Rio is a young girl of mixed Filipino, American, and Spanish descent growing up in 1950s Manila. As a quiet observer of her wealthy family, she frequently notices the contradictions between their public status and private lives. She possesses a tomboyish attitude and actively resists the traditional norms of Filipino femininity pushed by her mother. She feels a special, secret affinity for her maternal grandmother, with whom she shares traditional food and radio dramas.

Joey is a young Afro-Filipino teenager moving through the dangerous nightlife of Manila. Orphaned at a young age after his mother's tragic death, he relies on petty theft, drug use, and sex work to survive. He harbors an intense desire to escape his life in the slums, constantly seeking an opportunity to travel to the United States. His tough exterior hides a deep well of unresolved trauma regarding his upbringing.

Severo is a ruthless tycoon who heads the wealthiest family in the Philippines. He owns major corporations, a personal army, and holds massive influence over the government. He projects an arrogant charm in public interviews but engages in bitter, violent conflicts with his wife in private. He constantly seeks to consolidate his power through strategic alliances and intimidation.

Senator Avila is a prominent leftist politician and the central figure of the political opposition. He stages public challenges against the authoritarian government, acting as a voice for the marginalized citizens despite the intense danger his activism invites. He deeply desires to liberate the Philippines from its colonial past.

Daisy is the daughter of a prominent opposition senator who unexpectedly wins the title of the most beautiful woman in the Philippines. Instead of celebrating, she sinks into a severe depression, unable to handle the superficial demands placed upon her. She begins to question the expectations forced onto women and speaks out against the government, drawing immense public scrutiny.

Romeo is an aspiring actor who works a menial job at a country club while dreaming of cinematic stardom. He is completely captivated by American movies, leading him to resent his ordinary life and his devoted girlfriend. He believes a fortune teller's prediction that he is destined for greatness, blinding him to the harsh realities of the entertainment industry.

General Ledesma is a brutal and corrupt military leader closely allied with the President and Severo Alacran. He commands the military forces with a sadistic approach to authority, dominating both his public adversaries and his personal relationships. He operates with absolute impunity, ignoring the law and basic human rights to maintain the regime's power.

The First Lady is a former beauty queen who projects a carefully curated facade of glamour and prosperity to mask societal decay. Known as the "Iron Butterfly," she skillfully evades criticism and demands absolute compliance from public figures. She uses cultural projects and public appearances to strengthen her husband's authoritarian grip on the country.

Pucha is Rio’s older cousin, representing a modern, Westernized youth who is highly conscious of social status. She embraces American culture, prefers expensive imported goods, and uses her appearance to attract affluent men. Unlike Rio, Pucha is entirely comfortable within her elite social circle and its superficial values.

Uncle is a manipulative pimp and drug dealer who serves as the only parental figure Joey has ever known. He is deeply embedded in the local criminal underworld, enforcing loyalty through fear, physical abuse, and substance dependency while keeping young boys trapped in poverty.

Delores is Rio's mother and a former beauty queen deeply consumed by maintaining her youthful appearance. She spends much of her time in her mauve dressing room avoiding the sun and applying beauty products. She hides her traditional Filipino roots from her high-society peers, displaying a complex duality between her heritage and her public image.

Freddie is Rio's father, an influential businessman who works for the powerful Alacran family. He identifies strongly with his Spanish heritage, often expressing detachment from Filipino culture and viewing it with condescension. His life revolves around elite social circles, golf games, and corporate success.

Isabel is Severo's elegant wife, a woman who functions primarily as a beautiful asset to her husband's public image. She feels trapped in a hostile marriage and compensates by focusing obsessively on her own appearance and social standing. She directs much of her frustration at her daughter, actively displaying disgust for her child's lack of conventional beauty.

Baby is the only legitimate child of Severo and Isabel Alacran. Lacking her mother's elegant beauty and suffering from chronic skin conditions, she feels alienated from her family and society. She agrees to an engagement out of duty rather than affection, passively observing her own life from the sidelines.

