Capitan Santiago de los Santos, or Capitan Tiago, Host a dinner in his house

at Calle Anloage. While waiting for the meals to be served, the guests converse with

one another. In these conversations, the readers are introduced to some of the

novel’s characters, such as Padre Damaso, Padre Sibyla, Lieutenant Guevara,

Laruja, Doña Vicorina de Espadaña, and Don TIburcio de Espadaña.

Capitan Tiago enters the sala and introduce Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y

Magsalin to the guests. Crisostomo, he informs them, is the only son of the late Don

Rafael Ibarra, and he has recently arrived from his studies in Europe. Crisostomo is

puzzled when Padre Damaso, whom he thought was a friend of his father,

arrogantly denies that he was ever a friend of Don Rafael Ibarra.

At dinner over tinola, the conversation of the guests centers on Crisostomo’s

travel to several countries. Padre Damaso belittles Ibarra’s trips, saying that what

he has learned from them can be learned even without leaving the country.

Embarrassed, Ibarra excuses himself from the guests and leaves, even after Capitan

Tiago informs him that Maria Clara is coming to dinner.

While walking towards Plaza Binondo, Crisostomo is approached by

Lieutenant Guevara, to whom Ibarra expresses lament that he himself does not

know how his father died. The Lieutenant narrates the event to him,. saying that

Don Rafael Ibarra was imprisoned for killing a Spanish tax collector, for not going to

confession, and for subscribing to the newspaper El Correo Ultrama. He also

mentions that Don Rafael was branded as a heretic, a filibuster, and a subversive.

Because of these accusations, he dies while in prison.

Ibarra goes to the Fonde de Lala hotel. He is troubled by the visions of his

father being unjustly imprisoned and dying without seeing him. He imagines the
anguish and grief suffered by his father while he is studying and traveling in Europe.

In the house of Capitan Tiago, meanwhile, Maria Clara arrives, and is admired by all

guests, especially Padre Damaso.

Capitan Tiago is one of the richest landowners in Binondo, Pampanga and

Laguna. Aside from owning large tracts of lands, he also provides zacate,

monopolizes the opium business, and holds a contract for feeding the prisoners in

the Bilibid prison. Since he has had no child with his wife, Doña Pia, Padre Damaso

advises the Doña to attend the mass at Obando. She eventually conceives a child,

whom they name Maria Clara, in honor of the Virgin of Salambao and Sta. Clara.

Capitan Tiago and the late Don Rafael later agree to arrange the marriage of their

children.

Crisostomo Ibarra visits Maria Clara at Calle Anloague. They speak privately

at the azotea, about the years that they have not seen each other. Ibarra strives to

prove his love for Maria Clara by showing her the old leaves that had been given by

the girl seven years earlier, while they had gone swimming with his mother. Maria

Clara, in return, reads an old letter written by Ibarra before leaving for abroad.

Ibarra’s carriage passes through the busiest district of Manila, and what he

sees disturbs him. He observes that the country’s condition remains unchanged

from when he left it seven years ago. He finds no progress achieved and reforms

implemented by the government. He sees that the roads have not beed paved and

that the Puente de Barcas has been destroyed by neglect. Afterwards, seeing the

Arroceros Cigar factory, the Botanical Garden, and the Bagumbayan bring back fond

memories.
 The three conversations between Padre Damaso and Capitan Tiago, between

Padre Sibyla and an unmanned priest, and between the governor-general and his

men. Angry at not being informed of the arranged marriage between Crisostomo

and Maria Clara, Padre Damaso now wants to stop the marriage planned for the

lovers. Capitan Tiago obeys the priest, and extinguishes the candles that were lit for

Ibarra’s journey to San Diego. Padre Sibyla and an unnamed priest discuss the

dangerous implication to the country of Crisostomo Ibarra’s foreign education. The

governor-general reveals to his men that he is unhappy with the situation in the

Philippines but that he is helpless in changing the conditions of the country.

San Diego, a town along the Laguna Lake, Produces sugar, rice, coffee, and

fruit, which are sold to Chinese merchants. Aside from its meadows and paddy

fields, the town has a forest with old trees and tropical vegetation that had been

purchased by a Spaniard who was the great grandfather of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.

