The Reign of Greed

The Reign of Greed (El Filibusterismo) is the sequel to José Rizal’s renowned novel Noli Me Tangere and is an impassioned call for social reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Through its complex plot and deeply symbolic characters it explores themes of power corruption and the effects of greed on individuals and society.The story follows the protagonist Simoun a wealthy and influential jeweler who returns to the Philippines with a hidden agenda. He is in fact Crisóstomo Ibarra the hero of Noli Me Tangere who has assumed a new identity after suffering under the injustices of colonial rule. Simoun seeks revenge against the corrupt Spanish officials and the oppressive social system that led to the suffering of his people. He uses his wealth and influence to incite rebellion hoping to spark a revolution that will overthrow the Spanish regime. However his plans are fraught with moral ambiguity as Simoun's desire for revenge becomes entangled with the lives of those he wishes to help.