LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

CFE REVIEWER

Summary Reviewer: The Rizal Law concerns. The law balances

(Republic Act No. 1425) educational rights with
freedom of religion.
The Rizal Law was enacted in 1948 and is
formally known as Republic Act No. 1425. 4. Rizal’s Role in National Identity:
It mandates the inclusion of José Rizal's
o The Rizal Law underscores
life, works, and writings in the curricula of
Rizal’s importance as a
all public and private schools in the
national hero, emphasizing
Philippines. The law aims to instill
his sacrifice and dedication
nationalism, patriotism, and a deeper
to the Filipino people. His
understanding of Rizal’s contributions to the
writings are seen as key to
country’s fight for independence and social
reform. understanding the Philippine
Revolution and the country’s
Key Provisions of the Rizal Law: journey toward freedom.
1. Mandates the Study of Rizal’s Main Importance of the Rizal Law:
Works:
• Fostering National Pride: By
o The law requires the requiring the study of Rizal’s works,
teaching of Rizal’s two the Rizal Law encourages a sense
major works, Noli Me of national identity and pride in
Tangere and El Filipino heritage.
Filibusterismo, in the high
• Inspiring Civic Responsibility: The
school and college
law reminds Filipinos of Rizal’s
curricula. These novels
commitment to justice, education,
expose the injustices faced
and freedom, motivating them to
by Filipinos under Spanish
continue advocating for social
rule and emphasize the need
change and reform.
for reform.
• Promoting Unity: Rizal’s writings
2. Preservation and Promotion of
Rizal’s Legacy: emphasize unity, peaceful reform,
and the collective struggle of
o The law encourages the Filipinos, serving as a guide for
preservation and future generations in their pursuit of
promotion of Rizal’s ideals, a just society.
focusing on his
contributions to freedom,
nationalism, and social Appraisal: The Link Between the
justice. Individual and Society in the 19th
Century Philippines as Rizal’s Context
3. Exemption of Religious
Objections: In the 19th century, under Spanish colonial
rule, Filipinos faced oppression, limiting
o It also stipulates that
personal freedom and social mobility. José
churches and religious
Rizal’s works, especially Noli Me Tangere
groups cannot object to the
and El Filibusterismo, highlight the
teaching of Rizal’s works,
struggles of the individual against an
although they may voice
unjust society.
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Key Points: the stage for Rizal’s critiques of colonialism

and his call for reform.
1. Colonial Oppression: Rizal
depicted how colonial rule restricted 1. Social Changes
individual rights and opportunities,
• Class Divisions: The 19th century
showing how Filipinos like Ibarra
saw a rigid social hierarchy. At the
and Elias sought freedom in a
system that oppressed them. top were the Spanish officials and
friars, followed by mestizos (mixed
2. Struggle for Identity: The desire for Spanish and Filipino descent), with
a Filipino identity and self- Indios (native Filipinos) at the
determination was central to Rizal’s bottom. This created a clear division
work. His characters represent the in rights, opportunities, and power.
tension between personal
• Rise of the Filipino Middle Class:
aspirations and the limitations
imposed by society. The growing number of educated
Filipinos, often from wealthy
3. Role of Education: Rizal believed families or mestizo backgrounds, led
education could empower to the rise of a Filipino middle
individuals and help bring about class. This class sought better
societal change. His Propaganda opportunities and education,
Movement sought to elevate society becoming a force for reform.
through intellectual awareness and
• Peasant Unrest: The exploitation of
reform.
farmers and laborers, particularly in
4. Collective Liberation: Rizal the countryside, led to sporadic
stressed that individual sacrifices uprisings. This social unrest is
for the collective good could spark reflected in Rizal’s works, where
national change. His martyrdom characters like Elias represent the
exemplified the idea that one oppressed masses.
person's actions could inspire
2. Political Changes
societal revolution.
• Colonial Government: Spain ruled
5. Social Injustice: The corrupt
the Philippines with an authoritarian
political system and social
system, dominated by Spanish
hierarchies hindered personal
friars and military officials. The
freedom. Rizal’s works called for a
centralized colonial
more equal and just society, where
administration was corrupt,
the rights of all individuals were
inefficient, and more interested in
respected.
extracting resources than
Analysis: Social, Political, Economic, addressing Filipino needs.
and Cultural Changes in 19th Century
• The Rise of Reform Movements:
Philippines as Rizal's Context
Intellectuals and activists like Rizal,
The 19th century was a transformative Andres Bonifacio, and others
period for the Philippines, marked by began to challenge Spanish rule,
significant social, political, economic, and pushing for reforms through
cultural changes that influenced José peaceful means (like Rizal’s
Rizal's life and works. These changes set Propaganda Movement) and
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through revolutionary efforts (such • Emergence of Filipino Identity: As

