Reviewer in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo: GEC 9

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the literary works, essays, and historical significance of José Rizal as the National Hero of the Philippines.

Noli Me Tangere

A novel published in March 1887 whose title is a Latin phrase meaning “Touch Me Not,” taken from the Bible (John 20:17).

Uncle Tom's Cabin

The literary work that greatly influenced José Rizal to write Noli Me Tangere to expose the abuses and realities in the Philippines during Spanish colonization.

Maximo Viola

Known as the “Savior of Noli,” he lent Rizal $P300$ in Berlin so the novel could be published.

Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin

A wealthy and educated young mestizo who studied in Europe for seven years and represents the educated Filipino youth and enlightenment.

María Clara de los Santos y Alba

The biological daughter of Padre Dámaso and Pia Alba who serves as a symbol of purity and ideal Filipina womanhood.

Padre Dámaso Verdolagas

An abusive Spanish friar who represents the corruption in the Church and the symbol of abusive clergy.

Elias

A mysterious revolutionary character who believes true change requires revolution and resistance against oppression.

Pilosopo Tasyo

A wise but misunderstood intellectual, Don Anastacio, who symbolizes wisdom, enlightenment, and critical thinking.

Doña Consolación

The wife of the Alférez who pretends not to speak Tagalog and symbolizes colonial mentality and obsession with status.

San Diego

A setting in Noli Me Tangere that represents Philippine colonial society with corruption, inequality, and abuse of power.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal's second novel, meaning “The Reign of Greed,” published on September 18, 1891, in Ghent, Belgium.

Valentin Ventura

The individual who provided financial assistance for the publication of El Filibusterismo after Rizal ran out of money.

Simoun

Crisóstomo Ibarra’s persona as a wealthy jeweler and revolutionary in the sequel; he symbolizes revenge and anger against colonial abuses.

GomBurZa

The collective name for the martyr priests Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, to whom El Filibusterismo is dedicated.

February 17, 1872

The date when the GomBurZa martyrs were publicly executed by garrote following the Cavite Mutiny.

Isagani

A poet and idealistic student in El Filibusterismo who symbolizes patriotic Filipino youth and the conflict between ideals and emotions.

Kabesang Tales

A character who represents oppressed farmers and the rebellion caused by land grabbing and injustice.

The Philippines a Century Hence

An essay published in La Solidaridad that analyzed the condition of the Philippines and predicted its future within $100$ years.

The Indolence of the Filipinos

A socio-political essay arguing that Filipino laziness was not natural but a result of colonial oppression and tropical climate.

Letter to the Young Women of Malolos

Written in February 1889 to praise the courage of $20$ women who petitioned for a night school to study Spanish.

Henry Allen Cooper

The American congressman who recited “Mi Último Adiós” in the U.S. House of Representatives to support the Philippine Bill of 1902.

December 30, 1896

The date of José Rizal's execution by firing squad at Bagumbayan.

La Liga Filipina

An organization founded by Rizal on July 3, 1892, to promote unity, education, and peaceful reforms.

Indolence

Defined as laziness or lack of willingness to work; Rizal argued it was a “malady” produced by social conditions rather than an inherent trait.

Ferdinand Blumentritt

A close friend of Rizal who described him as “the greatest product of the Philippines” and compared his brilliance to a rare comet.