The President leads the nation's authoritarian regime, dismissing opposition and relying on military force to maintain his grip on the country. He benefits from a close alliance with elite tycoons like Severo Alacran and treats any criticism of his leadership as a fabricated issue designed to cause chaos.

Lolita is a charismatic movie star whose life is defined by the heavy expectations of the entertainment industry and the patriarchal elite. She maintains a precarious, dangerous relationship with General Ledesma, attempting to assert her independence while relying on his financial support and protection.

Pepe is a military officer serving under General Ledesma's brutal command. He is poised to marry into the powerful Alacran family, representing the intertwined nature of military force and elite wealth in Manila. He adopts his commander's harsh methods and views women with general disdain.

Trinidad is a practical young woman working at the SPORTEX supermarket. She is deeply devoted to her boyfriend, Romeo, willing to defy her strict parents and risk losing her financial allowance to stay with him. She dreams of a traditional marriage, remaining steadfast in her support despite Romeo's obvious reluctance and irritability.

Lola Narcisa is Rio's maternal grandmother, a Filipina woman who maintains a strong connection to her traditional roots. She represents the cultural heritage that the rest of the family tries to hide, sharing traditional Filipino dishes and a love for local radio dramas in secret with Rio.

Abuelita Socorro is Rio's paternal grandmother, a devout Catholic who firmly identifies with Spanish culture. Her high-society demeanor and preference for Spanish customs heavily influence her son Freddie's worldview, leading the family to cater lavishly to her preferences.

Whitman is Rio's American maternal grandfather. He suffers from a mysterious illness that Lola Narcisa diagnoses through traditional beliefs, while American doctors dismiss her concerns as native superstition.

Raul is Rio's older brother. He grows up within the privileged Gonzaga household, eventually marrying twice and taking a turn toward Christian fundamentalism as he ages.

Cristobal is Freddie's wealthy brother who chooses to live in Spain. He expects to inherit the majority of his mother's estate, fully embracing the family's European identity over their Filipino roots.

Maria Luisa is Senator Avila's wife. As an academic, she shares her husband's critical view of the establishment and actively disapproves of superficial societal expectations, choosing not to support her daughter's participation in a beauty pageant.

Aurora is Daisy's sister, quietly observing the heavy toll the beauty pageant and their father's political activism take on their family.

Clarita is a radical artist whose work features bold, politically charged themes that challenge the commodification of women. Her controversial art causes familial tension, though she retains the supportive backing of her uncle, Senator Avila.

Leonor is General Ledesma's deeply religious and reclusive wife. She views her marriage as an obligation and spends her days immersed in church activities and constant prayer, attempting to spiritually compensate for her husband's brutal actions.

Zenaida is Joey's deceased mother. The trauma of her tragic death deeply affects Joey, who initially refuses to speak of her but remains haunted by her memory.

Boy-Boy is Joey's childhood friend and fellow performer. He provides a rare source of camaraderie and support for Joey in their dangerous, impoverished environment.

Andres belongs to a less affluent branch of the powerful Alacran family. He runs the CocoRico nightclub, serving as a sympathetic figure toward marginalized individuals while struggling with his own past heartbreaks and the pressures of his family name.

Boomboom is Severo's indulged nephew. He occupies a comfortable place in the upper echelon of society, freely enjoying the privileges of his family name while courting women like Pucha.

Girlie is Severo's niece and Boomboom's sister. She moves through the dangerous and privileged circles of high society, occasionally confronting the harsh realities and violence underpinning her family's wealth.

Tito is a successful actor who serves as Romeo's elusive connection to the entertainment industry. Despite his fame, he remains subservient to the powerful elite who control the studios.

Santos is a passionate young man deeply involved in the guerrilla revolutionary movement opposing the government. He crosses paths with Daisy Avila, sharing her political ideals and desire for change.

Florence is Pucha and Mikey's mother. She is highly protective of her daughter's reputation and virginity, ensuring her children maintain their standing within Manila's high society.

Mikey is Pucha's brother and Rio's cousin. He engages in the family's casual gossip sessions, easily accepting rumors spread within their elite social circle.