Two persons virtually rule the town of San Diego: Padre Bernardo Salvi and

the Alferez of the guardia civil, Padre Salvi is described as a thin, sickly, and silent

friar and, unlike Padre Damaso, he is more inclined to impose fines on his

subordinates. The Alferez has a wife named Doña Consolacion. Because of his bad

marriage to the doña, he is frequently drunk and compels his soldiers to drill under

the hot sun.

Two gravediggers converse in the San Diego cemetery. One of them

mentions that he was ordered by a fat curate to dig up the body of a person buried

in the cemetery, and to rebury it in the Chinese cemetery. But since it was raining,

he just dumped the body into the river. Tasio the sage arrives at the cemetery,

unsuccessfully searching for the skull of his dead wife.

 Crisostomo Ibarra and a servant arrive at the San Diego cemetery to look for

the grave of his father, Don Rafael Ibarra. After failing to locate the grave, his

servant asks the gravedigger for help. The gravedigger replies that he had dug up

the body of the don and planned to bury it in the Chinese cemetery, as instructed

by Padre Damaso. Since it was raining, however, he says, he threw the body into

the river. Angered upon hearing the account, Crisostomo leaves. At the cemetery

gate, he meets Padre Salvi and attacks the curate, whom he mistakes for Father

Damaso.

After leaving the cemetery, Tasio the sage wanders about the street

aimlessly. He sees two boys aged ten and seven, and tells them that their mother

has prepared a meal for them to be taken when they get home. Don Filipo invites

Tasio to his house, and a discussion on the existence of purgatory follows. Tasio

thinks that the place called purgatory does not exist since neither the bible nor

Jesus Christ mentions it.

Crispin and Basilio are sacristans of the church at San Diego. The two are

worried since the sacristan mayor and the curate has accused Crispin of stealing

two gold pieces and he was to remain in the church until the money is returned.

Crispin also complains about the frequent beating and whipping that he receives.

After ringing the church bells, the sacristan mayor beats Crispin to make him

confess his crime.

Sisa waits for her two sons, Crispin and Basilio. Knowing that they are hungry,

she prepares a meal consisting of duck leg, wild boar’s meat, tomatoes and five

pieces of fish. Her husband arrives, and eat all the food, leaving only three pieces of
fish. She patiently waits for Crispin and Basilio and is surprised when, during the

night, only Basilio arrives.

Basilio arrives home, wounded from a gunshot fired at him by the guardia

civil. Basilio tells his mother that Crispin has stayed behind in the convert because

the curate accused him of stealing two gold pieces. In his dream, Basilio sees

Crispin being beaten up and killed by the curate and the sacristan mayor.

In the convent, some women converse about purgatory and the number of

plenary indulgence that they have acquired. Sisa arrives, bringing with her

vegetables to appease the curate into forgiving her son Crispin. A sacristan tells her

that Crispin is not in the church, and that the guardia civil are now searching for her

two sons, after the curate reported them to the authorities for stealing.

Ibarra converse with a schoolmaster who was helped by his father. The

schoolmaster narrates the obstacles that he encountered in teaching the children.

He informs Ibarra that the town lacks facilities such as a school building and

necessary equipment. His work is also hindered by the stubbornness of the former

town curate, Padre Damaso.

The town officials meet in the town hall to discuss the fiesta celebration. The

council approves the proposal of Don Filipo, but the gobernadorcillo tells them that

the curate’s alternate proposal must be followed instead. Although the council

objects to the curate’s proposal, they are powerless to stop implementation of the

plan. Don Filipo and Tasio the sage go home dejected.

Sisa arrives at her house and finds the guardia civil looking for her sons. After

vainly searching for Crispin and Basilio, the guardia civil decide to arrest Sisa in
order to compel her sons to surrender and return the money they have stolen. Due

to the anguish and public humiliation Sisa suffers, she becomes insane.

Maria Clara converses with Ibarra near a window overlooking the lake. Ibarra

invites Maria Clara, her friends, and Padre Salvi to a picnic in the woods. Maria Clara

is Delighted, and Padre Salvi accepts the invitation to prove that he has no ill

feelings towards Ibarra.

Ibarra and Maria Clara, together with their friends go fishing at the lake. To

entertain them, Andeng plays the harp, while Maria Clara sings a sad love song. In

one of the fish cages, the men discover that the fishing nets have entangled a

crocodile. Elias, followed by Ibarra, jumps into the lake, successfully killing the

crocodile.

