PPTS IN CANVAS
the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio
Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

⚫ Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and

patriotism are greatly remembered and recognized by
the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously
being analyzed by students and professionals.

⚫ Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require

their students to take a subject which centers around
the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos
celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to
commemorate his life and works. Filipinos look back at
how his founding of La Liga Filipina and his two novels
had an effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine
Revolution. The people also recognize his advocacy to
achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than
violent revolution.

⚫ In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national

hero can be found not only within the Philippines, but in
selected cities around the world. A road in the
Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan,
Indonesia is named after him. The José Rizal Bridge
and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated
to the late hero.

⚫ Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a

university (Rizal University), and a province named after
him. Three species have also been named after Rizal –
the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying
dragon), Apogania rizali (a very rare kind of beetle with
five horns) and the Rhacophorus rizali (a peculiar frog
species).