Noli Me Tangere's "Christmas Eve"






Last night we were watching a pirated version of the latest "Spider-Man" movie, "No Way Home" (sorry can't wait). In the last part of the film, the spider hero was seen frolicking in the snow -- It was Christmastime. Suddenly. I asked myself how many unforgettable stories and movies were set during Christmas?-- Comes to mind foremost is the story of a rich, stingy, and oft complicated Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken's classic, "A Christmas Carol". There is also ETA Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, to which Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky set his famous ballet -- "The Nutcracker Suite". Back in high school, we read O. Henry stories, and "The Gift of the Magi" is always a favorite. There are movies and stories we often would like to associate with this great time of the year.

Jose Rizal has the last chapters of the Noli set in Christmastime, but what Rizal did was to make it quasi tragic, somewhat melancholic with Basilio in an almost futile search for his mother, with Sisa losing her mind eventually dying a few hours later. Not only that, on Christmas Day itself, Basilio attending to the body of his dead mother encountered a wounded man who told him of buried treasures. Later requesting to the young Basilio his body and that of his mother be burned with firewood around the forest-- A holocaust at Christmas.

The man before meeting his end uttered this famous line:

“I shall die without seeing the dawn break upon my homeland. You, who shall see it, salute it! Do not forget those who have fallen during the night.”

A few reflections for the Season -- "Merry Christmas Everyone!"

Breakfast And Remembrance.
Pasig City. 24. December 2021 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Even before international terrorists adopted the horrific tactics of suicide bombers and bomb couriers in their campaigns of vengeance, Philippine national hero José Rizal conceived a plot in his novel El Filibusterismo that involved a catastrophic explosion to ignite a revolution. In Chapters 34 and 35, Simoun arrives at the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez bearing a seemingly innocuous gift – a lamp. However, concealed within it is a potent explosive: nitroglycerin. The reception takes place at the former residence of the deceased Captain Tiago, which Simoun has meticulously rigged with explosives beforehand. According to his plan, the lamp will remain lit for only twenty minutes before flickering. If anyone attempts to adjust the wick, a catastrophic explosion will ensue, claiming the lives of all those gathered – a significant portion of Manila's elite, including prominent figures from both civil society and the church hierarch
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali
Read more