El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo is the sequel (of sorts) to Rizal's Filipino classic, Noli me tangere. It is set some thirteen years after the events of the earlier book, Noli, dominated by Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, now Simoun, and his ideals for a better future for the Philippines
It was written in dedication to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an indelible mark in his mind. http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/filipino/rizalj2.htm http://carlojoe5.tripod.com/elfilibusterismo.html
Background:
After the fate of the Noli was sealed by the Spanish authorities, prompted Rizal to write the continuation of his first novel. He confessed, however, that regretted very much having killed Elias instead of Ibarra, reasoning that when he published the Noli his health was very much broken, and was very unsure of being able to write the continuation and speak of a revolution.
Consequently, as expected of a determined character, Rizal apparently went in writing, for to his friend, Blumentritt, he wrote on March 29, 1891: "I have finished my book.
To a Filipino friend in Hong Kong, Jose Basa, Rizal likewise eagerly announced the completion of his second novel. Having moved to Ghent to have the book published at cheaper cost.
Inevitably, Rizal’s next letter to Basa contained the tragic news of the suspension of the printing of the sequel to his first novel due to lack of funds, forcing him to stop and leave the book half-way.
Fortunately, Rizal was not to remain in despair for long. A compatriot, Valentin Ventura, learned of Rizal’s predicament. He offered him financial assistance. Even then Rizal was forced to shorten the novel quite drastically, leaving only thirty-eight chapters compared to the sixty-four chapters of the first novel.
Title:
Rizal had to define the word filibustero to his German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, who did not understand his use of the word in Noli Me Tangere. In a letter, Rizal explained: “The word filibustero is little known in the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. I heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic executions (of the Gomburza) took place. I still remember the panic that this word created. Our father forbade us to utter it, as well as the words Cavite, Jose Burgos (one of the executed priests), etc. The Manila newspapers and the Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to make a revolutionary suspect. The Filipinos belonging to the educated class fear the reach of the word. It does not have the meaning of freebooters; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or well, a presumptuous man.” By the end of the nineteenth century, the word filibustero had acquired the meaning “subversive”.
The Ending
There are a variety of reasons for why the plans for a revolution (in the book) are not carried through as originally intended, but certainly Rizal's own message (as also expressed by characters in the book) is that violence is not the preferred solution, and that, while change is necessary, it should come about peacefully and sensibly.
Major Characters:
Simoun - Crisóstomo Ibarra reincarnated as a wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolution
Basilio
Sisa's son, now an aspiring doctor
Isagani
poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional and reactive
Kabesang Tales - Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who resurfaced as the feared Luzón bandit Matanglawin
Paulita Gomez the girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, In the end, she and Juanito Peláez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him
Father Florentino
Isagani's godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be married, but chose the priesthood instead
Don Custudio a famous journalist who was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia de Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in order to be a member of Manila's high society
Ben Zayb
Abraham Ibañez is his real name. He is a journalist who thinks he is the only one thinking in the Philippines

http://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/el-filibusterismo-the-reign-of-greed-by-dr-jose-rizal-book-notes-summary-in-english-the-characters-the-summary-of-el-filibusterismo_202.html http://joserizal.ph/fi01.html