Name: Isagani
Sex: M
Race: Indio
Occupation: Student (Ateneo de Municipal)
Aliases: “The Poet”
Affiliations: Students’ Association, Ateneo de Municipal
Background
Isagani grew up an orphan. His parents are not mentioned, as he was adopted as a child by his uncle Padre Florentino. Their precise family relationship remains unclear. There are rumors that Isagani is the son of Padre Florentino’s first love, or a son of Padre Florentino’s cousin.
Isagani lived in Padre Florentino’s house, which is in a remote location in the province surrounded by mountains, rivers, forests and the sea. He spent most of his childhood exploring the vast lands and would often watch clouds while sitting on a cliff overlooking the sea. He did it so often that Padre Florentino threatened to bring him to a physician, afraid that Isagani would become a hypochrondriac.
Isagani moved to Manila to study medicine at the Ateneo de Municipal.
Story
Chapter 2: Isagani’s first appearance takes place on the lower deck of Steamship Tabo, where he is talking to Basilio and Capitan Basilio. Isagani explains to Capitan Basilio about the students’ plan to convince the Capitan General to approve their petition for Academy for Spanish. Eventually, Capitan Basilio is convinced that their plans will push through.
Basilio and Isagani discuss Paulita Gomez, and how Dona Victorina is looking for her husband. Isagani reveals that Don Tiburcio is hiding in his uncle Padre Florentino’s house. Simoun arrives and Basilio introduces him to Isagani. Isagani becomes irritated after Simoun says he doesn’t visit the provinces because provincial people buy jewels. He argues with Simoun and proves that lack of energy in the country cannot be blamed on people drinking water, reciting a verse. When Simoun leaves, Basilio asks Isagani why Simoun bothers him, and Isagani says he does not know. Padre Florentino’s servant calls Isagani. Padre Florentino tells Isagani not to visit the lounge in order to not abuse the skipper’s hospitality, but Isagani knows that it is so that he cannot talk to Dona Victorina.
Chapter 11: Isagani is mentioned during Capitan General’s discussion on whether he should approve the students’ petition for the Academy for Spanish. Capitan General’s secretary names Isagani as one of the youths heading the project, and says that Isagani (and Macaraig and Basilio) have been accused of radicalism. Padre Fernandez defends Isagani, but Padre Camorra claims Isagani was being insolent while on the steamship.
Chapter 12: Isagani appears in the background at University of Santo Tomas, explaining the theory of the refraction of light to his companion. Later, when Paulita Gomez suddenly arrives, Isagani sees her and becomes pale. After Paulita Gomez smiles at him, he waves back.
Chapter 14: Isagani is one of the many students who have gathered at Macaraig’s house to discuss the petition for the Academy for Spanish. Since Don Custodio is now in charge of the decision, Isagani convinces the students not to rely on Pepay as they have already influenced Padre Irene. The students decide to talk to Senor Pasta and Isagani is selected because Senor Pasta was the classmate of Padre Florentino. Isagani says he will first try “honest means” to convince him on that day, without having to rely on his connection to Padre Florentino.
Chapter 15: Isagani goes to Senor Pasta’s house to convince him. Isagani does not know that Senor Pasta is already aware of his plan to convince him, and asks Senor Pasta to advise Don Custodio to approve their petition. Senor Pasta tries to confuse Isagani with complex words, stating random quotes and laws. At first, Senor Pasta thinks he has successfully confused Isagani, but Isagani is able to argue back.
Isagani’s arguments:
- Colonial governments should be built on the foundation of justice or reason.
- The government should listen to the people and be open to criticism.
Senor Pasta tells Isagani he is too inexperienced to understand why a government should deny the wants of people. Senor Pasta starts to get flustered because Isagani is winning the argument. He pretends to lose his glasses and then says he forgot what he was going to say because Isagani interrupted him. Senor Pasta then announces that he is busy, disappointing Isagani.
Senor Pasta says that Isagani shouldn’t care because he already knows Spanish, but Isagani says he comes in the name of those in worse conditions. Senor Pasta compares Isagani to himself, saying men like them managed to learn on their own and so should others. But Isagani says that not many people have the same opportunities.
Senor Pasta advises Isagani to focus on medicine instead, but Isagani says he would be ashamed if he only helped himself and not the country. After Isagani leaves, Senor Pasta pities him because he reminds him of himself when he was younger.
Chapter 17: Isagani attends the Quiapo fair with Paulita Gomez and Dona Victorina. He is upset that Paulita Gomez is getting so much attention. When Juanito Pelaez greets them, Dona Victorina decides that she prefers him to Isagani.
