Notes

The chapter starts with the people getting ready for the town fiesta. Houses are adorned with colorful banners, music fills the air, and people are busy with last-minute arrangements. Entertainment is a major attraction, with comedians from Tondo visiting the town and the wealthy people participating in gambling activities.

Kapitan Tiyago, Carlos the Chinaman we're playing liam-po (which is according to the wiktionary, is a chinese gambling game) with the other wealthy visitors of the town. While playing, they mentioned that Padre Damaso was to hold a mass in the morning and sit with them at night.

Meanwhile, significant progress is being made on a new schoolhouse, an ambitious project led by Ibarra. Workers, guided by foreman Ñor Juan, rush to complete the foundations before the ceremony. Ñor Juan would often tell the people about the plans in the construction of the school such as the gardens, playgrounds, and innovative learning spaces. Many young students from Manila came to the town for the Fiesta, most of them admiring Ibarra sees him as a role model.

On the other hand, Ibarra had a conversation with Mang Tasio about the state of affairs in their society. Ibarra notices that Tasio’s previously gloomy predictions about the future seem to have faded, implying that things appear to be improving. However, Mang Tasio warns Ibarra by quoting Francisco Balagtas.

"Kung ang isalúbong sa iyong pagdating

Ay masayang maukha’t may pakitang giliw,

Lalong pag-iñgata’t kaaway na lihim"

Mang Tasio emphasizes that Baltazar was not just a poet but also a deep thinker, implying that his words hold great wisdom. His warning suggests that even when things seem positive, one must remain vigilant, as hidden dangers may still exist. The final line, “Thus in the gathering shadows before the setting of the sun events were shaping themselves,” foreshadows upcoming significant events, hinting at an approaching conflict despite the seemingly peaceful situation.

THEMES

The chapter reflects the Filipino cultural landscape during the Spanish colonial period, where Western practices (such as European food, liqueurs, and décor) were blended with traditional Filipino celebrations. There is a sense of both imitation and adaptation of foreign influences.

Speaking of imitation, the admiration of the young students from Manila towards Ibarra has led to them seeing Ibarra as their role model. They imitate his clothing style, and accessories which also points out to a common irony, rather than imitating his virtues or ideals, they focus on superficial aspects. This chapter also vividly describes the bustle and energy surrounding the town's fiesta preparations. The festivities are marked by grand displays of wealth and a focus on external appearances, from the luxurious food and decorations to the colorful, extravagant festivities. However, beneath this surface, there is a sense of emptiness. The efforts to impress others, whether rich or poor, reveal a deeper social commentary on the emptiness of materialism and public displays, suggesting a critique of social priorities that value spectacle over genuine purpose and this is still evident in our culture today.

There is a stark difference between the wealthy townsfolk who (mentioned in the chapter) import European goods and indulge in excess, and the poorer, laboring classes, who work tirelessly for the event and depend on the generosity of their landlords. The fiesta shows the inequalities that persist, even in a time of celebration, as the rich prepare for extravagance while the poor contribute their labor to ensure the event’s success.