RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER

RIZAL AND THE CAMPAIGN FOR various districts of Manila. A few months
later, however, the Supreme Council of the
PHILIPPINE REFORMS IN EUROPE
Liga dissolved the society.
Rizal firmly believed that the fight for Filipino
 The reformist leaders found out that most of
liberties had assumed a new phase:
the popular councils which Bonifacio had
It must be fought in the Philippines not in Spain.
organized were no longer willing to send
funds to the Madrid propagandists because,
“The battlefield is in the Philippines,” he told
like Bonifacio, they had become convinced
countrymen in Europe, “There is where we should
that peaceful agitation for reforms was futile.
meet…There we will help one another, there together
 Afraid that the more radical rank and file
we will suffer or triumph perhaps.”
members might capture the organization and
unwilling to involve themselves in an
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LA LIGA FILIPINA
enterprise which would surely invite
 July 03, 1892, Jose Rizal and other
reprisals from the authorities, the leaders of
nationalists and masons like Apolinario
the Liga opted for dissolution.
Mabini, Deodato Arellano and Andres
 The Liga membership split into two groups:
Bonifacio, gathered in the house of Doroteo
the conservatives formed the Cuerpo de
Ongjunco, a Chinese mestizo in Kalye Ylaya,
Compromisarios which pledged to continue
Tondo, Manila for the establishment of the La
supporting the La Solidaridad while the
Liga Filipina.
radicals led by Bonifacio devoted themselves
 Jose Rizal started writing the La Liga
to a new and secret society, the Katipunan,
Filipina‘s constitution in Hong Kong. The
which Bonifacio had organized on the very
constitution embodies the organizational
day Rizal was deported to Dapitan.”
structure or blue print of the society.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LA LIGA FILIPINA
AIMS OF THE LA LIGA FILIPINA
 According to Renato Constantino (1975)
1. To unite the whole archipelago into one
The La Liga Filipina ―constituted a forward
compact, vigorous, and homogenous body;
step in the reformist ideas of the times in the
2. Mutual protection in every want and
sense that the new group La Liga sought to
necessity;
involve the people directly in the reform
3. Defense against all violence and injustice;
movement. Many elements of society who
4. Encouragement of instruction, agriculture,
were anxious for change were attracted to the
and commerce;
Liga.
“UNUS INSTAR OMNIUM” – One Like All
 According to Teodoro Agoncillo (1990) The
La Liga Filpina is ―a civic society which
DISBANDMENT OF THE LA LIGA FILIPINA
embodies Jose Rizal‘s vision for the
 The Spanish authorities were so alarmed and
betterment of the Philippines. According to
considered the La Liga dangerous so they
Floro C.Quibuyen (1999)
secretly arrested Rizal on the night of July
6, 1892. After the arrest of Jose Rizal, the La
Liga became inactive.
 Through the efforts of some of its members it
was reorganized. However, the society was
split into two different paths – reform and
revolution.
 Constantino (1975) puts it: “At first the Liga
was quite active. Bonifacio in particular
exerted great efforts to organize chapters in
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
RIZAL’S EXILE, TRIAL AND  Formal classes were conducted between
MARTYRDOM two and five o'clock, he sat in a hammock,
while the boys sat on a long bamboo
bench.
RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO
 Jose Rizal taught his students arithmetic,
 July 6, 1892- Wednesday, Rizal went to
geometry, English and Spanish. In one
Malacañang Palace to resume his series of
day, Rizal requires them to speak only
interviews with governor general.
English; on the next day, only Spanish.
 July 7, 1892- the Gaceta de Manila published
 If any boy forgot and spoke the wrong
the story of Rizal’s arrest which produced
language he had to wear rattan handcuffs.
indignant commotion among the Filipino
The best student was called "emperor"
people, particularly the members of the
and sat at the head of the bench. The
newly organized Liga Filipina.
poorest sat at the foot, and had to jump,
 The same issue of the Gaceta (July 7, 1892) dance, and take exercises before the
contained Governor General Despujol’s others.
decree deporting Rizal to “one of the islands
 This system was similar to the one he
in the South”.
experienced in Ateneo Municipal.
