History is authentic, it is not tsismis. Nearly 150 years after the national Hero Dr. Jose Rizal penned Noli Me Tangere, GMA Network embarks on a historical fantasy drama directed by Zig Dulay that gives a delightful twist and relevance to a great Filipino novel in this digital age.
In 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' which premieres on GMA on Oct. 3, Klay (played by Barbie Forteza) is a student who is failing in her Rizal Studies class. One day, she falls asleep while reading 'Noli Me Tangere' and is transported back to the Spanish era in the 1890s. Here, she meets Crisostomo Ibarra (portrayed by Dennis Trillo), Maria Clara (Julie Anne San Jose) and other iconic characters found in Rizal's Noli.
What is remarkable is how award-winning screenwriter Suzette Doctolero and other members of the GMA creative team recreated the fine details of the Spanish period, from the costumes to the location (Ilocos) and the language spoken. Members of the cast had to take Spanish lessons to make their characters as realistic as possible.
Dennis, who is also known as the "Drama King," said he had to make intensive preparation for his role as Crisostomo Ibarra. He also brushed up on reading Noli Me Tangere and another Rizal novel, "El Filibusterismo."
He said he had to read the script carefully "to see the dynamics of the scenes when the past meets the present."
Dennis added that he found his role very challenging because of the historical significance of the series. "Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Kailangan tama lahat ng bibigkasin mo, kailangan aakma doon sa setting at sa panahon na yun. Lahat ng salita atsaka kilos at arte mo kailangan tama, pati na ang suot mo. So medyo mabigat, marami kang iisipin para authentic ang eksena at paniwalaan talaga (ng viewers) ang mga nangyayari."
For her part, Barbie thanked GMA for allowing her to work with her "crush" Dennis and for making her a part of a big, important project.
"Dumaan man ang pandemya, hindi tumigil ang GMA na tumalakay ng importanteng issues ng ating bansa at balikan ang kasaysayan natin. Kita naman po natin na metikulosong binusisi ng Creative Team kung paano namin magagawa ng maayos at ma-execute ng tama ang programang ito," she said.
Rocco Nacino appreciated playing the role of Elias in the show.
"The sad truth is marami sa mga kabataan ngayon nakalimutan na ang history natin, how it is to love the country. Very timely itong show na ito na gawing aral sa mga kabataan and at the same time ginagawa nilang very entertaining para ganado ang lahat na panoorin," Rocco observed.
"Maria Clara At Ibarra" boasts of a powerhouse cast of actors consisting of Tirso Cruz III as Padre Damaso; Manilyn Reynes (Narsing), the loving mother of Klay; David Licauco (Fidel), businessman-friend of Ibarra; Juancho Trivino (Padre Salvi); Juan Rodrigo (Kapitan Tiago), a powerful official and supporter of the friars; Ces Quesada (Tiya Isabel), the guardian of Maria Clara; Dennis Padilla (Mang Adong), a loyal servant of Ibarra; Lou Veloso (Mr. Jose Torres), the professor of Klay in Rizal studies; Gilleth Sandico (Donya Victorina); Karenina Haniel (Victoria), the close friend of Maria Clara and Andrea Torres (Sisa), the mother of Crispin and Basilio who loses her mind while searching for her sons.
The show’s Creative Consultant, Suzette Doctolero, shares the extensive research they have been doing to ensure the quality of this complex story that tackles history, “Required ang buong creative team na magbasa hindi lang ng Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo kundi pati ng iba pang libro tungkol sa Philippine history. Mahalaga rin na mismong mga writers, may stand sa mga importanteng usapin sa kasaysayan.”
Esteemed Director Zig Dulay also reveals their efforts to keep the accuracy and credibility of Rizal’s novels by hiring consultants for the show, “May historians at consultants kami. Meron din kaming kinuhang language coach ng Spanish. For sure ang audience, hindi lang sila ma-e-entertain kundi matututo rin at magkakaroon ng actions sa iba’t ibang issue. Bukod pa sa kwento ng pag-iibigan, tungkol din ito sa pag-ibig sa bayan.”
This series is made possible under the supervision of GMA SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; AVP for Drama Helen Rose Sese; Program Manager Edlyn Tallada; and Executive Producer Shielyn Atienza.
The creative team behind this groundbreaking drama is composed of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee; Historical Consultants Ramon Guillermo and Gonzalo Campoamor; Head Writer J-Mee Katanyag; Writers Brylle Tabora and Benson Logronio; and Brainstormers Zita Garganera and Melchor Escarcha.
Let’s all remember the past with a twist and catch the world premiere of Maria Clara at Ibarra this Oct. 3 at 8PM, weeknights, on GMA and at 9:40PM, Mondays to Fridays, on GTV.