Noli Me Tangere Alternate Ending: A Mistake for Love

              The merriment brought on by her impending marriage to Linares continued to sour Maria Clara's spirits. Exasperated with all the laughter and music from the party, Maria Clara went outside to be alone in the azotea. When she finally cannot withstand the heavy betrayal and hurt that stirred in her heart, she broke down and cried her heart out. 

When finally alone with her thoughts, Maria Clara began to despair over the unfortunate news that she carried with her – the truth of her parentage and the horrifying future that Ibarra has in front of him. She sighed dejectedly and anxiously mulled over her troubles underneath the night sky.

“Oh, dear Lord, no one can ever replace Ibarra in my heart. I am nothing but a hopeless fool who will forever love him,” Maria Clara thought to herself. “If I truly did love him, how did I ever let such misfortunes be brought to him by myself, nonetheless? Tell me Lord, will he ever forgive me for the mistakes that I made?”

A rustling sound from a nearby boat broke Maria Clara out of her reverie. She turned her head towards the noise and was surprised to see the man she prayed for only a mere moment ago. “Crisostomo,” she gasped in disbelief and out of fright.

A few paces from her, the man in question looked unsure and grave – a tremendous change from how he carried himself before. He cleared his throat and replied, “Yes my love, it is me, Crisostomo.” He carefully took a few more steps towards Maria Clara, and reached out to hold her hands.

Maria Clara recoiled and covered her mouth to stop another wave of sobs from erupting. “Is this a dream? Has God sent you here to redeem me of my mistakes or has he sent you here to spite me further than I have already been?” Tears welled in her eyes and she angrily wiped them away.

“I am not here to hurt you Maria Clara. I am only here to tell you that I have forgiven you and you must not despair anymore. I am to go away and leave this place forever. A man called Elias helped me escape but I felt the need to tell you that I hold nothing else but love for you. Truly, I hope that you live a happy life with Linares. Be happy and be well forever, my love.”

A heavy hush fell between the two lovers and the resounding laughter from the house seemed to drown them into oblivion. Crisostomo took one last step coming to Maria Clara and closed the gap between them. He breathed in her scent and clinged on to her as if she was the only tether he has left to keep himself grounded to the earth. “I will always love you, Maria Clara,” he whispered into her ears.

“Take me with you then,” she replied fervently. “I have nothing else to live for if you leave my side forever. Linares will never be able to take your place in my heart. My family may not understand my choice to abandon them now, but I know that they would eventually. My father, no, Kapitan Tiago will forgive me, and I him, in time.”

Confusion clouded the eyes of Ibarra; he cannot fathom why Maria Clara called her father by his name. “What do you mean by calling your father Kapitan Tiago?”

“He is not my real father, Crisostomo. I found out that my life is built on a lie. My real father is,” before she was able to tell Ibarra the real identity of her father, Maria Clara was cut off by the rapping sounds that came from the door connecting the house into the azotea.

“You can tell me the whole story soon, my love. Would you truly go away with me?” Ibarra asked her. Hope seeped out of his voice and his trembling hands showed her how desperate he was. Maria Clara nodded and her eyes shined with unshed tears, she took a deep breath and said, “You were sent here for a reason and that is to rescue me from my despair. I will follow you anywhere as long as I am alive.”

        

              Crisostomo took Maria Clara’s hands grasped them tighter, “Then we must go right away. Elias is waiting down by the riverbank. We must hurry at once.” Crisostomo carefully climbed down the azotea and held up his hands for his lover, “Come here. Be careful of your footing.”

           

              Maria Clara spared one last glance towards her house and went after Ibarra. With a newfound hope, she set off into the night with her one true love. Selfishness be damned, Maria Clara thought, but this moment is the first time that she can positively say that committing a mistake is the best decision that she will ever make in her entire life.