 July 14, 1892, shortly after midnight (that is
 Another subject in Rizal‘s school was the
12:30 am of July 15, 1892) – Rizal was
"Nature study" wherein his students
brought under heavy guard to the steamer
helped him collect specimens of flowers,
Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This
shells, insects, and reptiles.
steamer under Captain Delgras departed at
1:00 AM, July 15, sailing south, passing  A large number of collection of shells,
Mindoro and Panay and reaching Dapitan on snakes and insects collected by Jose Rizal
Sunday, the 17 th of July at 7:00 in the and his students are housed in the Manila
evening. Jesuit Museum.

 Captain Ricardo Carnicero- Spanish  In Dapitan, he learned the Bisayan,

commandant of Dapitan whom Captain Subanum, and Malay languages. He wrote
Delgras handed Rizal · Tagalog grammar, made a comparative
study of the Bisayan and Malayan
 July 17, 1892- July 31, 1896- Rizal began his
languages and studied Bisayan (Cebuan),
exile in lonely Dapitan, a period of four years
and Subanun languages.
 By this time, Rizal could rank with the
JOSE RIZAL IN DAPITAN
world’s great linguists.
 Jose Rizal by the order of the governor-
 He knew 22 languages—Tagalog,
general, was exiled to Dapitan, a remote
Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish,
place in Zamboanga Del Norte. On July 17,
Latin, Greek, English, French, German,
1892, Jose Rizal reached Dapitan
Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit,
boarding the boat Cebu.
Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese,
 He was loved by the people of Dapitan Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and
because of the way he treated and cared Russian.
for them.
 Jose Rizal put up a school which
accommodated seventeen boys who were
sons for the most part of leading citizens
of Dapitan.
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER

JOSE RIZAL AS A DOCTOR JOSE RIZAL AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

 Jose Rizal spent many months draining  Jose Rizal envisioned the establishment of
swamps to get rid of the malaria which the New Calamba in Dapitan. Jose Rizal
infested the region. He cared for the sick of with the help of Father Pastells remade
Dapitan without ever accepting a fee. News the town plaza.
about him traveled fast and people from  He made a relief map of Mindanao outside
distant areas came to him for consultation the town‘s church. He directed the
and treatment, and these he charged construction of a water system for
according to their financial capacity. Dapitan.
 Rizal practiced Medicine in Dapitan. He had  He spent most of his winnings in the
many patients, but most of them were poor so lottery (6,000 pesos) for the
that he even gave them free medicine. improvement of Dapitan. He installed
 As a physician, Rizal became interested in lamps for the Dapitan streets from the
local medicine and in the use of medicinal money (500 pesos) he was paid for
plants. He studied the medicinal plants of the having successfully removed an
Philippines and their curative values. Englishman‘s cataracts.
 He put up a hospital which was located
opposite the house where he dwelt.
JOSE RIZAL AS A SCIENTIST
 Rizal found Mindanao a wonderful field for
collecting specimens. Using his canoe, he JOSE RIZAL AND JOSEPHINE BRACKEN
explored the coast, seeking specimens of
shells, bugs, and new varieties of plants. He  Jose Rizal and Josephine Leopoldine
also wrote to his friend Dr. Ferdinand Bracken met when an American engineer
Blumentritt articles about the ethnography named George Taufer who was based in
of the Philippines and a detailed map of Hong Kong came to Dapitan for his
Mindanao. cataracts to be treated by Jose Rizal.
Josephine was his adopted daughter.
 Rizal sent over four hundred articles of
scientific value and many specimens of  Accompanying them was Manuela Orlac, a
animals, insects, and plants for identification Filipina who was on intimate terms with a
to the Anthropological and Ethnographical canon in the Manila Cathedral. Rizal found
Museum of Dresden. He did not receive any Josephine who was then 18 years old
monetary payment. He wanted in exchange extremely attractive. He described her as
were scientific books, magazines and surgical not highly educated, but was quick, witty,
instruments which he needed and used in and eager to hear all he had to say. Every
Dapitan. time they met, Josephine seemed more in
love with Jose Rizal. Within a month they
 Rizal discovered some rare specimens which were engaged to be married, and asked
were named in his honor by the scientists. Father Obach, the Dapitan priest, to marry
Among these were Draco rizali (a flying them. However, they were not married
dragon), Apogoniarizali (a small beetle), because the priest needed the sanction of
and Rhacophorusrizali (a rare frog) the bishop of Cebu before he could marry
 During his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal them and Jose Rizal‘s family especially his
built up a rich collection of conchology mother was against it.
which consisted of 346 shells representing  Rizal‘s family was suspicious of Josephine
203 species. Rizal also conducted Bracken due to her cloudy ‘origins and
anthropological, ethnographical, dubious company. They were convinced
archaeological, geological, and geographical that she was sent there to spy on him.
studies, as revealed by his voluminous However, there is no written evidence
correspondence with his scientists friends in that Josephine was being used by anyone
Europe. to spy on Jose Rizal.