Chapter 19: Placido Penitente and Simoun see Isagani together with Paulita Gomez, Dona Victorina and Juanito Pelaez. Placido Penitente notices that “he seems happy”, whereas Simoun says “he only serves for that, it’s nice to be young” but it is not specified whether one or both of them are referring to Isagani or Juanito Pelaez.
Chapter 21: Isagani is seen at Teatro de Variedades, entering the theater with Macaraig, Pecson and Sandoval as Macaraig has a box for the students.
Chapter 22: Isagani is jealous and angry while watching the play, because he sees Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez together even though they had agreed Isagani would watch the play first to check if there was objectionable content. Paulita Gomez looks at Isagani and smiles apologetically. Later, Isagani feels embarrassed that Paulita Gomez will watch the performers do the can-can dance. He wonders if he should challenge Juanito Pelaez to a duel. Isagani does not notice that Paulita Gomez is jealous and thinks he is paying attention to the actresses. After the first act, Paulita Gomez and Isagani look at each other, silently agreeing to talk later.
Chapter 24: Isagani meets up with Paulita Gomez at the Malecon, thinking she is going to break up with him. Isagani is prepared to get revenge on Juanito Pelaez. Because of his bitterness, he is angry at anyone he looks at, including his old professors and Simoun. He wants to die for the motherland’s cause.
Isagani thinks of verses from poems while waiting for Paulita Gomez. At night, she arrives with Dona Victorina and a friend. Dona Victorina asks for news about Don Tiburcio but Isagani says he doesn’t know. Dona Victorina then asks about Juanito Pelaez and Isagani praises him, which makes Dona Victorina.
Alone, Paulita Gomez reveals she was jealous because Isagani was staring at the actresses. She says Dona Victorina forced her to go and that Dona Victorina is in love with Juanito Pelaez. They laugh and Isagani explains the truth about Don Tiburcio.
Isagani tells Paulita Gomez about his hometown and how beautiful the forest, mountains and sea are. She is jealous because he seems happier there. Isagani invites Paulita Gomez to go with him to his hometown when trains connect the provinces. Paulita Gomez doesn’t believe him but Isagani makes a speech about how fast the country is progressing technologically.
Isagani is hopeful that someday Spanish people and Indios will be equal. He tells Paulita Gomez that they will struggle but eventually the country will overcome its problems. Paulita Gomez asks what will happen if they fail, and Isagani answers that he would die happily for the country and that Paulita Gomez can be proud of him. Isagani is happy when Dona Victorina and Paulita Gomez give him a ride in their carriage.
Chapter 25: Isagani attends the dinner at Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto with his fellow students. Sandoval reads a sign at the restaurant that looks like a poem, and jokes that it is something Isagani should see. Isagani arrives, and while everyone else is saddened by the news of the petition, Isagani is the only one still happy, because he just came from his date with Paulita Gomez.
While dedicating dishes to various people, Isagani suggests dedicating the pansit guisado to Chinaman Quiroga. The other students insult the friars but Isagani points out that he respects one friar. When someone suggests that without friars or Indios the government would be controlled by the Chinese, Isagani refers to that situation as a “torta of crabs”. The students’ dinner is interrupted when they notice that a spy of Padre Sibyla was watching them.
Chapter 26: Isagani is seen by Basilio on campus. He is giving a speech to students about the posters, saying it does not matter who wrote them but that they should not be afraid and support the posters if the ideas are worth supporting.
Chapter 27: Padre Fernandez calls Isagani to his office. He asks what priests should do when students are not honest with them in class yet talk behind their backs.
Isagani’s arguments:
- Students who speak their minds are punished, meaning friars are not doing their jobs.
- It is the priests’ fault if the students stay uneducated because the priests don’t help them improve.
- If the government is flawed then the Spanish people should not impose it on others.
Isagani asks Padre Fernandez not to oppose the freedom of education and that friars should treat students better. Padre Fernandez says it is the students who should work hard to deserve the education being given, but Isagani says students naturally have more difficulty changing which is why friars are supposed to help guide them.
Padre Fernandez accepts Isagani’s request and says he will talk to the other friars, but that they probably won’t believe him. Isagani says his friends will not believe Padre Fernandez either. Isagani leaves and Padre Fernandez watches him from the window as he tells a friend he is going to see the posters in the Civil Government. Padre Fernandez is jealous of the Jesuits who educated Isagani.
Later, the Jesuits disown Isagani when he is arrested.
