Major characters
The series features eleven main characters throughout its run.
Malaya / Simeon / Indio
Portrayed by Bong Revilla, he is the show's main protagonist and also, the demigod son of Ynaguiguinid, a goddess of war, and Hangaway, a native warrior. As a demigod, he possesses godly powers and immense superhuman strength that truly makes him the destined savior of both his fellow Filipinos and diwatas from the Spanish colonists. The character is also portrayed by Vincent Magbanua and Alden Richards in the first part of the show. [2] [3] GMA Network's vice president for Entertainment TV, Lilybeth Rasonable said that "Indio was really made for him [Revilla]." [4] Revilla finds his very first television series "exciting but very challenging" and went through rigorous acting trainings under director Laurice Guillen and Pen Medina for his preparation for the role. [5] He also did some readings and research regarding Philippine history because "even though it is a fictional show, it has some historical undertones that should at least have some sense of accuracy." [6] [7]
Esperanza Sanreal
Portrayed by Jennylyn Mercado, she is a Mestiza and the estranged illegitimate daughter of Juancho Sanreal with Maria, a native Filipina he raped. She eventually falls in love with Simeon/Malaya, her father's slave and later, formidable nemesis. [3] [8]
Señor Juancho Sanreal
Portrayed by Michael de Mesa, he is the show's main antagonist. Juancho is the son of Antonio Sanreal, a lieutenant under conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. He is the domineering husband of Victoria and the estranged father of Esperanza. Juancho was trained by his father to be a despotic encomendero like him to put the subjugated natives under control. Juancho rules the encomienda with an iron fist, determined to take down anyone who dares to get in his way. Juancho adopted and raised Simeon/Malaya to use his incredible powers and abilities for his own personal gain. The character was also played by Lucho Ayala in the first part of the series. [9]
Dian Magayon
Portrayed by Rhian Ramos, the goddess of wind and all flying creatures. Magayon serves as the protector and mentor of Malaya/Simeon throughout his journey to fulfill destiny. The character also serves as the narrator (in voice-over) of the show [10] [11] [12]
Señora Victoria Hidalgo de Sanreal
Portrayed by Jackie Lou Blanco, she is a peninsulares and the sterile wife of Juancho Sanreal. Her bitter nature turns her into an intolerable shrew. She deeply loathes Esperanza for being her husband's daughter from another woman. The character was initially played by Nathalie Hart as the young version of the character. [13] [14]
Hernando Pelaez
Portrayed by Chinggoy Alonzo, he is a peninsular who serves as the right-hand man of Juancho Sanreal. Hernando is a tough-looking man with noble virtues, but he is constantly torn between his conscience and his unfathomable loyalty to Juancho. Bobby Andrews portrayed the younger version of the character in the first part of the series.
Tarong and Linang
Portrayed by Dante Rivero and Daria Ramirez respectively, they are a childless native couple who adopted and raised young Malaya/Simeon as their child. Eventually, they are blessed with another child named Mayang. The characters were first portrayed by Jomari Yllana and Agot Isidro, respectively, in the early part of the series. [15]
Cosme de los Santos
Portrayed by Robert Arevalo, he is the loving and protective father of Rosa. He works as both a fisherman and a sacristan of Jacobe, an Augustinian friar. In secret, he is a member of a rebel organization which aims to free their land from the colonists. Cosme is strongly against Rosa's relationship with Simeon because of his affiliation with Juancho Sanreal, seeing him as the biggest obstacle for the group's objective of freeing their land from the Spaniards. [15]
Mayang
Portrated by Sheena Halili, she is the care-free and tomboyish daughter of Tarong and Linang. However, her adventurous nature eventually leads her to fall into the hands of bandits called mangangayaw and then the Spaniards. Her journey eventually brought her to her adoptive brother, Simeon/Malaya.
Elena Decena
Portrayed by Vaness del Moral, she is the daughter of Alicia, Rosa's cousin. In order to pay for her parents' debt, she works as a maidservant to Sanreal's household during which she becomes close friends with Esperanza Sanreal. She eventually becomes a hapless victim of Juancho's lustful advances. [15] [16]
Tuhay / Cesario
Portrayed by Dominic Roco, he is a native warrior who hates Simeon and love-interest of Mayang. When his village was attacked by the Spaniards, he becomes an auxiliary soldier in their service and eventually, he becomes a Babaylan when the natives revolted. [9] Actor Rocco Nacino was originally cast as Tuhay but later replaced by Roco for the said role.
