Summary
Highlights
The church is packed with people pushing to get closer to the holy water. It's hot and stuffy, filled with the unpleasant smell of sweat. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the sermon, which is described as being so important that it's worth any price, promising heaven to those who listen and hell to those who watch comedies. Ibarra is in one corner, while Maria Clara is in a reserved seat near the altar. The mayor arrives with his entire council, adorned with a Carlos Tercero band and five medals of honor, making the scene grand and ceremonial.
Padre Damaso enters, followed by a friar holding a notebook. Once at the pulpit, he surveys the crowd, winking at Ibarra and giving a scornful look to Padre Martin. He begins his sermon, praising God for bestowing good grace upon them and providing water to quench their thirst. Parts of the sermon are delivered in Spanish, making it unintelligible to most of the attendees, except for a few words like 'Guardia Civil,' 'tulisan' (bandit), 'San Diego,' and 'San Francisco'.
Padre Damaso continues, stating that truth will be revealed to the blind, and criticizing those who don't believe, saying they are punished on earth. He argues that women should avoid such people and have them executed to eliminate evil seeds, quoting Jesus about cutting off body parts that lead to sin. Captain Tiago and others start to yawn, indicating their boredom. Padre Damaso's sermon in Tagalog is less effortful than his Spanish one, concluding with insults towards the 'Indios' and praises for the Franciscans. He condemns the current era's decline in respect and religiosity, with Ibarra recognizing these barbs as directed at him.
Padre Damaso warns of an impending flood, 'deluge,' with fire, stones, and ash raining down to punish the proud, urging people to stay away from them. Despite his shouting and gesturing, many still fall asleep. Manang Puti's scream interrupts the silence as a man falls on her, having dozed off during the sermon. This leads to an altercation and cursing among the congregants, which Padre Damaso attributes to the 'lewdness of the times.' During the mass, a man approaches Ibarra and whispers a warning to be careful during the laying of the cornerstone for the school, advising him not to stray from the priest and warning him of danger. The man in yellow then displays a large pulley system, a machine used for lifting heavy objects, which impresses the onlookers, including Senor Juan.