Simoun Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere,

has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler, Simoun, sporting a beard, blue-tinted

glasses, and a revolver. Fueled by his mistreatment at the hands of the Spaniards
and his fury at Maria Claras fate, he has since shed his pacifist image and become
the titular filibustero, pretending to side with the upper class and encouraging
them to enslave the masses, while in reality siding with the masses and urging
them to revolt against the oppressive Spanish regime. This time, he does not
attempt to fight the authorities with knowledge, but by force. He concocts a plot to
set off a bomb disguised as a beautiful lamp at a wedding where important
members of civil society and the church hierarchy are in attendance. Unfortunately
for him, his plan fails and he commits suicide by taking poison.
Basilio Son of Sisa, Medical Student befriended Simoun
Isagani Villamor Isang kaibigan ni Basilio, dating katipan ni Paulita Gomez at ang
lalaking kumuha ng dinamita sa isang okasyon.
Kabesang Tales Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay
(barangay head) of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diegos neighboring town Tiani,
who resurfaced as the feared Luzn bandit Matanglawin
Don Custodio Custodio de Salazar y Snchez de Monteredondo, a famous
journalist who was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia de
Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in
order to be a member of Manilas high society.
Paulita Gomez The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doa Victorina. In the
end, she and Juanito Pelez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will
have no future if she marries him.
Doa Victorina the old Indio who passes herself off as aPeninsular, who is the
wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaa.
Macaraig One of Isaganis classmates at the University of Santo Tomas. He is a
rich student and serves as the leader of the students yearning to build the
Academia de Castellano.
Father Florentino Isaganis godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be
married, but chose to be a priest after being pressured by his mother, the story
hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a remote
place, living in solitude near the sea.
Juli San Jose Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter
of Kabesang Tales. To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid
under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but
committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her.

Juanito Pelaez Doa Victorina Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaa, known in

Noli Me Tangere as Tiburcio de Espadaas cruel wife. She is the aunt of Paulita
Gomez, and favors Juanito Pelaez than Isagani. Although of Indio ideology, she
considers herself as one of the Peninsular.
Father Camorra The parish priest of Tiani, San Diegos adjacent town. He has
been desiring young women ever since. He nearly raped Juli causing the latter to
commit suicide
Ben-Zayb The pseudonym of Abraham Ibaez, a journalist who believes he is the
only one thinking in the Philippines. Ben-Zayb is an anagram of Ybanez, an
alternate spelling of his name.
Placido Penitente A student of the University of Santo Tomas who was very
intelligent and wise but did not want, if not only by his mothers plea, to pursue his
studies. He also controls his temper against Padre Millon, his physics teacher.
Hermana Penchang Sagpangs rich pusakal (gambler). She offers Huli to be her
maid so the latter can obtain money to free Kabesang Tales. Disbelieving of Huli and
her close friends, she considers herself as an ally of the friars
Tiburcio de Espadaa Don Tiburcio is Victorina de Espadaas lame husband. He
is currently on hiding with Father Florentino.
Father rene Captain Tiagos spiritual adviser. Although reluctant, he helped the
students to establish the Academia de Castellano after being convinced by giving
him a chestnut. The only witness to Captain Tiagos death, he forged the last will
and testament of the latter so Basilio will obtain nothing from the inheritance.
Quiroga A Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a consul for his country in
the Philippines. He hid Simouns weapons inside his house
Don Timoteo Pelaez Juanitos father. He is a rich businessmen and arranges a
wedding for his son and Paulita. He and Simoun became business partners.
Tandang Selo Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio
after he left their house in Noli me Tangere. He died in an encounter on the
mountains with his son Tales.
Father Fernndez The priest-friend of Isagani. He promised to Isagani that he
and the other priests will give in to the students demands
Sandoval The vice-leader of Macaraigs gang. A Spanish classmate of Isagani, he
coerces his classmates to lead alongside him the opening of the Spanish language
academy
Hermana Bli Another gambler in Tiani. She became Hulis mother-figure and
counselor; helped to release Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits.

