Chapter 1.

Don Santiago de los Santos hosts a dinner party for wealthy Binondo resident Don Santiago de los
Santos, including Dominican curate Fray Sibyla, former San Diego curate Fransiscan Fray Damaso, an
elderly lieutenant, Senor Laruja, and a rubicund youth. Damaso and Laruja discuss the native
population's indolence, but Damaso's anger stems from being transferred to a new town. The group also
includes Spaniard Doctor De Espedaña and his Filipina wife, Doña Victorina.

Chapter 2.

Capitan Tiago meets Don Crisostomo Ibarra, the son of Don Rafael Ibarra. Despite his father's friend
Damaso's public rejection of his friendship, the lieutenant warmly greets him. Ibarra, who has been
away in Europe for seven years, is left to reconnect with his countrymen and meets Capitan Tinong, who
invites him to dine with him.

Chapter 3.

Guests at Tiago's thanksgiving feast argue over seating, with Sibyla and Damaso serving the worst parts.
Ibarra shares his travels, but Damaso finds it worthless. Ibarra toasts Spain and the Philippines.

Chapter 4.

Ibarra encounters Lieutenant Guevarra, who shares the details of his father's death, Don Rafael, who
died in prison after being arrested for a Spanish collector's death. He also learns about Padre Damaso's
hostile attitude towards Don Rafael.

Chapter 5.

Ibarra, in a hotel room overlooking Capitan Tiago's house, contemplates a beautiful maiden and a pale
Fransiscan. He imagines his father in a filthy cell, dying, and himself enjoying a feast and company.
Eventually, he succumbs to sleep, leaving only the pale Fransiscan awake.

Chapter 6.

Capitan Tiago, a wealthy landlord and planter, uses his wealth for spiritual welfare and government
ingratiation. His past includes a miserly landowner and a miserly wife. Maria Clara, born to a melancholic
mother, is raised by Aunt Isabel and Don Rafael.

Chapter 7.

Don Crisostomo visits Maria Clara, who is nervous due to her expectation of his visit. They discuss
childhood, Ibarra's farewell letter, and Ibarra's duties. Maria Clara weeps, and Tiago comforts her.

Chapter 8.

Ibarra rides through Manila, reminiscing about the city's unpaved streets, old bridge, and stunted trees.
He compares it to Madrid's Lavapiés and Europe's Botanical Garden. Despite the challenges, he remains
committed to the Philippines.

Chapter 9.
Padre Damaso privately consults with Capitan Tiago, while Padre Sibyla informs an elderly priest about
Damaso's encounter with Ibarra. Sibyla suggests openly attacking enemies, including Ibarra, to prevent
complacency. Damaso warns Capitan Tiago about danger.

Chapter 10.

San Diego, a picturesque town with meadows, cultivated fields, and a serpentine river, is known for its
thick forest and century-old tress. An old Spaniard purchased the forest, and a young Spanish mestizo
named Don Saturnino settled there, adopting his agricultural methods, leading to the town's growth.

Chapter 11.

San Diego is governed by two figures: Fray Bernardo Salvi, a sickly Franciscan curate, and the unhappily
married alferez. Salvi is diligent in fulfilling his religious duties, while the alferez, married to Dona
Consolacion, has scandalous public altercations. Salvi and the alferez are openly pleasant, but they
secretly manipulate each other, with the alferez slandering Salvi and the curate preaching long sermons.

Chapter 12.

Two men in San Diego dig an old grave for a new internment. The official gravedigger, sensitive, shares a
story of digging a corpse and reburying it in a Chinese cemetery, but leaves in distress after cutting a
skull.

Chapter 13.

Ibarra and his servant find Don Rafael's grave but cannot locate it. The servant tells the gravedigger
about a fat curate ordering him to dig up his body. Ibarra confronts Padre Salvi, mistaken for the curate,
but Salvi reveals it was Padre Damaso.

Chapter 14.

Don Anastacio, also known as Tasio, interacts with the gobernadorcillo and two sacristans, discussing
their mother's dinner and the concept of purgatory. He questions the belief that only Catholics can be
saved, as it would condemn hundreds to misery. Tasio runs out into the rain, questioning the idea.

Chapter 15.