Noli Me Tangere Alternate Ending: A Father's Affection

by Victoria Margaret Calimon

            Maria Clara is set to to be wed to Linares in a big ceremony in the parish of San Diego. It is becoming the talk of the whole town for two weeks now and everyone, including the women of gossip around town, have been spreading that Maria Clara’s wedding to Linares is going to be the most grandiose in all of San Diego. This situation, however, is proving to make Maria Clara feel the exact opposite. Since hearing about Ibarra’s drowning in the lake, she has never been seen to smile or attend social gatherings in San Diego.

She is sitting by the window, thinking about what would have happened had Ibarra was with her today, to be married to her in a few days. Just the thought of Ibarra’s smile everytime they are alone together—Ibarra  saying the most poetic of love declarations—makes Maria Clara’s heart hurt a little more. She thinks it is much better to let herself feel the pain of a lover’s loss than be resolved with her current situation—to be soon married to a man she does not love. A moment later, Maria Clara felt two hands cover her eyes and was surprised to see that Padre Damaso has payed her a visit.

“How are you, my dear Maria Clara? I’m certain that everyone has been awaiting your wedding with Linares. I, personally, am also attending as I want to bear witness of your true happiness,” the Franciscan said.

Maria Clara could not get words out of her mouth. She was both dumbfounded by the mere presence of Padre Damaso in her own home and extremely uncomfortable that people like him is also very much excited for the wedding. Damaso has noticed her reaction.

“What’s wrong, my dear? Is there something not yet settled for the wedding? Tell me, I’ll know what to do. Oh, I hate to see you like this, Maria!” Damaso exclaimed.

Maria Clara is trembling but finally found her words. “I don’t… I can’t… Oh, Padre!”

“Maria, Dios mio! Please don’t cry. I will do whatever it takes to make you feel wonderful again. Oh, Maria, want is wrong? Tell your godfather.”

“You will do anything, Padre?” Maria tries to stop crying and wipes the tears off her face.

“Yes, darling. Anything. Just tell me.”

“I don’t want to get married. Not now, not ever,” Maria says as she looks to the ground.

Padre Damaso could not believe what he just heard. “But Maria… Why would you like to break off a potentially wonderful marriage? Linares is the perfect man for you. He will take care of you and give you beautiful children. You will be safe.”

“I can never marry anyone other than him. It has always been him. I was very willing to be with Crisostomo despite all the struggles as long as we will always be together. And now that they killed him, I have no other reason to live. I shall never be wed to anyone else. The nunnery or the tomb!” Maria says, verging again of tears.

“But… Oh, you foolish girl. Maria, I beg you to listen to what you are saying. Linares…he is a very eligible gentleman for you! He can do more than what Crisostomo Ibarra can! He will love you for the rest of your lives,” Damaso pleaded.

Maria Clara cannot say anything more. She is crying uncontrollably, facing the ground, thinking again about his dear, dear Crisostomo.

“You really do love him, don’t you?” Damaso asks.

“I do, godfather, more than anything in the world. Forgive me but I really cannot do this. I cannot marry Linares. I’ll be living a lie for the rest of my life if I do.”

“Oh, Maria. I cannot bear this. I will never forgive myself if I let you inside the convent. Believe me when I say it is way worse than being locked up in a prison cell, limiting your every actions for your entire life. I certainly would never allow that to happen to you, my dear, lovely Maria. Therefore, I have resolved to allow you not to marry Linares, if that will make you most happy,” Damaso says, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Oh, godfather! You cannot imagine how I feel right now. I am free from the heavy baggage of being someone I have never loved, someone I cannot see myself live the rest of my life with. Oh, Padre, thank you! Maria exclaims with full joy.

“I will never part with you, my dear Maria, to anyone you do not love. You deserve a full and happy life, a life with contentment. And even though you do not have your precious love with you, I hope and pray that you live your life with bright things to come ahead of you. You can leave this town, this country, and make a new life for yourself and your father,” Damaso says.

“Oh, I will Padre. I will go to the Americas and start a new life. I will live with new spirits but my love and memories of Crisostomo will forever be etched in my fragile heart,” Maria says hopefully.

