el filibusterismo-rizals life, work, and writings
TRANSCRIPT
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REQUIREMENTS
IN
HISTORY 100
(RIZALS LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS)
RESEARCH PAPER
SUBMITTED TO:
PROF. OSCAR COVARRUBIAS
SUBMITTED BY:
MARICAR T. REPOLLO
GENERAL ENGINEERING 2-D
MARCH 26, 2011
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EL FILIBUSTERISMO
I. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................p.3II. ABOUT THE AUTHOR (DR. JOSE P. RIZAL)..........................................p.4
III. ABOUT THE BOOK....................................................................................p.6IV. THE CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL........................................................p.10V. SUMMARY...................................................................................................p.15
VI. CONCLUSION..............................................................................................p.20References...................................................................................p.23
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Chapter I
Introduction
El Filibusterismo, the second of Jos Rizals novels of Philippine life, is a story of
the last days of the Spanish rgime in the Philippines. Under the name ofTheReignof
Greed it is for the first time translated into English. Written some four or five years after
Noli Me Tangere, the book represents Rizals 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. Rizals dedication to the first edition is of special interest, as the writing
of it was one of the grounds of accusation against him when he was condemned to death
in 1896.
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Chapter II
About the Author
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
In full, JOS PROTACIORIZAL MERCADO YALONSOREALONDA (born 19
June 1861, Calamba, Philippines- died 30 December 1896, Manila, Philippines), patriot,
physician and man of letters whose life and literary works were an inspiration to the
Philippine nationalist movement.
Rizal was the son of a prosperous landowner and sugar planter of Chinese-
Filipino descent on the island of Luzon. His mother, Teodora Alonso, one of the most
highly educated women in the Philippines at that time, exerted a powerful influence on
his intellectual development.
He was educated at the Ateneo de Manila and the University of Santo Tomas in
Manila. In 1882, he went to study medicine and liberal arts at the University of Madrid.
A brilliant student, he soon became the leader of the small community of Filipino
students in Spain and committed himself to the reform of Spanish rule in his home
country, though he never advocated Philippine independence. The chief enemy of reform,
in his eyes, was not Spain, which was going through a profound revolution, but the
Franciscan, Augustinian and Dominican friars who held the country in political and
economic paralysis.
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Rizal continued his medical studies in Paris and Heidelberg. In 1886, he published
his first novel in Spanish, Noli Me Tangere, a passionate exposure of the evils of the
friars rule, comparable in its effect to Harriet BeecherStowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. A
sequel,El Filibusterismo, 1891, established his reputation as the leading spokesman of
the Philippine reform movement. He annotated an edition in 1890 on Antonio
Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, which showed that the native people of the
Philippines had a long history before the coming of the Spaniards. He became the leader
of the Propaganda Movement, contributing numerous articles to its newspaper, La
Solidaridad, published in Barcelona. Rizal's political program, as expressed in the
newspaper, included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation
in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), and the replacement of the Spanish friars by the
Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression, and equality of Filipinos and
Spaniards before the law. Against the advice of his parents and friends, Rizal returned to
the Philippines in 1892. He found a nonviolent reform society, La Liga Filipina, in
Manila, and was deported to Dapitan, in northwest Mindanao, an island south of the
Philippines. He remained in exile for four years, doing scientific research and founding a
school and hospital. In 1896, the Katipunan, a nationalist secret society, launched a revolt
against Spain. Although he had no connections with that organization or any part in the
insurrection, Rizal was arrested and tried for sedition by the military. Found guilty, he
was publicly executed by a firing squad in Manila. His martyrdom convinced Filipinos
that there was no alternative to independence from Spain. On the eve of his execution,
while confined in Fort Santiago, Rizal wroteMi UltimoAdios ("My Last Farewell"), a
masterpiece of 19th-century Spanish verse.
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Chapter III
About the Book
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!
