Original Text(~250 words)
CHAPTER XXXVIII The Procession At nightfall, when all the lanterns in the windows had been lighted, for the fourth time the procession started amid the ringing of bells and the usual explosions of bombs. The Captain-General, who had gone out on foot in company with his two aides, Capitan Tiago, the alcalde, the alferez, and Ibarra, preceded by civil-guards and officials who opened the way and cleared the street, was invited to review the procession from the house of the gobernadorcillo, in front of which a platform had been erected where a _loa_ [104] would be recited in honor of the Blessed Patron. Ibarra would gladly have renounced the pleasure of hearing this poetical composition, preferring to watch the procession from Capitan Tiago's house, where Maria Clara had remained with some of her friends, but his Excellency wished to hear the _loa_, so he had no recourse but to console himself with the prospect of seeing her at the theater. The procession was headed by the silver candelabra borne by three begloved sacristans, behind whom came the school children in charge of their teacher, then boys with paper lanterns of varied shapes and colors placed on the ends of bamboo poles of greater or less length and decorated according to the caprice of each boy, since this illumination was furnished by the children of the barrios, who gladly performed this service, imposed by the _matanda sa nayon_, [105] each one designing and fashioning his own lantern, adorning it as his...
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Summary
The town's religious procession becomes a stage where everyone's true nature is revealed. Ibarra watches alongside the Captain-General and other officials as saints parade through the streets, but what he sees exposes the community's contradictions. The lowly John the Baptist gets shabby treatment while flashier saints receive elaborate displays, mirroring how society values appearance over substance. Officials distribute both beatings and candles to the crowd, showing how authority gives and takes arbitrarily. The old philosopher Tasio provides running commentary, pointing out how the church has corrupted its own saints' messages. When the procession reaches Maria Clara's house, her voice singing Ave Maria stops everyone in their tracks—a moment of genuine beauty that pierces through the artificial spectacle. But Ibarra senses something troubling in her song, a sadness that makes him question whether he might be the cause. The Captain-General's invitation to discuss 'those boys who disappeared' adds an ominous note. This chapter shows how public rituals often serve the powerful while revealing uncomfortable truths about a community's values. Through Ibarra's eyes, we see how stepping back from tradition allows us to recognize patterns of injustice and hypocrisy that participants take for granted.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Religious procession
A formal parade where religious statues are carried through town streets while people pray and sing. In colonial Philippines, these were major community events that mixed genuine faith with political theater.
Modern Usage:
Like how company meetings or town halls can mix real business with performative displays of unity and values.
Loa
A ceremonial poem recited in honor of saints or important visitors. These flowery speeches were expected at formal events, whether the audience wanted to hear them or not.
Modern Usage:
Like mandatory corporate speeches or award ceremony presentations that everyone has to sit through politely.
Captain-General
The highest Spanish colonial official in the Philippines, representing the King's authority. His presence at local events was both an honor and a source of tension for townspeople.
Modern Usage:
Like when the CEO visits a local branch - everyone scrambles to impress while feeling nervous about what they might notice.
Gobernadorcillo
A Filipino appointed by Spanish authorities to govern the town. These men had to balance serving their colonial masters while managing their own community's needs.
Modern Usage:
Like middle managers who have to enforce corporate policies while trying to protect their team from upper management.
Civil guards
Spanish colonial police force that maintained order through intimidation and violence. They represented foreign authority imposed on local communities.
Modern Usage:
Like security forces that communities see as outsiders rather than protectors - more feared than trusted.
Matanda sa nayon
Village elder who assigns duties and maintains traditions. These respected figures held informal but real power in community decisions.
Modern Usage:
Like the longtime neighborhood resident everyone goes to for advice and who organizes block parties and community events.
Sacristan
Church assistants who help with religious ceremonies. Often young men from poor families who gained small privileges through church service.
Modern Usage:
Like unpaid interns or volunteers who do the grunt work while hoping it leads to better opportunities.
Characters in This Chapter
Ibarra
Observant outsider
Watches the procession with fresh eyes, seeing contradictions others miss. His position with the Captain-General gives him a privileged view but also makes him complicit in the power structure he's starting to question.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who comes back to their hometown after college and suddenly sees all the dysfunction they used to accept as normal
Captain-General
Supreme authority figure
His presence transforms the religious event into a political performance. Everyone must cater to his wishes, showing how colonial power corrupts even sacred traditions.
Modern Equivalent:
The visiting corporate executive whose presence makes everyone fake-smile and perform their jobs differently
Tasio
Truth-telling philosopher
Provides cynical commentary on the procession, pointing out how the church has perverted its own saints' messages. His observations make uncomfortable truths visible.
Modern Equivalent:
The older coworker who's seen it all and isn't afraid to point out the hypocrisy everyone else pretends not to notice
Maria Clara
Idealized beloved
Her voice singing Ave Maria creates the only moment of genuine beauty in the artificial spectacle. But Ibarra senses sadness in her song that troubles him.
Modern Equivalent:
The person everyone puts on a pedestal but who's clearly struggling with something they can't or won't share
Capitan Tiago
Social climber
Hosts the Captain-General and important officials, using his wealth to buy proximity to power. Represents Filipinos who prosper by serving colonial interests.