In a rainy day, Crispin and Basilio, brothers, are accused of stealing two gold coins from the church.
Despite their meager wages, Crispin is unable to leave due to the missing coins. The senior sacristan
drags Crispin out of the bell tower, and Basilio scales down the tower, causing two shots to be heard in
the night.

Chapter 16

Sisa, Basilio and Crispin's mother, gathers food for her sons, but her husband eats most. Despite her
worries, Sisa sees Crispin, speechless but smiling, and hears Basilio calling outside, causing her to
reminisce about her sons.

Chapter 17
Basilio, wounded, tells Sisa about his escape from the bell tower and the gold coins that led to Crispin's
detention. He dreams of Crispin being whipped and dies, but dreams of a better future.

Chapter 18

Pious women notice Padre Salvi's ill appearance and discuss plenary indulgences. Sisa arrives, but is
coldly treated and chased out. Crispin steals, and Sisa is shocked.

Chapter 19

Ibarra visits the local schoolmaster, who reveals the location of Don Rafael's body. He questions the
education of the poor children in San Diego, highlighting the lack of Spanish teaching materials and the
convent's interference. The schoolmaster's initiatives, including teaching Spanish, stopping corporal
punishment, and teaching useful subjects, have been reversed.

Chapter 20

San Diego officials plan a town fiesta, divided between conservatives and liberals. Don Filipo
manipulates conservatives into supporting liberals' extravagant plans, while the gobernadorcillo
promises religious activities, forcing both factions to agree.

Chapter 21

Sisa returns home, worried about Crispin's whereabouts and Basilio's arrest. Civil guards arrest her,
believing her sons will give up stolen money. The alferez dismisses accusations, releasing Sisa.

Chapter 22

San Diego residents prepare for a fiesta, discussing Maria Clara's arrival and Padre Salvi's inattentive
behavior. Ibarra visits Maria Clara, who begs not to invite Salvi to a picnic. A man pleads for pity.

Chapter 23

Maria Clara, Ibarra, and their friends prepare sinigang at Capitan Tiago's fish corrals. They encounter a
crocodile, but reappear. They catch fish at another corral and enjoy a lighthearted breakfast in Ibarra's
forest.

Chapter 24

Padre Salvi embarrasses the alferez for his sons' disappearance, while Sisa approaches. The conversation
turns to Sisa's story, and Ibarra plans to help her and search for her sons.

Chapter 25

Ibarra seeks advice from Tasio on his town school plan, but he disagrees, believing in the good sense of
people and government. Tasio argues that the government is swayed by the curate and that reforms are
useless without zealous authority. Ibarra wonders if bowing to authority would lead to religious powers
secretly undermining him, but Tasio believes it would be comforting to take the first step.

Chapter 26
On the eve of the fiesta, the town is filled with music, gaiety, and bright ornaments. The busiest spot is
near Ibarra's house, where Ñor Juan, the foreman of Ibarra's schoolhouse, is preparing decorations. The
curate and coadjutor express support.

Chapter 27

Capitan Tiago invites Ibarra to Padre Damaso's house, but I declines. Maria Clara and friends encounter
a blind leper, and Sisa reveals her sons, gold, and garden. Ibarra admits inability to help.

Chapter 28

A Manila newspaper editor praises the fiesta in San Diego, praising the faithful's virtuous execution of
duties and the opulence of Capitan Tiago's home. However, he notes the absence of distinguished
Ibarra. Capitan Martin shares mundane details, such as losing in cockfighting and Carlos the Chinaman
making a fortune with liam-po.

Chapter 29

On the final day of the fiesta, San Diego's people gather at the church, filled with banners, firecrackers,
and lively band music. Padre Damaso, despite contracting a cold from the previous night's festivities, is
urged to deliver a sermon. The procession halts when a child cries, causing Padre Salvi embarrassment.

Chapter 30

A large crowd gathers in a church, crowded with authorities and townspeople. Padre Salvi officiates the
mass, despite his trembling voice, showcasing gravity and elegance. Padre Damaso delivers his sermon
at the appointed time.

Chapter 31

Padre Damaso delivers a Spanish sermon, causing confusion among the indios. He then improvises a
Tagalog sermon, criticizing the people's lack of reverence for religion and priests, indirectly referencing
Ibarra.

