SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

ENG 113
SURVEY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
2nd SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

El Filibusterismo
A summary in English of the classic Philippine novel El Filibuterismo, a sequel to Jose
Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere
The book is also known in English by the title The Reign of Greed.

Character List:
Simoun
Crisóstomo Ibarra reincarnated as a wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolution
Basilio
Sisa's son, now an aspiring doctor
Isagani
Poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional and reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend
before being dumped for fellow student Juanito Peláez
Kabesang Tales
Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who resurfaced as the
feared Luzón bandit Matanglawin (Tagalog for Hawkeye); his father, Old Man Selo, dies eventually
after his own son Tano, who became a guardia civil, unknowingly shoots his grandfather in an
encounter
Don Custodio
Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez 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 Gómez
The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the old India who passes herself off
as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and
Juanito Peláez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries
him
Father Florentino
Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be married, but chose the
priesthood instead, the story hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment
to a remote place, living in solitude near the sea.
Huli
Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales
Ben Zayb
 Abraham Ibañez is his real name. He is a journalist who thinks he is the only one thinking in
the Philippines
Placido Penitente
A student of the University of Santo Tomas who is always miserable, and therefore controls his
temper
Quiroga
A Chinese businessman who dreamt of being a consul of a Consulate of China in the
Philippines. He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house
Old Man Selo
Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio after his mother Sisa had died
Father Fernandez
The priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he and the other priests will give in
to the students' demands
Attorney Pasta
One of the great lawyers of mid-Hispanic Manila
Captain-General
(no specific name) the powerful highest official of the Philippines
Padre Sibyla
Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar and now vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas
(U.S.T.)

Summary
The protagonist of El Filibusterismo is a jeweler named Simoun. He is the new identity
of Crisostomo Ibarra who, in the prequel Noli, escaped from pursuing soldiers. It is revealed that
Crisostomo dug up his buried treasure and fled to Cuba, becoming richer and befriending Spanish
officials.
After many years, the newly fashioned Simoun returns to the Philippines, where he is able to
freely move around. He is a powerful figure not only because of his wealth but also because he is a
good friend and adviser of the governor general.
Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain; however, in secret, he is plotting a terrible revenge
against the Spanish authorities. His two obsessions are to rescue his paramour Maria Clara from the
nunnery of Santa Clara and to foment a Philippine revolution against Spain.
The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board a steamer ship sailing up the Pasig river from
Manila to Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun; Doña Victorina, a pro-Spanish native
woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who has
deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a Spanish journalist
who writes silly articles about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice-rector of the University of Santo
Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino
holding a position in the government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San
Diego; Padre Irene, a kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a retired
scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest; Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of
Paulita; and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical education is financed
by his patron, Capitan Tiago.
A man of wealth and mystery, Simoun is a very close friend and confidante of the Spanish
governor general. Because of his great influence in Malacañang, he was called the “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. He smuggles arms into the country with
the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who aspires to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first
attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad
news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give
the signal for the outbreak of hostilities.
After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun perfects his
plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito
Pelaez, he gives a wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential associates,
Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when the wick of his lamp burns
lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret compartment, will explode, destroying the house where
the wedding feast is going to be held killing all the guests, including the governor general, the friars,
and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the government buildings in Manila will be blown by
Simoun’s followers.
As the wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of
his liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, sorrowfully watching the merriment inside. Basilio, his
friend, warns him to go away because the lightened lamp will soon explode.
Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that his beloved Paulita is in
grave danger. To save her life, he rushes into the house, seizes the lightened lamp, and hurls it into
the river, where it explodes.
The revolutionary plot is thus discovered. Simoun is cornered by the soldiers, but he escapes.
Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure chest, he seeks refuge in the home of Padre Florentino
by the sea.
The Spanish authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of Padre
Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he will come at
eight o’clock that night to arrest Simoun.
Simoun eludes arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino,
revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister aim
to destroy his friends and enemies.
The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre
Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises and begins to meditate. He consoles the
dying man saying: “God will forgive you Señor Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen
that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your faults should come as death
from the very ones you have instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He has frustrated
your plans one by one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack of
preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render Him thanks!”
Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God, Padre
Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. The priest then takes the treasure
chest and throws it into the sea.

