Capitan Tiago

**Capitan Tiago** was an influential businessman in San Diego and the father of Maria Clara. Betrothing his daughter to Crisostomo Ibarra, Capitan Tiago struggled to obey the will of the friars.

## History

### Early History

Tiago was born the only son of a sugar miller in Malabon. Despite being well-off, his father refused to pay for his schooling, leading Tiago to be taken in and sent to school by a Dominican. Around this time, he unsuccessfully courted Doña Victorina.

After both his father and the Dominican died, Tiago went into business himself, eventually marrying Doña Pia Alba. With his wife wanting to manage a farm, the two bought land in San Diego, Laguna, also befriending Don Rafael Ibarra and Padre Damaso. He also, at some point, became gobernadorcillo of the town, earning the nickname "Capitan Tiago".

For six years Tiago and his wife were childless, until Padre Damaso advised Doña Pia Alba to make a pilgrimage to a shrine in Obando. After the woman became pregnant and died birthing her daughter, Capitan Tiago named the girl Maria Clara. He also had his maiden cousin, Isabel, raise the girl in the absence of her real mother.

When Maria Clara reached girlhood, Capitan Tiago had her study in the Sta. Clara convent. After Don Rafael's son Crisostomo left for Europe, Capitan Tiago agreed with Don Rafael to betroth their two children.

### A Wedding for Maria Clara

On October 31, 1881, Ibarra came back to the Philippines; in response, Capitan Tiago hosted a party to welcome him back. Upon Ibarra's arrival at his house, he warmly received him and introduced him to the guests.

Later on, Capitan Tiago was visited by Padre Damaso, who angrily objected to Maria Clara's marriage to Ibarra; Capitan Tiago, not wanting to displease him, reluctantly agreed. After Ibarra almost killed Padre Damaso and was excommunicated by him as a result, Capitan Tiago broke off Maria Clara's engagement to him, instead betrothing her to Padre Damaso's relative Alfonso Linares. He then announced his decision to his daughter and Tia Isabel.

Later on, he learned that Ibarra had been arrested due to being involved in an attack on the Guardia Civil barracks. As Capitan Tiago made preparations for his daughter's imminent wedding, he later learned of Ibarra's apparent death after escaping prison. Maria Clara, distraught then entered the Sta. Clara convent as a result.

### Later Life

On the day that Maria Clara entered the convent, Capitan Tiago encountered the boy Basilio and hired him as a serving-man in his household. He later became addicted to opium, and drove Tia Isabel out of his house; she then moved back to Malabon. As the years went by, Capitan Tiago funded Basilio's education, also taking on the priest Padre Irene as a confessor.

In 1895, on the day of Maria Clara's death, Capitan Tiago was watched over by Basilio as he fell ill due to opium poisoning. Right before his death, Capitan Tiago signed a will forged by Padre Irene, causing his wealth to be distributed to religious corporations rather than Basilio as intended.

## Personality and Traits

Capitan Tiago was a meek and submissive man. Valuing social connections above all else, Tiago prioritized positioning himself strategically amongst the elite of the country. This manifested as him constantly bowing to the will of the friars; his courting of Doña Victorina, befriending of Don Rafael, and betrothal of his daughter to Ibarra can be interpreted to be motivated by his self-interest in being well-connected. Despite having a vast amount of wealth, Tiago's actions were ultimately determined by what would be best for his social standing, leading him to sever ties with Ibarra when his association with him was no longer to his benefit.

## Trivia

* According to Jose Alejandrino, Tiago was based on the businessman Telesforo Chuidian; the description of the interior of Tiago's house was even modeled after Telesforo's.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 6
2. ↑ *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 42
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 1
4. ↑ *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 2
5. ↑ *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 9
6. ↑ *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 36
7. ↑ *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 60
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Noli Me Tangere* – Chapter 64
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *El Filibusterismo* – Chapter 6
10. ↑ *El Filibusterismo* – Chapter 23
11. ↑ *El Filibusterismo* – Chapter 29
12. ↑ *Demonyo Tables: History in Artifacts* – A peek into Kapitan Tiago's house