Chapter 28: Isagani is mentioned when people in town learn that he surrendered himself, which means Paulita Gomez will most likely marry a Spaniard instead of him. There are also false rumors that Isagani was shot.
Chapter 31: Isagani is said to have been the last student to be freed one week after the poster incident (because Basilio stayed in jail). Padre Florentino went to Manila and paid to free Isagani.
Chapter 32: Isagani is said to have passed Padre Fernandez’s course, but was suspended by all his other teachers because of his imprisonment. Later, when there are rumors that Paulita Gomez will marry Juanito Pelaez, it is revealed that her love for Isagani “vanished” because of his involvement with the posters. Paulita Gomez also did not like how Isagani surrendered to the police instead of hiding, which to her is not sensible.
While comparing Juanito Pelaez to Isagani, Paulita Gomez decides she prefers Juanito Pelaez because Isagani is from the province and grew up in poverty.
Chapter 34: Basilio thinks of Isagani while he is walking through the streets. Unlike the other students, Isagani didn’t go home for vacation. Basilio visits Isagani to ask for money but when he is not in his house, Basilio realizes that Isagani disappeared. When seeing Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez in a carriage, Basilio feels pity for Isagani, wondering if he should tell Isagani about Simoun’s plan. But he decides not to because Isagani would not join, as he has not gone through what Basilio went through.
Chapter 35: While running away from Capitan Tiago’s house after Simoun lit the fuse, Basilio sees Isagani watching Paulita Gomez from outside her window. Basilio tries to convince Isagani to come with him but Isagani refuses. Basilio asks if Isagani wants to die and Isagani just shrugs. Basilio explains that the lamp is a bomb. Isagani still does not want to leave because he wants to see Paulita Gomez one last time, so Basilio leaves him and runs.
After Basilio is gone, Isagani realizes that Basilio truly looked scared, realizing that Basilio was telling the truth. Paulita Gomez’s life is in danger, so Isagani goes into the house. An unknown figure takes the lamp and throws it in the river, before jumping in. The figure is implied to be Isagani.
Chapter 37: Isagani is spending time in the Orenda house in Santa Cruz. Instead of playing sungka with Tinay Orenda like he usually does, instead he is listening to Chichoy and the rest of the family talk about the bomb and Simoun. The family wonders if more than one person was involved, and Senor Pasta says it was probably an enemy of Don Timoteo Pelaez or rival of Juanito Pelaez. They look at Isagani jokingly, and he smiles. Lolong tells Isagani to hide or else he will be accused. Isagani is still smiling when they remember that only Don Timoteo Pelaez and Simoun were in charge of the party.
When the family talks about the list of suspects, one of them mentions Isagani and Toringoy looks at him. The family wonders if the thief is one of the “Black Hand”. Isagani tells them that if the thief had known what would’ve happened, he would not have stolen the lamp. Isagani says he does not wish to be in the thief’s place, and leaves to stay permanently with Padre Florentino.
Chapter 39: Isagani is mentioned as having written to Don Tiburcio to inform him that Dona Victorina wants him dead or alive. Because of this, Don Tiburcio flees from Padre Florentino’s house. Later, Padre Florentino is reminded of Isagani when he confronts Simoun and decides to help him, even if Simoun didn’t help free Isagani from prison and helped plan Paulita Gomez’s wedding to Juanito Pelaez.
Padre Florentino thinks of Isagani again when he goes to the cliff where Isagani used to watch the sea. It is there that Padre Florentino throws Simoun’s chest into the ocean.
Physical Appearance
Isagani is only described physically in Chapter 2, when he is first introduced. In comparison to Basilio, he is said to be “bigger and more robust but younger”.
Personality
In Chapter 2, Isagani is introduced as “one of the poets produced that year by the Ateneo; ordinarily uncommunicative and somewhat taciturn.” Isagani is one who is often silent until he is spoken to, but when he is passionate about a topic, he will become very vocal and honest about his opinion, not caring if the person he is speaking to agrees with him or not.
Out of all the students, Isagani seems to be the one most passionate about their cause, and claims he will defend his principles to the death. He says several times that he is willing to die for the country. He is not afraid to argue with persons of authority, like his professors. Isagani’s idealism and honesty are what causes characters like Padre Camorra and Senor Pasta to look down on him, and lead him to get arrested when he goes to Civil Government to turn himself in after the poster incident. But these traits are also what gets Padre Fernandez to respect him, since he expresses himself clearly and is a man of conviction (Chapter 27).
