# The Quiapo Fair explained — El Filibusterismo > Chapter companion for El Filibusterismo by José Rizal. ## What happens The chapter depicts a lively night at the Quiapo Fair, where a diverse crowd of Filipinos, Spaniards, friars, and students gather to enjoy the festivities. Padre Camorra, Ben-Zayb, and others visit a booth selling satirical wooden figures that mock various societal roles, including friars, the press, and the Civil Guard. The group jokes about the figures' resemblance to Padre Camorra, Padre Irene, and Simoun, who has mysteriously disappeared. They then proceed to see Mr. Leeds' famous sphinx exhibition, with Ben-Zayb insisting it is merely an optical trick. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy of Religious Institutions The wooden figures depict friars as elegant and saintly, contrasting with their real behavior, such as Padre Camorra's lecherous advances and the group's mockery. ### Social Injustice and Corruption The booth includes a figure titled 'The Country of Abaka' showing a bound man about to be shot by Civil Guards, critiquing state violence and oppression. ## Character check-ins ### Ben Zayb A journalist who is full of bright ideas and champagne, he jokes about the wooden figures and insists the sphinx show is a trick of mirrors. ### Padre Camorra A lecherous friar who is delighted by the pretty girls at the fair, pinches Ben-Zayb in excitement, and laughs at the satirical figures. ### Padre Salví Present at the fair, he stares at Padre Camorra but is largely ignored by him. ### Paulita Gomez A dazzlingly beautiful young woman who attracts the attention of the entire plaza, accompanied by Isagani and Doña Victorina. ### Isagani Paulita's sweetheart, who appears disgusted by the stares his girlfriend receives and annoyed by her smiles to others. ### Simoun The jeweler is mentioned as resembling a British Indian figure in the booth, but he has disappeared unnoticed by the group. ## Key lines > Look, here’s Padre Camorra! Ben-Zayb points to a wooden figure of a lean friar writing a sermon, drawing laughter from the crowd. _The figure satirizes Padre Camorra's appearance and role._ > The Country of Abaka A display shows a bound man with his face covered, guarded by two Civil Guard soldiers, implying he is about to be executed. _This satirical piece criticizes the violent repression under colonial rule._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvii-the-quiapo-fair - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters