Alab ng Lahi:

Noli Me Tangere

The Social Cancer/”Touch me
not”
by:
Dr. Jose Rizal
Chapter I: A Social Gathering

 On the last of October near All Soul’s


Day, Captain Tiago arranged a grand
dinner in his home.  Many guests came
and most of them are uninvited because
everyone wants to join since Captain
Tiago is rich and known as one of the
most hospitable men in San Diego. 
Before the evening meal, people talk
among themselves and discuss different
issues of interest. One of the visitors is
Friar Damaso who just came back in
Philippines and talks so harsh about
Indios and had no regard for the rights
and feelings of others whenever he
opened his mouth. Other visitors include
Lieutenant Guevarra, Friar Sibyla, Dr.
Tiburcio and Dona Victorina.
 Chapter II: Crisostomo Ibarra

 Captain Tiago greeted all the visitors and
introduces Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, whose
clothes clearly depicted that he is in grief. 
Friar Damaso was surprised to know that
Ibarra is the son of Don Rafael. Crisostomo,
who has just returned from Europe for his
seven years study, warmly greets Friar
Damaso who became a good friend of his
father; however the friar denies the existence
of this close relationship.  Lt. Guevarra
approaches Ibarra greets him and wishes
Crisostomo’s fate will be better than his
father’s. Captain Tinong invited Crisostomo
for a meal tomorrow but he rejected since
he’ll be going to the town of San Diego.
 Chapter III: The Dinner

The meal is ready and the guests gather at the dining
table.  Friar Damaso and Friar Sibyla both rush for
the seat at the head of the table. Everyone is talking
and praising the delicious foods served. The rest of
the seats are occupied, and only Crisostomo Ibarra
notices Captain Tiago is not seated in any of them. 
Ibarra offers the Captain his seat, but he refused.
Friar Damaso is jealous and mad when Ibarra is
served the meaty part of the chicken at dinner, while
his was the skinny neck.  While eating, Ibarra talked
with some of the guests and they learned that Ibarra
went to different countries and knows different
languages. Soon after, Ibarra leaves the scene
without waiting for the arrival of his love interest,
Maria Clara. Friar Damaso laughed when Ibarra left
and said Indios don’t have the right to study abroad
since it will be useless.
 Chapter IV: A heretic and
Subversive


Crisostomo Ibarra walked to his destination
and realized the town has never changed. Lt.
Guevarra followed and warned him to be
careful so he’ll not be the same to his father’s
unlucky fate. Crisotomo then insisted Lt.
Guevarra to tell his father’s story. According
to him, Crisostomo’s father was the richest
man in their town. He was respected but
envied by some. Not longer Crisostomo left
the country; Don Rafael made enemies and
was falsely accused of killing someone. He
was sent to jail and named as heretic and
subversive. Lt. Guevarra tried his best to help
Don Rafael. They won the case but later on
after his freedom, Don Rafael died inside his
jail cell. Lt.Guevarra stopped and told him
that Captain Tiago will tell him more about
his father.
Chapter V: A Star in the Dark
Night
 Crisostomo Ibarra arrives in Fonda de

Lala where he will stay and appreciates
from a distance the lively singing and
noise around Captain Tiago's house,
which could be seen from the hotel
window. He was confused and thinks
about his poor father's death, and how
life must have been extremely terrible for
him in prison.  Meanwhile, at the
Captain's house, Maria Clara arrives. 
Friar Damaso shows great appreciation
for the lady. Everyone stares at her most
especially Friar Salvi who was late and
was not able to join the supper.
 Chapter VI: Captain Tiago


Captain Tiago is one of the richest man in the
town, he have a lot of business and one of the
most influential man. He is most likely
powerful to the government and a friend to
friars. He sees himself as a full Spanish and
not a Filipino but he is short, has kayumanggi
skin and rounded eyes. He and his wife,
Dona Pia Alba, have been childless for years. 
After consulting Friar Damaso, the priest
advised them to attend holy mass at the town
of Ubando.  Shortly after, Pia was with child. 
But, she becomes sickly and troubled for the
entire duration of her pregnancy.  She died
after giving birth to a daughter, Maria Clara.
Friar Damaso became her godfather when she
was christened and was taken cared by Aunt
Isabel, the cousin of Captain Tiago. Maria
Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra became
childhood friends. Captain Tiago and Don
Rafael were good friends as well and they
agreed that their children will get married.
 Chapter VII: Idyll in an
Azotea
 Early in the morning Aunt Isabel and Maria Clara
attended the mass. After the mass, Maria Clara