Chapter 32

Ñor Juan admires a complex derrick commissioned by an unnamed individual, who learned mechanics
from his father and grandfather, Don Saturnino. Guests gather to witness the lowering of the school's
cornerstone, with Padre Salvi blessing the site. The derrick collapses, but the man who built it remains
dead in the trench.

Chapter 33

Ibarra returns home to change clothes, followed by Elias who warns him of enemies from the poor and
powerful. Elias' conversation reveals his character, who has lost faith in man and rejects corrupted
justice. The derrick collapses, causing death.

Chapter 34

Despite a death, a celebratory meal goes as planned, but Capitan Tiago leaves early. Padre Damaso
arrives late, insulting Ibarra. Ibarra hits Damaso, causing Maria Clara to intervene.
Chapter 35

The story of Ibarra and Damaso's relationship leads to divided opinions in town. Some believe Ibarra was
more mature, while others believe he will never be forgiven. A school parent believes Ibarra's fate is
certain, as priests label him a filibustero, causing the school to close.

Chapter 36

Maria Clara, forbidden from speaking with Ibarra, is forced to break their engagement by Capita Tiago,
who threatens her with damnation. She marries a Padre Damaso relative from Spain. Maria Clara seeks
comfort from Mary's image and Aunt Isabel helps her prepare.

Chapter 37

The Captain-General meets with the friars and Maria Clara, expressing approval for Ibarra's philanthropy
and love for his father. He promises to speak with the Archbishop but advises Ibarra to be more
prudent. Ibarra declines to accompany him to Europe.

Chapter 38

The Captain-General, Capitan Tiago, the alcalde, the alferez, and Ibarra visit the gobernadorcillo's house
to witness a procession. The procession begins with school children displaying lanterns, followed by St.
John the Baptist and other saints. As the Virgin's carro passes by Capitan Tiago's house, a prayerful song
is heard, leaving Ibarra terrified and saddened.

Chapter 39

Doña Consolacion, angered by her wife's untidy appearance, shuts their house down. She orders Sisa to
sing and dance, but she's whipped, leading to violence.

Chapter 40

At the plaza theater, Ibarra is excommunicated despite his support. Civil guards disrupt the show, and
Ibarra and Elias help calm the crowd. Padre Salvi, unable to eject Ibarra, rushes to calm the crowd.

Chapter 41

Elias informs Ibarra of Maria Clara's illness after the commotion. While Lucas, the brother of the man
killed at the school site, awaits Ibarra for compensation for his brother's death, but Ibarra instructs him
to return later.

Chapter 42

Doctor Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and Doctora Doña Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaña visit Maria
Clara, along with Don Alfonso Linares de Espedaña, Padre Salvi, and Padre Damaso. Doña Victorina, 42,
is an aging woman who married a Spaniard, forcing Don Tiburcio to change his surname and become a
doctor. They share a history of the Espadañas.

Chapter 43

Padre Damaso weeps over Maria Clara's illness, but forgets it when he meets Linares, his godson's
godson, who requests employment and a wife. Padre Salvi is accosted by Lucas, who is given 500 pesos.
Chapter 44

Maria Clara's confession saves her life, but she relapses. Padre Salvi instructs her to take communion the
next day and prepares her for another confession.

Chapter 45

Elias meets Pablo, a man hiding in a forest cave, who plans to revenge for his family's injustices. Fearing
reprisals, Elias delays his plans and seeks Ibarra's help to speak on behalf of the downtrodden and
abused. If he fails, he promises to join Pablo's cause.

Chapter 46

Tarsilo and Bruno lose everything in a bad bet. Lucas offers them money to recruit men for a plot to
attack the barracks, appealing to their filial duty to avenge their father's death due to brutal treatment
of civil guards.

Chapter 47

Doña Victorina criticizes the indios and their way of living, causing a heated argument with her husband.
She insults Doña Consolacion, revealing her past. After a heated confrontation, Doña Victorina seeks
Linares' help to challenge the alferez.

Chapter 48

The Archbishop reinstates Ibarra's excommunication, but he is surprised to see Linares with Maria Clara
and asks for pardon. He then accidentally meets Elias at a school site.