Being young, Isagani is also prone to jealousy as he gets uncomfortable when noticing people staring at his girlfriend, Paulita Gomez. He also acts rude to Simoun (Chapter 2), despite admitting that he does not know the reason why Simoun bothers him. His immaturity is apparent usually when interacting with Paulita Gomez.
After Prison
“It is always wicked to take what does not belong to you. If that thief had known what it was all about and had been able to reflect, surely he would not have done it! For nothing in this world would I wish to be in his place!” (to Orenda family, Chapter 37)
Isagani is depressed after being being released from prison, though his sadness is not due to being arrested or being suspended from school, but rather because Paulita Gomez is going to marry Juanito Pelaez. He is seen spying on Paulita Gomez during their wedding feast and does not care about Basilio warning him that his life in danger. When Basilio asks him if he cares that he is going to die, Isagani just shrugs. After the bomb incident, he is mostly quiet while listening to the Orenda family, and shows that he regrets throwing the bomb into the river.
Skills
Declamation
“It seems preposterous, that an incident so insignificant should disperse us and that we should flee like sparrows because a scarecrow shakes itself! It is perhaps the first time that the youth will enter prison for the cause of liberty?” (to students, Chapter 26)
Isagani is fond of giving speeches in the open, no matter who may hear them or how controversial his ideas are. He states all his predictions for the future to Paulita Gomez (Chapter 24), explaining to her with a grand speech about how the Philippines will one day be great. In Chapter 26, he tells his fellow students to support the ideas behind the posters if the ideas are worth supporting, instead of caring about who wrote them. Even though this act can easily be seen as subversive and is likely to get Isagani into more trouble, he will still voice his opinion.
Debating
Many chapters are dedicated to Isagani confronting someone and having a long argument with them. Because he is known for being brutally honest, Isagani does not hesitate to tell anyone – no matter who, regardless of their status – what he really thinks. He will point out the flaws in the other person’s logic and is always able to present a counter-argument, citing scientific facts and sometimes verses in literature to support his point. In Chapter 2 he immediately challenges Padre Camorra’s claim that people are lazy because they don’t drink enough water. He is able to defeat Senor Pasta’s arguments in Chapter 15, and argue back against Padre Fernandez in Chapter 27, causing both to become flustered when they cannot think of a response to Isagani’s statements. By convincing Padre Fernandez, Isagani manages to pass his class despite being in jail at the time.
Knowledge of literature
Isagani is called a poet many times throughout El Filibusterismo (El Fili), and often makes references to lines and quotes from literature. He uses verses in his argument against Simoun (Chapter 2) and even when thinking, will remember a verse that reminds him of his current situation, like when he is waiting for Paulita Gomez (Chapter 24). Isagani’s knowledge of poetry is so well-known that when Sandoval sees a sign that looks like a poem, he jokes that Isagani should see it (Chapter 25). Paulita Gomez also admits that part of the reason she loved Isagani was because of his talent in poetry (Chapter 32).
Relationships
Beliefs
On Hispanization
Isagani is one of students heading the project for the Academy for Spanish. Because he is one of those who is most enthusiastic about it, the students rely on him to convince Senor Pasta to support the project using reasoning. From Isagani’s point of view, Hispanization will allow Indios to be equal with the Spanish, as it will give them more opportunities in education and jobs. He recognizes that unlike him, many Indios have no way of learning Spanish and therefore they should be given the chance to do so. Isagani’s main reason for supporting the petition is because he wants to help those who do not have the same opportunities he does.
On Education
“Liberty is to man what education is to the mind, and the friars not wanting us to have it is the source of our discontent.” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
Isagani believes everyone has a right to education and that it is up to the teachers to make sure the students learn. He tells Senor Pasta that even farmers deserve to be educated so that they will become better at their trade (Chapter 15). But if the students end up failing, it is the teacher’s fault for not teaching them to become better. He argues this with Padre Fernandez (Chapter 27) and voices his lack of satisfaction with the state of education in the Philippines. He even tells Padre Fernandez that the priests (and government) are trying to keep the students uneducated on purpose as they don’t want students to be independent. He criticizes priests as not wanting to share knowledge and only teaching outdated ideas. Isagani believes students should be allowed to speak their minds without being punished. One of the requests he has for Padre Fernandez is to ask that priests grant the students freedom of education.
