Chapter 1 : A Social Gathering

Capitan Santiago de los Santos, or Capitan Tiago, hosts a dinner in his house at Calle Anloague. 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 Victorina de Espadaña, and Don Tiburcio de Espadaña.

Chapter 2: Crisostomo Ibarra

Capitan Tiago enters the sala and introduces 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.

Chapter 3: The Dinner

At dinner over Tinola , the conversation of the guests centers on Crisostomo’s travels 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.

Chapter 4: Heretic and Filibuster

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 Ultramar. 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.

Chapter 5: A Star in a Dark Night

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.

Chapter 6: Capitan Tiago

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.

Chapter 7: An Idyl on an Azotea