19th Century Philippines1

By Jose RizalNoli Me Tangere2

He is the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, the richest person in San DiegoHe studied in Europe for 7 years, and is the sweetheart of Maria Clara. Symbolizes the idealism of the privileged youth.CrisostomoEibarramendiaIbarraREADHe changed his surname from Eibarramendia to Ibarra, from his ancestors surname.Juan Crisostomo Ibarra[CLICK]3

Maria ClaraShe is the girlfriend of Ibarra. As far as the society is concerned, she is the daughter of Kapitan Tiyago and Doa Pia Alba.

Or Maria Clara de los Santos [CLICK]READ[CLICK]2. Later in the novel, Mara Clara discovers that her biological father is not Capitn Tiago, but San Diego's former curate and her godfather Padre Dmaso.4

Father DamasoHe is the first parish priest in San Diego; he is very abusive.He symbolizes the greedy Spanish friars of Rizal's time.

He was the curate for almost twenty years before he replaced by much younger Padre Salvi.Padre Dmaso is described to be snobbish, fierce and talkative. He does not control his words when speaking and does not care if the person he is talking to feels down. CLICKHe is revealed to be the biological father of Maria Clara.5

Lieutenant GuevarraA close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. He revealed to Crisstomo how Don Rafael Ibarra's death came about.He also showed where his father was buried and recounted all the distress experienced by the latter in the hands of the Guardia Civil.6

EliasHe believes that justice can be obtained only through revolution --- reforms simply won't do.He symbolizes the very root of the Filipino culture before the coming of the Spaniards, which remained strong and unbroken by the Spanish culture.

READCame from the family which the Ibarra clan had oppressed for generations. He grew up in a wealthy family until he discovered something that changed his life forever. He is also the one who helped Ibarra run away from the guards. Furthermore, he saved Ibarra's life, who in turn, saved Elas' life.[CLICK] READ ALL7

Capitan TiagoThe father of Maria Clara.Sometimes lovable, and sometimes annoying. Symbolizes the pretentious illustrados of Rizals time.Santiago de los Santos [CLICK] READ [CLICK] READHe is very biased and is only obedient to those who are higher in rank than him.[CLICK] READ [CLICK] Later in theNolisequel,El Filibusterismo, Capitn Tiago loses all his properties and becomes addicted to opium, which would eventually lead to his death.8

Don AnastacioHe is a wise man.He embodies the intelligent people, who never left the country but instead educated themselves in a religious institution.

Pilosopo TacioDon Anastacio, he is referred to as a philosopher/sage hence the name [CLICK] Pilosopo Tasyo.[CLICK] READAn older man who Ibarra seeks advice from. The townsfolk thinks hes crazy, but in actuality he is quite wise. [CLICK] READ9

Father SalviHe is a Franciscan parish priest of San Diego.Symbolizes the lecherous friars of Rizals time

Also known as Bernardo Salvi [CLICK] READA secret admirer of Maria ClaraBecause of this, he and Padre Damaso devised a plan to break Ibarra and Maria Clara apart.[CLICK] READ10

SisaMother of Basilio and Crispin.She has a drunkard for a husband. Symbolizes the country, and the way it is abused by the Spaniards

1. Who went insane after losing her two sons.2. In the novel Sisa portrays a loving mother, and it could be assumed that Rizal likened her to his own mother.11

Doa Pia AlbaShe is the mother of Maria Clara and the wife of Kapitan Tiyago. She symbolizes our country, which ceaselessly gives in to foreign power.

Doa ConsolacionHer adulation of the Spaniards leads her to imitate the very actions and attitudes of the Spanish women.She symbolizes the Filipinos in our society who are ashamed of their own race and nationality.

Doa VictorinaShe is a Filipino woman married to a Spaniard. Her very actions and way of dressing will lead people to think that she is a whore. Symbolizes the social climbers at that time.

El Filibusterismo15

SimounCrisostomo Ibarra in disguise, has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweller.Fuelled by his mistreatment at the hands of the Spaniards and his fury at Maria Clara's fate, he has since shed his pacifist image and become the titular "filibustero"left for dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere, [CLICK] READThis time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities with knowledge, but by force.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.Unfortunately for him, his plan fails and he commits suicide by consuming poison16

BasilioSisas son in Noli Me Tangere.He became a servant of Captain Tiyago in exchange for education.In the events of the book, he is a graduating medical student who befriended SimounSimoun convinced him to aid him in his plots. At first, the young man is reluctant, but the death of his girlfriend Juliana drove him to fight wholeheartedly by Simoun's side.17

IsaganiA Poet and Basilios best friend.Portrayed as emotional and reactive.He is very idealistic and hopes for a better future for the Philippines.

Planned to establish a school wherein indios such as themselves may learn Spanish.18

JuliJuliana de Dios. Girlfriend of Basilio. Youngest daughter of Cabesang Tales.Worked as a maid. Committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her.Symbolizes the purity and innocence of the lower class women during Rizal's time.To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. She would rather sacrifice rather than give up her ideals.19

Don CustodioCustodio de Salazar y Snchez de Monteredondo.A famous "journalist.Quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in order to be a member of Manila's high society.A good debater, he hates when others also believe in what he believes in and praises the indios in public, yet denigrates them in private.20

Ben ZaybThe pseudonym of Abraham Ibaez.A journalist who believes he is the "only" one thinking in the Philippines.He wants to be seen as intelligent, all-knowing and better than he really is.and therefore, Manila is moved to think because of the influence of his writing.21

Paulita GomezThe girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doa Victorina.Beautiful, flirtatious, self-centred, and a materialistic orphan.Married Juanito Pelez and dumped Isagani.In the end, she and Juanito Pelez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.22

Placido PenitenteA student of the University of Santo Tomas who was very intelligent and wise.He embodies the noble Filipino everyman who endures under those in power because he is obliged to.but did not want, if not only by his mother's plea, to pursue his studies.23

Father CamorraThelustfulparish priest of Tiani, San Diego's adjacent town who has long-time desires for young women. He nearly raped Juli causing the latter to commit suicide.

QuirogaA Chinese businessman who dreamed of being a consul for his country in the Philippines.He hid Simoun's weapons inside his house.