as the Katipunan). education spread, particularly
among the middle class and
• Revolutionary Sentiment: By the
intellectuals, there was a growing
end of the 19th century,
sense of Filipino identity. Figures
revolutionary movements gained
like Rizal and the Propaganda
momentum, especially after Rizal’s
Movement pushed for cultural
execution in 1896, which catalyzed
awakening and reform. Rizal’s
the Philippine Revolution against
works, especially his novels, reflect
Spain.
this shift toward national
3. Economic Changes consciousness and the desire for
self-determination.
• Agricultural Economy: The
Philippines’ economy was • Religious Influence: Catholicism
predominantly agricultural, with had a profound influence on Filipino
crops like rice, sugar, and tobacco culture, but it was also a source of
being major exports. However, land tension, as the clergy often
monopolies and the inefficient exploited their power. Rizal criticized
colonial economic policies often left the abuses of the Spanish friars
Filipino farmers in poverty. and called for a separation of
church and state.
• Trade and Industry Growth:
Spanish colonial rule brought some Recognized Statements that Describe
economic development, particularly José Rizal in the Context of His Time
in trade and the growth of small
1. Champion of Reform and
industries like tobacco, but much
Education
of the profits benefited Spanish
elites rather than Filipinos. o José Rizal was a proponent
of peaceful reform through
• Exploitation of Resources:
education. He believed that
Spanish economic policies favored
education was the key to
the wealthy elite (often Spanish and
overcoming social injustice
mestizo landowners), leaving the
and colonial oppression in
Filipino masses underpaid and
the Philippines. Rizal
exploited, which fueled resentment
advocated for the reform of
and reform movements.
the Spanish colonial
4. Cultural Changes system, emphasizing
enlightenment and national
• Westernization and Education: consciousness.
The 19th century saw the gradual
Westernization of Filipino society, 2. A Critic of Spanish Colonialism
particularly through education. and the Church
Spanish influence brought
o Rizal was deeply critical of
Catholicism and Western ideals of
the Spanish colonial
government, law, and education to
government and the friars,
the Philippines.
whom he saw as oppressive
figures exploiting the Filipino
 LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
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people. His novels Noli Me education, dialogue, and

