# Basilio — Noli Me Tangere character guide

> Basilio in Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Capitan Basilio

**First appearance:** 0024-xvii-basilio

## Who they are

A boy sacristan whose family is shattered by the town's cruelties, he survives the graveyard and the bell tower to become a doctor in later life.

## Relationships

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/sisa)

_family_

Mother and son, bound by deep love and tragedy after the loss of Crispín and Sisa's descent into madness.

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/sisa)

_family_

Mother and son, bound by deep love and tragedy after the loss of Crispín and Sisa's descent into madness.

## In the story

### [XIV: Tasio: Lunatic or Sage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xiv-tasio-lunatic-or-sage)

The older boy, about ten, who tells Tasio he must stay until eight o'clock to get his pay for his mother.

### [XV: The Sacristans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xv-the-sacristans)

The elder brother, a sacristan, tries to protect Crispín and is fined for not ringing bells on time. He escapes the belfry after Crispín is taken.

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xvi-sisa)

Sisa's elder son, who works as a sacristan and is expected to bring home his wages. He calls out to his mother at the end of the chapter.

### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xvii-basilio)

Returns home wounded after fleeing the civil guards; recounts his nightmare of Crispín's torture; plans to leave his sacristan job and work for Ibarra.

### [The Meeting in the Town Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xx-the-meeting-in-the-town-hall)

A wealthy conservative elder who speaks first at the meeting, praising traditional ways and criticizing the young man's proposal for new shows.

### [The Story of a Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xxi-the-story-of-a-mother)

Sisa's older son; the soldiers say he escaped from them.

### [The Accursed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/lviii-the-accursed)

Hides himself and forbids his daughter Sinang to weep.

### [Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/lxiii-christmas-eve)

Returns to San Diego on Christmas Eve, searches for his mother Sisa, and witnesses her death. He is then tasked by a dying stranger to burn his body and use the gold for schooling.

### [Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/lxiii-christmas-eve)

Observes the town's gloom from his window, discusses recent events with Don Filipo, and notes the deaths of the senior sacristan and Old Tasio.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in the context of the execution of the three priests and the seeds of revolution, which his character later embodies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/basilio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters