The X-factor behind Maria Clara at Ibarra lies not just in one person, but the total package of an ensemble cast, creatives, and production people that worked together to deliver a good show.
The soap cannot work if the material and direction of the storytelling are found lacking; in the same way, it won't be as engaging without the cast members owning their characters.
In part 1 of Maria Clara at Ibarra: Anatomy of a history serye, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) briefly tackled the origin of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and its cultural impact on our history.
READ: "Noli yarn?" How GMA-7's hit teleserye Maria Clara at Ibarra came about
All these inspired GMA-7 to produce a reimagined version of Jose Rizal's novels for television.
We'll now take a closer look behind the scenes, including the demanding and meticulous work involved in producing the history serye, viewers' feedback, plus, the amazing job done by the cast led by Barbie Forteza, who plays Klay; Julie Anne San Jose, who plays Maria Clara; Dennis Trillo, who plays Ibarra.
Chatting with PEP.ph for this feature were GMA-7's Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, director Zig Dulay, creative consultant and head writer Suzette Doctolero, head writer J-mee Katanyag, Program Manager Edlyn Tallada Abuel, and Supervising Producer Helen Sese.
HOW DIREK ZIG TRANSLATED THE SCRIPT INTO VISUALS
Every TV show has its own obstacles to overcome.
In the case of Maria Clara at Ibarra, the challenges are more intense given the production demands and the story’s historical significance.
For Zig, fleshing out the story from the pages of the book to the TV screens was a daunting task.
“Super challenging. Nasa borderline ako that time ng pagsuko, e,” said Zig, half-joking, half-serious.
“Though tinatanggap ko siya as a challenge talaga. Kasi yun din naman yung hinihingi ko before.
"Super fan ako ng Noli at Fili. Nagtu-tutor pa ako niyan, nagtuturo ako sa mga anak mayaman.
"Yung mga anak mayaman na hindi marunong mag-Filipino.
"Ngayon, ang challenge ko sa sarili ko is paano ko siya iku-kuwento into visuals kasi magkaiba yun, na kapag binabasa mo yung nobela, text yung tinitingnan mo, e.
"Parang sariling imagination ng mambabasa yung mangyayari dun. Ngayon, ikaw yung magvi-visualize, medyo mahirap siya."
How did Zig prepare for Maria Clara at Ibarra?
"First time ko gumawa ng period [show]. Sa totoong buhay, hindi rin ako yun kasi nanggaling ako dun sa indie films, madalas social realism yung akin, docu type, lagi iyan," said Zig, who directed other GMA-7 shows in the past such as Legal Wives, I Can See You: The Promise, Sahaya, and Sirkus.
He tried watching Downtown Abbey for inspiration, but that didn't last.
Zig explained, "Tiningnan ko lang. Kasi natakot ako na Victorian k-yeme sila, pang-mayaman, hindi ako mayaman, baka hindi ko makuha yun.
"Parang, 'Sh*t, paano ko ba gagawin ito?'
"Siyempre binasa ko ulit yung dalawang libro, pinanood ko yung mga unang nagawa na, naging critical enough kung ano yung kagalingan ng bawat materyal na yun, and kung ano para sa akin ang nagkulang.
"Ano yung puwedeng gawin para sa sarili naming serye."
Zig also admitted he is not a fan of historical films and series, "Kasi may mga times na inaantok ako."
He wanted to focus instead on how to make the characters relatable to the audience.
"So yun yung challenge. Paano mo siya gagawin ngayon na kaaya-aya, kalibang-libang," Zig pointed out.
"Nasulat naman siya that way. Kailangan mo lang siyang gawing tao kasi siyempre hindi naman sinasabi ng script on what level ka magpapatawa from one to ten, or on what level ka magpapaiyak, one to ten."
MARIA CLARA AT IBARRA LOCATIONS, SET DESIGN, AND COSTUMES
Producing a period show like Maria Clara at Ibarra also necessitates creating props, costumes, and scouting for shooting locations that best suit the story's setting and timeline.
"Lahat ng aspeto, lahat ng elemento doon sa production, lahat siya challenging," Zig said.
"Pagdating doon sa costumes, production design, ginalugad namin buong Luzon, kami ni Ms. Eds [Edlyn Tallada, program manager], naghahanap ng mga locations."
He continued, "Tapos it’s like a Lego, e. Walang totoong location, walang totoong bahay na nag-e-exist na like 1800s.
"Ang challenge mo ngayon is paano mo pagtatagpi-tagpiin itong mga na-research niyo, itong mga nakita niyo para makabuo ng isang mundo, para makabuo ng mga characters, para mabuo mismo yung mundo ng nobela. Yung mundo ng kuwento ni Klay. So medyo challenging yun.