Tangere and El legal means rather than
Filibusterismo depicted the armed conflict, although he
corruption, abuses, and understood the need for
injustices perpetuated by action in extreme cases.
the Spanish regime,
6. Symbol of Filipino Intellectualism
particularly through the
clergy. o Rizal was a doctor, writer,
3. Advocate of Filipino Nationalism and intellectual whose
works bridged the gap
o Rizal is considered a key between Filipino identity
figure in the rise of Filipino and global thought. His
nationalism. He advocated extensive education and
for social and political travels abroad gave him a
reforms that would grant unique perspective on
Filipinos equal rights and Western ideas, which he
freedom. His writings combined with his love for
inspired a growing sense of the Filipino people to
Filipino identity and pride, challenge colonial
marking a shift from colonial oppression.
subservience to a
7. A Progressive Thinker of His Time
nationalist movement.
o Rizal was a progressive
4. Martyr for Philippine
Independence thinker who advocated for
the separation of church
o Rizal's execution by the and state and the
Spanish authorities in 1896 establishment of a just
made him a martyr for the government. He was an
cause of Philippine early proponent of civil
independence. His death rights and human dignity,
galvanized the revolutionary challenging the traditional
movement and led to the systems of power and
Philippine Revolution. authority in the Philippines.
Rizal’s ultimate sacrifice
Description of José Rizal's Family,
symbolized his dedication to
Childhood, and Early Education
the freedom and liberation
of the Filipino people. 1. Family Background:
5. Advocate for Peaceful Revolution • José Rizal was born on June 19,
1861, in Calamba, Laguna, to
o Unlike other revolutionary
Francisco Mercado Rizal and
leaders like Andres
Teodora Alonso Realonda. His
Bonifacio, Rizal believed in
family was wealthy, owning land
peaceful reform rather than
and businesses, which allowed them
violent revolution. He
to provide Rizal and his siblings with
envisioned achieving social
a good education.
and political change through
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• Rizal had 11 siblings (7 sisters and • Rizal was a brilliant student, winning
4 brothers), and the family was several awards for his academic
close-knit, with a strong emphasis achievements, and he became
on education and moral values. deeply involved in literary and
His mother, Teodora, was intellectual circles. His education
particularly influential in his early was crucial in shaping his advocacy
intellectual development, teaching for social change, reform, and
him to read and write at an early Filipino nationalism.
age.
Statements That Point Out How People
2. Childhood: and Events Influenced José Rizal's Life
• Rizal showed remarkable 1. Influence of Rizal’s Family:
intelligence as a child. By the age of
o Rizal’s family, especially his
three, he could already read and
mother Teodora Alonso,
write, and by five, he had
played a key role in his early
composed his first poem. His early
education. She taught him
exposure to literature, art, and the
how to read and write at a
values of justice and truth shaped
young age, instilling in him a
his personality and aspirations.
love for learning that shaped
• As a child, Rizal was also deeply his intellectual development.
affected by the injustice and His father Francisco
abuses suffered by Filipinos under Mercado Rizal also provided
Spanish rule, which later influenced support and guidance,
his desire to seek reform and fight encouraging his son’s pursuit
for Filipino rights. of knowledge.
3. Early Education: 2. Impact of Spanish Colonial Rule:
• Rizal’s early education began at o Growing up under Spanish
home under the guidance of his colonial oppression, Rizal
mother and later continued at the witnessed firsthand the
Calamba Elementary School, abuses and injustices faced
where he excelled academically. He by Filipinos, especially by the
was known for his love of learning Spanish friars and
and his curiosity about various government officials. These
subjects, including languages, experiences deeply
science, and philosophy. influenced his desire to fight
for reform, justice, and
• At nine years old, he was sent to
freedom for the Filipino
Manila to continue his education at
people, which became
the ** Ateneo Municipal de Manila**, central themes in his writings.
a prestigious university. There, he
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree 3. Influence of Educational
and later completed his medicine Institutions:
degree at the University of Santo
Tomas. o Rizal’s exposure to different
universities and intellectual
circles had a profound
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impact on his ideas. At the 1887 was a turning point in

Ateneo Municipal de Rizal’s life. It sparked
Manila, he was exposed to widespread public reaction
Western philosophies and and angered the Spanish
the ideas of reform that authorities, particularly the
helped shape his nationalistic friars, who felt threatened by
views. His experiences at his portrayal of the corrupt
Universidad de Santo colonial system. The novel
Tomas also broadened his marked Rizal’s shift from
understanding of medicine, intellectualism to becoming
which he later used to help an active advocate for
Filipinos. reform.
4. The Execution of GOMBURZA: 7. Execution and Martyrdom:
o The execution of Fathers o Rizal’s execution on
Mariano Gomez, Jose December 30, 1896, by the
Burgos, and Jacinto Spanish authorities was a
Zamora (GOMBURZA) in pivotal event that solidified
1872 had a significant impact his role as a martyr for
on Rizal. He saw their unjust Philippine independence. His
execution as a symbol of the death galvanized the
oppression suffered by revolutionary movement,
Filipinos and became inspiring Filipinos to rise up
determined to fight for against Spanish colonial rule.
social justice and reform. It His martyrdom became a
inspired him to take action symbol of sacrifice for the
through his writings and freedom and liberation of
advocacy. the Filipino people.
5. Influence of Foreign Travels: 8. Support from Fellow Reformists:
o Rizal’s travels to Europe and o Rizal’s connection with fellow
other countries exposed him reformists like Marcelo H.
to new ideas about freedom, del Pilar and Graciano
democracy, and human López Jaena was crucial in
rights. His interactions with his work as part of the
intellectuals and reformists Propaganda Movement.
in places like Madrid, Paris, Their collective efforts to
and Berlin helped shape his seek reforms through
progressive ideas and his publications like La
commitment to the reform Solidaridad influenced
movement in the Philippines. Rizal’s approach to
challenging the Spanish
6. The Publication of Noli Me
colonial government.
Tangere:
Statements That Point Out How People
o The publication of his
and Events Influenced José Rizal’s Life:
novel Noli Me Tangere in Higher Education and Life Abroad
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1. Influence of Professors and o Rizal’s experience as a