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
 Jose Rizal also became suspicious at first deck until he had a chance to speak to Rizal
of Josephine as a spy, but found no reason alone. Rizal refused to escape.
to continue his suspicion. Rizal tried  September 3, 1896: Bearing letters of
relentlessly to persuade his family to introduction from the Governor-General to
accept Josephine Bracken. Despite not the Secretaries of War and Foreign Affairs in
being married, they spent their days in Spain, he departed for Barcelona. An attempt
Dapitan in each other‘s arms. was made to rescue Jose Rizal by Pedro B.
 Their love affair has brought them a baby Roxas, a fellow Filipino passenger, and
boy but unfortunately died a few hours Captain Camus, while he was in Singapore
after his birth. bound for Spain.

JOSE RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN OCTOBER 6, 1896

 In May 1896, Andres Bonifacio sent Dr. Pio  3:00 AM: On his 4th day of being held in his
Valezuela for an advice about the revolution. cabin at the MV Isla de Panay docked at
Rizal refused to be rescued by the Katipunan Barcelona, Spain on his way to Cuba, Rizal
and advised them to prepare first by means of was awakened to be brought to Montjuic
acquiring sufficient arms and ammunitions Prison in Barcelona, Spain.
and securing the loyalty and support of the  2:00 PM: Interview with General Eulogio
principalias or middle classes. Despujol
 8:00 PM: Aboard the Colon, Rizal left
DEPARTURE FROM DAPITAN Barcelona for Manila. Another attempt was
 On October 06, 1896, Jose Rizal was made to rescue Jose Rizal by Dr. Antonio
arrested for being implicated in the Regidor and Sixto Lopez when he was in
revolution and was sent back to Manila and Singapore going back to the Philippines. The
detained in Fort Santiago. attempt was unsuccessful.
 July 31, 1896- Rizal’s four-year exile in  November 3, 1896: Rizal was brought to
Dapitan came to an end. Fort Santiago, where other patriots, including
his brother Paciano, were being tortured to
 Midnight of that date, Rizal embarked on
implicate him. Paciano refused to sign
board the steamer España
anything despite his body being broken and
 As farewell music, the town brass band his left hand crushed.
strangely played the dolorous Funeral March
 November 20, 1896: Preliminary
of Chopin. Rizal must have felt it deeply, for
investigation began with Rizal appearing
with his presentment of death, it seemed an
before Judge Advocate Colonel Francisco
obsequy or a regimen · Rizal wrote in his
Olive. The investigation lasted five days.
diary, “I have been in that district four years,
thirteen days and a few hours”.  November 26, 1896: The records of the case
were handed over to Governor-General
Ramon Blanco who then appointed Captain
Rafael Dominguez as special Judge Advocate.
 December 8, 1896: From a list submitted to
Rizal’s Trial and Martyrdom him by the authorities, he chose the brother
of his friend, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade to
TIMELINE OF JOSE RIZAL’S ARREST, TRIAL AND become his trial lawyer. He was only made to
MARTYRDOM choose among army officers and not a civilian
lawyer.
 August 1, 1896: Rizal bade farewell to the
Dapitan students and neighbors, and sailed  December 11, 1896: In his prison cell, Rizal
for Manila with his wife and sister. was read the charges against him: ―principal
organizer and the living soul of the Filipino
 August 5, 1896: Andres Bonifacio prepared insurrection, the founder of societies,
to save him. Emilio Jacinto and others, periodicals and books dedicated to fomenting
disguised as sailors, went to the S. S. España and propagating the ideas of rebellion [for the
on a launch. Jacinto started to swab down the crime of having founded illicit associations
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
and for having incited and promoted small piece of paper. He hid it inside his
rebellion]. alcohol stove. The untitled poem was later
 December 13, 1896: Ramon Blanco was known as Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last
replaced by Camilo de Polavieja, a more Farewell). In its second stanza, he already
ruthless character, as Governor-General of praised the revolutionaries in the battlefield
the Philippines. Dominguez submitted the for giving their lives ―without doubt, without
papers of the Rizal case to Malacañang Palace. gloom.