Padre Salvi passes near a stream, while going to the picnic organized by

Ibarra. He hears some voices, hides behind a tree, and spies on Maria Clara and her

friends while they bathe. After the alferez leaves the picnic, the guardia civil arrives

at the picnic, looking for Elias, the boatman who had thrown the alferez into a

mudhole and who had assaulted Padre Damaso.

Ibarra consults Tasio the sage about the school building that he plans to

build. The sage advises Ibarra not to pursue his project, else he incur the ire of the

friars and other government officials, who would do everything in their power to ruin

him.

It is the eve of the fiesta, and people are busy preparing food, while Ñor Juan

supervices the workmen laying the cornerstone and building the foundation of the

proposed school building. Some individuals volunteer to contribute toward the

construction of the school, some promise to pay the teacher, while others offer their

services for free. Ibarra remains optimistic that his endeavour will succeed, while

Tasio advise him to be cautious.

Maria Clara and Ibarra, together with their friends, go for a walk. They meet a

leper. In an act of compassion, Maria Clara gives her locket to the sick man.

The three letters between a correspondent and his friend, between Capitan

Martin and Luis Chiquito, and between Ibarra and Maria Clara. The correspondent

vividly describes to his friends the fiesta and the many events that have taken place

in san Diego. Capitan Martin narrates to Luis Chiquito the good fortune of Capitan

Tiago in winning a game of cards. Maria Clara reveals that she is worried that Ibarra

is sick, and sends Andeng to make some tea for her sweetheart.

A Procession is held during the last day of the fiesta, where the people

parade the image of San Diego de Alcala, St. Francis, and the Virgin. The people in

the procession are greeted by the sound of firecrackers, songs, and religious

prayers.

The noisy and disorderly parishioners try to push one another while dipping

their hands in the holy water. The people are waiting for the sermon of Padre

Damaso, when they notice that the alcalde’s uniform looks similar to the costume

worn by one of the actors in a play.

In his sermon, Padre Damaso reprimands some natives who, after receiving

education in Manila and in Europe, are now contented in not kissing the hands of a

friar and not offering him the honor due his rank. Padre Damaso declares that these
individuals would get what they deserve and that God would punish them for their

wicked acts. At the end of the sermon, Elias approaches Ibarra, and warns him that

his life is in danger.

Ibarra, the alcalde, and other individuals, go to the site of the proposed

school to lay the cornerstone of the building. The alcalde throws some mortar on

the stone, followed by the curate and alferez. When it is Ibarra’s turn, the derrick

suddenly falls apart, dropping the heavy block of stone. Fortunately Ibarra is unhurt,

the only casualty being the yellowish man who operates the machine.

Elias visits Ibarra at his house and informs him that many enemies are out to

ruin him, as confirmed by the incident with the derrick. Because of Ibarra’s

education and beliefs, Elias says, many people would want him dead. Elias affirms

that he is only paying his debt, since Ibarra saved him from being killed by the

crocodile.

At dinner, Padre Damaso belittles Ibarra for building a school. Ibarra remains

silent, but when Padre Damaso insults his father’s honor, Ibarra lunges at the curate

with a knife in hand, threatening to kill him. fortunately Maria Clara intervenes.

The town discusses the incident between Padre Damaso and Ibarra. The town

captain criticizes Ibarra for his lack of self-control, while others opine that Ibarra will

be branded as a filibuster and will be excommunicated by the church. Don Filipo

and Capitana Maria, however, both agree that Ibarra did the right thing in

protecting his father’s honor and memory.

Arriving from the convent, Capitan Tiago tells Maria Clara and Tia Isabel that

he has agreed to break his daughter’s wedding engagement to Ibarra. Capitan

Tiago adds that Maria Clara must forget Ibarra, since she would now marry a

relative of Padre Damaso.

The governor-general converses with Ibarra about the dinner incident. He

assures Ibarra that he will be protected by the government from the evil intensions

of the friars and religious corporations. The governor-general promises that he

would talk to the archbishop regarding Ibarra’s excommunication, while advising

Capitan Tiago not to break his daughter’s engagement to Ibarra.

