Modern adaptation of El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo, also known by its English alternate title The Reign of Greed, is the second novel written by Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is a sequel to Noli Me Tangere and like the first book, was written in Spanish. Rizal began the work in October of 1887 while practicing medicine in Calamba.

In London (1888), he made several changes to the plot and revised a number of chapters. Rizal continued to work on his manuscript while in Paris, Madrid, and Brussels, finally completing it on March 29, 1891 in Biarritz. It was published the same year in Ghent. The translation for its Latin name is "The Subversive", as a reference to what the Spanish priests call Rizal's works.

Scholars and historians interpret the novel as representative of Rizal's dilemma to reconcile his faltering hope for securing his country's independence with his belief in a nonviolent struggle. The style and content are said to sound closer to a dialogue between two opposing sides, rather than to a free-flowing narrative. Many agree that Simoun's death and Father Florentino's lamentations ultimately reaffirm Rizal's conviction that freedom could be achieved without the need for bloodshed.

Some interpretations however, have insisted that Rizal in fact does not condemn violent revolution but instead implies a point of view that the Philippines and the Filipinos are not ready for armed uprising and must instead entrust the future to the youth and allow them proper education. This claim is strengthened by the constant emphasis on young students and their academic misfortunes at the hands of the corrupt and incompetent Spanish ruled educational system.

El Filibusterismo was made into a movie in 1962 by Gerardo de Leon. The film, starring Pancho Magalona and Charito Solis, won the Best Picture for the 1962 FAMAS Awards. Also, a modern adaptation of the Fili was included in the play Noli at Fili: Dekada 2000, directed by Soxie Topacio.

I know how extremely serious the current situations are in my country (Philippines). These include press freedom, food and oil crises, extrajudicial punishment, alleged corruption cases in the government, unfair labor practices, poor work conditions, environmental awareness, artificial birth control methods, and defamatory showbiz gossip. Even some of my fellowmen seem to disregard these issues, often believing in "bahala na" and seeming to leave everything to the government.