went home and sewed while impatiently waiting
for Crisostomo Ibarra. Finally he came and had
time to have a private talk with Maria Clara at the
azotea of Captain Tiago's house.  This is their first
time to meet personally in seven years.  They
exchange thoughts, reminisced their childhood
and prove that neither of them had forgotten their
love to each other. Suddenly Maria Clara open the
letter Ibarra gave her before he left for Europe; she
read it in front of him to see his reaction. In the
letter stating why Don Rafael sent Ibarra to
Europe, Crisostomo suddenly stood and blushed.
Maria stopped reading and asked Ibarra why.
Ibarra simply answered because of Maria Clara,
he forgot his task and needs to go now because
tomorrow is All Soul’s Day. Captain Tiago told
Ibarra to tell Anding to fix their house in San
Diego since Aunt Isabel and Maria Clara will have
vacation there. Ibarra nodded and left. Maria
Clara felt sad and cried going to her room. His
father followed her and told her to light two
candles to San Roque and San Rafael, two Saints
whom they usually pray for safe trip.
 Chapter VIII: Memories


From Captain Tiago's house, after a heartwarming
conversation with Maria Clara, Ibarra continues on
his way to the town of San Diego.  In all of the places
he passes through he notices no change in them since
he left seven years ago. He noticed that the Mariveles
tree didn’t change in San Gabriel. In Escolta, he
observed that it’s even worse. Along his way, he saw
Friar Damaso inside the carriage. He also saw
Captain Tinong with his two daughters in another
carriage and greeted Ibarra. He passed by Arroceros
where tobacco are manufactured. He remembers that
he was fainted once because of the unpleasant smell
of tobacco. When he passed by the botanical garden,
he forgot about the happy memories and remembers
the garden in Europe that is very eye-catching and
welcoming. He sighs and viewed the old Manila
surrounded by thick and mossy walls. Suddenly, he
remembers the advice of a friar before he leaves for
Europe: (1) Knowledge is only reached by people
who have the heart (2) Knowledge must be nurtured
so it will be passed by next and (3) Foreigners come to
our lands searching for gold, and you go must go to
their lands to look for the gold as well.
 Chapter IX: Some Country
Matters
While Aunt Isabel waits for Maria Clara inside the
carriage that were headed to the nunnery to fetch the

maiden's things , Friar Damaso came whispering
something and urgently entered the house .Aunt Isabel
thought he was just memorizing his sermon for the
mass. Friar Damaso meets Captain Tiago and tells him
that he needs to talk with him privately for a very
important matter. Meanwhile, in Intramuros, Friar
Sibyla is deep in conversation with an old Dominican
priest inflicted with a serious illness. Friar Sibyla tells
him about the conflict between Friar Damaso and Ibarra,
they exchange thoughts about Ibarra.
Friar Damaso blames Captain Tiago for not being honest
with him and threatens him that he should tell him
everything because he is the godfather of Maria Clara.
After he left, Captain Tiago puts off the candles Maria
Clara lighted for the two saints for Ibarra’s trip to San
Diego.
 Chapter X: The Town


San Diego is a town at the margin of the lake and within
the meadows and paddy-fields. Harvested sugar, rice,
coffee and fruits were then sold to the Chinese at a very
cheap price. At the dome of the church, you can almost
see the whole town and one particular distinction is the
forest within the fields, which holds many different
fictions. Just like any town, San Diego also has its own
legend. Once, an old Spaniard arrived at the wood and
inquired about its owner. The old man then acquired
the land in exchange for clothes, jewelry, and cash.
Suddenly, the old man disappeared. The people
thought that he was taken by the spirits but then, it was
discovered by a shepherd of carabaos discovered a foul
odor and was actually the old man’s corpse decaying
hanging in the Ballete tree. Sometime later, a young
man claiming that he’s the son of the deceased
Spaniard. He was Don Saturnino. He devoted his time
into cultivating the land. Not long, he married a young
woman from Manila. She gave birth to Don Rafael
Ibarra, the father of Crisostomo. Unlike Don Saturnino,
Don Rafael was love by the country people. He was able
to prosper his land, which brought in new settlers. The
village eventually became a town and Father Damaso
became its priest after the previous priest died.
 Chapter XI: The Sovereigns:
Divide and Rule

