Juli (Major Character)

Juliana, Kabesang Tales's daughter and Basilio's sweetheart is known by the nickname Juli. Devoted to Basilio, when her family falls into debt she decides to become a servant rather than sell the locket he had given her, once a possession of Maria Clara's that had fallen into his hands. Pure and innocent, she is nevertheless aware of the curate's reputation as a womanizer. But she is made to feel by a devout, busybody neighbor woman that she has no other recourse but to ask his help in freeing Basilio. After much hesitation she approaches the friar, only to end up getting fatally injured running from him.

Paulita Gomez (Major Character)

A beautiful girl who is admired by all the students, she at first shows preference for Isagani. But she is thrown into the company of Juanito Pelaez because her aunt, the ridiculous Doña Victorina Noli Me Tangere, has taken an interest in the young heir, even contemplating marrying him if her runaway husband were found to be dead. Eventually the self-centered Paulita chooses to marry the amusing Juanito rather than the serious Isagani. Her romantic dilemma is similar to that faced by Rizal's real-life sweetheart Leonor Rivera.

Don Custodio (Major Character)

A high official in the government, he has held many posts, many of which he had no qualifications for. He used his rich wife's money to secure such positions. He has a mistress, a dancer named Pepay, on whom people rely for assistance in swaying Don Custodio when they need a favor from him.

Padre Florentino (Major Character)

A secular Filipino priest. Pressured by his mother, he became a priest even though he was in love. After his former sweetheart married a worthless man, he devoted himself to his priestly duties and the study of natural sciences. He prefers to live alone on his family's remote seaside property than to maintain the position of curate, which suggests his strong character in avoiding the temptations of a prestigious position and high income. Through his words to the dying Simoun, he reaffirms Rizal's stance that liberation must be achieved not through bloody revolution but through peaceful reforms.

Kabesang Tales (Major Character)

Aspiring to start his own farm, he suffered great losses. First, his wife and eldest daughter died while clearing their land. Then most of his land was seized and he was charged an exorbitant tax on the little left to him. Known to be dependable, he was elected the kabesa or head of the barangay, which meant often having to appease the higher officials by shouldering the expenses of those who were unable to pay their taxes. His son was conscripted by the Civil Guard and his daughter, Juliana, became a servant to help pay off their debts. Finally, when Simoun comes to pass the night at his house, he takes Simoun's revolver and goes to join the tulisanes. He murders the friar-adminstrator and the new tenants of his land. Later Juliana is killed in an encounter with a friar and his father, struck dumb, dies in an encounter with the Guardia Civil, shot by his own grandson.

Makaraig (Major Character)

The rich student who offered his own house as the dormitory of the students studying in Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He leads the students with Isagani to set up a spanish school, but later the were defeated in the movement.

Isagani (Major Character)

The best friend of Basilio, he is a poor law student and poet. He has little fear of authority and speaks openly of his patriotic ideals, becoming the leader of a group of students who plan to set up a school for the teaching of Spanish to natives. With his idealism, he clashes with the cynical Simoun. He is in love with the spoiled, flirtatious Paulita Gomez, against the advice of his uncle and guardian Padre Florentino.

Basilio (Major Character)

Taking to heart the advice of the dying boatman Elias to study at the end of Noli Me Tangere, he went to Manila after burying his mother. There, he was taken in by Capitan Tiago and was able to go to San Juan de Letran. Though a diligent student, he failed to please his teachers, who were affronted by the efforts of a poor native to improve his status in life. His situation in the school improved when his skill in a fencing match impressed one of his teachers. Having high grades, he was encouraged by Capitan Tiago to move to Ateneo, where the teachers were more enlightened and encouraging. While there he pursued a medical degree and became involved in a movement of some students, headed by Isagani, to set up a school for the teaching of Spanish to natives. At the time of Simoun's arrival, he is looking forward to graduating as valedictorian then marrying his childhood sweetheart, Juliana.

Simoun (Major Character)

Crisostomo Ibarra, believed to be dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere, made his fortune abroad and returns to the Philippines as the wealthy jeweller, Simoun, disguised with a beard and tinted glasses. His sufferings, related in the first novel, have motivated him to take his revenge. Hence he becomes a rebel, the titular "filibustero". While he appears to side with the wealthy and influential in society, his motivation is actually to encourage them to abuse the masses who would then be driven to revolt by increasing abuses. Whereas he once sought reform and education, he now resorts to subterfuge and violence.