Intellectuals: student abroad exposed
him to the stark contrast
o At the Ateneo Municipal de
between the freedom and
Manila, Rizal's professors
opportunities enjoyed by
played a significant role in
Europeans and the
shaping his intellectual
oppression faced by
development. They
Filipinos under Spanish
introduced him to Western
colonial rule. This
philosophies, liberal ideas,
realization reinforced his
and scientific thinking,
determination to fight for
which deepened his
equality and reform in the
commitment to reform and Philippines.
social justice for Filipinos.
5. Influence of the Execution of
2. Influence of European Intellectual GOMBURZA:
Movements:
o The execution of the
o During his studies in Europe,
GOMBURZA priests
Rizal was exposed to liberal
(Mariano Gomez, Jose
ideas and revolutionary
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora)
movements, which
in 1872 was a crucial event
influenced his views on
in Rizal’s life, and it
freedom, democracy, and
motivated him to pursue his
human rights. The ideas he
education abroad. The unjust
encountered in Paris, Berlin,
death of these Filipino
and Madrid helped him
priests, who were accused of
formulate his vision for a
treason, fueled his desire to
reformed Philippines.
challenge Spanish colonial
3. Friendships with Other rule and seek social
Reformists: reforms.

o Rizal formed close 6. Rizal’s Exposure to Modern

relationships with fellow Medicine:
Filipino reformists like
o Rizal’s medical studies in
Marcelo H. del Pilar,
Europe further shaped his
Graciano López Jaena, and
worldview. He became
Antonio Luna. These
determined to improve the
friendships shaped his
healthcare system in the
participation in the
Philippines and help alleviate
Propaganda Movement, a
the suffering of his fellow
collective effort to push for
Filipinos. His experiences
political reform and social
with modern medicine
justice through publications
influenced his decision to
like La Solidaridad.
become an eye specialist
4. Exposure to Racism and Colonial and contribute to the
Injustice: advancement of healthcare
in the Philippines.
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7. The Publication of Noli Me he became more aware of the

Tangere and El Filibusterismo: struggle for independence and
freedom in colonized nations.
o Rizal’s time abroad was
marked by the publication of 2. The Propaganda Movement:
his novels Noli Me Tangere
• Rizal became involved in the
(1887) and El
Propaganda Movement in the
Filibusterismo (1891), which
1880s, which aimed to bring about
strongly criticized the corrupt
reform in the Philippines through
colonial government and
peaceful means. The movement’s
abusive friars. These novels
goal was to use intellectual and
ignited a political and social
literary efforts to highlight the
awakening among Filipinos,
injustices of Spanish colonial rule
fueling the reform movement.
and seek reforms for Filipinos.
8. Events Leading to Rizal’s Exile in
• Rizal contributed to this movement
Dapitan:
with his writing, particularly through
o Rizal’s exile to Dapitan in his novels, which depicted the harsh
1892 was a direct realities of life under Spanish
consequence of his colonialism. His essays, poems,
advocacy for reforms and his and articles, which he published in
outspoken views against the newspapers like La Solidaridad,
Spanish colonial addressed various issues such as
government. The Spanish social inequality, the corruption of
authorities saw him as a the Spanish government, and the
threat, and his exile to abuses of the clergy.
Mindanao was an attempt to
3. Noli Me Tangere (1887):
silence him. However, Rizal
continued to influence his • One of the key moments in Rizal’s
fellow Filipinos through his growth as a propagandist was the
educational initiatives, publication of his novel Noli Me
healthcare work, and Tangere in 1887. The novel was a
writings during this time. direct criticism of the Spanish
Trace Rizal's Growth as a Propagandist colonial system, particularly the
abuses of the friars and the
1. Early Intellectual Influences: corrupt officials. It shocked both
the Filipino public and the Spanish
• José Rizal’s transformation into a
authorities. It was a bold move to
propagandist began with his early
expose the deep-rooted corruption
education in the Philippines and
and injustice under Spanish rule,
abroad. His exposure to liberal and
making it an important tool in the
nationalist ideas while studying in Propaganda Movement.
Europe helped him understand the
political and social issues that • In Noli Me Tangere, Rizal highlighted
needed to be addressed in the the oppression of Filipinos, the
Philippines. During his time in hypocrisy of the friars, and the
Madrid and other European cities, inequality of the colonial system,
 LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
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giving Filipinos a strong voice for propagandist advocating for

reform. The novel played a key role reforms. His efforts led to his exile
in awakening national to Dapitan, but even in exile, Rizal
consciousness among Filipinos. remained a symbol of resistance to
Spanish colonialism. His works
4. El Filibusterismo (1891):
continued to inspire Filipinos to
• Rizal’s second novel, El demand freedom and fight for
Filibusterismo, published in 1891, justice.
represented a more radical shift in
• In Dapitan, Rizal maintained his
his thought. While Noli Me Tangere
commitment to education,
sought reform through education
healthcare, and social reform, which
and dialogue, El Filibusterismo
reflected his belief that change
reflected Rizal’s frustration with the
should come from the empowerment
slow pace of change and the
of the people. He also subtly
continued oppression of Filipinos.
continued to resist Spanish rule
• In this novel, Rizal portrayed a through his involvement in local
society on the brink of revolution, projects that promoted Filipino
with characters seeking justice and dignity and independence.
revenge against the corrupt 7. Legacy as a Propagandist:
government. The novel marked
Rizal’s growing commitment to • Although Rizal never directly led a
social change and reflected his revolution, his role as a
frustration with the failure of peaceful propagandist was vital to the rise of
reforms. However, it was also a Filipino nationalism. His writings
warning that violent revolution could and ideas provided the intellectual
be the only option if the system did foundation for the Philippine
not change. Revolution, which eventually led to
independence from Spanish rule.
5. Involvement in La Solidaridad:
• Rizal’s martyrdom at the hands of
• Rizal was an active member of La
the Spanish authorities in 1896
Solidaridad, a newspaper founded
solidified his legacy as a symbol of
by Filipino expatriates in Spain. He
resistance, further galvanizing the
contributed articles that advocated
revolutionary movement. His
for reforms such as representation
advocacy for education, equality,
in the Spanish Cortes (parliament),
and justice continued to resonate
the abolition of the friar estates,
long after his death, inspiring
civil liberties, and equal treatment
generations of Filipinos to pursue
for Filipinos. Through this platform, independence.
Rizal used his writings to rally
Filipinos to demand political Factors That Led to José Rizal's Death
change.
1. Rizal’s Advocacy for Reforms:
6. Rizal's Return to the Philippines and
• Rizal’s active involvement in the
Exile:
Propaganda Movement, his
• Upon his return to the Philippines in writings advocating for political
1892, Rizal continued to be a reform, equality, and the end of
 LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
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Spanish colonial oppression popularity, would inspire further