Ive not written it with any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good
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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, Rizals 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 Rizals predicament. He offered him financial assistance. Even then
Rizals was forced to shorten the novel quite drastically, leaving only thirty-eight
chapters compared to the sixty-four chapters of the first novel.
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Rizal moved to Ghent, and writes Jose Alejandro. The sequel to Rizals 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 wait expectantly
upon Spain some day to restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your
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death, let these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over one whom without
clear proofs attacks your memory stains his hands in your blood."
Rizals 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".
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Chapter IV
THE CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL
Simoun - Crisstomo Ibarra disguised as a wealthy jeweler, bent on starting arevolution to get revenge on the people who had accused him wrongly. Disguised as
the top adviser of the Captain-General.
Basilio - The eldest of Sisa's two sons, now an aspiring doctor whose medicaleducation was being financed by Capitan Tiago. He is now at the point of graduation
during the events in the novel.
Isagani - Poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional and reactive; PaulitaGmez' boyfriend before being dumped for fellow student Juanito Pelez
Kabesang Tales - Telesforo Juan de Dios, a formercabeza debarangay(barangay head) of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diego's neighboring town
Tiani, who resurfaced as the feared Luzn bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for
"Hawkeye");
Don Custodio - Custodio de Salazar y Snchez de Monteredondo, a famous"journalist" who was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia de
Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in
order to be a member of Manila's high society.
Paulita Gomez - The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doa Victorina, theoldIndio who passes herself off as aPeninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor
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Tiburcio de Espadaa. In the end, she and Juanito Pelez are wed, and she dumps
Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.
Macaraig - One of Isagani's classmates at the University of Santo Tomas. He is arich student and serves as the leader of the students yearning to build the Academia
de Castellano.
Father Florentino - Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to bemarried, but chose to be a priest after being pressured by his mother, the story hinting
at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a remote place,
living in solitude near the sea.
Juli - Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter ofKabesang Tales. To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid
under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but
committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her.
Juanito Pelaez - The son of Don Timoteo Pelaez, a Spanish businessman, he is alsoone of the members of Macaraig's gang who wish to have the Academia de
Castellano built. He is considered by Isagani as his rival to Paulita Gomez, the
woman whom he fell in love and wed in the end. Placido Penitente considers him as a
"good for nothing" classmate.
Doa Victorina - Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaa, known inNoli MeTangere as
Tiburcio de Espadaa's cruel wife. She is the aunt of Paulita Gomez, and favors
Juanito Pelaez than Isagani. Although of Indio ideology, she considers herself as one
of thePeninsular.
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Father Camorra - The parish priest of Tiani, San Diego's adjacent town. He has been desiring young women ever since. He nearly raped Juli causing the latter to
commit suicide.
Ben-Zayb - The pseudonym of Abraham Ibaez, a journalist who believes he is the"only" one thinking in the Philippines. (Ben-Zayb is an anagram of Ybanez, an
alternate spelling of his name.)
Placido Penitente - A student of the University of Santo Tomas who was veryintelligent and wise but did not want, if not only by his mother's plea, to pursue his
studies. He also controls his temper against Padre Millon, his physics teacher.
Hermana Penchang - Sagpang's richpusakal(gambler). She offers Huli to be hermaid so the latter can obtain money to free Kabesang Tales. Disbelieving of Huli and
her close friends, she considers herself as an ally of the friars.
Tiburcio de Espadaa - Don Tiburcio is Victorina de Espadaa's lame husband. Heis currently on hiding with Father Florentino.
Father ren - Captain Tiago's spiritual adviser. Although reluctant, he helped thestudents to establish the Academia de Castellano after being convinced by giving him
a chestnut. The only witness to Captain Tiago's death, he forged the last will and
testament of the latter so Basilio will obtain nothing from the inheritance.
Quiroga - A Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a consul for his country inthe Philippines. He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house.
Don Timoteo Pelaez - Juanito's father. He is rich businessmen and arranges awedding for his son and Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners.
