CHAPTER 13

EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CONTEXT AND CONTENT

Rizal's second novel, El Filibusterismo, is a story set in twilight years of the Spanish
colonial government in the Philippines. It was first translated into English by Charles
Derbyshire in 1912 under the title, The Reign of Greed. The book according to the
translator "represents Rizal's more mature judgment on political and social
conditions in the islands, and in its graver and less hopeful tone reflects the
disappointments and discouragements which he had encountered in his efforts
to lead the way to reform.

This chapter will narrate how Rizal was able to write and publish his second novel
despite threats from the Spanish colonial government that regarded his first book,
Noli Me Tangere, as subversive. A brief synopsis of his novel will also be presented
for discussion and analysis.

ME: BUT FIRST LET ME READ TO YOU THE OBJECTIVES:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
A. Trace the meaning of the term filibustero across time;
B. Explain the historical context in which El Filibusterismo was written;
C. Examine current events through the eyes of the characters; and
D. evaluate Rizal as a novelist.

VOCABULARY
Filibustero (nineteenth century context) -translated as "subversive"; a patriot who
was usually associated with revolutionary activities
Guardia Civil- police/military force assigned by the colonial government to maintain
peace and order
Cabeza de barangay-head of the barangay

FIBUSTERO: History and Context

Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo as a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere after he
returned to Europe on February 1888. The novel, therefore, was written in the
midst of threats and oppressions he and his family were experiencing because of
the Noli and the Calamba incident. Rizal continued working on his novel and made
some revisions while he was in London in 1888. He was able to complete the novel
after three years when he was in Biarritz, France on March 29, 1891. However,
because of financial constraints, it was not until September of the same year that
the book was published with the help of his friend, Valentin Ventura.
In March 1887, after reading the Noli Me Tangere, Blumentritt asked Rizal
the meaning of the word "filibustero" which he did not find in the Spanish
language (Aguilar, 2011).
To recall, Rizal replied:

“The word filibustero is still very little known in the Philippines; the common people
as yet do not know it. I heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic executions
took place. I still remember the terror it aroused. Our father forbade us ever to utter
it, as well as the words Cavite, Burgos, etc. The Manila newspapers and the
Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to render suspect of revolutionary
activities. The educated fear the reach of the word. It does not have the meaning of
freebooter; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged, or
a presumptuous fellow.”

In 1890, Wenceslao Retana wrote about the "filibustero" and described the term as
"the one who, eager for the independence of the country, resorts to various
extra-legal proceedings in order to reach the objective that he pursues" . By
the end of the nineteenth century, the Spanish colonial government defined
"filibuster" as "someone who works for the separation of our overseas provinces."
With these definitions, one will have an idea about the plot of Rizal's second
novel. It deals with subversion. It pictures the lives of people under an oppressive
regime. It narrates the struggles of every Filipino in fighting for independence. El Fili
is dedicated to Gomburza, the three priests who were accused of being filibusters
in 1872. In his dedication, Rizal expressed his high regard for the priests who
became victims of "the evil that I am trying to fight."
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 on the scaffold at
Bagumbayan on February 28, 1872
However, not everything Rizal writes is correct: Gomes was 73 not 85 at the time of
execution, Burgos was 35 not 30, and Zamora was 37 not 35. Rizal also got the
date wrong, Gomburza were executed on Feb. 17, 1872 not Feb. 28.

RIZAL NOTED THIS:

“The Church, in refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime
imputed to you; the Government, in shrouding your cause with mystery and
obscurities, creates belief in some error committed in critical moments, and the
whole Philippines, in venerating your memory and calling you martyrs, in no way
acknowledges your guilt.As long therefore as your participation in the Cavite
uprising is not clearly shown, whether or not you were patriots, whether or not you
nourished sentiments of justice and liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work t to
you, as to victims of the evil that I am trying to fight. And while we wait for Spain to
reinstate you and make herself jointly culpable for your death, let these pages serve
as belated wreath of dried leaves laid on your unknown graves; and may your blood
be upon the hands of those who, without sufficient proof, assail your memory!”
EL FILIBUSTERISMO ( SYNOPSIS & SCRIPT)

SCENE #1 (INTRODUCTION)

MUSIC IS PLAYING..... Low Volume...

Simoun, a man of wealth and mystery, is a very close friend and confidante of the Spanish governor-
general. Simoun was actually Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli whom everyone thought was killed by the
guardia civil at the Laguna de Bay thirteen years ago.
SIMOUN : Natapos na akong manahimik.Tinapos ko na ang aking kawalang-kasalanan.Tumigil na
ako sa aking kabaitan.Sa halip, minahal ko ang PAGHIHIGANTI.Babalik ako sa aking lupang
tinubuan.At gagawin ko ang ginawa sa akin ng mga demonyong iyon.At ako ay magiging sarili nilang
demonyo din, para iligtas sila sa sarili nilang IMPYERNO. Pagod na akong matulog. Gigising ako.
Walang makakapigil sa akin na bumalik sa aking bansa na sa panahon ng...LAHAT: EL
FILIBUSTERISMO!!!

