Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1891, José Rizal published El filibusterismo, Noli Me Tangere's sequel, in Ghent, Belgium. Both novels written in Spanish inspired the Philippines to revolt against Spanish rule in 1896. (THREAD) #PH #history #LiteraturePosts

As a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere w/c ended in tragedy & a cliffhanger, El fili begins where Noli ended—Crisostomo Ibarra returns disguised as wealthy Simoun to exact vengeance on all the corrupt local gov & clergy of the town of San Diego.

José Rizal began writing the 1st pages in 1888 while he was in London. He was busy researching on what could be found about #PH from colonial sources in the @britishlibrary. He continued writing as he travelled in Biarritz, Paris, & Brussels, until he published it in Ghent.

On Rizal's dedication was a scathing rebuke against the Spanish colonial administration by bringing to mind the event that awakened Filipino nationhood in 1872—the unjust execution of 3 secular priests known as the #GOMBURZA.

Rizal writes: "... whether or not you were patriots & whether or not you were seeking justice & liberty, I have the right to dedicate this work to you as victims of the evil I am trying to fight against... Whoever attacks your memory w/out proof...has your blood on their hands."

The novel's highlight was the ending, where the dying Simoun, chased by authorities, w/ his plot unsuccessful, faced Padre Florentino, for absolution.

Florentino: "The glory of saving a country cannot be given to one who has contributed to its ruin."

indiohistorian.tumblr.com/post/144594663…

It was mainly because of the two novels and the critique of the Spanish government in almost all of Rizal's writings that he was exiled to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte in 1892 & soon, executed at Bagumbayan (Luneta) on 30 December 1896.

Photo:

"El filibusterismo" manuscript as displayed at @NHCPOfficial's Museo ni Jose Rizal Fort Santiago, from the lens of Lesley Choa

@subselfie @jmnualla @tonitiemsin