PI100_Flipbook_El Fili

ElFilibtismo AltnateEnding

After the failure of the uprising and supposed explosive revolt at the wedding feast, extreme panic shadowed the entire place as multiple civil guards were deployed to arrest the perpetrators Simoun hurriedly fled the scene and into the stormy night, after him, were the guards ordered by the higher authorities to chase down and capture him. Wanted, wounded, tired, and weary, Simoun wandered throughout the pitch black night, relentlessly clinging to all hopes of survival. Just when he found himself gradually weakening, he reached the coastal abode of Padre Florentino.

As he makes his way to the front door of Padre Florentino’s residence, Simoun aggressively knocks and calls out to him in great pain, hoping that someone would eventually let him in and cater to his injuries. With rapid sounds of footsteps closing in, Padre Florentino hurriedly opened the door to address the abrupt alert. As soon as he opened the door, Simoun’s body dropped to the floor, drenched and covered in blood The priest was shocked when he saw Simoun’s dire condition and immediately carried him inside his home.

“What happened to Simoun?! Why are you in this condition! Did you get yourself in trouble with the guards again? Please, do not do something as dangerous as this for it can truly cost you your life! Think about your family, think about Basilio, think about me”, said Padre Florentino who was extremely worried.

“I have no regrets, for what I’m doing is to seek justice for me and my people Someone has to put a stop to this unjust colonial rule. If not, then who will?” Simoun responded.

Because of Simoun’s inability to walk due to intense fatigue, Padre Florentino gently laid Simoun in a bed and offered to treat him. However, Simoun shook his head as a sign of not needing any treatment He knew that his situation was futile, and continuing the treatment would only lead to wasted efforts and time, to which they could’ve used to openly talk.

“Padre, no remedies or bandages can undo what has been done or what must be done. Instead, please lend me your ear and undivided attention, for I have something I wish to confess A guilt that has been eating away my humanity, a lie that has been corrupting my soul”, Said Simoun.

With little time left, Simoun, with complete willingness, trust, and honesty, told Padre Florentino the truth of who he is. He shared his life as Crisostomo Ibarra, his real character, his beloved, his family, his experiences, his pain, his life threatening situation, and his regrets And at the end of his confession, a shocking expression reflected Padre Florentino as his complexion turned pale from the truth that was dropped to him That the person he is associated with, had such a tremendous background both for good and for bad. A story that could break anyone’s heart should they be brought with the truth that can weigh so great, they must be a fool to associate with the person However, Padre Florentino, despite knowing the gravity of the situation, maintained his faith and relationship with Simoun, and looked past such a dark history

“I never knew this side of you, Simoun. You carry a heavy burden that could shatter anyone at the moment Why do you care so much about this Simoun? Why can’t you just be obliged to any sanction and just live for your sake and for your family? It would not lead to any of this if you just stayed oblivious” said Padre Florentino

Simoun grabbed Padre Florentino by his robe firmly as he speak:

“I would rather die than watch my people being mistreated by evil. It is hard padre, to stay oblivious, especially when you know too much of the truth. Too much so that the guilt haunts you every night. Knowing that many innocent people cease to exist the longer you feign ignorance. And it would tear my soul to see them do evil to the people that I care so much about”, responded Simoun

Padre Florentino greatly respected Simoun and admired his selflessness, kindness, and courage . And after hearing all of these, he truly wished for Simoun to have a better life, one filled with peace, love, and no regrets. Which is why he hurriedly told Simoun that he would be treated, that he can survive and carry out more of his goals for a better future But for Simoun, all hope is gone.

“No padre, all hope is gone. All have failed. Don't you see the people chained by fear and ignorance? I have done what I could, Padre. Everything I won and planned are all shadows now except for this one Listen to me padre, I would rather die than be captured and tortured by the enemies, bringing danger to those I care, including you…”

Simoun lifted a carved wooden box and showed it to Padre.

“This wooden box contains all of my wealth to which I painstakingly earned throughout my life as a jeweler Use this for future movements I’m certain that you can use this to help spark revolt, and cultivate the minds of future generations, of future leaders. As much as I wanted to see the peaceful bright sky and laughing children of my people, this is the end of my journey I started the war, but it is not my destiny to finish it”.

Simoun brought out a poisonous substance which is an ingredient from the explosives he had made for the revolt He poured it into a glass that was coincidently sitting on top of a table beside the bed.

