Chapter 1 - A Social Gathering

From the renowned Filipino reformist and national hero Dr. Jose Rizal comes a classic piece of literature that served as the spark for the nation's revolution and the eye-opener regarding the disease that has been festering within the Philippine society during the Spanish era.

After seven years of studying in Europe, a wealthy young gentleman by the name of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns to the Philippines, filled with hope and inspired by dreams for the betterment of the country. Armed with sheer determination and a firm and positive outlook on things, he commits himself to continuing his father's philanthropical work, pioneering projects aiming at the development of the people's welfare by providing means to education and livelihood. While there are people who are avid supporters of the young man's cause, there exists in the shadows an entity as dark and malicious as the abyss it came from, shrouded deeply by lies and deceit and the hypocrisy that spawned it, hell-bent on destroying everything that stood in its path...