 This chapter describes the powerful people in the town
of San Diego. Don Rafael is the father of Crisostomo.
He is known as the most powerful man since he is the
richest, he is highly respected but in the end,
townspeople are against him. Captain Tiago is a rich
businessman, welcomed by musical band and offered
with delightful foods if he visits the town but at his
back, people call him Sacristan Tiago. The town’s
captain is like a puppet and not considered as powerful
since he bought his position for 5000 pesos and
frequently yelled by the Mayor. San Diego is similar to
Rome and Italy for the competition for the position in
the town. They are Friar Salvi, a thin and youthful
Franciscan and the Alferez who’s always surrounded
by civil guards. Dona Consolacion is the wife of
Alferez, a Filipina who likes to wear make-up and in
his husband’s absence she controls the civil guards.
Friar Salvi and Alferez are the real powerful people in
the town of San Diego, they are called Casique.
 Chapter XII: All Saint’s Day

 The cemetery of San Diego is at the west side of the
town, in the midst of the paddy-fields. In the center
rises a large wooden cross with the inscription INRI. At
the foot of the cross is a pile of bones and skulls thrown
by grave-diggers. The cemetery looks spooky and
uninhabited. On the further side of the grave, two
grave diggers were digging up a recently buried
corpse. One was old and indifferent about what they
were doing and the other was dreadful. The other
exposed that a fat curate had ordered the corpse to be
dug up and buried in the Chinese cemetery but was
rejected.
 An old man then entered the cemetery and went
straight to the pile of skulls and bones at the foot of the
cross. It was hard for him to find his wife’s skull so he
asked for the grave diggers help in return for a coin but
the grave digger was uninterested and gave him a
different skull. Due to the heavy rain and the corpse
was heavy; they just decided to throw the body in the
lake.
 Chapter XIII: A Gathering
Storm
 Crisostomo Ibarra went to the cemetery

to visit his father’s grave. The old
gravedigger admitted that his father’s
remains is no longer there and the
curate was the one who ordered them to
dig up the corpse of Don Rafael and
then thrown into the lake. Ibarra left and
was furious about what he knew. In his
way, he met Friar Salvi who is now the
curate and attacked him with harsh
words and forcing him to kneel before
him for belittling his father’s grave.
Friar Salvi talks back and said it wasn’t
him then confessed that it was Friar
Damaso who’s the curate during that
time and is responsible for that ill act
 Chapter XIV: Philosopher
Tacio


Philosopher Tacio was called Don Anastacio before. He
always wanders around and looks like no sense of
direction. He visited the cemetery to find the destroyed
grave of his wife. He is known as lunatic by the poor. He is
a son of rich but because of his high intelligence, his mother
stopped him from going to school because she was worried
he might get too much knowledge and might forget that
there is God. His mother also wants him to become a priest
but he didn’t followed and later on married but after a year
his wife died. There, he focused himself to books and never
mind the riches he inherited.
 Tacio went to the church and saw Basilio and Crispin. He
informed the two sacristans that their mother is preparing
them a festive dinner. He went out the church and headed
to the house of the couple Don Felipo and Doray. In their
conversation Doray mentioned about purgatory since it’s
already All Soul’s Day. Tacio defends that he don’t believe
in purgatory but it’s good because it’s holy and there’s a lot
good results to the people since it’s like a connection of the
living and dead.
 He then left because the rain is getting heavier with
lightning and thunders. But despite the weather, Tacio
raised his two hands and shouts while walking in the rain
leaving the couple behind.
 Chapter XV: The Altar Boys

 In spite of the storm, the two altar
brothers Basilio and Crispin had to go up
the bell tower of the church to ring the
bells at eight in the evening. They only get
two pesos salary for a month for working
in the church. Both boys talked about the
parish priest's lost silver. All they want is
to go home to take their supper. Crispin,
the younger one, was blamed for having
allegedly stolen the money since their
father is a drunkard and gambler. The
mayor won’t let them go if they didn’t
return the stolen money, he was so angry
then even penalized Basilio for 3 pesos for
not ringing the bell pleasantly. Crispin
was tortured by the priest and the
sacristan mayor.  Basilio luckily escaped.
 Chapter XVI: Sisa
 It’s already late in the evening and everyone in San

