NOLI ME TANGERE
Noli Me Tangere is a Spanish-language novel by Filipino writer and national hero José Rizal, first published in 1887 in Berlin. The novel is commonly referred to by its shortened name Noli; the English translation was originally titled The Social Cancer, although recent publications have retained the original Latin.
The literal translation of the title is touch me not. Rizal derived this phrase from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of St. John 20:13-17, which describes how lepers were made to wear signs bearing these words to warn passers-by of their condition. “Touch me not” were also the warning words spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene upon rising from the dead. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uttered this because he has not accomplished his mission (after rising from the dead, he must ascend to heaven to see God the Father) and hence, cannot be touched.
The literal translation of the title is touch me not. Rizal derived this phrase from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of St. John 20:13-17, which describes how lepers were made to wear signs bearing these words to warn passers-by of their condition. “Touch me not” were also the warning words spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene upon rising from the dead. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uttered this because he has not accomplished his mission (after rising from the dead, he must ascend to heaven to see God the Father) and hence, cannot be touched.
MAIN CHARACTERS
JUAN CRISOSTOMO IBARRA
(Earl Velasquez)
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, is the novel’s protagonist.
He is the mestizo (mixed-race) son of a Filipino businessman
Don Rafael Ibarra who studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra
is also Maria Clara’s fiancé. Several sources claim that Ibarra is
also Rizal’s reflection: both studied in Europe and both persons
believe in the same ideas.
MARIA CLARA
(Princess Monreal)
Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba, commonly referred to
as Maria Clara, is the most beautiful and widely celebrated girl
in San Diego. She was raised by Capitan Tiago de los
Santos. In the later parts of the novel, she was revealed to be
an illegitimate daughter of Father Damaso, the corner curate of
the town, and Dona Pia Alba,
PADRE DAMASO
(Jenico Yalung)
Is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San
Diego. He is notorious for speaking with harsh words, high
handedness, and his cruelty during his ministry in the town. He is an enemy of Crisostomo’s father, Don Rafael Ibarra. Damaso
is revealed to be Maria Clara’s biological father. Later, he and
Maria Clara has bitter arguments whether she would marry
Alfonoso Linares de Espadana (which he preferred) or to enter
the nunnery (her desperate alternative). At the end of the novel,
he is again reassigned to a distant town and later found dead
in his bed.
(Jenico Yalung)
Is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San
Diego. He is notorious for speaking with harsh words, high
handedness, and his cruelty during his ministry in the town. He is an enemy of Crisostomo’s father, Don Rafael Ibarra. Damaso
is revealed to be Maria Clara’s biological father. Later, he and
Maria Clara has bitter arguments whether she would marry
Alfonoso Linares de Espadana (which he preferred) or to enter
the nunnery (her desperate alternative). At the end of the novel,
he is again reassigned to a distant town and later found dead
in his bed.
KAPITAN TIAGO
(Angelico Garcia)
When his father died, Kapitán Tiago decided to assist in the family business of trading before he met his wife Doña Pía Alba. Because of their consistent devotion to Santa Clara in Obando, they were blessed with a daughter who shared the same features as Padre Dámaso, named Maria Clara.
(Angelico Garcia)
When his father died, Kapitán Tiago decided to assist in the family business of trading before he met his wife Doña Pía Alba. Because of their consistent devotion to Santa Clara in Obando, they were blessed with a daughter who shared the same features as Padre Dámaso, named Maria Clara.
PILOSOPO TASYO
(Nicolai Reyes)
Filosofo Tacio, known by his Tagalized name Pilosopo Tasyo, is another major character in the story. His full name is only known as Don
Anastacio, the wise old man. Tasio the philosopher whose ideas were too
advanced for his times so that people, who could not understand him,
called him "Tasio the Lunatic".
ELIAS
(Kristel Jimenez)
Elias is Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally. Elias made his
first appearance as a pilot during a picnic of Ibarra, Maria Clara
and her friends. He wants to revolutionize the country and to
be freed from Spanish oppression.
(Kristel Jimenez)
Elias is Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally. Elias made his
first appearance as a pilot during a picnic of Ibarra, Maria Clara
and her friends. He wants to revolutionize the country and to
be freed from Spanish oppression.
DOÑA VICTORINA
(Shekinah Abasola)
Is the one who pretended to be a meztisa (a Spaniard born
in the Phillipines) and always dreamed of finding a Spanish
husband, in which she married Don Tiburcio. She was feared
by everyone in the town because of her odd appearance, her
ruthless personality, and her fierce rivalry against Doña Consolacion.
DOÑA CONSOLACION
(Margie Guevarra)
Wife of the alferez, nicknamed as La Musa de los
Guardias Civiles (The muse of the Civil Guard) or la Alferez.
She was a former laundry woman who passes herself as a
peninsulares, and is best remembered for her abusive
treatment of Sisa.
NARCISA
(Kayna Maliwat)
Is married to the man named Pedro and the mother of Basilio and Crispín. She depicts how Filipino mothers love their children unquestionably.
CRISPIN
(Angelica Sta. Cruz)
Brother of Basilio. Dies on the hands of the "Sakristan Mayor" and Padre Salvi.
BASILIO
( Rie Cabasal)
Brother of Crispin and son of Sisa and Pedro. Last person to see Elias alive. Inherits the Ibarra fortune.
DONYA PIA ALBA
(Sheena Marie Yco)
Wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of Maria Clara, she had died giving birth to her daughter. In reality she was raped by Padre Damaso.
(Sheena Marie Yco)
Wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of Maria Clara, she had died giving birth to her daughter. In reality she was raped by Padre Damaso.
TIA ISABEL
(Kathreen Canlas)
Capitan Tiago's cousin, who helped raise Maria Clara and served as surrogate mother figure.
DON TIBURCIO
(Jep Benitez)
A Spanish quack doctor who is weak and submissive to his pretentious wife, Doña Victorina.
DON RAFAEL IBARRA
(Jamaica Tayag)
The deceased father of Crisostomo Ibarra. Though he was the richest man in San Diego, he was also the most virtuous and generous.
CLOSE FRIENDS OF MARIA CLARA
(Ana Mae Simbulan / Marimar Mercado / Arlene Cordero / Jamaica Castro)
These ladies are described as the Merry Siñang, the grave Victoria, the beautiful Iday, and the thoughtful Neneng.