The reclamation of my Filipino identity has naturally led me
to Jose Rizal and his works. I have completed his two novels, Noli Me Tangere
(Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo. The words Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) comes
from the Latin version of words spoken, according to John 20:17 (King James
Version), by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognized him after his
resurrection. He said “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” Historians have also noted that the title is a reference to
cancer of the eyelids as Jose Rizal was also an ophthalmologist.
The novel opens with a letter of a patriot to his country. It is an awareness that something has gone wrong with the health of the nation. The patriot viewed it as a cancer and that in his writing, he would attempt to “lift the veil hiding your ills, and sacrifice everything to truth, even my own pride, since, as your son, I, too, suffer your defects and shortcomings.”
The main character, Crisóstomo Ibarra is much like its …
The novel opens with a letter of a patriot to his country. It is an awareness that something has gone wrong with the health of the nation. The patriot viewed it as a cancer and that in his writing, he would attempt to “lift the veil hiding your ills, and sacrifice everything to truth, even my own pride, since, as your son, I, too, suffer your defects and shortcomings.”
The main character, Crisóstomo Ibarra is much like its …
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