 December 15, 1896: Rizal issued his  3:30 PM: Fr. Balaguer visits again and,
manifesto to certain Filipinos calling to end according to him, talks to Rizal about
the ―absurd‖ rebellion and to fight for retracting his anti-Catholic writings and his
liberties with education as a prerequisite. The being a mason.
authorities suppressed the manifesto.  4:00 PM: Visit of Rizal‘s mother, Teodora
 December 25, 1896 Rizal‘s saddest Alonso. Then Rizal‘s sister Trinidad entered
Christmas, away from family and friends to get her mother and Rizal whispered to her
in English referring to the alcohol stove,
 December 26, 1896: 8:00 AM: Trial of Rizal
―There is something inside. They were also
began at the Cuartel de España. On the same accompanied by Narcisa, Lucia, Josefa, Maria
day, the court martial secretly and
and son Mauricio Cruz. Leoncio Lopez Rizal,
unanimously voted for a guilty verdict with
Narcisa‘s eleven year-old son, was not
the penalty of death before a firing squad.
allowed to enter the cell. While leaving for
 December 28, 1896: Governor-General their carriages, an official handed over the
Camilo de Polavieja signs the death verdict. alcohol stove to Narcisa. After their visit,
Fathers Vilaclara and Estanislao March
DECEMBER 29, 1896 returned to the cell followed by Father Rosell.
 6:00 AM: Rizal was read his verdict by  6:00 PM: Rizal was visited by the Dean of the
Captain Rafael Dominguez: To be shot the Manila Cathedral, Don Silvino Lopez Tuñon.
next day at 7:00 AM at the Luneta de Fathers Balaguer and March left Father
Bagumbayan (Rizal Park). Vilaclara to be with the two.
 7:00 AM: Rizal was transferred to the chapel  8:00 PM: Rizal‘s last supper where he
cell adorned by religious images to convince informed Captain Dominguez that he already
him to go back to the Catholic fold. His first forgave those who condemned him.
visitors were Jesuit priests Fathers Miguel  9:30 PM: Rizal was visited by the fiscal of the
Saderra Mata and Fr. Luis Viza. Royal Audiencia of Manila, Don Gaspar
 7:15 AM: After Fr. Saderra left, Rizal asked Fr. Cestaño with whom Rizal offered the best
Viza for the Sacred Heart statuette which he chair of the cell. According to accounts, the
carved when he was an Ateneo student. From fiscal left with ―a good impression of Rizal‘s
his pocket the statuette appears. intelligence and noble character.
 8:00 AM: Fr. Viza was relieved by Fr. Antonio
Rosell who joined Rizal for breakfast. Lt. Luis DECEMBER 30, 1896
Taviel de Andrade joins them  3:00 AM: According to Father Balaguer‘s
 9:00 AM: Fr. Federico Faura, who once said account, Rizal asked to have confession, hear
that Rizal would lose his head for writing the mass and be given Holy Communion.
Noli Me Tangere, arrived. Rizal told him, Allegedly he also signed the document
―Father you are indeed a prophet. retracting his anti-Catholic writings and his
 10:00 AM: Fathers José Vilaclara and Vicente membership in masonry. This series of events
Balaguer visited Rizal, followed by a Spanish is still a contentious issue among Rizal
journalist, Santiago Mataix of El Heraldo de experts.
Madrid, for an interview.  5:30 AM: Rizal took his last meal. According
 12:00-3:30 PM: Rizal‘s time alone in his cell. to stories told to Narcisa by Lt. Luis Taviel de
He had lunch, wrote letters and probably Andrade, Rizal threw some eggs in the corner
wrote his last poem of 14 stanzas which he of a cell for the ―poor rats, ―Let them have
wrote in his flowing handwriting in a very
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
their fiesta too. Rizal also wrote to his family  December 30, 1896, afternoon: Narcisa,
and to his brother. after a long search, discovered where her
 5:30 AM: Teary-eyed Josephine Bracken and brother‘s body was secretly buried, at the old
Josefa Rizal came. Josephine was gifted by unused Paco Cemetery. She asked the guards
Rizal with the classic Thomas á Kempis book to place a marble plaque designed by
Imitations of Christ in which he inscribed, Doroteo Ongjungco containing Rizal‘s initials
―To my dear and unhappy wife, Josephine, in reverse.
