Based on Project Gutenberg, the original format of the title of the novel was rendered as Juan Masili o Ang Pinuno ng Tulisan meaning "Juan Masili or The Leader of Bandits", therefore the title could stand alone either as Juan Masili or as Ang Pinuno ng Tulisan.

[3] Juan Masili: Ang Pinuno ng Tulisan was a narrative that tackles the life of Juan Masili (literally "John Peppery"), a young man who experienced injustice at an early age.

Among his deeds include the efforts to reunite the pair of lovers named Benita and Enrique.

Masili did so in order to "repay the kindness of Enrique's family".

Enrique's family took care of Masili when he was orphaned early in his lifetime.