José Rizal

"The Noli," as it is called in the Philippines, was the first artistic manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a guiding conscience - and martyr - for the revolution that would rise up in the Spanish province. This book presents a love story set against the political backdrop of repression, torture, and murder.

Touch Me Not

Virgilio S. Almario

Written by Jose Rizal
Translated by Virgilio S. Almario

1999 National Book Award for Best Translation

Natapos sulatin ni Jose Rizal ang Noli Me Tangere noong Pebrero 21, 1887 sa Berlin at lumabas sa limbagan pagkaraan nang mahigit isang buwan. Noong Agosto 30 sa taon ding iyon, ipinagbawal sa Filipinas ang pag-aari at pagbasa sa naturang nobela, alinsunod sa batas ng Arsobispo ng Maynila. Kinumpirma ng lupon sa sensura ang pagbabawal dahil tahasan itong tumutuligsa, diumano, sa relihiyon ng mga estado, mga institusyon, at mga kagalang-galang na tao sa FIlipinas sa panahon ng kolonyalismong Espanyol bukod sa hitik ito sa mga kaisipang banyaga na maaaring pumukaw ng poot laban sa Espanya. Hindi makatarungan ang pagbabawal. Ngunit tama ang mga awtoridad dahil kasama ng karugtong na nobelang El Filibusterismo ay pinatunayan ng kasaysayan ang bisa ng panulat ni Rizal sa pagkamulat ng mga FIlipino. Makalipas ng ilang taon, sumiklab ang Himagsikang Filipino na tumapos sa mahabang pananakop ng mga Espanyol. Dinadakila ngayon ang mga nobela ni Rizal bilang matalim na pagsusuri sa lipunang kolonyal at feudal at bilang huwaran ng malikhain at realistang pagsulat nang may kalakip na mithiing pampolitika.

Noli Me Tangere 

I started this book initially on Philippine Independence Day back in June. At the end of June, I ended up putting it down after the passing of my grandfather. I picked it up again for FAHM this month, determined to finish. And I did just in time!! 

This piece of literature, having dubbed Jose Rizal the national hero of the Philippines, is an act of defiance against Spanish colonization, most notably through the abuse of power of Spanish Catholic clergymen. 

It’s rage-inducing and truly sacrilegious the ways friars get away with any and every wrongdoing they commit against their native congregation, manipulating them to believe that friars and saints are of the utmost authority. So many families get broken and so many lives are stripped away because of this church that the whole town of San Diego revolves around and serves in hopes of gaining “indulgences” to gain entry to heaven. It leads one in with the budding love of childhood friends Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, and ends in tragedy falling like a wave over everyone. 

Actually though, à la Shakespeare, I found the Noli to be a bit of a tragicomedy. Rizal’s humor is one that reminds me of people that make you laugh at the most inappropriate times. He utilizes humor a great deal throughout this book, often to take the Church and their many rituals and rules and saints a little less seriously. He employs irony to expose the hypocrisy of the Spanish church leaders. He jokes playfully with the difference in languages used by the Spanish and the “indios” (indigenous Filipinos) to demonstrate that the colonizer isn’t as superior to the colonized as one would believe, nor smarter or more capable. 

This is an inspiring work, often credited to have indirectly influenced the Philippine Revolution. 137 years later, there’s still so much work to be done for the Philippines to truly be free. Rizal laid foundational steps in the Noli, and every day I witness determined Filipinos build upon it and continue to pave a way.

joana ashley

Happy Filipino American History Month!!!

I started this book initially on Philippine Independence Day back in June. At the end of June, I ended up putting it down after the passing of my grandfather. I picked it up again for FAHM this month, determined to finish. And I did just in time!! 

This piece of literature, having dubbed Jose Rizal the national hero of the Philippines, is an act of defiance against Spanish colonization, most notably through the abuse of power of Spanish Catholic clergymen. 

It’s rage-inducing and truly sacrilegious the ways friars get away with any and every wrongdoing they commit against their native congregation, manipulating them to believe that friars and saints are of the utmost authority. So many families get broken and so many lives are stripped away because of this church that the whole town of San Diego revolves around and serves in hopes of gaining “indulgences” to gain entry to heaven. It leads one in with the budding love of childhood friends Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, and ends in tragedy falling like a wave over everyone. 

Actually though, à la Shakespeare, I found the Noli to be a bit of a tragicomedy. Rizal’s humor is one that reminds me of people that make you laugh at the most inappropriate times. He utilizes humor a great deal throughout this book, often to take the Church and their many rituals and rules and saints a little less seriously. He employs irony to expose the hypocrisy of the Spanish church leaders. He jokes playfully with the difference in languages used by the Spanish and the “indios” (indigenous Filipinos) to demonstrate that the colonizer isn’t as superior to the colonized as one would believe, nor smarter or more capable. 

This is an inspiring work, often credited to have indirectly influenced the Philippine Revolution. 137 years later, there’s still so much work to be done for the Philippines to truly be free. Rizal laid foundational steps in the Noli, and every day I witness determined Filipinos build upon it and continue to pave a way.

Ali Angco

Ceej Manaloto

Amrie Cruz

Noli Me Tangere

Kweh Quiambao

Jo A

Angela Felicia

Andrea Camilleri

Noli me tangere

Andrea Bruno

Winona Cruz

Leon Maria Guerrero

El Filibusterismo

Godwin Calangi

Eloise

Alice

Nica

Issa Dimayuga

Christine Joelle Valisno Manaloto

Noli Me Tangere follows the story of Crisostomo Ibarra as he tries to bring progress to his nation and its people. But instead, he was accused of being a filibuster and ends up losing not only the love of his life, Maria Clara, but also his freedom.

Touch Me Not

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