December 30th, 1896, Jose Rizal. They
embraced for the last time.
 One of the most debated topics about Jose
 6:00 AM: Rizal wrote to his father, Francisco Rizal up to this day is his role or participation
Mercado ―My beloved Father, Pardon me for in the 1896 Philippine revolution. Each side
the pain with which I repay you for sorrows of the debate presents their arguments and
and sacrifices for my education. I did not evidence to prove what was [if there was]
want nor did I prefer it. Goodbye, Father, Rizal‘s role or participation in the revolution.
goodbye…Jose Rizal. To his mother, he had • Despite not reaching a conclusion yet, the
only these words, To my very dear Mother, following facts are recognized as “factual and
Sra. Doña Teodora Alonso 6 o‘clockin the true” by both sides:
morning.

 1.Jose Rizal‘s name was used as one of the

passwords of the Katipunan, his portrait was
Martyrdom of Rizal hanged in the meeting places of the
December 30, 1896 Katipunan and his name was shouted in the
 6:30 AM: Death march from Fort Santiago to battlefield.
Bagumbayan begins. Four soldiers with  2. The Katipunan through Pio Valenzuela
bayoneted rifles lead the procession followed heeded the advice of Jose Rizal regarding the
by Rizal, Taviel de Andrade, Fathers Vilaclara planned rebellion.
and March and other soldiers. They passed  3. The Katipunan made two attempts to
by the Intramuros plaza, then turned right to rescue Jose Rizal: while he was in Dapitan
the Postigo gate then left at Malecon, the and when Rizal was bound to Spain to go to
bayside road now known as Bonifacio Drive. Cuba.
 7:00 AM: Rizal, after arriving on the
execution site at the Luneta de Bagumbayan,  Jose Rizal and the 1896 Philippine
was checked with his pulse by Dr. Felipe Ruiz
Revolution The last poem written by Jose
Castillo. It was perfectly normal. Rizal once
Rizal was untitled and undated. The title “Mi
wrote, ―I wish to show those who deny us
Ultimo Adios “was given by Mariano Ponce. It
patriotism that we know how to die for our
was believed to have written by Rizal on
duty and our convictions. “Preparen”
December 29, 1896 while he was alone in
“Apunten” Rizal shouted, “Consummatum”
his prison cell. Rizal hid it in an alcohol
est. It is done. stove/burner. It is a 14-stanza poem and is
 7:03 AM: With the captain shouting ―Fuego! considered as Jose Rizal‘s best poem. It was
Shouts rang out from the guns of eight indio folded so many times when it was hidden in
soldiers. Rizal, being a convicted criminal the lamparilla. Rizal‘s sisters had to unfold it
was not facing the firing squad. As he was hit, delicately with their hairpins. The original
he resists and turns himself to face his manuscript has writing on both sides of the
executors. He falls down, and dies facing the paper which measured 9.5 x 15 cm
sky.
 The Spaniards shouted “Viva España! Muerte
a los traidores” But in two years, the
victorious Philippine revolutionaries will seal
the fate of the Spanish Empire in the east.
Three hundred thirty three years of
Spanish Colonialism ended in 1898.
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
FACTS ABOUT THE NOVELS OF RIZAL women. Most of them were not interested in
Rizal's proposed project.
 He did not lose hope, using his talent and
AN EYE OPENER
writing skills he started to write his
 The novels of Jose Rizal were so powerful that
masterpiece the, "Noli me Tangere".
they served as eye-opener for Filipinos and
 He managed to finish the first half of the
Spaniards on the social ills and defects
novel in Madrid. He continued writing in
perpetuated by Spanish authorities and
Paris and finished it in Germany.
clergies and imbibed by some Filipinos.
 Uncle Toms Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe
 The novels reflected the social conditions of
it inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that
the Philippines at that time. Though it must
would depict the miseries of his people under
be noted that these novels particularly the
the lash of Spanish tyrants.
