El Filibusterismo (El Fili) – Chapter 13
Chapter Title: A Class in Physics
Setting: Physics classroom (The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas)
Characters:
- Padre Millon
- Fat student
- Juanito Pelaez
- Placido Penitente
Plot:
During Physics class, Padre Millon argues with Placido Penitente about the lesson on mirrors.
Chapter Summary:
It is mentioned that no Physics-related decorations are present in the classrooms. Occasionally the teacher shows a tool or the laboratory but students can’t use them, and the laboratory is only meant to impress high officials. The laboratory is used for preparatory classes taken by Ateneans (from Ateneo of the Jesuits), but no famous physicist has ever come from the Philippines.
Padre Millon does roll call, and students have to recite the lesson word for word. A fat student yawns and Padre Millon scolds him. The students laugh. The fat student recites the lesson on the mirror.
The student says that mirrors are divided into metal mirrors and glass mirrors. Padre Millon says that Camagong (wood) or marble also reflect images if they are polished or varnished. He asks the fat student: what type of mirror does camagong/marble qualify as?
The fat student ignores the question and continues talking, saying metal mirrors are formed by brass or alloys and that glass mirrors are formed by two well-polished sides with one side having tin on it. Juanito Pelaez says Camagong is a mirror of wood. Everyone laughs.
Padre Millon asks: which qualifies as the mirror? The material surface or the substance placed on top of the surface to reflect images? The fat student just repeats the lesson on the mirror referring to all polished surfaces. Padre Millon says: therefore, it is the surface that is the mirror because that is which on top cannot be called a surface if it is not on top.
Padre Millon asks in Spanish whether the fat student admits that the surface is on top therefore it is the mirror. The fat student wants to say “Whatever you want”, but he knows he will be laughed at. He knows that if one admits to friars that they are right, they will take advantage of it. The fat sudent wants to deny Padre Millon because a court official once told him, “because he who denies everything commits to nothing.” His seatmates signal at him to concede so he says “concedo, Padre”.
Padre Millon asks what happens if you remove quicksilver from a mirror and put bibingka on it instead, what do you have? The fat student gets more stressed.
Juanito Pelaez speaks, saying you now have a bibingka. Padre Millon asks Juanito Pelaez the question instead. Juanito Pelaez nudges Placido Penitente for answers.
Padre Millon asks if the polished surface is the mirror, and Juanito Pelaez says no. Padre Millon asks him to clarify: does what is behind have an influence over what is in front? Juanito Pelaez says no. Padre Millon asks again if the substance behind has any influence on the surface. Juanito Pelaez does not know what to say, he steps on Placido Penitente’s boots.
Placido Penitente calls Juanito Pelaez an idiot, which Padre Millon hears. He calls Placido Penitente instead, because Padre Millon wants to humiliate the “smart aleck” who is always well-dressed in class.
Padre Millon asks Placido Penitente about mirrors:
- Metallic mirrors made of brass/alloy.
- Mirrors of glass are formed by two surfaces with tin amalgam on one side
- But tin is a metal.
- “Amalgam” means united with mercury, so the mirror of glass is actually a mirror metal
- Is the classification wrong?
Placido Penitente keeps answering “so the book says” and stutters. Padre Millon scolds him for not studying and yet trying to coach Juanito Pelaez. The class laughs.
Millon asks for his full name and makes fun of how his last name ‘Penitente’ does not fit him. He then orders Placido Penitente to recite the lesson. Because he is nervous, Placido Penitente makes more than 3 mistakes. Padre Millon finds Placido’s name in the roll call and points out 15 absences. Placido Penitente argues that he was only absent 5 times (including today). Padre Millon says that since he rarely does roll call, he places 5 rayitos per absence, so Placido Penitente would have 25..
Padre Millon says he has not caught Placido Penitente more than 3 times, so 3 x 5 = 15. One more absence and Placido Penitente will be kicked out of the class.
Padre Millon places a rayita on Placido’s name for getting the lesson wrong. Placido Penitente argues that if he was present and failed the lesson then he cannot also be marked as absent. Because he cannot be absent and at the same time recite the lesson wrong.
Placido Penitente has an outburst and leaves the class. The class is shocked. Padre Millon lectures them on youths disrespecting education and their elders, yet trying to “teach their teachers by setting up an academy for the teaching of Spanish.” Padre Millon says Placido Penitente most likely supported the project, yet students like him would have no time to attend the academy when they can barely submit the requirements for class.
The class ends after Padre Millon rants for a long time, and the students are relieved, but now feel hatred instead of enthusiasm for their classes.
The chapter ends talking about how the doctrines of the Gospel do not explain why there still wasted time, labor and intelligence, and a lack of dignity, while He (God) demands from the “cowardly servant who allowed his own talents to be stolen”.
Trivia:
- Inside the classroom, students sit arranged in alphabetical order
- The professor sits under a portrait of Saint Thomas of Aquinas.
- In Padre Millon’s class, a student who recites without making a mistakegets a raya buena (good mark). But if they get more than 3 erros, they receive a mala.
Quotes:
Juanito Pelaez: The mirror of Camagong is among the mirrors of wood!
Padre Millon: A good Camagong you are.
Juanito, or rather Placido, who was the one prompting him, was unwittingly employing Chinese tactics: not to admit the most harmless foreigner so as not to be invaded.
Placido Penitente: It means that… It means that…
Padre Millon: It means that you have not studied the lesson, miserable soul, that you do not understand it and yet you prompt your neighbor. You, what are you called? Aha! Placido Penitente, although you are more like Placido Soplon, Tattle-tale or Soplado, Swellhead.
Padre Millon: Is it that not being actually present necessarily implies knowledge? What do you have to say to me, philosophaster?
Placido Penitente: Enough, Padre, enough! Your Excellency can mark me with all the absences he wishes, but he has no right to insult me. Your Reverence may stay with the class; I cannot stand it any longer.
Padre Millon: We would like all of you to know Spanish, and to prounounce it well, so that you do not ruin your eardrums with your twists and your ‘Ps’, but first duty, and then, satisfaction; fulfill your studies first and then learn Spanish and turn to pen-pushers if you so desire…