Father Millon The Physics teacher of the University of Santo Tomas. He always
becomes vindictive with Placido and always taunts him during class.
Tadeo Macaraigs classmate. He, along with the other three members of their
gang, supposedly posted the posters that thanked Don Custodio and Father Irene
for the opening of the Academia de Castellano
Leeds An American who holds stage plays starring decapitated heads; he is good
friends with Simoun
Tano Kabesang Taless elder son after his older sister, Lucia died in childhood. He
is currently one of the Guardia Civil. He then returned under the name Carolino after
his exile in Caroline Islands
Pepay Don Custodios supposed girlfriend. A dancer, she is always agitated of
her boyfriends plans. She seems to be a close friend of Macaraig.
Gobernador General The highest-ranking official in the Philippines during the
Spanish colonial period, this unnamed character pretends that what he is doing is
for the good of the Indios, the local citizens of the country, but in reality, he
prioritizes the needs of his fellow Spaniards living in the country.
Pecson Basilios classmate who had no idea on the happenings occurring around
him. He suggested that they held the mock celebration at the panciteria.
Father Hernando de la Sibyla A Dominican friar introduced in Noli Me Tangere,
now the vice-rector of theUniversity of Santo Tomas.
Father Bernardo Salvi Former parish priest of San Diego, now the director and
chaplain of the Santa Clara convent.
Captain Tiago Santiago delos Santos, although making a cameo appearance,
Captain Tiago is Maria Claras stepfather and the foster-father to Basilio. His health
disintegrates gradually because of the opium he was forced to smoke given to him
by Father Irene.

Major Charaters
Crisstomo Ibarra
Juan Crisstomo Ibarramedia y Magsalin, commonly referred to the novel
as Ibarra or Crisstomo, is the protagonist in the story. Son of a Filipino
businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, he studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra is also
Mara Claras fianc. Several sources claim that Ibarra is also Rizals reflection: both
studied in Europe and both persons believe in the same ideas. Upon his return,

Ibarra requested the local government of San Diego to construct a public school to
promote education in the town. (Penaflorida)
Mara Clara de los Santos y Alba
Commonly referred to as Mara Clara, is Ibarras fiance. She was raised by
Capitn Tiago, San Diegoscabeza de barangay and is the most beautiful and widely
celebrated girl in San Diego. In the later parts of the novel, Mara Claras identity
was revealed as an illegitimate daughter of Father Dmaso, former parish curate of
the town, and Doa Pa Alba, wife of Capitn Tiago. In the end she entered local
convent for nuns Beaterio de Santa Clara. In the epilogue dealing with the fate of
the characters, Rizal stated that it is unknown if Mara Clara is still living within the
walls of the convent or she is already dead.
Kapitn Tiago
Don Santiago de los Santos, known by his nickname Tiago and political
title Capitn Tiago is a Filipino businessman and the cabeza de barangay or head
of barangay of the town of San Diego. He is also the known father of Mara Clara.
In the novel, it is said that Kapitn Tiago is the richest man in the region
of Binondo and he possessed real properties in Pampanga and Laguna de Bay. He is
also said to be a good Catholic, friend of the Spanish government and was
considered as Spanish by colonialists. Capitn Tiago never attended school, so he
became a domestic helper of a Dominican friar who taught him informal education.
He married Pa Alba from Santa Cruz.
Dmaso Verdolagas, or Padre Dmaso
He is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He is best
known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel
priest during his stay in the town. He is revealed to be the real father of Mara Clara
and an enemy of Crisstomos father, Rafael Ibarra. Later, he and Mara Clara had
bitter arguments whether she would marry Alfonso Linares or go to a convent. At
the end of the novel, he is again reassigned to a distant town and is found dead one
day. (Duterte)
Elas

Elas is Ibarras mysterious friend and ally. Elas made his first appearance as a
pilot during a picnic of Ibarra and Mara Clara and her friends. He wants to
revolutionize the country and to be freed from Spanish oppression
The 50th chapter of the novel explores the past of Elas and history of his
family. In the past, Ibarras great-grandfather condemned Elas grandfather of
burning a warehouse which led into misfortune for Elas family. His father was
refused to be married by her mother because his fathers past and family lineage
was discovered by his mothers family. In the long run, Elas and his twin sister were
raised by their maternal grandfather. When they were teenagers, their distant
relatives called them hijos de bastardo or illegitimate children. One day, his sister
disappeared which led him to search for her. His search led him into different places,
and finally, he became a fugitive and subversive.

