1. Describe how El Filibusterismo was established.

The second novel of Dr. Jose Rizal, El Filibusterismo, was published in Ghent, Belhium
on September 18, 1891

During his first homecoming, Rizal started writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 in
Calamba. Following that is in London in 1888 which he revised the plot and some
chapters. The novel was thus written against the background of threats and oppressions
he and his family suffered because of the Noli and the so-called Calamba agrarian
trouble. Rizal then went on to write the novel in Paris, and then in Brussels where
distractions were less and the cost of living was cheaper. He finally completed the book
on March 29. It was in September 18, 1891 when the novel was published in Ghent,
partially funded by Rizals friend Valentin Ventura. Rizal immediately sent two printed
copies to Hong Kong (one for Basa and other for Sixto Lopez).

2. To whom did Rizal dedicate hid El Fili? And why did Rizal dedicated it to them?

The novel was dedicated to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and
Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an indelible mark in his mind. Fili aims to enlighten
the society and bringing the Filipinos closer to the truth. In this novel, the society is urged
to open its eyes to reality and uncover the cruelties, graft and corruption of the false
government and honestly show the wrong doings of many people that led to further
failure.

3. How do you compare the two immortal novels of Rizal?

The El Filibusterismo is a sequel of the novel Noli Me Tangere. However, the El

Filibusterismo is believed to be less idealistic as well as less romantic. It is a story of
revolutionary and has open feelings to our country. It was also evident that some of the
characters of El Filibusterismo was carried or in the same from the other novel. Some of
them are Dona Victorina, the pro-spanish woman. Basilio, who is the son of Sisa. Father
Salvi, a Franciscan friar.

The famous book Noli Me Tangere, is a Latin word meaning"Touch Me Not".This book
is a societal novel. He started writing it in Madrid, Spain on 1884, continued in Paris,
France and was finished in Berlin, Germany on February 1887. Noli Me Tangere was
dedicated to his Inang Bayan, the Philippines. The message of this book is about
changing the native and foreign way of life. Simoun insisted that compelled the Filipino
regain their native character. While for the El Filibusterismo, It comes from the word
 "filibustero" which means a person who is against the Roman Catholic. This book is a
political novel. This was dedicated to the "Three Martyrs", Gomburza (Father. Mariano
Gomez, Father. Jose Burgos, and Father. Jacinto Zamora). Dr. Rizal believed that the
three martyrs were only a victim of cruelty and loss of justice.. The message of the story
is about the present system of governing the Philippines through corrupt and self-seeking
officials influenced by the friars and being submissive to their interest in one thing.

4. What are some unfinished novels of Rizal?

 Ang Dalawang Magkakapatid

Ang Dalawang Magkakapatid, also known as Cuento tendencioso escrito en

tagalo, Is about two brothers living together with their bad aunt. According to
Ocampo, some scholars believe that the two brothers represent the Philippines and
other colonies while the aunt represents Spain.
 Dapitan
 Costumbres Filipinas
 Los animales de Suan
 Makamisa
 Memorias de un Gallo
 Un Rumboso Gobernadorcillo

5. Why did Rizal leave Europe and settle in Hong Kong?

Rizal decided to leave Europe and move to Hong Kong because of the widening political
differences between him and Marcelo H. del Pilar (and the other Filipinos in Spain)
which made his stay in Europe unbearable for him. He also intend to live closely to his
family who are in the Philippines and to lead the Propaganda Movement in Hong Kong.

6. How did he spend his days in Hong Kong?

On February 03, 1888, after six months of stay in Calamba, Rizal left Manila for Hong
Kong on board the Zafiro. He was sad and sick during the crossing of the choppy China
Sea. He did not get off the ship when it made a stopover at Amoy, because he was sick, it
was raining and the city was dirty. He arrived in Hong Kong on February 08. In Hong
Kong, Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel. He was welcomed by the Filipino community in
Hong Kong. During this time, a Spaniard, Jose Varanda, was shadowing Rizal’s
movements in Hong Kong. It is believed that he was ordered to spy on Rizal.
In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila. On June 19, 1892, he spent his
31st birthday in Hong Kong. He had a premonition of his death for he wrote two letters,
one addressed to his parents, brother and friends.
 7. What was the name of the project he proposed in Hong Kong? Did the project
become successful?

While in Hong Kong, Rizal planned to establish a Filipino colony in Borneo under the
protectorate of the North Borneo Company.
The name was Borneo Project. Rizal planned to move the landless Filipino families Filipino
families to North Borneo (Sabah), rich British owned island and carve out of its virgin wildness a
“New Calamba”. The project was successful. The British North Borneo Company established the
land up to the Bangkoga River in Maradu Bay consisting of 100,00 acres of land area for such
project. Moreover, they were also offered a good government free of all charges.

Exercise #2: Second Homecoming

1. The aims of La liga Filipina and why Rizal established it.

The Aims of the League

 To unite the whole archipelago into one vigorous and homogenous organization;
 Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
 Defense against all violence and injustice;
 Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and
 Study and application of reforms

Why was it organized?

 solution to stop the oppression of the Filipinos against the Spaniards.
 to protect the Filipino people, to avoid the abuse of the Spaniards and most especially
to unite the Filipinos
 Rizal hopes that in creating the La Liga Filipina, it would put a stop to the abusive
Spanish rule.

2. Discuss the problem in forging unity during Rizal’s time.

In trying to find meaning and relevance between Rizal and the Filipinos after a hundred
and fifty years of his birth, even the shallowest of sceptic could say that the problems are
not yet over, they were never gone, they’ve just been molecularly restructured into
something barely recognizable, and, therefore, generally acceptable. History is a very
powerful tool for peace and progress, for it is only in assessing history that we could
justify social change. But to purge history of the lessons therein, one must be
unforgivingly critical. One must be like Rizal.
3. Explain, how the La Liga Filipina shows Rizal ‘s practical leadership?

At this point, Rizal proposed the founding of another civic society. He had prepared a
constitution for this society while at Hong Kong and now he thought that the time has
come for concrete action. On the night of July 3, 1892, at a house in Tondo, Rizal
founded and inaugurated La Liga Filipina. He became a leader with a purpose for the
benefit of his countrymen. Through his pen, he build a new group sought to involve the
people directly in the reform movement.

Apolinario Mabini became the secretary of the Supreme Council. Upon his suggestion,
the organization decided to declare its support for La Solidaridad and the reforms it
advocated, raise funds for the paper, and defray the expenses of deputies advocating
reforms for the country before the Spanish Cortes.