Reyna Character Analysis in Patron Saints of Nothing

Reyna was ’s girlfriend prior to his death. She was also a victim of sex trafficking and was later aided by ’s organization, which is how she and Jun met. Tita Chato’s organization inadvertently placed her with an abusive man, and while she tried to go to Tita Chato for help, she ended up accidentally confessing everything to Jun instead. Jun immediately helped her find a new place to live and later moved in with her. They kept their relationship a secret because Jun feared he had overstepped his boundaries by getting involved with one of Tita Chato’s clients and because Reyna didn’t want to depend on Tita Chato’s kindness any further, something that confuses Jay. When they find and visit Reyna, Jay and Mia learn that Jun left Reyna a year before his death without explaining why. Reyna was adamant that Jun was not using or dealing drugs, which ends up not being true—eventually, Jay learns that Jun left Reyna because he had become an addict and didn’t want to drag her down or endanger her.

Reyna Character Timeline in Patron Saints of Nothing

The timeline below shows where the character Reyna appears in Patron Saints of Nothing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Truth, Adolescence, and Justice Theme Icon

Mia introduces the woman as Reyna. Reyna says that she and Jun lived in this apartment together for two years. Jay... (full context)

...dangerous; the floor is rotting and the “windows” are just open gaps in the walls. Reyna invites Mia and Jay to sit in plastic lawn chairs, and the child sits in... (full context)

Jay looks around for proof that Jun lived here. Mia finally tells Jay that Reyna is speaking in Bisaya, so that she can tell her own story, something crucial in... (full context)

After five or six years, Tita Chato’s organization helped Reyna get out. Jay is confused: what organization? Mia explains that Tita Chato helps trafficking victims,... (full context)

Responsibility, Guilt, and Blame Theme Icon

Tita Chato found a permanent home for Reyna after a few weeks; she’d care for a family’s child in exchange for board. But... (full context)

Reyna made Jun promise not to tell Tita Chato. Jun continued to help Reyna, though, and... (full context)

...Tita Chato, probably because he felt guilty for getting involved with one of her clients. Reyna hands Jay a piece of paper now, which Mia identifies as a love song that... (full context)

Jay asks if Jun was a drug pusher or user. Mia translates, and Reyna says no. Jay knew it: Jun couldn’t have lived with himself if he sold drugs.... (full context)

...not; she’s a neighbor’s kid. Jay is relieved but also feels a sense of loss. Reyna asks them to go and Jay leaves some pesos on the table secretly, thinking of... (full context)

That night at dinner, Jay is pensive, because he still doesn’t know why Jun left Reyna. He wants to tell Tita Chato and Tita Ines the truth, but he can’t do... (full context)

...They’d be happy that Jun wasn’t dealing drugs but might feel that Jun’s relationship with Reyna was inappropriate. Jay thinks about Reyna’s situation and realizes that he can’t claim the good... (full context)

That night, Jay lies awake thinking about Jun. He still doesn’t know why Jun left Reyna, where he went, or how he ended up on Tito Maning’s list. Jay also doesn’t... (full context)

...too late She adds that Jay can’t understand her pain. Jay asks if Jun left Reyna because he was in trouble, and Grace says yes. Jun was running an Instagram account,... (full context)

...thinks he’ll tell them the truth soon and clear Jun’s name; he just won’t mention Reyna. Jay tries to fall asleep but remembers that on his visit to the Philippines during... (full context)

...Tito Maning admits this: he knows Jun lived with Tita Chato, left to live with Reyna, ran the website, and ran away when the police caught wind of it. He even... (full context)

...beginning with Grace’s anonymous Instagram messages to Jay and ending with their journey today (leaving Reyna out). Much of this seems like new information to Tito Danilo. Looking sad, Tito Danilo... (full context)

...have gotten onto the watchlist because of the Instagram account, but he ran away from Reyna because he’d started using and didn’t want to ruin her. (full context)

...Santos that she’d only write the piece with Jay’s approval. They could use pseudonyms, and Reyna already agreed. (full context)

...Jay feels almost guilty that Jun will never experience this kind of thing again with Reyna. But then Jay imagines writing to Jun about Mia and imagines Jun’s encouragement, and he... (full context)