GMA Network’s award-winning masterpiece “Maria Clara at Ibarra” nears the ending of Noli Me Tangere and will then take the audience inside the world of El Filibusterismo beginning the week of Jan. 23.
The series is bannered by 2016 Fantasporto International Best Actress and Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza as Klay, Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose as Maria Clara, and Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo as Ibarra/Simoun.
Dennis revealed his preparations for his new character as Simoun,“Nag-research ako para malaman kung ano ang itsura niya at maging accurate ang depiction ko sa kanya. Proud na proud kami na mapasama sa programang ito na maraming tumangkilik at ngayon dumarating ang mga parangal. Isa ito sa pinakaimportanteng shows ng dekadang ito.”
Barbie, on the other hand, shared one of her favorite scenes,“Pinakagusto ko ‘yung nagdasal ako sa simbahan. Medyo sensitive ‘yung tinackle namin doon pero na-deliver nang maayos ang message sa viewers. Kahit made-up character si Klay, naging part na talaga siya ng nobela. Isa ito sa characters na hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan.”
Julie Anne equally expressed how grateful she is for the success of their show, “Sobrang surreal pa rin na ako ang nagpo-portray ng Maria Clara. Nagpapasalamat ako sa malaking opportunity na ito. Collective effort siya from the whole team. Bawat detalye ng project na ito ay pinaghirapan kaya worth it ang lahat ng dugo, pawis at luha. Sobrang thankful kami.”
Playing equally important roles in the series are Mr. Tirso Cruz III as Padre Damaso, Ms. Manilyn Reynes as Narsing, Rocco Nacino as Elias, David Licauco as Fidel, Juancho Triviño as Padre Salvi, Mr. Juan Rodrigo as Kapitan Tiago, Ms. Ces Quesada as Tiya Isabel, Mr. Lou Veloso as Mr. Jose Torres, Mr. Dennis Padilla as Mang Adong, Ms. Gilleth Sandico as Donya Victorina, Chai Fonacier as Lucia, Kiel Rodriguez as Renato and Kirst Viray as Pablito.
Completing the powerhouse cast are the additional characters of El Filibusterismo: Khalil Ramos as Basilio, Pauline Mendoza as Juli, Julia Pascual as Paulita, Kim De Leon as Isagani, and Arnold Reyes as Kabesang Tales.
As the show’s Book 2 begins, Klay finally returns to her family. However, she still has a lot of questions on what will happen to her friends in Noli Me Tangere. Klay decided to finish reading the book and to her surprise, Fidel is not written on it.
She also gets worried about the epilogue implying that Padre Salvi attempted to rape Maria Clara in the convent. To know more about the fate of her loved ones, Klay starts to read El Filibusterismo.
But she was confronted by grief and animosity upon discovering the tragic ending of the said novel, where Fidel was never mentioned again.
With much eagerness to save her beloved characters, Klay insists on transmigrating to the story of El Filibusterismo. And it was a success—another thrilling and eye-opening adventure awaits.
Klay searches for Maria Clara to inform her that Crisostomo is still alive and is now disguising as the jeweller, Simoun. Will she be able to find them and reunite the lovers? Can she rescue Maria Clara from the hands of Padre Salvi?
Meanwhile, Fidel is now part of a revolutionary group. 13 years have passed and he is still longing for Klay. Is there a second chance for FiLay to continue their romance?
And now that Simoun has completely transformed himself, can he finally exact revenge on the friars that ruined him and his father? Moreover, what will happen to the iconic characters of El Filibusterismo such as Basilio, Juli, Paulita, Isagani, and Kabesang Tales?
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; Creative Consultant Suzette Doctolero; Head Writer J-Mee Katanyag; Writers Brylle Tabora, Benson Logronio, Melchor Escharchia, and Cynthia Paz; and Historical Consultants Ramon Guillermo and Gonzalo Campoamor.
Find out if Klay will be able to change the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal and give the characters a better ending.
Catch the beginning of El Filibusterismo on “Maria Clara at Ibarra” — under the helm of esteemed director Zig Dulay — this Jan. 23, weeknights at 8PM on GMA and at 9:40PM on GTV.