made him a target of the Spanish uprisings. As a prominent
authorities. His novels Noli Me intellectual and nationalist figure,
Tangere and El Filibusterismo Rizal was seen as a dangerous
criticized the corrupt friars and the leader for the Filipino cause. This
Spanish government, which made him an easy target for the
alarmed the authorities and the Spanish authorities who wanted to
church, making him seen as a threat silence his calls for reform.
to their control over the Philippines.
5. The False Charge of Rebellion:
2. Rizal’s Return to the Philippines:
• Rizal was arrested in 1896 after the
• Despite the warnings from reformists revolution broke out. He was falsely
and his allies, Rizal returned to the accused of supporting the
Philippines in 1892, believing he rebellion and was tried in a military
could peacefully advocate for court. Despite his non-involvement
reforms. He founded the La Liga in the revolutionary movement, the
Filipina, a progressive group Spanish authorities used his writings
focused on social reforms, but the as evidence of his supposed role in
Spanish government feared his inciting revolution. His advocacy for
growing influence. Rizal’s return led reform was twisted into an
to his arrest and exile to Dapitan, accusation of treason.
where he continued his work in
6. Rizal’s Trial and Execution:
education, healthcare, and
promoting Filipino rights, making • In December 1896, Rizal was
him even more of a threat to the sentenced to death by firing squad.
colonial regime. His trial was controversial, with little
evidence to justify the charges
3. The Philippine Revolution (1896):
against him. The Spanish authorities
• The outbreak of the Philippine believed executing Rizal would
Revolution in 1896 was a significant suppress the revolutionary
factor in Rizal's eventual death. movement and prevent further
Although Rizal did not directly uprisings.
support or participate in the
• Rizal faced his execution with
revolution, his writings and
remarkable courage and composure.
advocacy for change contributed to
His death became a rallying point
the growing nationalist movement.
for the Filipino people, and it
The Spanish authorities believed
sparked further resistance against
Rizal’s ideas were influential in the
Spanish rule.
uprising, leading to his being
accused of inciting rebellion. 7. Rizal’s Martyrdom and Legacy:
4. The Spanish Authorities’ Fear of • Rizal's execution on December 30,
Rizal’s Influence: 1896, turned him into a martyr for
the cause of Philippine
• The Spanish government feared that
independence. His death
Rizal's intellectual influence,
galvanized the revolutionaries,
combined with his widespread
particularly the Katipunan led by
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Andres Bonifacio and later Emilio • Importance: Maria Clara

Aguinaldo, who used Rizal's symbolizes the ideal Filipino
sacrifice as a symbol of the Filipino woman who is obedient and faithful,
struggle for freedom. but her tragic fate underscores the
impact of colonialism on personal
• Rizal’s martyrdom inspired the
lives and the ways in which women
Filipino people to continue fighting
are oppressed within the social
for independence, even though he structure.
did not personally call for violent
rebellion. His death accelerated the 3. Padre Damaso:
Philippine Revolution, and he
• Role: A Franciscan friar, Padre
became a national hero for his
Damaso is a villainous character
unwavering commitment to justice,
who embodies the power and
reform, and freedom.
corruption of the Spanish church. He
Important Characters in the Novel Noli is the biological father of Maria Clara
Me Tangere and Their Roles and is responsible for much of the
tension between Ibarra and the
1. Crisostomo Ibarra:
colonial authorities.
• Role: The protagonist of the novel,
• Importance: Padre Damaso
Ibarra is a young, idealistic Filipino
represents the tyranny and
who returns to the Philippines after
hypocrisy of the clergy, using
studying in Europe. He is the son of
religion as a tool to control the
Don Rafael Ibarra, a respected but
Filipino people and perpetuate their
controversial figure. His character subjugation.
symbolizes the educated Filipino
who dreams of reform through 4. Elias:
peaceful means. He represents
• Role: A mysterious and intelligent
hope for a better future for the
Philippines under Spanish rule. man, Elias is a former criminal who
becomes an ally of Ibarra. He
• Importance: Ibarra’s transformation advocates for radical social change
into Simoun in El Filibusterismo is and has a deep understanding of the
central to his character arc, showing suffering of the Filipino people under
the frustration that grows when Spanish rule.
peaceful reform is impossible.
• Importance: Elias serves as a
2. Maria Clara: contrast to Ibarra by representing
the desperate elements of society
• Role: The love interest of Ibarra,
who believe that change can only
Maria Clara is a beautiful, pious, and
come through revolution. His tragic
innocent woman raised by Tía
end highlights the tension between
Isabel and is considered the
peaceful reform and the need for
epitome of Filipino femininity. She is
more immediate, violent action
also revealed to be the daughter of against colonial oppression.
Padre Damaso, making her a
symbol of the oppression of 5. Sisa:
Filipinas under Spanish colonial rule.
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• Role: A poor, mentally unstable reform through education and

