# Juanito Pelaez — El Filibusterismo character guide

> Juanito Pelaez in El Filibusterismo by José Rizal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Juanito, Pelaez

**First appearance:** 0015-xiii-the-class-in-physics

## Who they are

The professor's pet and everyone's clown, a rich mestizo's son who laughs his way through other people's ruin.

## Relationships

### [Isagani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/isagani)

_rivalry_

Isagani and Juanito Pelaez are rivals for Paulita Gomez's affection and social standing.

### [Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/placido_penitente)

_social_

Juanito and Plácido are fellow students who interact in the university setting, often with casual rivalry.

### [Doña Victorina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/dona_victorina)

_social_

Doña Victorina is an older social climber who dotes on Juanito Pelaez as a potential match for her niece.

### [Paulita Gomez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/paulita_gomez)

_romantic_

Juanito Pelaez courts Paulita Gomez and eventually wins her hand due to his wealth and social position.

### [Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/placido_penitente)

_social_

Juanito and Plácido are fellow students who interact in the university setting, often with casual rivalry.

### [Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/placido_penitente)

_social_

Juanito and Plácido are fellow students who interact in the university setting, often with casual rivalry.

### [Doña Victorina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/dona_victorina)

_social_

Doña Victorina is an older social climber who dotes on Juanito Pelaez as a potential match for her niece.

### [Paulita Gomez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/paulita_gomez)

_romantic_

Juanito Pelaez courts Paulita Gomez and eventually wins her hand due to his wealth and social position.

### [Doña Victorina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/dona_victorina)

_social_

Doña Victorina is an older social climber who dotes on Juanito Pelaez as a potential match for her niece.

## In the story

### [XII: Plácido Penitente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xii-pl-cido-penitente)

A roguish schoolmate who brags about his vacation with Padre Camorra and mentions Juli, Basilio's sweetheart.

### [In the House of the Students](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xiv-in-the-house-of-the-students)

Claims credit for the society's founding and offers to use his connection with Pepay the dancing girl to influence Don Custodio.

### [The Tribulations of a Chinese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvi-the-tribulations-of-a-chinese)

Describes his experience seeing the sphinx exhibition, sparking the group's interest.

### [The Performance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxii-the-performance)

Sits with Paulita, explaining the play's characters; acts bravely when called a consumptive, impressing Doña Victorina.

### [Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxiv-dreams)

Mentioned as Doña Victorina's potential future husband; Isagani speaks well of him despite rivalry.

### [Effect of the Pasquinades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxii-effect-of-the-pasquinades)

Suspended from school, forced to work in his father's store, and is set to marry Paulita Gomez.

### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-wedding)

The groom, seen in a carriage with Paulita Gomez after the church ceremony.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/juanito_pelaez
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters