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y  Padre Damaso and Capitan Tiago (in Tiago's house/office)y  Padre Hernando Sibyla and an old, extremely sick Dominican (in Intramuros)y  Capitan Heneral and his men

Padre Damaso and Capitan Tiago Padre Damaso does not want Maria Clara to marry Ibarra and is displeased with Capitan Tiago for notinforming him of a marriage agreement made with Don Rafael (Ibarra's father). It is unclear why CapitanTiago chose not to consult with Padre Damaso about such an agreement in the past. But, true to his form,

Capitan Tiago obeys the priest and extinguishes the candle he previously ordered lit for Ibarra's safe journey to San Diego (Ibarra's hometown).

(For those unfamiliar with this practice, a candle is usually lit and placed on an altar, sometimes in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Someprayers are said for someone's safe journey, since there were bandits about and who knows what other dangers lurk at each bend. As long as

the candle remained lit, it was believed that the traveler was protected.)

The chapter ends with Tiago blowing out the candle and muttering that there is still time and the journeyis long. (What a future father-in-law, eh?)

Padre Sibyla and the Very Sick, Old Dominican We don't know what the old priest is sick of, but that's not the point of this chapter. Here we see theIbarra is completely unaware that the priests are plotting against him. Those Dominicans are deathlyafraid of Ibarra because they know he--with his education--is not ignorant of his situation. Also, Ibarramight later rise as a leader for the indios.

The Dominicans, knowing about the misfortune of Don Rafael and knowing character of Ibarra, alreadyforesaw the brewing conflict between the young man and Padre Damaso.

Nevertheless, the Dominicans were confident about controlling Ibarra, through Maria Clara and CapianTiago. Or so thought the old priest.

Padre Sibyla sees Ibarra as someone with finesse (good breeding). Afterall, Ibarra was quite subtle in hisverbal fight with Padre Damaso earlier. Sibyla also considers Ibarra as an "obedient child" who will notfight outright with the friars.

The old Dominican mentioned that he prefers an open fight rather than the useless praise of his friends,which tends to make the priests soft and unaware that they are starting to lose their hold on the people.

(So watch out when things seem to go too well for you. You'll never know... After all, whom the gods wishto destroy, they first make mad.)

Also, since the Spanish government is concerned with maintaining power over the Philippines, they willhelp the priests if ever the indios rise in revolt. If there is no conflict, however, the government might notsee the need for the Spanish priests, and will just rely on the Filipino priests to keep the rest of thepopulation timid.

Padre Sibyla worries, however, that the government might side with the indios. Remember that theChurch and State are not really the best of friends:

y  The friars murdered Capitan Heneral Bustamante in Malacanan before.y  Capitan Heneral Ma. de la Torre was well-loved by the indios because he was just (and

didn't always support the friars).

Realize that the Filipinos lacked two important things in their bid for political justice and economicfreedom:

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