https://www.tagaloglang.com/el-filibusterismo-english-summary/

URBANA AT FELISA
Author: MODESTO DE CASTRO
Historical Background: (short background
that answers the W’H questions, why,
how, when, etc.,
it was written)
The correspondence of two ladies, Urbana
and Filiza, the daughter of Modesto De
Castro, the king of writing.
This is about two sisters who write letters to
one other about what is going on in their
lives. The story is about
etiquette, proper gestures, and how to act in
various situations. It was published in the
Philippines during the
Spanish colonization in 1864.
Setting:
Manila and Paombong Bulacan
Characters: (always remember to include
their descriptions when asked about the
characters)
Urbana- the eldest sister of Feliza who
studied in Manila
Feliza- the younger sister of Urabana who
deeply care about her
Honesto- youngest among the three
Amadeo- lover of Feliza who later become
her husband
Plot: (just a summary)
Urbana and Feliza, two sisters, exchange
letters about what is going on in their lives.
Feliza seeks advice from
Urbana, knowing that her sister knows what
is right. The narrative discusses etiquette,
right gestures, and how
to act in various situations. Feliza seeks
counsel from Urbana because her sister is
studying in Manila; her sister
shares everything she has learnt in Manila
with Feliza, who lives in Paombong,
Bulacan. She also warns
Honesto, their younger brother, not to
participate in vices, conflicts, or hang out
with bad people. The letters
they exchanged were about everyday events
in their life. Until Feliza seeks her sister for
advice on how to
handle her suitor Amadeo.Feliza is
reconsidering her decision to marry
Amadeo. But she went on with the
wedding after Urbana put her doubts and
fears to rest. Feliza's letter ends with a
discussion about their father's
death. Their father stated that he did not
want Urbana to feel sad thus he wanted her
to know he died after he
was buried. In her final letter, Urbana states
that she intends to become a nun
URBANA AT FELISA
Author: MODESTO DE CASTRO

Historical Background: The correspondence of two ladies, Urbana and Filiza, the daughter of Modesto
De Castro, the king of writing. This is about two sisters who write letters to one other about what is
going on in their lives. The story is about etiquette, proper gestures, and how to act in various
situations. It was published in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization in 1864.

Setting:Manila and Paombong Bulacan

Moral
"The glance is natural magic. The mysterious communication established across a house between two
entire strangers, moves all the springs of wonder. The communication by the glance is in the greatest
part not subject to the control of the will. It is the bodily symbol of identity with nature. We look into
the eyes to know if this other form is another self, and the eyes will not lie, but make a faithful
confession what inhabitant is there."

Purpose:
The main purpose of the author in writhing this story was to teach people on how to follow the
Christian way of living. To teach people tips on how to avoid and prevent temptations according to
the bible.

Summary:
Urbana and Feliza, two sisters, exchange letters about what is going on in their lives. Feliza seeks
advice from Urbana, knowing that her sister knows what is right. The narrative discusses etiquette,
right gestures, and how to act in various situations. Feliza seeks counsel from Urbana because her
sister is studying in Manila; her sisters hares everything she has learnt in Manila with Feliza, who lives
in Paombong, Bulacan. She also warns Honesto, their younger brother, not to participate in vices,
conflicts, or hang out with bad people. The letters they exchanged were about everyday events in
their life. Until Feliza seeks her sister for advice on how to handle her suitor Amadeo. Feliza is
reconsidering her decision to marry Amadeo. But she went on with the wedding after Urbana put her
doubts and fears to rest. Feliza's letter ends with a discussion about their father's death. Their father
stated that he did not want Urbana to feel sad thus he wanted her to know he died after he was
buried. In her final letter, Urbana states that she intends to become a nun.

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/balingasa-high-school/bs-accountancy/urbana-at-felisa-literary-map/28579238