Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Posted by Develos

It is a fine December morning.  The steamship Tabo is sailing on the Pasig River to Laguna.  Passengers on the upper deck talk about the lake and the long journey. Some important characters in the novel are introduced:  Simoun the jeweler; Doña Victorina; the friars Salvi, Irene, Camorra, and Sibyla, Don Custodio, and Ben Zayb.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Posted by Develos

Basilio, Isagani, and Don Custodio are deep in discussion on the lower deck of the steamer Tabo.  The two students tell Don Custodio about the plan to put up a Spanish academy, and although the two boys are hopeful that the plan will be approved, Don Custodio is rather pessimistic.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Posted by Develos

The elite passengers of the steamer pass the time by telling stories and legends of places along the river.  Padre Florentino narrates the legend of Doña Jeronima in a rather colorful tone, and Padre Salvi tells the story of a Chinese man who was attacked by caymans but was saved because he called upon St. Nicholas to help him.  Moments later, Ben Zayb asks the captain to point to him the exact spot where a man named Ibarra was killed during his attempted escape.  Simoun becomes silent and retreats in deep thought as the captain locates the infamous region in the water.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Posted by Develos

Cabesang Tales cultivates a piece of land with his father and his family.  Because of having to endure hard work and manual labor under the sun, Tales's wife and eldest daughter die.  At the time of harvest, some men representing a certain religious order lay claim to the land and demand from Tales an annual payment of rent.  Having no other choice, Tales accepts the agreement.  However, year after year the rent keeps going up in incredible increments and Tales decides he has had enough.  He brings the issue up in court, demanding that the religious order provide proof of their ownership of the land.  Tales loses the case.  Time passes and he is kidnapped by bandits demanding ransom for his neck.  

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Posted by Develos

On his way to San Diego, a coachman is maltreated by the civil guards.  He endures this abuse in silence.  They hit him with a rifle after he tells them he has forgotten to bring his cedula.  They beat him up again.  Basilio walks to San Diego and arrives at Captain Tiago's house.  He hears the news about Cabesang Tales's kidnapping.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Posted by Develos

Basilio visits the forest at Christmas Eve.  The wood, formerly owned by the Ibarras, was sold to Captain Tiago.  Basilio visits his mother's grave by the balete tree in the middle of the forest.  A stranger's (Elias's) grave lay beside it.  He recalls a memory of thirteen years before, when Ibarra had helped him cremate the two bodies.  With the help of Captain Tiago Basilio is now studying to be a doctor and plans to marry Juli, his sweetheart.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Posted by Develos

Basilio is about to leave the wood when he notices the shadow of a man approaching. Basilio announces his presence and is surprised to find out that the stranger is indeed Simoun the jeweler who, in reality, is Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise.  Simoun tries to convince Basilio to join him in his plans to avenge the cruel death of his mother (Sisa) and his younger brother (Crispin).  Basilio, however, is not completely in favor of this plan, and tells Ibarra that vengeance would not bring his family  back.