Fili Synopsis

EL FILI SUMMARY
Set thirteen years after Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in 'Noli Me Tangere,' left the Philippines, a
mysterious jeweler named Simoun returns to the Philippines on board the steamer Tabo. This steamer is sailing
upstream the Pasig from Manila to Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun, the rich jeweler; Doña
Victorina, the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband,
Tiburcio de Espadaña, who has deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a
Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice-rector of the University of Santo
Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-spanish Filipino holding a
position in the government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego; Padre Irene, a kind
friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest;
Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of Paulita; and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical
student, whose medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.
The all powerful Simoun with his beard and his blue tinted eyeglasses is a friend of the Spanish government,
being an advisor to the Governor General of the Philippines. On the outside, he is a good friend of Spain, but in his
heart, he is planning revenge in opposition to the Spanish atrocities in the Philippines. This is for the reason that
Simoun, who in reality is Crisostomo Ibarra, is fueled by revenge and his fixation to instigate a revolution against
Spain and to rescue his beloved Maria Clara from the convent.
As the story progresses, Simoun meets characters which he will manipulate to achieve his end. His true
identity is eventually discovered by Basilio while he visits his mother’s grave. Basilio is now a medical student under
the patronage of Capitan Tiago. Simoun shows mercy to Basilio by sparing his life and by asking the latter to join
his planned revolution. Basilio refuses the offer despite Simoun’s taunts about his family’s misfortunes.
The jeweler also manipulates the band of bandits headed by Kabesang Tales, who also suffers misfortunes
under the friars. Simoun also manipulates the Chinese Quiroga into smuggling firearms and weapons using his store
as a front. Meanwhile, Basilio supports the establishment of a Spanish language school to help the students read and
learn the language to the great opposition of the Dominican friars. Simoun is now gearing up for the revolution
which he immediately calls to a halt, upon learning of the death of Maria Clara earlier that day.
The rejected students which fought for the establishment of a Spanish academy hold a mock celebration in a
panciteria (noodle cafe) where a friar spy witnesses the event. Several of the students and Basilio are imprisoned
notwithstanding the latter’s absence during the celebration. Conversely, Juli, Basilio’s girlfriend commits suicide
after Padre Camorra tries to rape her. Basilio is left in prison while many of the students are released. Basilio is
subsequently released with Simoun’s help, and after learning of Juli’s suicide he joins Simoun’s revolution.
Simoun eventually tells Basilio of his plan to exterminate the highest officials of the Philippines who will be
attending the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez. The explosive is masqueraded as a beautiful kerosene
lamp. Once out of fuel, it will be lighted again and will eventually explode. During the wedding, Simoun gives the
newlyweds the lamp and leaves the reception early leaving a note. The note is later found out to be signed in the
name of Crisostomo Ibarra.
With a change of heart, Basilio informs his friend Isagani about the plan. Isagani, being a former boyfriend
of Paulita Gomez steals the lamp and throws it into the river. He also escapes by diving into the river while being
pursued by the Guardia Civil. The note is left behind, and it is confirmed by Padre Salvi that it was truly written by
Ibarra.
The revolutionary plot was thus discovered. Simoun was cornered by the soldiers, but he escaped. Mortally
wounded, and carrying his treasure chest, he sought refuge in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea.
The Spanish authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of Padre Florentino. Lieutenant Perez
of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he would come at eight o’clock that night to arrest Simoun.
Simoun eluded arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino, revealing his true
identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister aim to destroy his friends and
enemies.
The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre Florentino, wiping
the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises and begins to meditate. He consoles the dying man saying: “God will
forgive you Señor Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining that
the chastisement for your faults should come as death from the very ones you have instigated to crime, we can see
His infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara,
then by a lack of preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render Him thanks!”
Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God. Padre Florentino falls upon
his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes the treasure chest and throws it into the sea; as the waves close
over the sinking chest.

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EL FILI SUMMARY

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