Another procession is held, where the town displays the images of St. John,

St. Francis, San Diego, and the Virgin. Tasio sees the ragged and poor clothing of

the saints and sarcastically remarks that the saints would be ashamed if they would

see the lifestyle of their fellow servants of God.

Doña Consolacion, the alferez’s wife, calls Sisa to sing, but proceeds to

maltreat her by whipping her when she refuses to dance. The alferez arrives, stops

the whipping and calls his servant to feed and clothe the insane woman, who is to

be treated by a doctor hired by Ibarra.

Maria Clara, her friends, Don Filipo, and Padre Salvi are watching a play when

Ibarra arrives to joins them. Padre Salvi orders Don Filipo to prohibit Ibarra from

watching the play, since he has been excommunicated, and his presence would

corrupt the people. Padre Salvi walks out when Don FIlipo refuses to prevent Ibarra

from watching the play.

Elias informs him that Maria Clara is sick with fever. A man named Lucas then

arrives, asking for money for his brother who was killed in the derrick. Ibarra tells

him to come back that afternoon since he is meeting with a sick person.
 Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and his wife Victorina, together with Linares, a

distant relative of Padre Damaso, arrive at the house of Capitan Tiago to treat Maria

Clara. Doña Victorina speaks highly of Linares, telling Capitan Tiago that he has

come to the Philippines to seek work and to find a wife. The fake doctor Espadaña

prescribes some medicines for Maria Clara, as they wait for Padre Damaso to arrive.

Linares introduces himself to Padre Damaso as the godson of his bother-in-

law. Linares says that he graduated with a law degree from a university and that he

has come to the Philippines to find work and to look for a wife. Upon hearing this,

Padre Damaso calls Capitan Tiago. Lucas, meanwhile, approaches Padre Salvi to ask

for help, being the brother of the yellowish man killed when the derrick collapsed.

Padre Salvi mentions that Padre Damaso will be transferred to a town in

Tayabas. Since Maria Clara is still sick, the curate suggests that Maria Clara makes

her confession. Tia Isabel agrees with the curate, and prepares Maria Clara for her

confession. After hearing Maria Clara’s confession, Padre Salvi exits the room

looking gloomy, with his forehead covered with perspiration.

Elias goes to Tanauan, Batangas, to converse with the Capitan Pablo, the

leader of some bandits. Elias asks Capitan Pablo to stop committing violent acts

against the government, since they can get the help of Ibarra in obtaining justice

and implementing some reforms for the country.

At the cockpit arena, Lucas approaches Bruno and Tarsilo, recruiting them to

attack the town barracks. Lucas declares that aside from joining the attack
organized by Ibarra against the barracks, they can exact their revenge on the

members of the guardia civil who killed their father.

Doña Victorina and Don Tiburcio pass by the house of the alferez, as Doña

Consolacion mocks and ridicules Doña Espadaña and her crippled husband. The two

women start exchanging insults and almost get into a fight that is averted by the

arrival of the alferez and Padre Salvi. To defend her honor, Doña Victorina asks

Linares to challenge the alferez to a duel.

Ibarra wishes to inform Maria Clara that his excommunication is lifted, but

upon arriving at her house, he sees Maria Clara with Linares. He is invited to come

into the house, but he visits instead the site of the school building, asking the

supervisor, Ñor Juan about its progress.

Elias meets Ibarra at the lakeside. He narrates the conversation he has had

with Capitan Pablo. Elias says that, Ibarra, because of his education and position in

society, can ask the Spanish government to implement radical reforms such as

fewer privileges for religious corporations, security for a citizen and more respect

for man’s dignity. Ibarra objects, saying that such institutions as the priesthood,

religious corporations, and the guardia civil, are necessary evils that must be

tolerated by the society.

Elias narrates his story and the misfortunes of his ancestors. His great

grandfather, he recounts, work as a bookkeeper for a Spaniard, when he is accused

of arson, and is flogged and paraded in the streets of Manila. Shamed and

disgraced, his wife becomes a prostitute, while one of the sons becomes a notorious
bandit. The other son travels from town to town until he is hired as a labourer, and

marries a rich woman. Elias and his sister are born of this marriage, and both are

educated in Manila. But when their family’s past surfaces, they lose everything.