SCENE #2
Simoun also began to establish an alliance with Kabesang Tales and his revolutionary group.
Kabesang Tales was a former cabeza de barangay who was maltreated by the friars.
Because of his great influence in Malacañang, he was called the k ko“Brown Cardinal” or the “Black
Eminence”. By using his wealth and political influence, he encourages corruption in the government,
promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the
people may become desperate and fight.

SIMOUN: Siguro nga ay dapat nang taasan ang mga buwis ng mga indio at dapat ang tanging ang
may salapi lamang ang dapat na maka pasok sa eskwelahan. Dapat na malaman ng mga indio kung
saan sila nabibilang.

Gov.Gen: Estoy de acuerdo con usted. Los indios eran todos esclavos. ( Akoy sumasang ayon sa
iyo. Ang mga indio ay pawang mga alipin lamang).

SCENE #3

MUSIC IS PLAYING........
Upon the death of Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara entered the convent and became a nun.
MARIA CLARA : Noong nabubuhay pa siya kaya kong pababain ang sarili ko; Nasa akin pa rin ang
aliw na malaman na nabubuhay siya at baka isipin ako. Ngayong patay na siya, mas gugustuhin kong
maging madre o ako na mismo ang patay!
( MARIA WILL ENTER THE CHURCH)

SCENE #4
He meets with various characters, including Basilio, Isagani, and Paulita Gomez, each with their own
struggles and desires for change.

Simoun: [to Basilio] Ang iyong mga kasanayan sa medesina ay maaaring magsilbi sa aming layunin
nang maayos. Samahan mo ako, at sama-sama nating maibigay ang hustisya sa ating bayan.
Basilio: [hesitant]. Ngunit sa anong halaga, Simoun? Natatakot ako sa kahihinatnan ng paghihimagsik
Simoun: Ang halaga ng hindi pagkilos ay mas malaki. Kailangang hamunin ang mga mapang-aping
Espanyol, at dapat tayong maging handa na magsakripisyo para sa higit na kabutihan.
Basilio: Aking ikinalulungkot,ngunit hindi ko matatanggap ang iyong alok. Akoy hindi makikilahok
sa.iyong paghihimagsik.
Simoun: Nais ko lamang ipaghigante ang ating bayan,at nais kong itakas ang aking minamahal na si
Maria Clara sa kumbento.
Basilio: Si Maria? Ngunit siya ay pumanaw na dulot ng malubhang sakit.
Simoun: Ano?! Hindi maari! Buhay sya! Buhay si Maria! ( EMOTIONAL)

SCENE #5
To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed
consul to the Philippines. Simoun 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.
WEAPON/GUN SMUGGLING( PROPS)
(SHAKEHANDS WITH QUIROGA)
He, however, abruptly aborts the attack when he learns from Basilio that María Clara had died.
SCENE #6
A few days after the mock celebration by the students, thenauthorities 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.
(AARESTUHIN SI BASILIO )

Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released. 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: Dahil sa akin kung kung kaya ikaw ay naka laya mula sa pagka piit. Ika’y muli kong
tatanungin, tinatanggap mo ba ang alok kong pag anib sa aking kilusan?
BASILIO : Lubos kong ipinagpapasalamat ang iyong pagtulong sa akin Ginoong Simoun.Matapos
ang lahat na naganap,ako ay aanib sa kilusan laban sa mga abusadong dayuhan.

KRESTINE WILL REMAIN, MICHAEL WILL EXIT

ADVERTISEMENT..............MUSIC

SCENE #7
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.

(SIMOUN IS HOLDING A LAMP)

SIMOUN: Ang lampara ay mananatiling maliwanag sa loob lamang ng 20 minuto bago ito kumilap
kislap; kung may magtangkang buksan ang mitsa, sasabog ito at papatayin ang lahat ng
mahahalagang miyembro ng mayayamang angkan at ng Simbahan sa loob ng bahay.Naiintindihan
mo ba?
BASILIO: Lubos kong naiintidihan Senyor Simoun.

SCENE #8

WEDDING MARCH MUSIC...... (CZAREIGN & MAY WILL WALK FROM THE DOOR TO THE
FRONT STAGE)
MICHAEL WILL GIVE THE LAMP AS SOON AS THE COUPLE SITS.
MICHAEL WILL STAY AT THE DOOR

While Isaganie is watching paulita from afar . SELOS MUSIC PLAYING....

Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to warn Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of
Paulita.
BASILIO: IIsagani, ako man ay kasama sa planonh ito ngunit akoy inuusig ng aking konsensya.
Umalis ka na rito dahil ano mang oras ay maaring may magaganap.na pagsabog.

SUSPENSE MUSIC WILL PLAY......

ISAGANI: Anong ibig mong sabihin? May pagsabog na magaganap? Hindi maari kailangan kong
iligtas si Paulita.

Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind: “ Mene Thecel Phares. ” —
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.

CZAREIGN WILL OPEN THE NOTE AS SOON AS MICHAEL LEAVES......)

Simoun: [to corrupt official] Ang inyong kasakiman ay nagpabulag sa inyo sa paghihirap ng aking
mga kababayan. Ngunit dapat nyong malaman na ang inyong mga araw ng pagsasamantala ay
nalalabi na lamang.

Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salví recognizes the handwriting and confirms
that it was indeed Ibarra’s.

RICHEL WILL GRAB THE NOTE FROM CZAREIGN.....

FATHER SALVI: Esta es efectivamente la letra de Ibarra.( Ito nga ay sulat kamay ni Ibarra)
As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers.......... ( BOMB MUSIC WILL PLAY.)

Father Irene tries to turn the wick up (JONABHE WILL GET THE LAMP FROM CZAREIGN)
when Isagani, due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the
river, sabotaging Simoun’s plans.
(MONIQUE WILL RUN TOWARD JONABHE AND WILL GRAB THE LAMP)
SCENE #9
Simoun took refuge in the house of a kind Filipino preist, Padre Florentino.
(MICHAEL WILL KNOCK IN A HURRY)
The guardias civiles, however, learned about the whereabouts of the fugitive, and informed
the priest that they would come in the evening to arrest Simoun.

SUSPENSE MUSIC....................

Instead of surrending to the authorities, Simoun poisoned himself.

Padre Florentine looked toward the bed and was astonished to see that the sick man’s face
had lost its tranquil and ironical expression. Hidden grief seemed to knit his brows, anxiety
was depicted in his looks, his lips were curled in a smile of pain.

MELODRAMA MUSIC.............

PADRE FLORENTINO: Senyor Simoun, tila ikaw ay nahihirapan . Masama ba ang iyong
pakiramdam?

SIMOUN: Akoy gaanong nahihirapan,ngunit ilang saglit lamang ay mawawala na ang aking
pagdurusa.
Padre Florentine clasped his hands in fright, suspecting that he understood the terrible truth.
PADRE FLORENTINO: Diyos ko! Senyor ano ang iyong ginawa? Ano itong iyong ininom? Saglit
lamang at akoy maghahanap ng lunas.

SIMOUN: Wala na iyang magagawa. Di na ito malulunasan. Anong gusto mong gawin ko? Bago
pumatak ng alas otso, buhay o patay? Patay, Oo! Pero buhay? Hindi! Hindi ako magpapahuli ng
buhay!

PADRE FLORENTINO: Amang mahabagin! Senyor bakit mo nagawa ito?

SIMOUN: Kayo ay kumalma padre. Naganap na ang naganap. Ang aking lihim ay mananatili
hanggang sa aking hukay.

As the poison started to take effect on his body, he confessed to Padre Florentino his true identity
and his plans for revenge. After the long and redius confession, the priest told Simoun;

PADRE FLORENTINO: Patawarin ka ng Diyos, Señor—Simoun. Alam Niya na tayo ay nagkakamali,

nakita Niya na ikaw ay nagdusa. Makikita natin ang kanyang walang katapusang awa. Isa-isa niyang
binigo ang iyong mga plano dahil sa ang pamamaraan mo ay mali.. Yumukod tayo sa Kanyang
kalooban at magpasalamat sa Kanya.

Simoun accepted the priest’s explanation.And not so long ,he died.

Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God. Padre Florentino
falls to his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes the treasure chest and throws it into the
sea.He also prayed that when the right time comes, the treasure would be recovered and used for a
noble purpose.
PADRE SIMOUN: Itong kayamanan na nagmit sa kasamaan,pansamantala ay andiyan ka muna.
Nawa sa tamang panahon ay makikita ka at gagamitin na sa tamang hangarin.

ENDING........

GROUP 3

LEADER: ABIGAEL CASIDSUD

MEMBERS:
KRESTINE MAE TAPUZ
MICHAEL JOHN SULIT
MONIQUE DALISAY
MARY THERESE MAGTULIS
MAY TAYTAYON
RICHEL JUDIMO
JONABHE ALVAREZ
CZAREIGN FAYE FERNANDEZ