El fili Characters

Simoun (Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin)

The rich jeweler and main character. Formerly the idealistic young man of Noli Me Tangere; now returns under a new identity to seek revenge on the corrupt Spanish friars and government.

Basilio

Son of Sisa and brother of Crispin; now a medical student. Symbol of the youth's hope and eventual disillusionment.

Isagani

Basilio's friend and a poet; nephew of Padre Florentino and former suitor of Paulita Gómez. Idealist who believes in peaceful reform.

Paulita Gómez

A young socialite, niece of Doña Victorina, and love interest of Isagani. Eventually marries Juanito Pelaez.

Kabesang Tales (Telesforo Juan de Dios)

Former cabeza de barangay whose land was seized by friars. Becomes a bandit known as Matanglawin. Represents the peasant's suffering under oppression.

Juliana (Juli)

Daughter of Kabesang Tales and Basilio's fiancée. Works as a maid to free Basilio from prison; dies after attempting to escape Padre Camorra's assault.

Padre Florentino

Filipino priest and Isagani's uncle. Serves as the moral voice of the novel and represents true faith and patriotism.

Don Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo

Government official; arrogant, self-important bureaucrat who pretends to be wise.

Ben-Zayb (abbrev. of "Ibáñez" backwards)

Journalist who flatters the powerful; symbolizes press corruption and false intellectualism.

Padre Bernardo Salví

Former parish priest of San Diego (Noli Me Tangere), now a higher-ranking friar. Still cunning and lustful.

Padre Camorra

Parish priest of Tiani; lecherous friar who attempts to abuse Juli.

Padre Sibyla (Fray Hernando de la Sibyla, O.P.)

Dominican friar and vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomás; represents conservative religious authority.

Padre Irene (Fray Sibyla Irene)

A friar who pretends to be sympathetic to students; actually self-serving and opportunistic.

Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña

Pretentious Filipina who despises her race and tries to be seen as Spanish. Aunt of Paulita Gómez.

Don Tiburcio de Espadaña

Doña Victorina's timid Spanish husband, a quack doctor who flees from her abuse.

Juanito Pelaez

Rich, spoiled student favored by professors; Paulita's eventual husband. Symbolizes privilege without merit.

Tadeo

Lazy student who always skips classes but still passes. Embodies the flaws of the colonial education system.

Macaraig

Wealthy student who financially supports the campaign for a Spanish academy. Represents the privileged reformist youth.

Sandoval

Spanish student sympathetic to the Filipinos' cause. Represents ideal foreign allies.

Placido Penitente

Diligent and intelligent student disillusioned by his teachers' abuse; his name ironically means "calm penitent."

Captain (Don) Santiago "Kapitan Tiago" de los Santos

Once wealthy and influential man; becomes an opium addict after losing status. Symbol of moral decay under colonial rule.

Quiroga

Chinese merchant who aspires to be China's consul in Manila; greedy and opportunistic.

Señor Pasta (Don Ambrosio Pasta)

Prominent Filipino lawyer who refuses to help the students out of cowardice and self-interest.

Pepay

A dancer and Don Custodio's mistress; students use her to influence him about the academy proposal.

Tandang Selo

Father of Kabesang Tales and grandfather of Juli. Killed by revolutionaries after losing hope; symbol of the oppressed old generation.

Hermana Bali

Helpful but gossipy woman who encourages Juli to seek Padre Camorra's help to free Basilio.

Hermana Penchang

Juli's devout but hypocritical employer. Symbolizes false religiosity and pious hypocrisy.

Padre Millon

Dominican friar who teaches physics and loves humiliating students. Embodies poor teaching and arrogance.

Padre Hernando de la Sibyla (variant of the same friar)

Sometimes confused with Padre Sibyla; still a Dominican and symbol of scholastic oppression.

Captain-General (His Excellency / Governor-General)

Represents Spanish colonial authority; flattered by Simoun's influence and corruption.

Placido's Mother

Sacrifices much for her son's education; symbolizes the struggles of Filipino parents.

Student Reformists (collective)

Basilio, Isagani, Macaraig, Sandoval, Tadeo, Juanito Pelaez — campaign for the Spanish-language academy.

Simoun's Servant (Tano)

Formerly Tales's son, captured by bandits and forced into service in the guardia civil.

Cabesang Tales's Wife (Unnamed)

Dies early in the novel due to sorrow and hardship.

Captain Basilio (Different from the student Basilio)

Father of Sinang (from Noli Me Tangere); still wealthy in El Fili.

Sinang (Lucía)

Maria Clara's close friend in Noli Me Tangere, now married to Captain Basilio's son.

Don Timoteo Pelaez

Juanito Pelaez's father; rich mestizo merchant whose house hosts the wedding banquet targeted by Simoun's bomb.

Donya Patrocinio

Donya Patrocinio

Rich, old woman competing with Doña Victorina for attention and social standing.

Father Fernandez

A Jesuit priest sympathetic to the students' cause. Symbolizes reformist clergy.

Chichoy (Quisumbing)

A carriage driver who spreads gossip about events in the novel.

Captain Pepito (or Capitan Pepe)

Another official mentioned in passing; guest at Don Timoteo's house.

Captain Juan (Capitan Juan)

Fellow guest during the wedding scene. Represents complacent elite.

Juanito's Professor (unnamed)

Faculty member who favors Juanito Pelaez due to his wealth.

Isagani's Fellow Poets

Represent youthful idealism and hope.

Students in the Academy Petition Committee

Include Macaraig, Isagani, Basilio, Sandoval, Tadeo, and Juanito Pelaez.

Guardia Civil Officers

Represent state brutality and corruption; some are bribed by Simoun.

Unnamed Guests at the Wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito Pelaez

Symbolize the high society Simoun plans to destroy.

Maria Clara de los Santos

Mentioned only; Ibarra's former love who became a nun and died before the events of El Fili. Her death symbolizes the loss of purity and hope.

Sisa

Mentioned; Basilio's mother, symbol of suffering Filipino mothers.

Crispin

Mentioned; Basilio's younger brother, killed by the friars in Noli Me Tangere. Symbol of innocence lost.