El Filibusterismo (El Fili) – Chapter 36
Chapter Title: The Predicaments of Ben Zayb
Setting: Manila
Characters:
- Ben Zayb
- Editor
- Capitan General
- Padre Camorra
- Don Custodio
- Padre Irene (mentioned)
- Padre Salvi (mentioned)
- Cabesang Tales (mentioned)
- Simoun (mentioned)
Plot:
Ben Zayb writes about the bomb plot incident.
Chapter Summary:
Ben Zayb learns about what happened and enters the dining room when new lights are brought in. Everyone looks surprised. He decides to go home and write the most brilliant article ever read.
Ben Zayb exaggerates the story. His article states that he fell on his back and that sauce landed on Capitan General’s brow. He thinks Capitan General will read his article, so he makes the Capitan General look like a hero. Ben Zayb says in his article that Padre Irene going under the table was an act of bravery because he was trying to catch the thief. Ben Zayb’s article says that Padre Salvi fainted because he felt sadness at the poor harvest of the Indios. Ben Zayb’s article says that the rest of the people at the table (like the Countess who held Padre Salvi) didn’t move because they were being calm and used to danger, but were doing their duties.
Ben Zayb describes the thief as angry and being of a different race, and says that that is why there should be a permanent military tribunal established in the Philippines. Ben Zayb ends the article by saying “Go peacefully, brave warrior” (perhaps referring to Capitan General) and that they will try to find his gift (the lamp) because it is proof of his bravery.
Ben Zayb sends the article before dawn and goes to sleep. He is woken up at sunrise with his article and a note from the editor saying that it was rejected because Capitan General banned any talk of the incident.
Ben Zayb feels sad. He is leaving for Spain in a month or two and cannot publish the article there because unlike in the Philippines, facts have to be proven in Spain. He thinks his articles in the Philippines have effects whether they are read or not, unlike in Spain where people won’t notice him. Ben Zayb wishes a crime would be committed soon.
Ben Zayb goes to see his editor. The editor says that Capitan General explained that if people knew that they were robbed, the integrity of the nation would be “endangered”. Because of that, there will be no search for the lamp or thief and it will be recommended to the next generals that when dining anywhere, he must have guards. Only government officials and military are aware of the incident. Ben Zayb understands, thinking Captain General made a heroic choice.
Ben Zayb is happy when another crime happens. There was a raid on a villa on the shores of Pasig, where friars are known to spend their vacations. Bandits took 2,000 pesos,leaving a wounded priest and two servants. Ben Zayb exaggerates in his article and says there were fifty bandits with weapons and that the priest defended himself with a chair, and instead 10,000 pesos were taken.
Ben Zayb goes to the villa and finds that the wounded priest is Padre Camorra who was “exiled” to Pasig. There were only three robbers with bolos and they stole fifty pesos. Padre Camorra was left with a wound on his hand and contusion on his head. Ben Zayb does not want to believe it and says Padre Camorra does not know what happened. They start arguing.
The captured robbers confess. They are known as the tulisanes of Matanglawin (secretly Cabesang Tales) and they are supposed to join him in Santa Mesa to sack convents and rich homes. A Spaniard (most likely Simoun) was supposed to guide them, and said he acted on the orders of Capitan General. The military was also supposed to join them and that the bandits would be pardoned and get a third of the riches. The signal was the sound of a cannon shot.
They had waited and nothing happened. Some returned home, some went to the mountains, and some wanted revenge on the Spaniard who did not keep his promise for the second time. The captured robbers attacked the villa on their own, promising to give two-thirds of the riches to the Spaniard.
Simoun had vanished, and gunpowder and bullets had been found in his house. Rumors spread, and people are thankful that they were saved, but are surprised that it was Simoun all along.
Ben Zayb goes to Don Custodio, bringing revolvers. Don Custodio is working on a project against American jewelers. He whispers something to Ben Zayb. Ben Zayb gets scared. Don Custodio makes a signal with his arms, of Simoun creeping up on them. Ben Zayb asks about the diamonds. Don Custodio mimes a windmill, implying sweeping away objects. Ben Zayb imitates swallowing air.
Trivia:
Quotes:
Ben Zayb: If only some other crime could be committed tomorrow or the day after.
