El Filibusterismo

An incendiary novel that brings to light the long-drawn-out indignities suffered by ordinary Filipinos at the hands of the Spanish friars and statesmen in 19th century Philippines.
Thirteen years after the events of Noli Me Tangere, the idealistic intellectual Crisostomo Ibarra resurrects as the cruel and fabulously wealthy jeweler, Simoun. He sows the seeds—and the guns—for the armed uprising against the Spanish through his influence on the Governor General and his social clout in Manila's upper echelons. His nefarious plans bring together several young idealistic university students—among them Basilio, whose mother Ibarra helped bury thirteen years before, and Isagani, the poet and passionate debater. In the battle for the soul and independence of the Philippine nation, which will prevail once and for all—peaceful reforms or armed struggle?
In this second novel, Jose Rizal continues to wrestle with the need for reforms for the betterment of his countrymen. This yields some dark and difficult answers that brought about not only his execution, but also the first nationalist revolution in Asia.