Maria Clara

**Article** Gallery

* Noli Me Tangere
* El filibusterismo

**María Clara de los Santos y Alba**, more commonly known as **"María Clara"**, was the fiancée of Crisostomo Ibarra and the female heroine of *Noli Me Tangere*. She is one of the two titular deuteragonists of the Philippine historical fantasy TV drama *Maria Clara At Ibarra*. She is portrayed by Julie Anne San Jose.

## Appearance

Maria Clara was a beautiful young woman, known all over the town of San Diego for her *mestiza* qualities. She wore the common fashion for the 1880s woman, a *traje de mestiza* with a *baro* and a *pañuelo* covering the bosom, with a *saya* and *tapis*. She often wore earrings and a special necklace from her father, which she later gave to a leper.

## Personality

Maria Clara is depicted a graceful and demure young woman. She embodies traditional femininity and is known for her modesty in demeanour and appearance.

Maria is deeply religious and is shown as a devout Catholic. She regularly attends church, prays fervently, and upholds the religious traditions of her time.

She is portrayed as a dutiful daughter, deeply devoted to her parents, especially her mother, Doña Pia Alba. She is respectful and obedient, adhering to societal expectations and norms.

Maria Clara is presented as a romantic character, capable of deep emotions and sentimental attachment. Her love for Crisostomo Ibarra is a central element of the story, and her emotions are often tied to her relationships.

Maria Clara represents the struggle faced by individuals who are torn between their Filipino identity and the influences of Spanish colonization. She embodies the conflict between her love for Ibarra, a Filipino nationalist, and the pressure to conform to Spanish society.

## History

Maria Clara is the adopted daughter of Capitan Tiago, biological daughter of Padre Dámaso, and Doña Pia Alba. She is raised by the Spanish friar Padre Dámaso as his goddaughter, leading many to believe that he is her biological father. She is portrayed as a gentle and virtuous young woman who embodies the traditional values and expectations of a Filipina during that time.

Throughout the novel, Maria Clara's character undergoes significant emotional turmoil. She is engaged to Crisostomo Ibarra, who later becomes the protagonist Simoun in the sequel "El Filibusterismo." However, due to the manipulations of Padre Dámaso and the revelations about her true parentage, Maria Clara's life becomes a tragic one.

In the climax of the novel, Maria Clara, overwhelmed by the pressures and disillusionment, decides to join a convent. She believes that this decision will allow her to escape the societal constraints and emotional turmoil she faces. Her decision to become a nun is seen as a sacrifice, but it also symbolizes the entrapment and limited options available to women during that time.

Maria Clara's character represents the oppression and struggles faced by Filipino women during Spanish colonial rule. She serves as a symbol of the consequences of the societal and political issues explored in "Noli Me Tangere" and highlights the effects of the abusive power of the friars on individual lives.

## Relationships

In 'Noli Me Tangere', Maria Clara has several significant relationships that shape her character,

* Crisostomo Ibarra: Maria Clara is engaged to Crisostomo Ibarra, the protagonist of the novel. Their relationship represents the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people for a brighter future. However, their engagement is thwarted by the manipulations and interference of Padre Dámaso, who has a personal vendetta against Ibarra's father. Despite their separation, Maria Clara remains deeply connected to Crisostomo Ibarra throughout the story.
* Padre Dámaso: Padre Dámaso is the Spanish friar who acts as Maria Clara's godfather. He exercises significant influence over her life and tries to control her choices. It is later revealed that he is responsible for the secret behind Maria Clara's true parentage, as he had a relationship with her mother, Doña Pia Alba. Padre Dámaso's manipulations contribute to the emotional turmoil faced by Maria Clara and lead to the tragic events surrounding her character.
* Doña Pia Alba: Maria Clara's mother, Doña Pia Alba, plays a crucial role in her life. It is through the revelations about her mother's past and her relationship with Padre Dámaso that Maria Clara's own identity is called into question. The knowledge of her mother's history deeply affects her and contributes to her ultimate decision to join a convent.
* Kapitan Tiago: Kapitan Tiago, also known as Don Santiago de los Santos, is Maria Clara's doting and wealthy father. He loves her dearly and tries to protect her from the harsh realities of the world. However, he is often oblivious to the manipulations and intrigues surrounding his daughter. His character reflects the privileged class and their disconnect from the struggles faced by the majority of Filipinos.
* Alfonso Linares: Doctor de Espadaña’s nephew from Spain. Linares has a law degree and is the most intelligent member of the de Espadaña family, a fact that endears him to Doña Victorina. Eager to use Linares as a means of climbing the social ladder, the family encourages him to lie to Father Dámaso, telling the priest that he is the godson of one of the priest’s close friends. Linares gives Dámaso a letter—presumably forged, though this is never made clear—from his friend that asks him to find the young man a job and a wife. Seeing an opportunity to ensure that his daughter, María Clara, doesn’t marry the disgraced Ibarra, Father Dámaso arranges her engagement to Linares.