woman, Sisa is the mother of rational thinking.
Basilio and Crisóstomo (the latter
8. Doña Victorina:
being the character who serves as
the novel’s representation of Filipino • Role: A woman obsessed with
mothers suffering under the Spanish culture and trying to
colonizers). She is portrayed as the emulate the European aristocracy,
epitome of suffering among the Doña Victorina is a figure of
Filipino peasantry, struggling to find mockery. She is married to Don
her sons while being oppressed by Tiburcio, a much older and
the Spanish authorities. physically weak man. Her character
serves to expose the absurdity of
• Importance: Sisa symbolizes the
Filipino colonial mentality.
plight of the poor and the
exploitation of mothers in the • Importance: Doña Victorina
Philippines under colonial rule, symbolizes the desire for social
showing the emotional and status and the colonial mentality
psychological toll of oppression. among Filipinos who try to imitate
Spanish culture and overlook the
6. Captain Tiago (Don Tiago):
values of their own heritage.
• Role: Maria Clara’s foster father,
9. Don Tiburcio de Espadaña:
Captain Tiago is a wealthy Filipino
who collaborates with the Spanish • Role: The husband of Doña
authorities to maintain his position in Victorina, he is a weak and
society. He is a symbol of the cowardly man who often hides
wealthy class that supports behind his wife’s manipulations. He
Spanish rule for personal gain. is a doctor but is ineffective in his
profession.
• Importance: He represents the
complicit Filipino elite, who chose • Importance: Don Tiburcio is a
personal gain over social justice and symbol of the ineffective Filipino
independence, often leading to the elite, who, like many others, are
perpetuation of colonial rule. impotent in bringing about change
7. Pilosopo Tasyo (Philosopher Tacio): and depend on the Spanish
system to maintain their position in
• Role: Pilosopo Tasyo is an society.
eccentric intellectual who criticizes
10. Padre Salvi:
the Spanish colonial system and the
ignorant masses. Though he is often • Role: Another friar in the story,
seen as mad by others, his Padre Salvi is more sinister and
character holds deep insights about manipulative than Padre Damaso.
the state of Philippine society. He becomes obsessed with Maria
Clara, which leads to tensions in the
• Importance: He represents the
plot.
intellectual elite who are critical of
the Spanish regime but are often • Importance: Padre Salvi embodies
dismissed by society. He calls for the corruption and abuse of power
of the Spanish clergy and represents
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CFE REVIEWER

the moral decay within the religious • Basílio, now a young man, is a
institutions that controlled much of central character in El Filibusterismo
Filipino life. and plays a more active role in the
unfolding events. He has become a
Comparison and Contrast of Characters
determined and passionate student
in El Filibusterismo
of medicine, showing a transition
**1. Simoun vs. Crisóstomo Ibarra from the innocent youth he was in
the first novel.
• Simoun is the transformed version
of Crisóstomo Ibarra from Noli Me • Contrast: Maria Clara represents
Tangere. Ibarra, initially an idealistic traditional Filipino femininity,
young man focused on peaceful submissive to her fate and the forces
reform through education and around her, while Basílio is more of
dialogue, becomes Simoun, a an agent of change, representing
radical revolutionary who believes the new generation of Filipinos who
that change can only be achieved are actively engaging with societal
through violence and revenge. reform.

