CHERRIE ANN M. GAQUIT ECO22 PROF.

GEORGE BEDIA

What does Capitan Tiago embody?

Capitan Tiago represents the Philippine government: virtually powerless, a mere puppet of
both the Spanish government and the Catholic Church. There is an additional to this obvious
allusion there is also an interesting angle on this interpretation of him embodying the
Philippine government vis a vis his relationship with his deceased wife and his daughter by Fr.
Damaso, Maria Clara. Maria Clara is the result of a failed union, the product of a corrupt
priest’s predations and of Capt. Tiago's failure to uphold his dignity and rights as a husband.
When his wife dies in childbirth Capitan Tiago takes care of their bastard to spare the old friar
and himself from scandal. Taking these into account, Capt. Tiago is the perfect embodiment of
the Philippine government under Spanish colonial rule: ineffectual and the inheritor of a broken
culture formed from the forced union of Filipino and Spanish social norms.

Why did Fr. Damaso forbid the Schoolmaster from teaching the native Filipinos Spanish when
it would have ultimately made it easier for everyone as there would have been no language
barriers?
Fr. Damaso, in addition to his many character shortcomings, is also a terrible racist and deeply
paranoid in securing his powerbase. Preventing the native Filipinos from learning Spanish
keeps the native populace ignorant and keeps them from effectively participating in politics and
commerce with the colonial forces. In doing this he ensures that only fellow Spaniards and
partisan forces hold positions of power keeping him exactly where he wants to be---at the top of
the socio-political food chain.

Why is the building of the schoolhouse so hotly opposed by Fr. Damaso?

Father Damaso opposes the building of the schoolhouse because it threatens the true source of
his power and influence over the townsfolk of San Diego: their ignorance and superstitious
beliefs. A school that is not subject to the scrutiny and control of the Catholic friars has the
capacity to raise up a new generation of decision makers who are not afraid of being
excommunicated or barred from attending Sunday mass---the favored “weapons” of the
corrupt priesthood.

Why is the building of the schoolhouse so hotly opposed by Fr. Damaso?

Father Damaso opposes the building of the schoolhouse because it threatens the true source of
his power and influence over the townsfolk of San Diego: their ignorance and superstitious
beliefs. A school that is not subject to the scrutiny and control of the Catholic friars has the
capacity to raise up a new generation of decision makers who are not afraid of being
excommunicated or barred from attending Sunday mass---the favored “weapons” of the
corrupt priesthood.