Padre Damaso feels hurt that Maria will have to endure life without her love, without the man of her life. But he finds hope for a better one for her. He leaves the house and as he reaches the steps outside, he says, “God, I have terribly sinned but let your vengeance fall on me alone. Do not let anything or anyone harm Maria. My dear, darling daughter.”

Alternate Ending - El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo
Kabanata XXXIX – Katapusang Kabanata

Premise: What if Simoun simply faked his death to take on a new identity.

“Espanyol escondido casa Padre Florentino cojera remitara vivo muerte." Narinig ni Simoun ang laman ng telegrama. Dumiretso siya sa bahay ni Padre Florentino nang sugatan at bukas-palad siyang tinanggap ng pari. Inakala ng Padre na may nagtatangka sa buhay nito dahil sa kawalan ng Kapitan Heneral. Ang mang-aalahas ay malubha ngunit tumanggi ito na magpagamot sa mediko sa kabisera. Tanging kay Dr. de Espadaña lamang siya nagpaalaga at dumiretso na siya sa bahay ng pari. Sa kabilang dako, ang pari ay gulat na gulat sa desisyon ni Simoun na humaligi sa kanya. Kailan lamang ay nagkainitan ang dalawa dahil sa pangungutya nito sa kanya. Sinabi ni Simoun na ang pari ay hamak na indiyo lamang at hindi rin niya ito tinulungan sa pagpapalaya ng kanyang pamangkin na si Isagani. Ngunit busilak ang puso ng Padre. Walang siyang inisip kung hindi tulungan ang lalaki; pero, tila ayaw tulungan ni Simoun ang kanyang sarili.

Pumasok si Padre Florentino sa kwarto ni Simoun. Nakita niya na wala na ang mapaglinlang na ngiti ng suot na lalaki kanina. Sa halip, isang pagtataghoy na nais iparating sa kanya ang gusto nitong ipahiwatig. Nakita ng pari ang bote ng lason at napagtanto niya na ininom ito ni Simoun. Dali-dali siyang humanap ng lunas para sa lalaki ngunit pinigilan siya nito. Nagsimulang magdasal si Padre Florentino sa kanyang reclinatorio. Isiniwalat rin ni Simoun ang kanyang tunay na katauhan. Siya si Crisostomo Ibarra na nawalan ng lahat - pamilya, pangalan, yaman, pag-ibig, kalayaan, at kinabukasan. Plinano ng mang-aalahas na maghiganti ngunit siya ay nabigo. Kasabay nito ay ipinaliwanag ni Padre Florentino kung bakit ganito ang kinahatnan niya. Aniya kahit kailan ay mali ang paghihiganti. Kahit ano pa man ang layunin ay maaabot rin ito sa mabuting paraan. Pinisil ni Simoun ang kamay ng pari at sumunod ang mahabang katahimikan.

            Nangilid ang luha ng pari at nagdasal ito. Pagkatapos ay itinapon ng Padre ang mga alahas at brilyante ni Simoun sa ilog katabi ng bahay.

***

            Nakabalot sa puting kumot ang katawan ni Simoun o Ibarra. Inakala ni Padre Florentino na patay ang lalaki. Batid sa kanyang kaalaman, isa lamang ito sa panibagong plano ng mapaglinlang na lalaki upang kumuha ng panibagong katauhan.

            Iniwan siyang mag-isa sa kwarto ng pari at utusan. Narinig niya na sa kinaumagahan na lamang ililibing ang kanyang katawan. Pagkasara ng pinto, gumulong siya pababa ng kama at tumalon sa ilog. Napangiti ang lalaki sa kanyang sitwasyon. Parehong eksena at parehong motibo. Magbabago na naman ng katauhan ang sawing lalaki. Nagawa na niya ito dati at may kumpiyansa siya na magtatagumpay muli siya. Pagkatapos makausap si Padre Florentino, desidido siya na ipagpatuloy ang laban – ngunit sa mas mabuting paraan. Kahit kalian ay hindi niya naisip na sumuko sa laban nito. Alang-alang sa kanyang ama, sa kanyang nobya, at sa kanyang bayan – gagawin niya ang lahat.

