1. Chapter 25
In The House of the Sage
Summary:
The day after the picnic Ibarra visits the home Tasyo the Philosopher. They talk about a
variety of things -- language, history, geography, and nature. They also talk about Elias
and how the picnic went the day before. Ibarra learns that it was Dona Consolacion, the
"muse of the civil guards," who ordered Elias's arrest. Crisostomo tells the old man the
reason for his visit -- to ask for advice regarding his plans of building a
schoolhouse. Tasyo responds by telling Ibarra that he had come to the wrong person;
that he should rather consult Friar Salvi, the captain, and all the other men in
office. Asking for their advice, Tasyo says, does not necessarily mean that Ibarra has to
follow them, only that the latter must make it seem like he has high regard for their
opinion on the matter. Tasyo further advises him to keep his head down among the
friars.

2. Noli Me Tangere: Summary and Analysis of
Chapter 25 (In The House of the Sage)
Summary:
The day after the picnic Ibarra visits the home Tasyo the Philosopher. They talk about a variety of things
-- language, history, geography, and nature. They also talk about Elias and how the picnic went the day
before. Ibarra learns that it was Dona Consolacion, the "muse of the civil guards," who ordered Elias's
arrest. Crisostomo tells the old man the reason for his visit -- to ask for advice regarding his plans of
building a schoolhouse. Tasyo responds by telling Ibarra that he had come to the wrong person; that he
should rather consult Friar Salvi, the captain, and all the other men in office. Asking for their advice,
Tasyo says, does not necessarily mean that Ibarra has to follow them, only that the latter must make it
seem like he has high regard for their opinion on the matter. Tasyo further advises him to keep his head
down among the friars.
Points of Note:
Tasyo's house looks almost like a library with all his many books.
This chapter has great substance. In contrast to others, where Rizal humorously describes and points
out the foolishness of the characters, this one has wisdom as its dominant theme.
Here we read about Rizal's hope of educating his race in the days to come.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: What is Rizal's opinion regarding the Tagalog language as it is compared with Spanish and
Latin?
Answer: Tagalog is at an advantage over Latin in the alphabet that it uses -- the stress, the intonation,
the nuances. Also, the nasal sounds in the Tagalog language cannot be pronounced by the Spanish.
Question: Why does Tasyo suddenly become tearful when Ibarra mentions his plans of putting up a
schoolhouse?
Answer: He is overjoyed. This had been one of his dreams.
Question: Why does Tasyo tell Ibarra that the latter was wrong coming to him for advice?
Answer: Tasyo does not wish that his great and honorable undertaking have any connection to a "crazed
lunatic." (Read the old man's explanation. It is described in much detail.)
Question: The Philosopher mentions that "the friars are even more powerful than the government." Why
is this so?
Answer: First, the corporation or order of the Spanish friars possesses great wealth. Second, most of the
townspeople -- especially the women and the mothers -- have unquestioning blind faith on the
priests. The government is only a puppet of the church.
Question: What does Tasyo predict about Ibarra's plan of building a schoolhouse?
Answer: The moment the friars disapprove of it, even if Crisostomo has the permission of the
government, the plan will fail. Why? The church can revoke any approbation by the state: Simply scare
off the mothers, and none of them will ever let their children go to school.

3. Try it on my own
Verse 1)
I'm wiser now
Im not the foolish girl you used to know
So long ago
I'm stronger now
I've learned from my mistakes which way to
go
And I should know
I put myself aside to do it in your way
But now i need to do it all alone
It's time for me to
Finally stand alone
Stand alone
(Hook)
And I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if I'm right or wrong
I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what
I'll keep it real
You know
Time for me to do it on my own
See I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if im right or wrong
I'll live my life the way i feel no matter what
I'm gonna keep it real
You know
It's time for me to do it on my own
(Verse 2)
It's over now
I can't go back to living through your eyes
To many lies
And if you don't know by now
I can't go back to being someone else
Not anymore
I never had the chance to do things my way
So now it's time for me to take control
(Hook)
And I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if I'm right or wrong
I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what
I'm gonna keep it real
You know
Time for me to do it on my own
(Verse 3)
Oh, I start again go back to one
I'm running things in my way
Cant stop me now I've just begun
Don't even think about
It there aint no way about it
I'm taking names go down the line
Yes I'm gonna take my turn
(Hook)ad libs
I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if im right or wrong
I'll live my life the way i feel no matter what
I'm gonna keep it real
You know
It's time for me to do it