Nola and El Fili were written in Spanish and
their publication and circulation were
prohibited and punishable by the law, Jose
Rizal through these novels had inspired the
revolution that ended more than three
centuries of Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines.
 He also expressed his views and ideas about
the Philippine society and its people. His
unfinished third novel was another attempt
to expose the social ills and defects he had
observed plaguing the Philippines.

NOLI ME TANGERE
 It was published in 1887 in Berlin,
Germany through the financial aid from
Maximo Viola.
 The title means “Touch Me Not”. It is a Latin
version of words spoken by Jesus in Mary
Magdalene after the resurrection (John
20:13-17).
 The original English translation is “The Social
Cancer‟. In the introduction, Jose Rizal
dedicated the novel to the Philippines
[„fatherland‟] hoping that by exposing the
social cancer, reforms will be granted for its
improvement.
 It was written in Spanish which intended to
raise political consciousness in relation to the
current state of affairs in the Philippines.
 Jose Rizal hoped that through this novel, THE CHARACTERS OF NOLI
Spain the mother country will be aware of the  Crisostomo Ibarra - also known in his full
conditions of the Philippines and grant her name as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y
the needed reforms for the betterment and Magsalin, a Filipino who studied in Europe
progress of the country and its people. for 7 years, the love interest of Maria
 Rizal proposed a book writing project to the Clara. Son of the deceased Don Rafael Ibarra.
Filipino members of the Circulo Hispano- The main and most important character in
Filipino. The book would deal on the socio- the novel manifesting in him the Filipino who
cultural and political aspects of life in the acquired European idea through his
Philippines. education in Europe.
 Most of the members wanted to write about
the characters and activities of the Filipino
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
 Elias - Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master This kind of character was manifested on
boater, also a fugitive. He was referred to at some Filipinos of that time.
one point as "the pilot". He wants to  Pedro - abusive husband of Sisa who
revolutionize his country. In the past, Ibarra's loved cockfighting.
grandfather condemned his grandfather of  Don Rafael Ibarra - known in the plot as a
burning a warehouse, making Elias the concerned citizen and property owner
fugitive he is. The character that Rizal placed who was a father of Crisostomo Ibarra.
to represent the Filipino masses who suffered Padre Damaso who played an antagonist role
from Spanish brutalities and abuse due to called him a heretic and filibustero due to his
their powerlessness in the novel and in real view on relating to liberalism in society.
Philippines social situation of that time.  The School Master - A teacher at San Diego
 Maria Clara - Maria Clara de los Santos, who's view in the novel represented the
Ibarra's sweetheart; the legitimate weak and useless education in the
daughter of Father Damaso and Pia Alba. Philippines. He attributes the problem from
In her, Ibarra has fallen inlove, she also facilities and methods of learning that the
mirrored the Filipin owoman of religious friars implemented in the country.
upbringing and orientation, and through her  Tandang Pablo - The leader of the rebels,
love toIbarra, and she represents true loyalty whose family was destroyed because of the
and religiosity of the woman in real Filipino Spaniards.
society.  Basilio - the elder son of Sisa.
 Father Damaso - also known in his full  Crispin - the younger son of Sisa who died
name as Damaso Verdolagas, a friar and from the punishment of the soldiers from the
Maria Clara's biological father. An false accusation of stealing an amount of
antagonist in character and represents the in money.
Christian works for the Catholic friars who  Padre Sibyla - Hernando de la Sibyla, a
are in the church. Filipino friar. He is described as short and
 Sisa - the mother of Basilio and Crispin has fair skin.
who became insane after losing his sons.  Padre Salvi - also known in his full name
She represented in the novel unfortunate as Bernardo Salvi, a secret admirer of Maria
Filipina mothers losing her two sons; Basilio Clara.
and Crispin. In the novel, Sisa loses her sanity.  The Alferez chief of the Guardia Civil,
 Captain Tiago - also known in his full name mortal enemy of the priests for power in San
as Don Santiago de los Santos, the known Diego.
father of Maria Clara but not the real one,  Don Tiburcio - Spanish husband of Doña
lives in Binondo. An illegal opium leader Victorina who was limp and submissive to
who subsequently was a landlord. He his wife; he also pretended to be a doctor.