On the Government
“A people who detest their government should not demand more of it than that it abdicate its power.” (to Senor Pasta, Chapter 15)
Isagani is very critical of the government but recognizes its power. Senor Pasta tries to convince him that the government is meant to be followed without question (Chapter 15) but Isagani argues that the government is meant to serve the people and is naturally flawed because it is a human institution.. So, the government should listen to its people and not the other way around, or else it will fail to improve. When Padre Fernandez blames the government, Isagani argues back that the government should not be imposing its will on people if it is the kind of government that makes mistakes.
On Nationalism
“Ah! I would like to die, be reduced to nothingness, leave my motherland a glorious name, die for her cause, defending her from foreign invasion, and that the sun afterwards illumine my corpse as an immobile sentinel on the rocks of the sea!” (Chapter 24)
Isagani is selfless and loves his country the most out of all the students, even mentioning several times that he is willing to die fighting for it. He tells Senor Pasta that he would feel ashamed if he only worked for himself and not for the country (Chapter 15). Isagani is idealistic about the future of the Philippines, and his idea of a bright future is imagining trains connecting all the provinces, which will allow anyone to travel all over the archipelago (Chapter 24). Although he has fond memories of his simple life in the province being surrounded by nature, Isagani is hopeful for technology being able to unite everyone in the islands. He encourages the students to fight for their freedom after the poster incident (Chapter 26)
On Equality
“He who gives his gold and his life to the State, has the right to require of it that it give him the light to better earn his gold and better conserve his life.” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
Isagani always puts emphasis on justice and fairness, believing it should be the foundation of a government and that everyone deserves to have the same rights. He often reacts badly when reminded that people don’t have the privileges. When he overhears Ben Zayb talking to about Simoun getting sick the night before, he immediately gets angry at Simoun for getting visitors while soldiers get none. (Chapter 24)
“Strange destiny, that of some nations. Because a traveler comes to their shores, they lose their freedom and become the subjects and slaves, not only of the traveler, not only of his heirs, but even of all his compatriots, and not for one generation, but for always! Strange concept of justice!” (Chapter 24)
One of Isagani’s dreams is for slavery to no longer exist, and he confidently believes that in the future, Spain and the Philippines will be equals (Chapter 24). He claims that Indios are studying in Spain for that reason, so they can come back and help the country improve. Even when Paulita Gomez has doubts, Isagani insists that someday they will be successful.
Trivia
- It is not confirmed how Senor Pasta found out, but he reveals to the readers that Isagani is studying to be a doctor.
Quotes
“That man incites in me horror, almost fear.” (on Simoun, Chapter 2)
“For colonial governments the foundation of prestige is the weakest, because it does not depend on them, but on the free will of the governed while they wish to recognize it… The foundation of justice or reason appears to me more durable.” (to Senor Pasta, Chapter 15)
“You yourself know that it is a tyrannical and despotic government that, to display its power and independence, denies everything out of fear and suspicion.” (to Senor Pasta, Chapter 15)
“Undoubtedly, there are many doctors and lawyers, but I will not say we have a surplus, since we have towns that sorely lack them, but if they abound in quantity; perhaps we lack them in quality.” (to Senor Pasta, Chapter 15).
“A thousand cities, a thousand places I would give up for a remote place of the Philippines, where far from mankind I feel free with true liberty!” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“Before knowing you, that sea was for me my world,my enchantment, my love, my illusions.” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“In a little while all the islands are going to be crossed by a net of iron: ‘Where rapid and winged engines will rush in flight,’ as someone has said; then, the most beautiful places of the archipelago will be open to all.” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“Tomorrow we will be citizens of the Philippines, whose destiny will be beautiful because it will be in loving hands.” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“This air so pure and these stones so clean will be covered with coal, with boxes and barrels, products of human industry, but it matters not, for we shall move on rapidly in comfortable coaches…” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“It is true we have enemies, that there will be a struggle, but we shall overcome.” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“If we accomplish nothing, I would dream of another look of yours, and I would die happy because a flash of pride could shine in your eyes and you would one day say to the world pointing at my corpse: ‘My love died fighting for the rights of my Motherland!’” (to Paulita Gomez, Chapter 24)
“Here, all independent thought, all words which are not an echo of the will of the powerful, are judged as subversion, and you know very well what that means. A fool is he who allows himself to say in a loud voice what he thinks, and risks suffering persecution!” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
“What we are, you have made us. A people which is tyrannized is obliged to be hypocritical; those to whom the truth is denied give you falsehood.” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
“The students, besides not gaining any great benefit from the years spent in classes, often leave there shreds of their dignity, if not all of it.” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
“There is the innate desire in man to cultivate his intelligence, a desire that here grows more powerful the more it is repressed.” (to Padre Fernandez, Chapter 27)
