Banana Joe

A brawny but kind-hearted resident of Amantido who keeps the village’s banana-based barter system running. He is a protective father figure to the children and stands up to the gangster’s takeover, though his city-borne naiveté often gets him into comic trouble. Over the course of the story, he learns the value of literacy and community education and grows into a more thoughtful leader.

An attractive nightclub singer owned by Torcillo who captivates Banana Joe. She becomes a love interest and later a partner in reform, supporting Joe’s efforts and choosing to stay in Amantido to help the community. Her presence adds glamour and a humanizing influence to the village’s struggle.

A ruthless local gangster boss who seeks to seize Amantido’s banana production for a processing plant. He uses corrupt police and henchmen to threaten the village, driving the central conflict. His downfall comes as his schemes are exposed and resisted by the community.

A wily con man who swindles Banana Joe in the city, exploiting his naiveté. Though he initially deceives Joe, Manuel’s actions unexpectedly help Joe obtain the necessary license, revealing the complexity of opportunities in bad circumstances.

The local police captain who tries to arrest Banana Joe for illicit banana trading, illustrating the bureaucratic maze that Joe must navigate. He also appears as part of the crackdown on Torcillo’s gang, signaling law and order finally catching up with the criminals.