Pilosopo Taci
Filosofo Tacio, known by his Tagalized language name Pilosopo Tasyo, is another
major character in the story. Seeking for reforms from the government, he
expresses his ideals in paper written in a cryptographic alphabet similar
from hieroglyphs and Coptic figures hoping that the future generations may be
able to decipher it and realized the abuse and oppression done by the conquerors.
His full name is only known as Don Anastasio. The educated inhabitants of San
Diego labeled him as Filosofo Tacio (Tacio the Sage) while others called him as Tacio
el Loco (Tacio the Insane) due to his exceptional talent for reasoning. (Filipino
People)
Doa Victorina
Doa Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaa, commonly known as Doa Victorina, is
an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies
by putting on heavy make-up. The novel narrates Doa Victorinas younger days:
she had lots of admirers, but she did not choose any of them because nobody was a
Spaniard. Later on, she met and married Don Tiburcio de Espadaa, an official of the
customs bureau who is about ten years her junior. However, their marriage is
childless. (Imelda Marcos)

Her husband assumes the title of medical doctor even though he never attended
medical school; using fake documents and certificates, Tiburcio practices illegal
medicine. Tiburcios usage of the title Dr. consequently makes Victorina assume the
title Dra. (doctora, female doctor). Apparently, she uses the whole name Doa
Victorina de los Reyes de de Espadaa, with double de to emphasize her marriage
surname. She seems to feel that this awkward titling makes her more
sophisticated.
Sisa, Crispn, and Basilio
Sisa, Crispn, and Basilio represent a Filipino family persecuted by the Spanish
authorities:

Narcisa or Sisa is the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispn. Described as

beautiful and young, although she loves her children very much, she cannot
protect them from the beatings of her husband, Pedro.

Crispn is Sisas 7-year-old son. An altar boy, he was unjustly accused of

stealing money from the church. After failing to force Crispn to return the
money he allegedly stole, Father Salv and the head sacristan killed him. It is
not directly stated that he was killed, but the dream of Basilio suggests that
Crispn died during his encounter with Padre Salvi and his minion.

Basilio is Sisas 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for
the Angelus, he faced the dread of losing his younger brother and the descent
of his mother into insanity. At the end of the novel, Elas wished Basilio to bury
him by burning in exchange for a chest of gold located on his death ground. He

will later play a major role in El Filibusterismo.

Other characters
There are a number of secondary and minor characters in Noli Me Tngere. Items
indicated inside the parenthesis are the standard Filipinization of the Spanish names
in the novel.

Padre Hernando de la Sibyla a Dominican friar. He is described as short

and has fair skin. He is instructed by an old priest in his order to watch
Crisstomo Ibarra.

Padre Bernardo Salv the Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly

harboring lust for Mara Clara. He is described to be very thin and sickly. It is
also hinted that his last name, Salvi is the shorter form of Salvi meaning
Salvation, or Salvi is short for Salvaje meaning bad hinting to the fact that

he is willing to kill an innocent child, Crispin, just to get his money back,
though there was not enough evidence that it was Crispin who has stolen his 2
onzas.

El Alfrezor Alperes chief of the Guardia Civil. Mortal enemy of the priests
for power in San Diego and husband of Doa Consolacion.

Doa Consolacon wife of the Alfrez, nicknamed as la musa de los

guardias civiles (The muse of the Civil Guards) or la Alfreza, was a
former laundrywoman who passes herself as a Peninsular; best remembered
for her abusive treatment of Sisa.

Don Tiburcio de Espadaa Spanish Quack Doctor who is limp and

submissive to his wife, Doa Victorina.

Teniente Guevara a close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. He reveals to

Crisstomo how Don Rafael Ibarras death came about.

Alfonso Linares A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Espanada, the would-be

fianc of Mara Clara. Although he presented himself as a practitioner of law, it
was later revealed that he, just like Don Tiburcio, is a fraud. He later died due
to given medications of Don Tiburcio.

Ta Isabel Capitn Tiagos cousin, who raised Maria Clara.

Governor General (Gobernador Heneral) Unnamed person in the novel, he

is the most powerful official in the Philippines. He has great disdain for the
friars and corrupt officials, and sympathizes with Ibarra. (President)

Don Filipo Lino vice mayor of the town of San Diego, leader of the liberals.

Padre Manuel Martn he is the linguist curate of a nearby town who

delivers the sermon during San Diegos fiesta.