Historical Context

El Filibusterismo was written about four years after Noli. In it Rizal reveals a more mature and less hopeful outlook regarding the political and social situation in the Philippines. The frustrations he had experienced in his efforts toward social reform in those years account for the book's graver tone. Rizal himself considered Fili to be a better, more profound novel than Noli. His biographer Retana agrees that as a political novel, it is superior. Upon completing El Filibusterismo Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: "I have not written in it any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good of those who suffer, for the rights of Tagalogs...." Given the reaction to his first book, Rizal tried to avoid allowing the second one to fall into the hands of the Spaniards. He had after all written El Filibusterismo not for the Spaniards but for the Filipino people to read. After distributing copies of the first edition to his friends in Europe, Rizal designated most of the remainder to be sent to the Philippines. The books were first sent to his residence in Hong Kong, to be smuggled to the Philippines by friends. Upon shipment to the Philippines the copies were immediately seized by the authorities, making El Filibusterismo a rare book overnight. The few copies that were circulated were greatly in demand among the Filipinos. The content of the novel and its dedication were used as proof of Rizal's subversion when he was tried. Against Rizal's intentions, along with Noli Me Tangere the book inspired Andres Bonifacio and other revolutionaries in their cause.

Dedication of this book

Rizal dedicated this book to the 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.

What the title says?

Rizal had to define the word filibustero to his German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, who did not understand his use of the word in Noli Me Tangere. In a letter, Rizal explained: "The word filibustero 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 the 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 nineteenth century, the word filibustero had acquired the meaning "subversive" in the Philippines, hence the book is about subversion.

The writing of the novel

Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 while he was in Calamba, Laguna. In London (1888), he revised the plot and some chapters. Rizal continued to work on his manuscript in Paris. He later moved to Brussels where the cost of living was cheaper and he would be less likely to be distracted by social events so he could focus on finishing the book. He finally completed the book on March 29, 1891 in Biarritz. It was published in September of that year in Ghent, partially funded by Rizal's friend Valentin Ventura. [source: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=El_Filibusterismo_%28novel%29]

Post Sources

Most of our post are from http://www.wikipedia.org. The free encyclopedia.

Plot summary

Thirteen years after leaving the Philippines, Crisostomo Ibarra returns as Simoun, a rich jeweler sporting a beard and blue-tinted glasses, and a confidant of the Captain-General. Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical saboteur, seeking revenge against the Spanish Philippine system responsible for his misfortunes by plotting a revolution. Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and influences every decision of the Captain-General to mismanage the country’s affairs so that a revolution will break out. He cynically sides with the upper classes, encouraging them to commit abuses against the masses to encourage the latter to revolt against the oppressive Spanish colonial regime. This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities through legal means, but through violent revolution using the masses. Simoun has reasons for instigating a revolution. First is to rescue María Clara from the convent and second, to get rid of ills and evils of Philippine society. His true identity is discovered by a now grown-up Basilio while visiting the grave of his mother, Sisa, as Simoun was digging near the grave site for his buried treasures. Simoun spares Basilio’s life and asks him to join in his planned revolution against the government, egging him on by bringing up the tragic misfortunes of the latter's family. Basilio declines the offer as he still hopes that the country’s condition will improve. Basilio, at this point, is a graduating student of medicine at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. After the death of his mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his younger brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elías, and traveled to Manila to study. Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after María Clara entered the convent. With Captain Tiago’s help, Basilio was able to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán where, at first, he is frowned upon by his peers and teachers not only because of the color of his skin but also because of his shabby appearance. Captain Tiago’s confessor, Father Irene is making Captain Tiago’s health worse by giving him opium even as Basilio tries hard to prevent Captain Tiago from smoking it. He and other students want to establish a Spanish language academy so that they can learn to speak and write Spanish despite the opposition from the Dominican friars of the Universidad de Santo Tomás. With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as their mediator and Don Custodio’s decision, the academy is established; however they will only serve as caretakers of the school not as the teachers. Dejected and defeated, they hold a mock celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars witnesses the proceedings. Simoun, for his part, keeps in close contact with the bandit group of Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered misfortunes at the hands of the friars. Once a farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation and a cabeza de barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give everything to the greedy and unscrupulous Spanish friars. His son, Tano, who became a civil guard was captured by bandits; his daughter Hulî had to work as a maid to get enough ransom money for his freedom; and his father, Tandang Selo, suffered a stroke and became mute. Before joining the bandits, Tales took Simoun’s revolver while Simoun was staying at his house for the night. As payment, Tales leaves a locket that once belonged to María Clara. To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed consul to the Philippines, smuggle weapons into the country using Quiroga’s bazaar as a front. Simoun wishes to attack during a stage play with all of his enemies in attendance. He, however, abruptly aborts the attack when he learns from Basilio that María Clara had died earlier that day in the convent. A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the people are agitated when disturbing posters are found displayed around the city. The authorities accuse the students present at the pancitería of agitation and disturbing peace and has them arrested. Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is also arrested. Captain Tiago dies after learning of the incident and as stated in his will—forged by Irene, all his possessions are given to the Church, leaving nothing for Basilio. Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released. A high official tries to intervene for the release of Basilio but the Captain-General, bearing grudges against the high official, coerces him to tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries to ask Father Camorra’s help upon the advice of an elder woman. Instead of helping Julî, however, the priest tries to rape her as he has long-hidden desires for Julî. Julî, rather than submit to the will of the friar, jumps over the balcony to her death. Basilio is soon released with the help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man, and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene lamp that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The reception will take place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted by Simoun. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone—important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the house. Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to warn Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of Paulita. Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind: “ Mene Thecel Phares. ” —Juan Crisostomo Ibarra Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salví recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers. Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans. He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later regrets his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society. Simoun, now unmasked as the perpetrator of the attempted arson and failed revolution, becomes a fugitive. Wounded and exhausted after he was shot by the pursuing Guardia Civil, he seeks shelter at the home of Father Florentino, Isagani’s uncle, and comes under the care of doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña, Doña Victorina's husband, who was also hiding at the house. Simoun takes poison in order for him not to be captured alive. Before he dies, he reveals his real identity to Florentino while they exchange thoughts about the failure of his revolution and why God forsook him. Florentino opines that God did not forsake him and that his plans were not for the greater good but for personal gain. Simoun, finally accepting Florentino’s explanation, squeezes his hand and dies. Florentino then takes Simoun’s remaining jewels and throws them into the Pacific Ocean with the corals hoping that they would not be used by the greedy, and that when the time came that it would be used for the greater good, when the nation would be finally deserving liberty for themselves, the sea would reveal the treasures.

