• Saint Louis Univeristy - Baguio City

• ENGLISH MISC 

CHAPTER I
TASKS/ QUESTIONS
1. Write a summary of the novel El Filibusterismo by paraphrasing an
authoritative source.
2. Determine the ideas and concepts emphasized in the original front
cover and their meaning.
3. Provide a reflection essay as substantiating discussion regarding the
continuing relevance of the novel.
4. Argue which Rizal’s novel is superior in terms of content: the Noli Me
Tangere of the El Filibusterismo.
5. Create an ORIGINAL BOOK COVER to be attached as the last page about
the CURRENT CONDITIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
6. Indicate your source.
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CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
Summary of the Novel
The advent of the novel starts 13 years after the events in the Noli Me
Tangere, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra orchestrated a plot of evil means but heroic desires.
During his travels in Europe, Ibarra changed his name to Simoun. 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.
He becomes a renowned jeweler thus his wealth grew further. He started to
make new connections with the illustrious societal personalities in Spain. With his
influence, he helped a military colonel to rise the ladder and be promoted as captain
general of the colonial territory, the Philippines. 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.
He, however, had ulterior motives. For Simoun, it was all planned. Upon his
return in the Philippines, he was dubbed as his “Black eminence.” People saw him
as an influential figure whom his majesty consults whenever decisions are to be
made. After all, his majesty, the captain general owed so much to Simoun. Simoun
wants to take revenge and bring back the love of Maria Clara who now resides at
the convent.
The jeweler was famed for his wealth and power. Hence, no one thought that
the opportunists and fearsome Simoun was the same idealistic Ibarra of the past.
Simoun started to look for followers. He found his allies with the oppressed and
enslaved. He forms an alliance with Kabesang Tales' group, an outlaw whose land
was grabbed by the friar's corporation. He then, looks for more men. He searched
the villages looking for strong willed men who have a gripe on the government.
Driven by hatred and a fierce desire to avenge his sufferings, and to rescue
Maria Clara from the nunnery where she has fled and to foment a revolution against
the hated Spanish authorities. Planning to stage a revolution, he smuggles arms and
looks for followers, mainly from the exploited and abused natives. One of his
recruits is Basilio, the son of Sisa, who with Capitan Tiago’s help was able to study
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in Manila. Simoun also makes an alliance with the revolutionary group of Kabesang
Tales, a former ‘cabeza de barangay’ who suffered maltreatments from the hands of
the friars. Using his influence, Simoun encourages corruption, decadence, and more
oppressive government policies so that the citizens may become more infuriated.
Simoun embarks on a crusade the goal of which is to corrupt and thus
weaken various institutions that would eventually lead to a bloody revolution. He
schemes and plans systematically and plots with various characters, including
Basilio, to bring about the downfall of the government.
Using his wealth, he bought arms from the Chinese merchant, Quiroga.
However, the planned revolt one night was not carried out because Simoun, upon
hearing that Maria Clara died in the nunnery, decided not to give the signal for the
outbreak of the uprising.
Simoun, using the influence he has on the captain general, ordered stricter
and more abusive government policies - a move that will make the people angrier.
This was the plot of Simoun, to use the people's hatred against the government to
his advantage. Simoun also ordered attacks that will backfire and weaken the
government's military forces. However, the revolution scheduled at the night of a
musical play in Manila didn't come into fruition.
Months later, after a long illness brought about by his loss of Maria Clara,
another plan was made. At the grand wedding of Juanita Pelaez, the son of a
successful businessman and the beautiful Paulita Gomez, Simoun insisted to take
charge in the decorating. Simoun knew that the feast would be attended by friars,
government officials and prominent figures - the same people who wreaked havoc
to his life. Beneath the beautiful decorations and lighting were sacks of gun powder.
The whole house was filled with explosives. Simoun formed his own army of the
oppressed and enslaved and with the help of government soldiers and outlaws
whom he commissioned; they will start a bloody revolution.
The mission, to kill all Spanish authorities and to take control of the country.
At the wedding, Simoun puts a beautiful lamp at the center of the table carved with
gold linings and other kind of gems and jewelries. Simoun left as soon as delivering
his gift, the lamp. It was a festive celebration but unknown to the guests, the lamp
is a time bomb that will explode once lifted. It will result into a huge explosion that
will be a signal to Simoun's troops to simultaneously attack Manila.
Just before the lamp explodes, a piece of mysterious paper bearing the
message "You will die tonight" was being passed. It was signed by Juan Crisostomo
Ibarra. Father Salvi confirmed that it was the real signature of Ibarra, a longforgotten filibuster. The guests at the wedding were all frightened. Slowly, the
lamp's light started to diminish and soon one will lift it and will cause a huge
explosion.