Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!

A devoted caregiver who adopts Lily and Dahlia, Eden runs a garden and a flower stall to support her growing brood. She embodies nurturance and practicality, navigating the joys of parenthood and the strain of poverty, while holding the family together during crises. Her choices—facing foreclosures, reuniting with loved ones, and seeking forgiveness—drive the emotional core of the story.

Eden’s husband, a blind man who builds the Garden of Eden and dreams of a better life in Manila. His financial missteps lead to fraud charges and foreclosure, forcing the couple back to their humble beginning. He returns with news that the family can migrate, and his absence tests the bond while offering a path to a new life.

A cunning figure who runs a petty-racket masquerading as a film extra, she sets up a date with Perry and eventually marries him. Marang and her schemes drive much of the early conflict, and later she and Habagat discuss marriage, highlighting her wiliness and adaptability amid shifting fortunes.

One of Eden’s adopted daughters, Lily becomes a focal point in the competition for Eden’s affection with Rose. Her actions and presence influence the family dynamics, and she eventually reveals the rivalry for maternal attention. Her journey reflects loyalty, ambition, and the complexities of chosen family.

Eden’s other adopted daughter who clashes with Lily for Eden’s affection. Rose’s path involves leaving home after disputes, and she later receives a letter of apology from her father, marking a moment of reconciliation and continued longing for belonging within the family.

An adopted child who dreams of acting, Dahlia pursues an actress’s life and navigates the pressures of stardom. Her pursuit of fame tests the family’s stability, and the narrative follows her rise and the emotional turmoil that accompanies ambition.

A child figure who searches for his real parents, JR embodies the longing for belonging and the unresolved past that echoes through the family’s present. His quest adds a note of hopeful yearning to the story’s tapestry.

A gardener hired in Manila who becomes part of Eden’s transformed life abroad. Jake represents the connective tissue between the old rural life and the new urban setting, helping manage the household and its growth.

Lola Ida, a wise elder figure in the family, who provides counsel and long-standing ties to the past. Her eventual death marks a poignant turning point as Eden and the children navigate loss and memory.

A companion of Marang who becomes part of the later marriage plan, Habagat represents the shifting alliances and the social dynamics that complicate the family’s path toward stability.

A minor character connected to the network of people around the town and the family’s social circle. His presence helps populate the community context in which Eden’s family moves.