MANILA, Philippines — A rare and historic treasure of Philippine literature is set to go under the hammer this Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Leon Gallery has announced the auction of a first-edition copy of “El Filibusterismo,” signed and dedicated by the national hero José Rizal himself. The volume, considered one of the rarest surviving copies of Rizal’s second novel, features a personal dedication to his close friend and fellow ilustrado, Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera.
Historical Significance The copy up for auction is dated September 16, 1891, which predates the novel’s commonly cited release date. Scholars believe this may be the very first completed copy off the press from the Boekdrukkerij F. Meyer–Van Loo in Ghent, Belgium.
- The Dedication: “A mi querido amigo el doctor T. H. Pardo de Tavera,” written in Rizal’s own hand.
- Radical Context: Unlike the reformist Noli Me Tangere, the Fili was written during a dark period of Rizal’s life—following his family’s eviction from Calamba and the news of Leonor Rivera’s marriage to another man. It is considered his most radical work, depicting Simoun’s quest for vengeance against colonial oppression.
- Survival Against Odds: The novel was famously banned by Spanish authorities, with hundreds of copies confiscated or destroyed. Rizal himself nearly burned the manuscript due to poverty before receiving financial help from Valentin Ventura.
Auction Details The book will be offered at the Asia Cultural Council (ACC) Auction with a floor price of P5 million.
- Rarity: The Ghent edition was printed in fewer copies than the Noli, making any surviving first edition exceptionally valuable.
- Additional Rizal Artifacts: The auction will also feature an untitled crayon drawing by Rizal of a young mestiza girl, executed during his student years at the Ateneo Municipal (circa 1876–1877).
- Companion Pieces: Collectors can also bid on an Isabelo Tampinco sculpture consigned by the heirs of Maximo Viola (who financed the Noli), and a rare 14-volume first-edition set of Fray Juan de la Concepción’s “Historia General de Philipinas” featuring the Murillo Velarde map (priced at P2.4 million).
A National Milestone The auction coincides with the 125th anniversary of the publication of El Filibusterismo. For historians and collectors alike, the volume represents more than just a rare book; it is a biographical document of a man who turned personal despair into a revolutionary call for justice.
As the gallery prepares for the February 14 sale, the return of this “banned” book to the public eye serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of literature to unsettle and instruct a nation.