What's El Filibusterismo?

The word "filibustero" wrote Rizal to his friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, is very little known in the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. Jose Alejandro, one of the new Filipinos who had been quite intimate with Rizal, said, "in writing the Noli Rizal signed his own death warrant." Subsequent events, after the fate of the Noli was sealed by the Spanish authorities, prompted Rizal to write the continuation of his first novel. He confessed, however, that regretted very much having killed Elias instead of Ibarra, reasoning that when he published the Noli his health was very much broken, and was very unsure of being able to write the continuation and speak of a revolution. Explaining to Marcelo H. del Pilar his inability to contribute articles to the La Solidaridad, Rizal said that he was haunted by certain sad presentiments, and that he had been dreaming almost every night of dead relatives and friends a few days before his 29th birthday, that is why he wanted to finish the second part of the Noli at all costs. Consequently, as expected of a determined character, Rizal apparently went in writing, for to his friend, Blumentritt, he wrote on March 29, 1891: "I have finished my book. Ah! I’ve not written it with any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good of those who suffer and for the rights of Tagalog humanity, although brown and not good-looking." To a Filipino friend in Hong Kong, Jose Basa, Rizal likewise eagerly announced the completion of his second novel. Having moved to Ghent to have the book published at cheaper cost, Rizal once more wrote his friend, Basa, in Hongkong on July 9, 1891: "I am not sailing at once, because I am now printing the second part of the Noli here, as you may see from the enclosed pages. I prefer to publish it in some other way before leaving Europe, for it seemed to me a pity not to do so. For the past three months I have not received a single centavo, so I have pawned all that I have in order to publish this book. I will continue publishing it as long as I can; and when there is nothing to pawn I will stop and return to be at your side." Inevitably, Rizal’s next letter to Basa contained the tragic news of the suspension of the printing of the sequel to his first novel due to lack of funds, forcing him to stop and leave the book half-way. "It is a pity," he wrote Basa, "because it seems to me that this second part is more important than the first, and if I do not finish it here, it will never be finished." Fortunately, Rizal was not to remain in despair for long. A compatriot, Valentin Ventura, learned of Rizal’s predicament. He offered him financial assistance. Even then Rizal’s was forced to shorten the novel quite drastically, leaving only thirty-eight chapters compared to the sixty-four chapters of the first novel. Rizal moved to Ghent, and writes Jose Alejandro. The sequel to Rizal’s Noli came off the press by the middle of September, 1891.On the 18th he sent Basa two copies, and Valentin Ventura the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy. Inspired by what the word filibustero connoted in relation to the circumstances obtaining in his time, and his spirits dampened by the tragic execution of the three martyred priests, Rizal aptly titled the second part of the Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo. In veneration of the three priests, he dedicated the book to them. "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 the Bagumbayan Field on the 28th of February, 1872." "The church, by refusing to degrade you, has placed 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, committed 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 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 await 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 one who without clear proofs attacks your memory stains his hands in your blood." Rizal’s memory seemed to have failed him, though, for Father Gomez was then 73 not 85, Father Burgos 35 not 30 Father Zamora 37 not 35; and the date of execution 17th not 28th. The FOREWORD of the Fili was addressed to his beloved countrymen, thus: "TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND THEIR GOVERNMENT" source: http://www.joserizal.ph/fi01.html