Elias’s sister commits suicide, while he roams the provinces as hunted and lonely

man.

Padre Salvi informs Linares, Maria Clara, and Capitan Tiago that Ibarra’s

excommunication has been lifted, and the last obstacle to be hurdled is for Ibarra to

ask for forgiveness from Padre Damaso. Ibarra asks Sinang if Maria Clara is angry

with him and insists that he wants to speak to Maria Clara.

Three men are in the cemetery waiting for Lucas. They discuss their

impending attack on the barracks and the church, which they believe is organized

by Ibarra. Lucas arrives and instructs them to attack the church and the barracks,

shouting “Viva Don Crisostomo!”. Elias, after following Lucas, learns about the

attack that will implicate Ibarra.

Don Filipo visits Tasio the sage, who’s ill. He tells Tasio that he has resigned

from his position because he is fed up with the gobernadorcillo’s ineptitude. Tasio

praises the don’s action, saying that resistance must be used not only against the

gobernadorcillo but against all persons who abuse their authority.

Padre Salvi warns the alferez about an impending attack on the town. He

informs the alferez to ready his men and to send four soldier to guard the church.

Elias alert Ibarra on the imminent attack on the town that will be blamed on him. He
helps Ibarra dispose of some letters that could implicate him. in one of those letters,

Elias discover that Ibarra’s great grandfather was the Spaniard who had accused his

great grandfather of arson.

Ibarra enters Capitan Tiago’s house, as soon as he hear shots fired near the

convent. Ibarra returns to his house, and is arrested by the guardia civil. Seeing

what has happened, Elias enters Ibarra’s house, and intentionally sets a fire to

destroy any evidence that could implicate Ibarra in the failed attack.

Rumors circulate in the terrified town, after the eventful night. Some people

assume that Don Filipo and Crisostomo Ibarra have been arrested by the guardia

civil, while other think that some bandits were caught in the night.

The guardia civil imprison the individuals implicated in the failed attack. They

torture Tarsilo to obtain a confession from him and to make him disclose the

mastermind of the failed attack. But Tarsilo remains silent up to his death.

The crying relatives of those arrested wait outside the barracks of the guardia

civil. Ibarra, together with the other prisoners, are led out of their cells to be

transported to the provincial capital. Along the way, Ibarra is cursed, stoned, and

ridiculed by the people, blaming him for their misfortune and hardships.

The people of Manila discuss the failed rebellion falsely blamed on Ibarra. The

friars praise Padre Salvi for alerting the authorities about the rebellion, while others

criticize the Jesuits, who declare that Ibarra had been educated at the Ateneo.

Capitan Tiago invites guests and visitors to celebrate the impending marriage

of Maria Clara and Linares. Maria Clara goes to the azotea, where she sees

Crisostomo leaping out from a boat. She asks Crisostomo for forgiveness since she
is about to be married to someone else, but declares that she would never forget

her vow of faithfulness to him.

Two boatloads of guardia civil pursue Elias and Ibarra on the lake. Elias Jumps

into the river to mislead the pursuer, thus saving Ibarra.

Maria is distraught when she learns that Ibarra has been killed, while trying to

escape. Out of desperation, Maria Clara asks Padre Damaso to break her marriage

engagement and to permit her to enter the nunnery. After vainly arguing with Maria

Clara, Padre Damaso gives his permission.

Basilio returns to San Diego to look for his insane mother. Upon seeing her in

the town, he runs after her until they enter the forest owned by the Ibarras. Sisa

dies, after eventually recognizing her son. When Basilio regains consciousness, Elias

orders him to cremate his mother.

Padre Damaso is reassigned as parish priest to a distant province but is found

dead the day after. Maria Clara enters the Sta. Clara nunnery, where Padre Salvi

regularly preaches and holds an important office. Capitan Tiago stops going to

church, and is now addicted to opium and gambling. The alferez who was been

promoted as a 2nd lieutenant, goes back to Spain, leaving his wife, Doña

Consolation, behind. Doña Victorina still tries to live the life of a Spanish woman,

while her cousin Linares dies of dysentery. Two Spanish guards see an insane nun

standing at the top of the Sta. Clara convent during a raging storm. When the

authorities try to investigate the nun’s case, the abbess prohibits the inquiry,

invoking the name of religion of the Holy Statutes.