Ibarra is now walking the streets of San Diego when Tenyente Guevarra catches up with him. The Tenyente warns him to be careful, or else he will end up like his father. Surprised, Ibarra immediately questions Tenyente Guevarra about the fate of his father.
The Tenyente goes on to tell Ibarra that although his father Don Rafael was one of the wealthiest and most respected men in the town, there were many Spaniards and priests who were angry at Don Rafael. A few months after Ibarra had left for Europe, Don Rafael and Padre Damaso had a big conflict. Don Rafael's enemies ganged up on him, accusing him of killing a tax collector, being a heretic and filibuster, insulting the priests behind their backs, and many more. He was convicted and placed behind bars. Tenyente Guevarra tried to help by getting Don Rafael a good lawyer. When Don Rafael was about to be set free (the lawyer won the case), he died inside his prison cell due to the sickness he had developed during his captivity.
Tenyente Guevarra ends there, telling Ibarra that Kapitan Tiago will continue the rest of the story next time. Ibarra rides a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) to his temporary residence, Fonda de Lala.
Notes:
Analysis:
It was hard for Filipinos back then to win any court cases because the court was ruled by Spaniards. Whoever became an enemy of the Church was also considered in danger.
The Tenyente goes on to tell Ibarra that although his father Don Rafael was one of the wealthiest and most respected men in the town, there were many Spaniards and priests who were angry at Don Rafael. A few months after Ibarra had left for Europe, Don Rafael and Padre Damaso had a big conflict. Don Rafael's enemies ganged up on him, accusing him of killing a tax collector, being a heretic and filibuster, insulting the priests behind their backs, and many more. He was convicted and placed behind bars. Tenyente Guevarra tried to help by getting Don Rafael a good lawyer. When Don Rafael was about to be set free (the lawyer won the case), he died inside his prison cell due to the sickness he had developed during his captivity.
Tenyente Guevarra ends there, telling Ibarra that Kapitan Tiago will continue the rest of the story next time. Ibarra rides a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) to his temporary residence, Fonda de Lala.
Notes:
- Heretic - someone who does not believe in God or has betrayed Him and the Roman Catholic Church. Don Rafael was convicted of this because he was accused of reading the controversial book "El Correo de Ultramar."
- Filibuster - enemy of the state/government; someone who has gone against laws or people of the government. One of the reasons Don Rafael was convicted of this is because he frequently wore a Barong Tagalog, a formal Filipino suit, which apparently was a sign of rebellion for the Spaniards.
- Story of the tax collector and Don Rafael - A Filipino child was making fun of a tax collector. In his fury, the tax collector started to beat the child severely. Don Rafael, to save the child, hit the tax collector with a rock, and the tax collector died.
Analysis:
It was hard for Filipinos back then to win any court cases because the court was ruled by Spaniards. Whoever became an enemy of the Church was also considered in danger.
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