Don Rafael Ibarra father of Crisstomo Ibarra. Though he is the richest

man in San Diego, he is also the most virtuous and generous.

Dona Pa Alba wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of Mara Clara, she died
giving birth to her daughter. In reality, she was raped by Dmaso so she could
bear a child.

Non-recurring characters
These characters were as mentioned in the novel, appeared once, mentioned
many times or have no major contribution to the storyline.

Don Pedro Eibarramendia the great-grandfather of Crisstomo Ibarra who

came from the Basque area of Spain. He started the misfortunes of Elias
family. His descendants abbreviated their surname to Ibarra. He died of
unknown reasons, but was seen as a decaying corpse on a Balete tree.

Don Saturnino Ibarra the son of Don Pedro, father of Don Rafael and
grandfather of Crisstomo Ibarra. He was the one who developed the town of
San Diego. He was described as a cruel man but was very clever.

Sinang Maria Claras friend. Petite, cheerful, lively. Because Crisstomo

Ibarra offered half of the school he was building to Sinang, he gained Capitan
Basilios support.

Andeng Maria Claras childhood friend. She is like a sister to Maria Clara
since they shared the same wet nurse. She has a clear, cheerful look and a
reputation for being a good cook. Her name is a diminutive form from the
name Miranda and the Tagalog participle ng.

Iday, Neneng and Victoria Maria Claras other friends.

Salom Elas sweetheart. She lives in a little house by the lake, and though
Elas would like to marry her, he tells her that it would do her or their children
no good to be related to a fugitive like himself. In the original publication
of Noli, the chapter that explores the identity of Elas and Salom was omitted,
classifying her as a total non-existing character. This chapter, entitled Elas y
Salom was probably the 25th chapter of the novel. However, recent editions
and translations of Noli provides the inclusion of this chapter, either on the
appendix or renamed as Chapter X (Ex).

Capitn Basilio Sinangs father, leader of the conservatives.

Capitn Tinong and Capitn Valentn other known people from the town
of San Diego

Tandng Pablo the leader of the tulisanes (bandits), whose family was
destroyed because of the Spaniard

Pedro the abusive husband of Sisa who loves cockfighting.

El hombre amarillo(apparently means yellowish person, named as Taong

Madilaw) one of Crisostomo Ibarras would-be assassins. He is not named in
the novel, and only described as such. In the novel, he carved the cornerstone
for Ibarras school. Instead of killing Ibarra, he was killed by his cornerstone.

Lucas the brother of the taong madilaw. He planned a revolution against the
government with Ibarra as the leader after he was turned down by Ibarra. He

was said to have a scar on his left cheek. He would later be killed by the
Sakristan Mayor.

Bruno and Tarsilo a pair of brothers whose father was killed by the
Spaniards.

or Juan(ol Juan) appointed as foreman of the school to be built by

Ibarra

Capitana Tika (Rustica) Sinangs mother and wife of Capitan Basilio.

Albino a former seminarian who joined the picnic with Ibarra and Mara
Clara. He was later captured during the revolution.

Capitana Mara Elena a nationalist woman who defends Ibarra of the

memory of his father.

Sacristn Mayor the one who governs the altar boys and killed Crispn for
his accusation.

Mga Tauhan:
Simoun
Ang mapagpanggap na mag-aalahas na nakasalaming may kulay
Isagani
Ang makatang kasintahan ni Paulita
Basilio
Ang mag-aaral ng medisina at kasintahan ni Juli
Kabesang Tales
Ang naghahangad ng karapatan sa pagmamay- ari ng lupang sinasaka na inaangkin
ng mga prayle
Tandang Selo
Ama ni Kabesang Tales na nabaril ng kanyang sariling apo
Ginoong Pasta
Ang tagapayo ng mga prayle sa mga suliraning legal
Ben-zayb
Ang mamamahayag sa pahayagan
Placido Penitente