represented a businessman who used his  Doña Consolacion - wife of the Alferez,
money to work for him even in religious life another woman who passed herself as a
and obligations. Peninsular; best remembered for her
 Pilosopong Tasyo - also known as Don abusive treatment of Sisa. Being the only
Anastacio, portrayed in the novel as competitor of Captain Tiago in godliness, she
pessimistic, and mad by his neighbors. He did everything to pretend that she was really
portrays the role of a Philosopher who was religious by showing off to the public what
completely misunderstood in many aspects, she could contribute to the Church.
he argues with the belief of the Catholic  Captain General (no specific name) - The
Church and social changes and concerns in most powerful official in the Philippines; a
the novel. hater of secular priests and corrupt officials;
 Dona Victorina - Victorina de los Reyes de and a friend of Ibarra.
Espadaña, a woman who poses herself as a 
Peninsulares. Wife of Don Tiburcio de Summary of Noli
Espadana, known in the novel as a trying hard Having completed his studies in Europe, Juan
rich woman who abhors anything that is Crisostomo Ibarra came back to the Philippines after
Filipino and clings for Spanish way of life. a 7-year absence. In his honor, Captain Tiago threw a
get together party, which was attended by friars and
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
other prominent figures. In an unfortunate incident, showed the power struggle between the
former curate Father Damaso belittled and slandered Spanish civil authorities and Spanish clergies.
Ibarra. But Ibarra brushed off the insult and took no
offense.  Jose Rizal criticized religious fanaticism of
Filipinos. The Noli Me Tange re-portrayed the
Ibarra went to see Maria Clara, his love interest, a religious fanaticism of Filipino through the
beautiful daughter of Captain. Their long-standing mindless religiosity exhibited by main
love was clearly manifested in this meeting, and characters in the novel. The Spanish clergies
Maria Clara cannot help but reread the letters her were blamed as the perpetrators of religious
sweetheart had written to her before he went to fanaticism.
Europe. Before Ibarra left for San Diego, Lieutenant  Jose Rizal emphasized that education is a
Guevarra, a Guardia Civil, revealed to him the prerequisite of reform, progress and social
incidents preceding the death of his father, Don change . Rizal emphasized through the
Rafael Ibarra, a rich haciendero of the town. character of Crisostomo Ibarra how education
would bring about progress and social
According to the Lieutenant, Don Rafael was unjustly change. In the novel Ibarra planned to
accused of being a heretic and filibuster. Father establish a school that will educate the
Damaso's animosity against Ibarra's father was Filipinos but was not realized due to the
aggravated by another incident when Don Rafael opposition of Spanish clergies who had
helped out on a fight between a tax collector and a personal grudge on him.
student fighting, and the former's death was blamed
on him, although it was not deliberate. Suddenly, all EL FILIBUSTERISMO
of those who thought ill of him surfaced with
additional complaints. Sa Filipino, “Ang Pilibusterismo”. Samantalang sa
Ingles ay “The Reign of the Greed”
THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF JOSE RIZAL IN THE  Jose Rizal dedicated the novel to the
NOVEL GOMBURZA –the three priests who were
 Social cancer Jose Rizal referred to the social executed in Bagumbayan for being implicated
cancer as the abuses and injustices in the Cavity Mutiny in 1872.
committed by the Spanish authorities and  Like the Noli Me Tangere, it was written in
clergies and the defects of Filipinos (See the Spanish and intended to raise political
Introduction of the Noli Me Tangere) which consciousness in relation to the state of
constituted the prevailing social conditions of affairs in the Philippines observed by Rizal.
that time.  The theme of the El Filibusterismo focuses on
 The “flaws‟ in the main characters of the revolution as an alternative solution to
novel reflect the traits of Spanish authorities reforms that failed to create significant
and clergies and the Filipinos who have change in the country. However, Jose Rizal
imbibed and/or assimilated these “defects‟ also emphasized the danger of a revolution
cause and perpetuated by the Spanish that is built upon hatred and vengeance or
colonial regime. personal vendetta.
 Jose Rizal viewed the friars as the major  LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Matapos ang
cause of the social cancer. Jose Rizal isang taon, isinaayos angbanghay (plot) ng
emphasized in the novel that the friars nobela at sa ilangbahagi ng mga kabanata
hindered the attainment of progress, justice  PARIS, FRANCE and MADRID, SPAIN
and reforms in the Philippines. Pagdaragdag ng ilan pang kabanata ng Nobela
 The country became stagnant and backward  BIARITZ, FRANCE and GHENT, BELGIUM
because the friars controlled almost every Natapos ang manuskripto ng nobela noong
aspect of the Filipinos (this could also be Marso 29, 1891
inferred in his essay on the “On the Indolence
of the Filipinos‟. THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF JOSE RIZAL IN THE
 Rizal also exposed the power and influence of NOVEL
the friars that they were the ones who 1. Jose Rizal‟s thoughts of how justice must be
practically ran the government. He also attained Jose Rizal through the characters of
Kabesang Tales and Simoun discussed the
RIZ 101 MIDTERM REVIEWER
moral issues in attaining justice especially Simoun and Kabesang Tales how Filipinos have
when the injustices were committed by imbibed these defects brought about by the
Spanish authorities. Spanish colonial regime.
2. Revolution as an alternative to reform Jose
Rizal discussed the alternatives for the ETIKANG TAGALOG/MAKAMISA
Philippines and Filipinos in the debate between • It is considered as the third and unfinished
Simoun and Basilio about reform and revolution. novel of Jose Rizal. It is believed that Rizal
started writing this in 1892 while he was in
a. Simoun tried to convince Basilio that Hong Kong.
revolution is the only way to attain • The manuscript was first compiled under the
independence and progress. drafts of the Noli Me Tangere and was only
b. Basilio remained naïve and maintained that discovered in 1987 by Prof. Ambeth Ocampo.
social change could be achieved through the • “Makamisa‟ is the title given by Prof. Ambeth
reforms that Spain will grant the Philippines. Ocampo who wrote the English translation of
c. He was hoping to alleviate the physical ills of the novel.
the Filipinos and live his own life and fulfill • “Etikang Tagalog‟ is the title given by Dr. Nilo
his ambition of becoming a doctor. Jose Rizal Ocampo who wrote the Tagalog translation of
posited that rebellion or revolution that will the novel.
topple the Spanish colonial regime could be • It is considered as the third and unfinished
an alternative for the failure of reforms novel of Jose Rizal. It is believed that Rizal
coming from Spain. started writing this in 1892 while he was in
d. The failure of the rebellion was attributed not Hong Kong.
on the idea of rebellion as a means of social • The manuscript was first compiled under the
change but on the motives and qualities of the drafts of the Noli Me Tangere and was only
people who supported and perpetrated the discovered in 1987 by Prof. Ambeth Ocampo.
rebellion. • “Makamisa‟ is the title given by Prof. Ambeth
Ocampo who wrote the English translation of
3. Qualities that a leader of social change must
the novel.
possess Jose Rizal might be advocating rebellion
• “Etikang Tagalog‟ is the title given by Dr. Nilo
as a means of social change but killed Simoun -
Ocampo who wrote the Tagalog translation of
the main character that instigated rebellion
the novel.
against the Spanish authorities. Historians and
Thoughts and ideas of Jose Rizal in the novel
Rizal scholars inferred that Simoun was killed in
• The “defects‟ of the Spanish clergies and the
the novel for he was not worthy to lead the
Filipinos Jose Rizal exposed in the novel the
rebellion.
qualities and defects of the Spanish clergies
a. It was pointed out that though the motive of and the Filipinos. The novel revolves. around
rebellion is noble and justified (social the qualities of Padre Agaton and his actions
transformation), Simoun‟s objectives were during and after officiating a Sunday mass.
personal hatred and vengeance for the • The novel attempts to portray how the lives
injustices committed to him and to his family of the town folks were affected by Padre
and loved ones. Simoun manipulated others Agaton (a Spanish friar). Rizal also portrayed
to get his vengeance. the religious fanaticism which the Filipinos
b. The failure of revolution was further had imbibed from the Spanish clergies
explained by Rizal through the character of
Father Florentino who stressed the
importance of education, justice and morality
in the attainment of freedom.

4. The defects of the Spanish colonial regime and

the Filipino people Jose Rizal did not only focus
on the evils of the Spanish authorities and
clergies but also the defects of the Filipino people.
Rizal pointed out through the characters in the
novel such as those of Doña Victorina, Basilio,