“What are you doing Simoun!” Shouted Padre Florentino

“I would rather die with purpose than be dragged in chains, humiliated, and displayed as an example to others And I cannot not let my enemies see me fall weak Listen to me padre, the enemies will not stop until they find and capture me. I want you to carry the wooden box and run far away, opposite from here”

Just when Simoun was about to drink the poison, Basilio, who was outside searching for Simoun’s whereabouts, witnessed everything through the window of Padre Florentino’s home Immediately, a sudden bang was heard from the door, forcefully entering the house in hopes of stopping Simoun’s suicidal attempt Simoun and Padre both were shocked as Basilio showed up and rushed inside drenched in rain and trembling with a mix of urgency and fear. Disillusioned by the chaos that transpired from the failed revolutionary plan.

“Simoun! I have been looking for you! Stop what you are doing! You cannot…..”

Simoun raised his hand to stop Basilio from talking and said..

“Listen carefully Basilio, I will not escape death tonight But you you have a life to lead You have the future of the people to care for. Take this, I have told Padre Florentino of its purpose, and the weight of its importance for the future of our people”

Basilio opened the box, revealing the jewels, gold, and coins. Enough for everything that could fund a new struggle, a new hope While Basilio stared in disbelief he asked Simoun:

“Why can’t you just go with us? Why do you have to leave? Is this ”

Simoun just nodded and told Basilio and Padre Florentino

“Yes, both of you. Padre, kindly guide and protect Basilio. You must trust and carry on with each other; I told him everything You must lead. You must prepare others The people are tired, but they are not defeated. They need courage, guidance, and resources… everything lies within this box”

Basilio in disbelief swallowed hard because he knew the weight of this responsibility. Basilio asked Simoun

“How about you, Simoun What will you do?”

Simoun lifted the glass, smiled.. And said..

“I’m nearing my end my friend, but rather than dying to the enemies hands, I would choose to end it all here”

In the midst of the conversation, in the silence of the night, a chaotic sound approaches as the civil guards have caught up with Simoun’s trails They hurriedly go towards the direction of Padre Florentino’s residence in hopes of arresting Simoun.

“Padre, feign ignorance. Pretend that I am a stranger who sought your mercy and passed. Since you are a devotee of the church, you are not less likely to be suspected of betrayal As long as you deliver my lifeless body, and buy time for Basilio to escape”.

Both Basilio and Padre Florentino’s eyes filled with sorrow, yet they both nodded.

Simoun drank the poison and smiled, remembering the faces of those he loved, those he had lost, and those who had suffered. While looking at Basilio’s teary eyes and drenched looks. But despite this, Simoun knew that there was hope for the future that he was fighting for

The aggressive footsteps of the guards are increasingly getting closer as the metal parts of guns are steadily being heard

“Run Basilio, Go with the box Lead the others Make our dream a reality” said Simoun

Basilio did not hesitate and ran holding the box tightly and vanished into the night. Simoun and Padre watched him flee for his safety A few minutes later, a bang on the door shattered the calm. The locks were broken and the door was busted. Guards led by the ever relentless eyes of the authorities stormed the house. Padre Florentino was interrogated with forceful questions but he stood firm, his expressions remained calm as he continued to deny all sorts of suspicions. Momentarily, the guards seized the lifeless body of Simoun, leaving behind only disorder and fear in their wake

Basilio did not hesitate and ran holding the box tightly and vanished into the night Simoun and Padre watched him flee for his safety. A few minutes later, a bang on the door shattered the calm. The locks were broken and the door was busted. Guards led by the ever relentless eyes of the authorities stormed the house Padre Florentino was interrogated with forceful questions but he stood firm, his expressions remained calm as he continued to deny all sorts of suspicions Momentarily, the guards seized the lifeless body of Simoun, leaving behind only disorder and fear in their wake.

But the fire of hope had already been passed on and the spark for independence had already been ignited. Basilio, carrying the box and the burden of revolution, fled to join the survivors and other groups associated with the revolution who waited in secret A small band of men and women determined to carry forth the struggle. Every step he took was heavy with the memory of Simoun, Elias, and his mother for every step was a vow.

Padre Florentino learned to close and lock the doors and windows properly so that no one could ever enter the house easily, especially every time he offered a prayer to where Simoun had fallen. He would watch over Basilio in secrecy. He would guide the next generation of dreamers through his sermons and stories. And he would honor the man who, in the end, had entrusted everything not to a cause, not to vengeance, but to hope itself

The revolution, though temporarily scattered, was far from over In the hands of the young, with the jewel-laden box as seed and the memory of sacrifice as water, Simoun being the soil in which the next fight would grow, his death was not in vain.

A new chapter began, a new generation that carries the promise of freedom, the burden of justice, and the unbreakable will to honor those who had paved the way