The conflict in the story of May Day Eve is mainly between the two main characters, Don Badoy and Agueda. At first, there is conflict when Don Badoy seeks Agueda's hand in marriage, and she turns him down. Despite this, he continues to pursue her as he believes he is deeply in love with her, whilst she badmouths him to her family. Later, she agrees to marry him after seeing his face as her future husband in an enchanted mirror. However, there is more conflict when Don Badoy hear from his grandson of how Agueda has talked about him in the past, calling him the 'devil'. He goes on to call her a 'witch', and from then on the couple share a bitter marriage, marred with conflict and sadness.
It could also be said that Agueda had conflict with her lifestyle. As a young woman, she is headstrong and full of ambition. She did not want to marry a local boy, but in the end did so anyway, instead of pursuing other life goals. As she was unable to do what she wanted, she had conflict with expectations of her and what she had been given in life, believing it was not her calling. Her frustration is clear throughout the story and at times she feels trapped by her environment.
Don Badoy is a typical young Filipino, determined to impress women with shows of strength and masculinity. After being away from his hometown for some time, he returns and sees Agueda, who he once had a passion for. Deciding he was in love with her, Don Badoy asked her to be his wife, but she refused, unimpressed by his macho performances and personality. Later, she uses a magic mirror to see her future husband, and sees Don Badoy. They get married, but soon realize they are not truly in love, and after much conflict lose their mutual passion and share a bitter, loveless marriage.