            Lumangoy siya sa isang bangka na idinaong niya isang lingo na ang nakalipas. Babaybayin niya ang ilog palayo sa bayan na ito. Madilim na at hindi na siya makikita ng mga guwardiya sibil. Siya ay walang tigil sa pagsagwan. Walang malinaw na destinasyon ngunit determinado siyang makalayo. Sinimulan niyang gumawa ng plano sa mga sumunod ng minuto. Magiging isa siyang simpleng mamamayan ng isang bayan. Tumutulong sa mga mabuting layunin lamang at tutulungan ang mga kapya mamamayan na maging makabayan. Unti-unti siyang gagawa ng rebolusyon na babago sa bayan. Unti-unti niyang sisimulan ang pagbabago na inaasam ng lahat. Sisiguraduhin ni Crisostomo Ibarra na sa kanyang huling hininga, siya ay matagumpay – alang-alang sa ama, sa nobya, at sa bayan.

Alternate Ending - Noli Me Tangere

By Genevieve Abuzo

Capitan Tiago organized a party to celebrate the upcoming joint in marriage of Maria Clara and Linnares. During the celebration when everyone else was preoccupied with the gossips and show-offs, Maria Clara hastily swept aside the curtains to reach the porch without a shadow. Climbing out of the boat, Ibarra rushed to Maria Clara’s side – hugging and kissing her at the same time. Knowing that it might be the last time they would see each other, Maria Clara asked for forgiveness because of the abrupt marriage that her father arranged. Instead of crying and walking away, he held Maria Clara’s hands and knelt down in one knee. Proclaimed his love towards the young lady, he offered her a marriage proposal then. Stunned, scared and thrilled, Maria Clara stared at Ibarra not knowing what to do. It seemed like an hour before she got her consciousness back. She knelt and told Ibarra she didn’t know what to do. As a result, Ibarra took Maria Clara’s hand and tagged her along in his boat. They boat climbed up hearing the voice of Linnares looking for her. Maria Clara panicked and almost leaped out when Ibarra pulled her in and told Ellias to start rowing the boat.

When they thought they were already making it across the other side, they heard gun shots firing. It seemed so far at first until they could hear and feel the bullets passing through their ears. Maria Clara was crying now. She said she wasn’t supposed to be there. It was her who they were looking for. She told them she needed to jump in order for the firing to stop. But Ibarra just won’t let her. He hugged her tight that she can’t even move her hands. Ibarra told her he couldn’t. He couldn’t just let her go. Everything was going planned now and all they really needed was to keep her alive. Astonished and dismayed, she tried to look at Ibarra’s face but all she could see was his dark-colored eyes. She started yelling. Screaming at the top of her lungs. She moved her body in all the directions. Ellias, who was at the back of the boat, kept rowing while the bullets kept attacking them. The boat kept on going until they heard the last gunshot. One of them slowly slouched forward.  The boat slowed down and everything else fell silent.

There was blood in the boat. Blood in the ocean. Blood flowing continuously. Blood in their hands. Someone got shot but who? The boat started shaking like it was panicking. The guards started aiming the guns again but they didn’t know where. Who was shot? Who was bleeding? They couldn’t see. They instead started aiming at the boat. Firing continuously until it shrank. For a few minutes, nothing seemed to float up until they saw two people swimming away while pushing another body with them. Afraid that they might shot Maria Clara, they started to put down their guns and hurried across the other side.

As the guards approached the scene, they saw something lying on the ground face down. Because it was late at night, they couldn’t see who it was. Was it an enemy? Was this a trap? As they approached it, they dragged the shirt covered with blood from the collar. They saw bullet holes. Bullet holes in the shirt. Bullet holes in the head region. Bullet holes in the paddle of the boat which slowly slipped down under the shirt. No one was there. No one was left lying. But they are sure of something. That someone was hit badly. And someone would need an urgent aid.