Character guide

Crisóstomo Ibarra

major

Also known as Don Crisóstomo Ibarra, Señor Ibarra, Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, Don Filipo

Wealthy young Filipino returning from Europe, idealistic and determined to reform his country.

María Clara

major

Also known as María, Clara, María Clara of Victoria

Ibarra's betrothed, a beautiful and devout young woman torn between love and duty.

Padre Dámaso

major

Also known as Fray Dámaso, Fray Dámaso Verdolagas

Arrogant and influential Franciscan friar who opposes Ibarra's progressive ideas.

Elías

major

Mysterious and noble boatman who becomes Ibarra's ally and protector.

Capitan Tiago

supporting

Also known as Don Santiago de los Santos, Santiago

Wealthy and pious Filipino businessman, María Clara's father.

Sisa

supporting

Grieving mother of Basilio and Crispín, driven mad by their disappearance.

Basilio

supporting

Also known as Capitan Basilio

Elder son of Sisa, a young sacristan who endures tragedy and later becomes a doctor.

Padre Salví

supporting

Also known as Fray Bernardo Salví, Fray Salví

Hypocritical and scheming Franciscan priest who covets María Clara.

Doña Victorina

supporting

Also known as Victorina, Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaña

Pretentious Filipina who apes Spanish customs and marries a Spanish quack.

Don Tiburcio de Espadaña

supporting

Also known as Tiburcio Espadaña, Doctor De Espadaña

Spanish quack doctor married to Doña Victorina, timid and henpecked.

Don Rafael Ibarra

supporting

Ibarra's deceased father, a progressive man who died in prison under false charges.

Tarsilo

supporting

Also known as Tarsilo Alasigan

Brave young man who dies under torture rather than betray his comrades.

Sinang

supporting

Also known as little Sinang

María Clara's lively and loyal friend, daughter of Capitan Tiago's compadre.

Doña Consolacion

supporting

Also known as Consolacion

Crude and abusive wife of the alferez, a former laundrywoman.

The Alferez

supporting

Brutal Spanish civil guard commander, husband of Doña Consolacion.

Don Filipo Lino

supporting

Also known as Don Filipo

Liberal-minded deputy mayor of San Diego who supports Ibarra's projects.

Old Tasio

supporting

Also known as Tasio, Tasio the Sage, the Sage

Eccentric old scholar considered mad by townspeople but wise in truth.

Crispín

supporting

Younger son of Sisa, a sacristan falsely accused of stealing church funds.

Aunt Isabel

minor

Also known as Isabel

Capitan Tiago's sister and María Clara's chaperone and caretaker.

Don Alfonso Linares

supporting

Also known as Linares, Alfonso Linares

Young Spanish lawyer brought to court María Clara, later revealed as a fraud.

Sister Rufa

minor

Also known as Rufa

Pious and domineering beata who organizes religious processions.

Capitan Tinong

minor

Also known as Tinong

Wealthy and cautious neighbor of Capitan Tiago, easily frightened by authorities.

Fray Sibyla

minor

Also known as Fray Hernándo Sibyla

Dominican friar, learned and reserved, who debates Ibarra at dinner.

Ñor Juan

minor

Also known as Juan

Old carpenter who works on Ibarra's schoolhouse project.

Capitana María

minor

Courageous and kind woman who helps Sisa in her madness.

Doray

minor

Wife of Don Filipo, a sensible and supportive woman.

Albino

minor

Former theology student who becomes a friend of Ibarra.

Bruno

minor

Brother of Tarsilo, involved in the planned uprising.

Sister Sipa

minor

Also known as Sipa

Old beata who gossips and participates in religious festivities.

Sister Juana

minor

Also known as Juana

Simple-minded beata who follows Sister Rufa's orders.

Sister Puté

minor

Also known as Puté

Another beata involved in church activities and gossip.

Andeng

minor

María Clara's maid and confidante.

Capitana Tinay

minor

Also known as Tinay

Wife of Capitan Tinong, a socialite fond of gossip.

Andoy

minor

Young servant in Capitan Tiago's household.

Señor Laruja

minor

Also known as Laruja

Spanish merchant who gossips about Ibarra's family at the dinner party.

Padre Martin

minor

Also known as Padre Manuel Martin

Franciscan priest who delivers the sermon during the fiesta.

Don Primitivo

minor

Also known as Cousin Primitivo

Relative of Capitan Tiago who quotes Latin proverbs endlessly.

Doña Pía Alba

minor

Also known as Doña Pía

Capitan Tiago's deceased wife and María Clara's mother.

Iday

minor

Beautiful young woman from a neighboring town, friend of Sinang.

Capitana Tika

minor

Mother of Sinang, a friend of the Ibarra family.

Clarita

minor

Young woman who participates in the picnic and fishing trip.

Pablo

minor

Also known as old Pablo, Capitan Pablo

Old man whose family was destroyed by the friars, seeks revenge.

Andres Bonifacio

minor

Also known as Bonifacio, dark Andres

Historical figure mentioned as a patriot, not a character in the novel.

Don Saturnino

minor

Ibarra's grandfather, a Spanish mestizo who developed the family estate.

Carlos the Chinaman

minor

Chinese merchant who interacts with townspeople in San Diego.

Andong

minor

Also known as Andong the Witless

Simple-minded man who becomes a target of mockery in the town.

Yeyeng

minor

Woman who participates in the cockfight crowd scenes.

Capitana Tinchang

minor

Also known as Tinchang

Woman who gossips about the Ibarra family's troubles.

Don Pedro Eibarramendia

minor

Basque ancestor of Ibarra, founder of the family fortune.

Señor Guevara

minor

Also known as Guevara

Spanish civil guard officer who warns Ibarra about his enemies.

Capitan Martin

minor

Town official who participates in the meeting about the schoolhouse.

Petra

minor

Servant in Capitan Tiago's household.

Don Anastasio

minor

Also known as Anastasio

Old man who comments on the town's affairs.

Teo

minor

Young boy who appears in the church scenes.

Fray Joaquin Martinez de Zuñiga

minor

Also known as Zuñiga

Historical friar and author cited in the novel's endnotes.