Modern Equivalent:
The wealthy local who throws parties for politicians and business leaders, always networking their way up the social ladder
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot the gap between public displays of goodness and actual behavior.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone needs to loudly announce their virtue—then watch what they actually do when the performance ends.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The lowly John the Baptist received shabby treatment while flashier saints were carried with elaborate ceremony."
Context: Describing how different saints' statues are treated during the procession
This reveals how even religious devotion gets corrupted by social values that prize appearance over substance. The saint who preached simplicity gets the worst treatment.
In Today's Words:
The people doing the real work get ignored while the flashy ones get all the attention and resources.
"Officials distributed both beatings and candles to the crowd with equal generosity."
Context: Observing how authority figures treat the common people during the procession
Shows the arbitrary nature of colonial power - punishment and reward come from the same source without clear logic, keeping people off-balance and dependent.
In Today's Words:
Management gives out bonuses and write-ups randomly, so you never know which version of your boss you're going to get.
"Her voice singing Ave Maria stopped everyone in their tracks - a moment of genuine beauty that pierced through the artificial spectacle."
Context: When Maria Clara sings from her window during the procession
This moment of authentic emotion cuts through all the performative religiosity, showing what real spiritual feeling looks like versus manufactured ceremony.
In Today's Words:
Sometimes one person being genuinely themselves can make all the fake stuff around them suddenly obvious.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Performative Virtue
The louder someone proclaims their righteousness publicly, the more likely they are to act corruptly in private.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The procession reveals class hierarchy through which saints get elaborate treatment versus shabby displays, mirroring how society values appearance over substance
Development
Continues from earlier chapters showing how class determines treatment and respect in all social institutions
In Your Life:
You might notice how your workplace treats different levels of employees during company events or public relations moments
Identity
In This Chapter
Ibarra's outsider perspective allows him to see contradictions that participants accept as normal, showing how distance reveals truth
Development
Building on Ibarra's growing awareness of his community's flaws since returning from Europe
In Your Life:
You might recognize patterns in your family or workplace that others can't see because you've stepped back from daily participation
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The crowd participates in rituals that contradict the very teachings they claim to follow, showing how tradition can corrupt meaning
Development
Extends the theme of how social pressure makes people accept harmful practices
In Your Life:
You might find yourself going along with workplace or family traditions that don't align with your actual values
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Maria Clara's sad song suggests hidden pain, making Ibarra question whether he might be causing harm to someone he loves
Development
Deepens the complexity of their relationship beyond simple romance
In Your Life:
You might recognize moments when someone's behavior suggests they're struggling with something you can't see or understand
Modern Adaptation
The Company Picnic
Following Crisostomo's story...
Crisostomo attends his first company picnic since returning from his MBA program, hoping to connect with coworkers and share ideas for improving workplace culture. He watches as management puts on their annual show—the CEO grilling burgers while talking about 'family values,' HR handing out branded water bottles while quietly documenting who shows up, supervisors playing cornhole with workers they'll write up on Monday. The safety manager who just cut the training budget wins the 'Employee Appreciation' award. When Maria, the beloved night-shift supervisor, gives a speech about the company's mission, her voice carries a sadness that stops everyone. Crisostomo realizes she knows the layoffs are coming—layoffs he heard about in the executive meeting he wasn't supposed to attend. The CEO pulls him aside afterward, mentioning they should 'discuss those complaints from the floor' soon. Crisostomo sees how the picnic creates an illusion of unity while management gathers intelligence and workers perform gratitude they don't feel.
The Road
The road Ibarra walked in 1887, Crisostomo walks today. The pattern is identical: public displays of virtue mask private corruption, and stepping outside the performance reveals uncomfortable truths about power.
The Map
This chapter provides a framework for reading performative events. When authority figures stage displays of caring, look for what they're actually doing behind the performance.
Amplification
Before reading this, Crisostomo might have taken the company picnic at face value, maybe even felt grateful for management's 'effort.' Now he can NAME performative virtue, PREDICT the gap between public caring and private actions, and NAVIGATE by watching what people do when they think no one's looking.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What contrast does Ibarra notice between how John the Baptist is treated versus the flashier saints in the procession?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the officials distribute both beatings and blessed candles to the same crowd?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people loudly proclaim their values while quietly acting against them?
application • medium - 4
How would you tell the difference between someone who genuinely lives their values versus someone just performing them publicly?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about why institutions sometimes corrupt the very ideals they claim to represent?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Spot the Performance Gap
Think of someone in your life who talks a lot about their values - a boss, politician, family member, or public figure. Write down three things they say they believe in, then honestly assess how their actual behavior matches up. Look for the gap between their public statements and private actions.
Consider:
- •Focus on patterns of behavior, not isolated incidents
- •Consider whether they might be unaware of their own contradictions
- •Think about what incentives might be driving the performance versus the reality
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself saying one thing but doing another. What was driving that split, and how did you handle it when you noticed?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 39: The Alferez's Wife Unleashed
Moving forward, we'll examine powerless people often abuse those with even less power, and understand the way domestic violence creates cycles of cruelty. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.