Diego seems asleep but Sisa is still awake in her small
hut outside the town where Philosopher Tacio’s house
is also located. Sisa is so unfortunate for marrying an
irresponsible husband. Because of this only Sisa is
working and taking care of the boys. She was even
forced to sell all her jewelries and pearls she possesses
when she’s still a maiden to provide food for family.
Despite her husband’s attitude she still understands
and tolerates him. To her, husband is her God and
angels are her children.
 That night, Sisa patiently waited for her two boys to
come home.  She had already prepared supper that’s
same like the friars.  But instead of Basilio and Crispin
it was her husband, a drunkard and a gambler, who
walked through the door and ate almost all the food
she prepared, leaving nothing for their sons.  He went
on a rampage, and left telling his wife that if the boys
ever brought home some money she should leave
some for him.  Sisa can’t do anything but cry and cook
the anchovies since she knows her sons will come
hungry and tired.  Minutes later Basilio arrived, out of
breath and bleeding.
 ChapterXVII: Basilio

Basilio came home drenched with blood and runs to her mother’s
arms. He told her mother that the civil guards are chasing him and
tried to stop him but he kept running so they fired a bullet to him
which he was wounded. Basilio also told his mother that Crispin
was left in the convent and admits that Crispin was accused of
stealing money but he didn’t mentioned about him being punished
by the Sacristan Mayor and the friar. Sisa felt sad and cried because
of what he heard about Crispin, she sent Basilio to sleep since if
their father comes seeing them, they’ll just be beaten .Basilio
requested that three of them would be better without their father.
Sisa deep inside her felt pain about what his son said.
As Basilio is sleeping, he had a nightmare. In his dreams, Crispin
died in the cruel hands of the friar and Sacristan Mayor. Sisa woke
him up because of his loud cry and asked him what he dreamt.
Basilio didn’t tell her and instead told about his plans for them: to
end them working in the convent; to ask for Ibarra’s help to hire
him as a caretaker of his animals; and if he’s big enough would ask
Ibarra to give him a piece of land where they can farm. According
to Basilio, it will make their living better if ever his plans will
succeed. Sisa was delighted about his good plans for their better life
but secretly cried because her husband wasn’t included in Basilio’s
plans.
 Chapter XVIII: Souls in
Anguish
 That morning, people noticed that

Friar Salvi is sick while he had the mass this
morning.  It is All Souls' Day, and the streets
are filled with people talking about plenary
indulgence and all other religious practices
and beliefs relating to the holiday.  The
young widows and workers are busy talking
and they didn’t notice when Sisa arrived.
She makes her way to the convent to fetch
her son Crispin and expecting Crispin’s
voice but she is told that the boy is not there
and that the little thief had stolen money and
escaped. Sisa breaks down in tears and left
the convent with her confused mind.
Chapter XIX: The Travails of a
Schoolmaster
 The teacher in the town of San Diego accompanies

Ibarra to the part in the lake where Don Rafael's body
was found, and there Ibarra pays respects to the
memory of his father. The schoolteacher mentions to
Crisostomo the great help of Don Rafael in providing
for children's needs for education in San Diego. 
 The schoolteacher also mentioned about Friar Damaso
who always intervene in the decisions and rules of the
school. When the schoolteacher grew ill he stopped
teaching and when he returned for his service, his
students became few and the curate wasn’t Friar
Damaso anymore so he felt at ease and confidence, he
tried to translate in Filipino the books written in
Spanish and added more subjects to teach the children.
 The story moves Ibarra, and so he decides to build a
school for the kids.  This, he says, will do great honor
and justice to the memory of his father.
 Chapter XX: The Meeting in
the Town hall


The town hall is a place where authoritative people
held their meetings. From the lake, Ibarra and the
school teacher made their way to the town hall and
the meeting about the feast is about to begin. There
are people deciding on what type of celebration that
must be held, Don Felipo is the one who organized
the meeting and there are two types of political
party in the town, the old conservative group and
the liberated youths. They are discussing about the
coming feast of San Diego. The meeting came to
different topics and Captain Basilyo requests them
to make their statements brief, because time is gold
and they were running out of time. Don Felipo then
presented the proposal about the expenses; they
rejected it and the old conservative group proposed
that they should save money for the feast; no need
for fireworks and the comedy show should present
social behaviors to diminish wicked manners. But
then the discussion came to end and the captain said
they should just agree to what the friar wants. The
final decision is to have six processions, three
homilies, three high mass and comedy show at
Tondo. The two groups just agreed to it.
To be Continued…
