"The Fili, which is a deeper novel than the Noli, expresses how Rizal negatively viewed Simoun’s three failed attempts at revolution. Personal reasons (vengeance most of all), not purity of intention, tainted Simoun’s revolutionary policy. Simoun was using immoral means to achieve his goals. Simoun did not have God on his side—and only a revolution with God on its side would ever succeed."

Today is Dr. Jose Rizal’s 148th birthday. He is as relevant to us Filipinos today as he was when his Noli and Fili novels were contributing to the thinking of thoughtful Filipinos concerned about the future of their country.

Later, when these islands of mostly Christianized Malays became an American colony and then the Philippine Republic, Rizal’s writings continued to matter to Filipino intellectuals and decision-makers on matters educational.

His writings were even made required reading in schools.

His life and works are also being studied by scholars in Indonesia and Malaysia.

One of Rizal’s consistent teachings is for the Filipinos to strive for education. The education he wished for his countrymen includes history, and enough philosophy, social science, morals and religion, so that they would recognize what is right and wrong in the nation’s affairs and what is right and wrong in one’s personal life and relations.

Rizal’s outlook on education is today absent from the consideration of our country’s leaders, let alone the majority of the masses. Proof of this is that the education being fostered by the government and its school system is focused on turning young Filipinos into call center and business process outsourcing employees.

Some of Rizal’s biographers have written that, more than anyone else of his epoch, he awakened the Filipino people’s political consciousness, desire for independence from Spain and enthusiasm for revolution. Those results indeed happened. But it appears, from his letters and reported conversations, and most of all in the words of key characters in El Filibusterismo especially Padre Florentino, that independence from Spain and revolution were effects he did not wish to happen—just then.

Not just then because he would have wanted independence to come later—and to be won through revolution if necessary—but only if the revolutionary Filipino had the capability to defeat the colonizer and the wisdom and moral character to value his independence with his life.

War—revolutionary war too—can only be morally deemed “just” if it is fought with a reasonable chance of success. For deaths and injury incurred in a hopeless cause are not morally justifiable. A revolution must therefore not be a sentimental one in which the fighters for the right and their families would only be decimated by the superior arms of the enemy. This is what, in effect, Dr. Rizal told Katipunan emissaries who wanted him to endorse the revolution.

To Pio Valenzuela, Rizal wrote that he did not approve of the revolutionary moves. “A revolution without arms should not be started against an armed nation. Its consequences will be fatal and disastrous to that country. The Filipinos will necessarily have to lose owing to lack of arms. The Spaniards, once conquerors, will annihilate the Filipinos who love their country, will employ all means to prevent the intellectual, moral and material progress of the conquered people who, sooner or later, will have to start a new revolution.” Rizal pointed to the unfortunate example of the Cuban revolution of 1868.

The Fili, which is a deeper novel than the Noli, expresses how Rizal negatively viewed Simoun’s three failed attempts at revolution. Personal reasons (vengeance most of all), not purity of intention, tainted Simoun’s revolutionary policy. Simoun was using immoral means to achieve his goals. Simoun did not have God on his side—and only a revolution with God on its side would ever succeed.

Blaming others

The kind and wise Fr. Florentino tells Simoun words that apply as much to us Filipinos today as they did during Rizal’s time:

“We are to blame for our own misfortunes; let us not put the blame on others. If Spain were to see us less complacent with tyranny and more disposed to fight and suffer for our rights, Spain would be the first to give us freedom, because when the fruit of conception reaches maturity, woe to the mother that wishes to strangle it!

“So, while the Filipino people do not have enough strength to proclaim, head held high and chest bared, their right to civic life and back this up with sacrifice, with their own blood; while we see our countrymen, privately feeling ashamed, hearing the voice of conscience roaring as it rebels and protests, and publicly saying nothing, joining in a chorus with the abuser to mock the abused; while we see them shut themselves up in their selfishness and praise with a forced smile the most iniquitous acts, begging in their eyes for a share in the booty, why give them freedom?

“With or without Spain they would always remain the same, and perhaps, perhaps be worse! What is the use of independence if the slaves of today become the tyrants of tomorrow? And they will, without a doubt, for whoever loves tyranny will submit to it! Señor Simoun, while our people are not prepared, while they go to battle deceived or forced to do so, without knowing clearly what they have to do, the most clever attempt will fail, because why give the bride to the bridegroom if he does not love her much, if he is not ready to die for her?” (M.Times)