Ang mag-aaral na nawalan ng ganang mag-aral sanhi ng suliraning pampaaralan

Padre Camorra
Ang mukhang artilyerong pari
Padre Fernandez
Ang paring Dominikong may malayang paninindigan
Padre Florentino
Ang amain ni Isagani
Don Custodio
Ang kilala sa tawag na Buena Tinta
Padre Irene
Ang kaanib ng mga kabataan sa pagtatatag ng Akademya ng Wikang Kastila
Juanito Pelaez
Ang mag-aaral na kinagigiliwan ng mga propesor; nabibilang sa kilalang angkang
may dugong Kastila
Makaraig
Ang mayamang mag-aaral na masigasig na nakikipaglaban para sa pagtatatag ng
Akademya ng Wikang Kastila ngunit biglang nawala sa oras ng kagipitan.
Sandoval
Ang kawaning Kastila na sang-ayon o panig sa ipinaglalaban ng mga mag-aaral
Donya Victorina
Ang mapagpanggap na isang Europea ngunit isa namang Pilipina; tiyahin ni Paulita
Paulita Gomez
Kasintahan ni Isagani ngunit nagpakasal kay Juanito Pelaez
Quiroga
Isang mangangalakal na Intsik na nais magkaroon ng konsulado sa Pilipinas
Juli
Anak ni Kabesang Tales at katipan naman ni Basilio
Hermana Bali
Naghimok kay Juli upang humingi ng tulong kay Padre Camorra
Hermana Penchang
Ang mayaman at madasaling babae na pinaglilingkuran ni Juli
Ginoong Leeds
Ang misteryosong Amerikanong nagtatanghal sa perya

Imuthis
Ang mahiwagang ulo sa palabas ni G. Leeds

Mga Tulong Sa Pag-aaral

1. Ang ibabaw ng kubyerta ng bapor ay para sa matataas na uri ng tao, karaniway
Kastila.
2. Ang Noli ay nagtapos sa buwan ng Disyembre; ang Fili ay dito nagsimula. Ngunit
ang Disyembre sa Noli at ang Fili ay may 13 taong nakapagitan.
3. Si Don Custodio ay tanungan at tagapayo ng mga taong pamahalaan. Si Ben
Zayb (Ibanez) ay isang mamahayag.
4. Ang tabo ay isang katutubong batalan. Ang tabo sa kasalukuyan ay karaniwang
latang pinagbasyuhan ng gatas, kape o ano man. Mula sa abang bataan hanggang
sa makabagong banyong may gripo at dutsa sa Pilipinas ay may tabo. Noon ang
tabo ay karaniwang pang-ilalim na bahagi ng bao ng niyog.
Mga Tanong at Sagot
1. Paano pinaghahambing ni Rizal ang Bapor Tabo at ang Pamahalaan?
Tugon
a. Sa pagkakaroon ng 2 lugal ng tao sa kubyerta at sa ilalim ng kubyerta, tulad ng
paglalagay ng pamahalaan na may mga taong mataas ang uri, tulad ng mga
Kastila, mayayaman at prayle: at mga abang mamamayang tulad ng mga mestiso
at indiyo.
b. Sa mabagal ngunit mapagmalaking palakad tulad ng pamahalaan na halos hindi
nakausad sa may 300 taong pamumuno sa Pilipinas.
c. Sa pagkulapol na pinturang puti - nagpapanggap na malinis at marangal ngunitt
makikita ang mga dumi sa likod ng pinta tulad ng mga walang katarungang
pagpatay at pagbilanggo, ng mga kabulukan, katiwalian at iba pa sa pamahalaan at
simbahan.
d. Sa bilog na anyo ng bapor - nagpapakilalang ang pamahalaan ay walang malinaw

na kaanyuan; walang plano ng pagiging unahan, hulihan, tagiliran na tulad ng

pamahala noon na walang yaring plano ng pagpapalakad.
e. Sa paggamit ng makina at tikin tulad ng pamahalaan, may namamahalang sibil,
tulad ng Kap. Heneral at iba pang taong pamahalaan at ang prailesya o mga kura.
Noon ay may union of church and state o pagiging magkatulong ng pamahalang
sibil at ng simbahan sa pagpapalakad ng mga suliraning pampulitika at
pangkabuhayan ng bayan. Alin ang makina at alin ang tikin? Ang makina na siyang
tuwirang nagpapatakbo sa bilog na bapor ng pamahalaan, bilog sapagkat walang
plano at di alam kung saan ang patungo at saan ang pabalik, ay siyang
pamahalaang sibil, samantalang ang mga tikin ay siyang mga kura na nagsasabi
kung saan dapat patungo ang bapor ng pamahalaan. (Dapat mabatid kung ano ang
tikin.)