Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin is the young man who studied in Europe. He dreamed of establishing a school to ensure the bright future of the youth of San Diego. He is the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra. He was considered "excommunicated" and implicated in the uprising. He is the sweetheart of Maria Clara.

The woman loved by Ibarra. Maria Clara is known in San Diego for her beauty and grace. She is the daughter of Donya Pia Alba and Padre Damaso.

A pilot and farmer who helped Ibarra to understand his town and its problems. He died while saving Ibarra. He is the son of the ancestral enemy of Crisostomo's ancestors

 A Binondo-based merchant. He is the foster father of Maria Clara. He often hosts gatherings and is known for his generosity.

 A talkative and rough Franciscan friar. He was the former parish priest in San Diego who ordered the exhumation and transfer of Don Rafael Ibarra's remains to the non-foreigner cemetery.

 The priest who replaced Padre Damaso and secretly has feelings for Maria Clara.

An Augustinian friar who secretly observes the actions of Ibarra. He was also a teacher of Ibarra and very helpful to Padre Damaso in times of anomalies ahead; And wears golden glasses.

 The most powerful Spanish official in the Philippines. He took steps to lift Ibarra's excommunication.

 A knowledgeable elderly adviser to the educated citizens of San Diego. The uneducated see him as crazy, but for the educated, he is a philosopher. He couldn't continue his education and became insane early, spending his time reading books.

A loving mother who went insane. She has a neglectful and cruel husband.

 An irresponsible father and a bad husband to Sisa.

Sisa's siblings falsely accused of stealing. They are both sacristans and bell-ringers at the church of San Diego. Basilio is the eldest, and Crispin is the youngest.

  A loyal lieutenant of the civil guards who informed Ibarra about the misfortune that happened to his father.

The head of the civil guards and a rival of the priest in power in San Diego. His wife is Donya Consolacion.

Alferes' wife, formerly a laundress with vulgar language and behavior. She is ridiculous in her attire and embarrasses Alferes. She believes she is more beautiful than Maria Clara.

A woman pretending to be a mestiza Castilian, hence the excessive use of rouge on her face and false Castilian manners. She is the wife of Don Tiburcio de Espadaña.

A lame and hunchbacked Castilian who came to the Philippines in search of a better fortune. He is the husband of Donya Victorina and pretends to be a doctor.

  A distant nephew of Don Tiburcio and cousin of Padre Damaso's godson, chosen to marry Maria Clara.

 A lieutenant mayor who loves to read Latin. He is Sinang's father

  A yellow man who made the carriage used in the failed attempt to kill Ibarra.

Siblings whose father was killed by the Spaniards.

Captain Tiyago's cousin who helped raise Maria Clara

Maria Clara's devout mother who died after giving birth.

Maria Clara's beautiful friend who plays the harp.

Captain Basilio's daughter and Maria Clara's cheerful friend.

  Maria Clara's quiet friend courted by Albino.

 One of Maria Clara's friends, modest and thoughtful.

Crisostomo Ibarra's ancestor.

Crisostomo Ibarra's grandfather. He was the cause of Elias' ancestors' severe suffering.

 An old man who is skilled in argumentation and loves to speak Latin. He is Tinchang's cousin and advises Captain Tinong.

Captain Tinong's fearful wife.

 An old leader of the bandits who Elias wanted to seek help from.