• Contrast: Ibarra symbolizes hope, • Comparison: Both characters are

optimism, and the belief in gradual deeply impacted by the events of the
reform, while Simoun represents the past, particularly by the oppression
disillusionment and frustration that and loss they experienced in the first
can occur when peaceful efforts fail. novel. While Maria Clara symbolizes
Simoun's character shifts from a the loss of innocence and hope,
hopeful protagonist to a tragic Basílio symbolizes the potential for
figure, embodying the idea that the future revolution and change.
systemic oppression faced by **3. Padre Damaso vs. Padre Salvi
Filipinos might require a more
extreme response. • Padre Damaso in Noli Me Tangere
is a corrupt, powerful figure who
• Comparison: Both characters are
uses his position to oppress and
driven by a desire to free the
control Filipinos. He is a villain of the
Filipinos from Spanish oppression,
novel and is directly responsible for
but their methods diverge sharply. the suffering of Ibarra and others.
Ibarra's character arc in El
Filibusterismo shows how a hopeful • In El Filibusterismo, Padre Salvi
reformist becomes a vengeful figure continues the theme of corrupt
seeking revolution after experiencing clergy but is portrayed as even more
personal loss and betrayal. manipulative and sinister. He is
obsessed with Maria Clara, and his
**2. Maria Clara vs. Basilio
moral and spiritual corruption fuels
• Maria Clara is the epitome of purity, the tension in the story.
devotion, and sacrifice in Noli Me
• Contrast: Padre Damaso is more
Tangere. In El Filibusterismo, she is
overt in his cruelty and power, while
no longer a central character, but her
Padre Salvi is more secretive and
influence remains, especially in the
manipulative. Both represent the
emotional and personal life of
same corruption within the church,
Ibarra/Simoun.
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CFE REVIEWER

but Salvi is more deceitful and diminished, but she still serves as a
operates behind the scenes. comic relief and a symbol of the
absurdity of Filipino social
• Comparison: Both characters are aspirations.
antagonists who misuse their
religious power for personal gain. • Paulita Gomez is a more refined
Their moral decay and hypocrisy and active character in El
serve as major sources of conflict in Filibusterismo. She is portrayed as
the novels. beautiful, but also intelligent, and
represents the younger generation
**4. Basilio vs. Isagani
of Filipinas who are caught between
• Basilio, the younger version from the old traditions and the emerging
Noli Me Tangere, is now a more demands of social change.
matured and politically aware
• Contrast: Doña Victorina
individual. He is deeply influenced
represents the older, more traditional
by the injustices he suffered and
view of Filipino society’s desire to
seeks justice for his past.
emulate the Spanish, while Paulita
• Isagani is another student and Gomez represents the changing
revolutionary figure, representing the attitudes of Filipinas who are more
passionate youth of the time who are self-aware and active in seeking
ready to fight for change, though he independence.
is more idealistic and less pragmatic
• Comparison: Both characters, in
than Basilio.
their own ways, represent the social
• Contrast: While both characters are contradictions in Filipino society
involved in revolutionary thinking, and highlight the impact of colonial
Basilio is more pragmatic, seeking mentality on personal identity and
reform while still believing in action. relationships.
On the other hand, Isagani is driven
**6. Tiburcio de Espadaña vs. Don
by idealism and is often more Custodio
emotional in his approach.
• Tiburcio is the cowardly and
• Comparison: Both characters are
ineffective husband of Doña
important in representing the
Victorina. His presence in El
younger generation’s response to
Filibusterismo is minimal, serving as
Spanish colonial oppression. They
a reflection of the weakness of the
are intertwined in their goal of
Filipino elite that serves colonial
liberation but differ in their tactics
interests.
and philosophies.
• Don Custodio is a more prominent
**5. Doña Victorina vs. Paulita Gomez
and important figure, who is
• Doña Victorina represents the ineffective and often incapable of
colonial mentality in Filipino decisive action. His indecisiveness
society, as she desperately attempts and overreliance on bureaucratic
to emulate the Spanish elite, seeing procedures reflect the broader
herself as superior to others. Her inefficiency of the Filipino leadership
role in El Filibusterismo is somewhat during the Spanish era.
 LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
CFE REVIEWER

• Contrast: Tiburcio represents the

passive, weak side of Filipino
society, while Don Custodio
represents the bureaucratic
inefficiency and lack of resolve
among the governing elite under
Spanish rule.
• Comparison: Both characters
reflect the inability of the Filipino
elite to bring about meaningful
reform, demonstrating the larger
failure of the colonial administration.