El Fili

After a 13-year hiatus, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns to his motherland, the Philippines, bearing a new identity, a new name thus a new mission.

Now known all throughout the land as the devious rich jeweler Simoun. He becomes the confidante of his majesty -- the Governor-General. With all hope gone, Simoun seeks revenge for those who were responsible for his misfortunes 13 years ago.

He plan to orchestrate a revolution -- which he thinks is the only justifiable way to took off the chains of the tyrannical Spanish regime.

With the help of his wealth and connections, Simoun insinuates himself to the high societies of Manila and every now and then influences the Governor-General's decisions.

Simoun encouraged the upper class to commit abuse against the commoners, inflicting seeds of hatred and hoping that those seeds will eventually bear the fruit of an armed struggle.

Likewise, Simoun through his efforts took part in mismanaging the country and is keen on using the masses' anger against the government.

His one true goal -- to rescue the maiden Maria Clara and to get rid of the social cancer that long before struck the Philippine islands.

No one knew Simoun's true identity until he met Basilio, now grown up and is a graduating student of medicine in one of the country's most prestigious educational institution.

Simoun spared Basilio's life and asked him to join his planned revolution but the former refuses as he believes that complete freedom won't be achieve by means of bloodshed, displaying glimpse of Ibarra's old, idealistic self.