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Tandang Selo - Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio afterhe left their house in Noli me Tangere. He died in an encounter on the mountains with
his son Tales.
Father Fernndez - The priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he andthe other priests will give in to the students' demands.
Sandoval - The vice-leader of Macaraig's gang. A Spanish classmate of Isagani, hecoerces his fellow classmates to lead alongside him the opening of the Spanish
language academy.
Hermana Bli - Another gambler in Tiani. She became Huli's mother-figure andcounselor; helped to release Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits.
Pasta - One of the great lawyers of mid-Hispanic Manila, opposed the students'demands for a Spanish language academy
Father Millon - The Physics teacher of the University of Santo Tomas. He alwaysbecomes vindictive with Placido and always taunts him during class.
Tadeo - Macaraig's classmate. He, along with the other three members of their gang,supposedly posted the posters that "thanked" Don Custodio and Father Irene for the
opening of the Academia de Castellano.
Leeds - An American who holds stage plays starring decapitated heads; he is in goodfriends with Simoun.
Tano - Kabesang Tales's elder son after his older sister, Lucia died in childhood. Heis currently one of the GuardiaCivil. He then returned under the name Carolino after
his exile in Caroline Islands.
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Pepay - Don Custodio's supposed "girlfriend". A dancer, she is always agitated of her"boyfriend"'s plans. She seems to be a close friend of Macaraig.
Gobernador General - The highest-ranking official in the Philippines during theSpanish colonial period, this unnamed character pretends that what he is doing is for
the good of the Indios, the local citizens of the country, but in reality, he prioritizes
the needs of his fellow Spaniards living in the country.
Pecson - Basilio's classmate who had no idea on the happenings occurring aroundhim. He suggested that they held the mock celebration at the panciteria.
Father Hernando de la Sibyla- A Dominican friar introduced in Noli Me Tangere,now the vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas.
Father Bernardo Salvi- Former parish priest of San Diego, now the director andchaplain of the Santa Clara convent.
Captain Tiago - Santiago delos Santos, although making a cameo appearance,Captain Tiago is Maria Clara's father and the foster-father to Basilio. His health
disintegrates gradually because of the opium he was forced to smoke given to him by
Father Irene.
Maria Clara - Introduced in Dr. Rizal's first novel "Noli Me Tangere". She was oncethe girlfriend of Crisostomo Ibarra but chose to become a nun despite Father
Damaso's arguments. She eventually passed away, as witnessed by Basilio when he
visited the convent of Santa Clara; this propelled Simoun to expedite his plans for
revolution.
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Chapter V
SUMMARY
Thirteen years after he left the Philippines, Crisostomo Ibarra (the main character
fromNoli MeTangere) returns as Simoun, a rich jeweler sporting a beard and blue-tinted
glasses, and a confidant of the Governor-General of the Philippines, the Captain-General.
Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical saboteur, the titularfilibustero, seeking
revenge against the Spanish Philippines 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 countrys affairs so that a
revolution will break out. He cynically sides with the upper classes, encouraging them to
commit abuses against the masses so that the latter would be encouraged 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 Mara 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 Basilios 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 countrys condition will improve.
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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, Crispn, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elas, and travelled to
Manila to study. Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after Mara Clara entered the
convent. With Captain Tiagos help, Basilio was able to go to Colegio de San Juan de
Letrn 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 which he also experiences
at Ateneo. Captain Tiagos confessor, Father Irene is making Captain Tiagos 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 Toms. With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as
their mediator and Don Custodios 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 apancitera 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 formercabezade 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 Hul 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
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joining the bandits, Tales took Simouns revolver while Simoun was staying at his house
for the night. As payment, Tales leaves a locket that once belonged to Mara 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 Quirogas
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
Mara 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 thepancitera of agitation and disturbing peace and have 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 willforged 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. Jul, Basilios girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries
to ask Father Camorras help upon the advice of an elder woman. Instead of helping Jul,
however, the priest tries to rape her as he has long-hidden desires for Jul. Jul, 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 Jul's suicide, finally joins Simouns revolution. Simoun then tells
Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gmez and Juanito, Basilios hunch-backed
classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene
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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 everyoneimportant members of civil society and
the Church hierarchyinside 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.
Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke, Father Salv recognizes the
handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarras. 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, Isaganis uncle, and
comes under the care of Doctor Tiburcio de Espadaa, Doa 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
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that God did not forsake him and that his plans were not for the greater good but for
personal gain. Simoun, finally accepting Florentinos explanation, squeezes his hand and
dies. Florentino then takes Simouns 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 them, the sea would reveal the treasures.
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Chapter VI
CONCLUSION
The novel El Filibusterismo, written by the countrys national hero, Jose Rizal,
various criticisms were set forth establishing a connection between the cancer that had
been plaguing the country and the institution, which the countrymen greatly revered and
followed. If one would analyze, the situation of the Philippines back then is as much as
the same as now. Two personas still exist in the continuing story of the Filipino people;
after all, a story wouldnt be completed without someone who is abused and someone
who abuses. Currently, one may directly say, based on observations that those who are
abused are still the marginalized poor. As much as one is sorry for this fact, this holds
to be something that is constant and clear due to their lack of resources. Indeed there is
still the Kabesang Tales, whose land is forcibly taken, there is still the Juli who is forced
to work to save her father from lifes miseries, and there are still the youth, the pag-asa
ng bayan as the national hero puts it; the youth who, like Basilio and his colleagues, are
still filled with ideas for the supposed betterment of the country. These characters are a
mainstay in the story of the Filipino people, a testament to the continuing significance of
the novel El Filibusterismo. We see these characters in the persona of the Sumilao
farmers who walked for miles and miles besides working day and night just to save and
to claim the land that is rightfully theirs. We also see these characters in the persona of
our mga bagong bayani, the OFWs, who opt to leave the comfort of their homes and
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the love of their family just so that they can have hope for a brighter future. And lastly
of course, student rallies never fail to make it in the news. However, where is the Padre
Damaso and Padre Irene? Where are our villains in long brown robes? One may say that
currently, it is not this institution anymore that is the villain. A twist in the story already
transpired. However, one can attest that probably this twist is still the one that can hold
true to the significance of the El Fili to our present times. One may say that, somehow,
the Catholic Church, in particular, already has changed. From the institution there are
only now certain individuals who give in to their human frailties.
In a way, the novel El Filibusterismo holds significance to our religious beliefs by
reminding us that those who propagate these beliefs are also human, and these individuals
can also commit mistakes. It is up to us to be our own Imuthis and remind them and
also our selves that we control our own lives, although being guided by divine
principles. As citizens, particularly Catholics, it is up to us to be ghosts and haunt
those institutions that steal from the public, covering up their real motives in holiness and
remind them that we offer to help and to give and not to store wealth and be greedy.
Furthermore, when it comes to the significance of El Filibusterismo to our religion, it also
holds true the event that religion will always be a part or at least will have an influence in
the affairs of our government. We see this as politicians line up to attend the anniversary
of El Shadai.
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And so in conclusion, one may say that the novel may not have been able to
totally remove the veil that Catholicism has placed over the country, but it was successful
in unraveling the its flaw, which is quite understandable given the saying that only God
is perfect. Furthermore, if there is one thing that continues to this day, it is the
dependence of most Filipinos to on their belief. Regarding this, one thinks that this was
actually tackled in Rizals other novel, which is Noli Me Tangere. One may see that this
is the attitude that continues to link our beliefs to the miseries that the people are
experiencing. In relation to this, as what El Filibusterismo also wants to say, we should
act, we should not wait for the vulture to be poisoned by the corps it is eating. Action
should be made, for we wont survive in belief alone.
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References:
http://www.joserizal.ph/fi01.html (El Filibusterismo )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_filibusterismo
http://www.univie.ac.at/voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/jorizal.htm