Chapter 49

In a banca, Elias and Ibarra discuss the oppressed's desire for radical reforms in armed forces,
priesthood, and justice administration. Ibarra acknowledges the need for civil guards for security and
crime deterrence, while Elias argues they spread terror and are ineffective. They also disagree on
religious orders, with Elias arguing they are oppressors and Ibarra arguing they bring true faith.

Chapter 50

Elias recounts his grandfather's false arson accusations, his wife's prostitutehood, and his son's death.
He learns his father was an old servant, but Ibarra refuses to lead the people, believing in waiting,
education, and progressive advancement.

Chapter 51

Doña Victorina threatens to expose Linares's outstanding credentials if he doesn't challenge the alferez.
Padre Salvi confirms Ibarra's excommunication, and Ibarra visits Maria Clara, asking for a meeting.

Chapter 52

A group of men discuss an attack on the convent and barracks, with Lucas instructing them to shout
'Viva Don Crisostomo'. Lucas stays at the cemetery, where Elias, who has been following him, shows up.
Two civil guards catch Lucas but find Elias pursuing him, leading the guards to believe him.
Chapter 53

Don Filipo visits Tasio, who resigns as teniente-mayor due to freedom from civil guards. Tasio believes
he should have supported him due to the country's changing youth, influenced by European ideas and a
broader horizon. However, he acknowledges that the youth's focus is on personal pleasures and not the
country's well-being.

Chapter 54

Padre Salvi learns of a plot to attack barracks and convent, while Elias warns Ibarra of the same plot.
Elias discovers Don Pedro's false accusations, ruining Elias' family, and flees.

Chapter 55

Ibarra arrives at Capitan Tiago's house but is quickly shot down. He returns home, where civil guards
arrest him. Meanwhile, Elias, enraged by his persecuted relatives, runs to the woods, enters a lake, and
burns his papers and house with Ibarra.

Chapter 56

Townspeople discuss the disturbance of the previous night, with theories including old Pablo's gang,
Chinese rebelling, local police fighting with civil guards, and Ibarra attempting to kidnap Maria Clara.
Lucas' body is discovered hanging from a tree, and a disguised Elias discovers amores secos on Lucas'
clothes.

Chapter 57

The alferez questions Tarsilo about Ibarra's involvement in the barracks attack, but he denies any
communication and claims his actions were motivated by avenging his father's death. The alferez
attempts to extract a confession but Tarsilo dies.

Chapter 58

The families of men arrested for the barracks attack express despair and anger towards Ibarra, who they
blame for their misfortune. They throw stones at him, but his ruins and childhood memories bring him
to tears. Tasio, sick, is found dead on his home's threshold.

Chapter 59

Manila experiences disquiet after San Diego incident, with friars applauding Padre Salvi's prompt action.
Capitan Tinong and wife argue over blame, leading to Don Primitivo burning Tinong's papers and gifting
him a gold ring.

Chapter 60

Capitan Tiago congratulates himself for avoiding investigation and discusses Maria Clara's upcoming
marriage to Linares. At a party, Maria Clara hears Lieutenant Guevara acquit Ibarra for a court-produced
letter. She detains Ibarra, revealing her real father is Padre Damaso.

Chapter 61
Elias convinces Ibarra to leave the country, revealing he buried money from Ibarra's burning house.
Ibarra refuses, preferring to suffer with fellow countrymen. They reach a lake, where Elias swims away.

Chapter 62

Maria Clara, unsure of Ibarra's whereabouts, seeks refuge in a nunnery after news of Ibarra's drowning.
Padre Damaso, a native, opposes her marriage to Ibarra, fearing their children's persecution. Despite his
pleas for reconsideration, Maria Clara remains steadfast, believing God is chastising him.

Chapter 63

Basilio, rescued by a poor family, returns to town to search for his mother and brother. He encounters
Sisa and finds her dead. A stranger instructs him to gather firewood and dig for gold.

Chapter 64

Maria Clara enters a nunnery where Padre Salvi and Padre Damaso leave for Manila. Padre Damaso dies,
and Capitan Tiago becomes addicted to gambling and opium. Don Tiburcio dissatisfies with patient care,
Linares dies of dysentery, and Dona Consolasion becomes addicted to drinking and smoking.