NOVEL

Noli Me Tangere was the first novel by Jose Rizal. The Filipino translation of it was “Huwag Mo Akong Salingin,” while the English translation of it was “Touch Me Not.” It was first printed in Berlin with 2000 copies that cost 300 pesos. However, Rizal was struggling financially that time and did not have any money to pay for it, but because of his friend, Maximo Viola, Noli Me Tangere was released in March 1887. Thus, Maximo Viola was known as the savior of this novel. Also, this novel revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra and how Friars or Spaniards treated Indios or Filipinos back then. It has 64 chapters and the characters are Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Maria Clara, Father Damaso, Sisa, Crispin, Basilio, Captain Tiago, Pilosopo Tasyo, Dona Victorina, Lt. Guevara, Pedro, Don Rafael Ibarra, Tandang Pablo, Tiya Isabel, Alfonso Linares, Padre Salvi, Don Tiburcio, Doña Consolacion, The Alferez and Captain General.

El Filibusterismo was the second and last novel by Jose Rizal. It was also known as the continuation or second part of Noli Me Tangere. The English translation of it was “The Reign of Greed,” thus it revolves around the vengeance of Simoun, who is actually Crisostomo Ibarra in the 1st novel. Meanwhile, the savior of this novel was Valentin Ventura who paid for the publication of El Fili that was released in September 1891. It has 38 chapters and originally has 279 pages, but later on deleted the 47 whole pages to save for expenses. The characters in this novel are Simoun, Basilio, Isagani, Father Florentino, Father Fernández, Capitán Tiago, Captain-General, Father Hernando de la Sibyla, Quiroga, Don Custodio, Ben-Zayb, Placido Penitente, Paulita Gómez, Kabesang Tales, Tandang Selo, Juli, Father Camorra and Hermana Penchang.