"Later malalaman ninyo iba yung facade ng bahay, iba yung kuwarto. Kung saan-saan kami nagpupunta.
"Ang challenge sa akin is paano mo siya bubuuin, which is ako, yun naman yung excitement na nakukuha ko, yung fascination na nakukuha ko sa pagke-create.
"Kasi nakikita mo mismo sa mga mata mo paano sila nabubuo na kahit na hiwa-hiwalay sila. Tapos pag nabuo mo natutuwa yung mga tao. Iba yung pakiramdam, e."
For the outfits, the team solicited the help of stylists Janra Raroque, Roko Arceo, and Mikaella Borinaga.
Helping the trio is Gino Gonzales, author of the book Fashionable Filipinas.
Materials for the costumes were sourced from piña fabric designers and manufacturers, and craftsmen were commissioned to create specific items and ornaments to be used by the characters.
Getting all visual details correct can be quite a challenge, too.
But even that has a positive outcome as it pushes the viewers to conduct their own research to find out more about the past.
"Alam naman natin na hindi iyan magiging perpekto, one hundred fifty percent, di ba?" said Zig.
"Pero to think na nag-double check yung isang taong yun, para ma-check niya kung totoo ba nag-e-exist itong gamit na ito, ibig sabihin na-push niya yung purpose ng serye na mag-think beyond lagpas-lapgpas dun sa serye.
"Bagamat sinisikap namin na ma-push yung saysay, yung pinupunto ng bawat kabanata ng nobela, huwag nating kaliligtaan na reimagined ito at kailangan mong ibangga pa rin sa kung ano yung nakalagay sa bawat kabanata ng Noli."
The production team and cast went to shoot scenes in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Taal in Tagaytay, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna.
Being location-heavy means that the show is exposed to inconveniences that are out of its control, such as weather disturbances and other natural disasters.
"Nilindol kami, may threat iyan na pagputok ng bulkan ng Taal. Laging umuulan and all, and nandito pa rin kami, lumalaban," smiled Zig.
With all those factors mentioned, it's safe to assume that Maria Clara at Ibarra has a hefty production budget under its name.
"This is a megaserye and we’re thankful to the network kasi sinuportahan ng management yung dream namin na makabuo ng ganitong show," said Helen.
"Kasi hindi naman namin lahat ito maipapakita sa inyo kung hindi sa amin ibibigay yung mga weapons like, for example, yung budget, di ba?
"Para for us to create na ganito yung mundo, lahat ng budget ng costumes ito po iyan, ng set ito, at may CGI component pa.
"So kung wala lahat yun at hindi binigay ng network sa amin, walang show na ganito kaganda."
Quizzed further about the budget as compared to other Kapuso programs, Cheryl carefully replied, "Definitely more than the usual.
"Less than Voltes [V] lang. Kasi Voltes [V] is ibang level, parang after Voltes [V] sumusunod ito, e, no? Sa mga ginawa namin ito yung pinakamahal."
BLENDING HISTORY WITH FICTION PLUS GIVING IT THE GEN Z TOUCH
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were written to put forward social ills as observed by Rizal at the time.
What's not lost on the show's writers is how these deep-rooted problems continue to exist decades after the novels were first published.
And Maria Clara at Ibarra brims with social topics, most glaring of which are the issues of gender inequality and abuse of power.
J-mee expounded, "Nung binasa rin namin yung libro and sa orientation, nakapag-share rin naman yung consultants ng themes, pati ng issues, yung sakit ng lipunan nung panahon na yun.
"So ang naging job nung creative, nung production team, nung director is paano natin [ipapakita] na yung sakit ng lipunan nung nakaraan ay relatable pa rin siya ngayon.
"So iyon yung tinatawid namin and lumalabas nga na, yun nga, merong issues sa kababaihan, ng mga pang-aabuso.
"So aware naman po kami na talagang ilalagay namin iyon base sa mga nabasa namin sa libro, at paano rin si Klay na Gen Z, may diskurso pa yun, e.
"Kasi siya ay parte ng kasalukuyan at paano rin siya bumabangga doon sa nakaraan na issues na yun at kung paano rin ire-relate yun sa present predicament niya bilang Gen Z."
Continued J-mee, "Hindi mo kasi siya mahihiwalay. Kasi nga ginawa itong mga characters na ito with specific symbol ng mga tema at problema na kinakaharap at that time, so parang kasalanan siya kung babalewalain mo yun.
"So lumalabas at lumalabas siya doon sa mga characters. Tapos nakakatuwa pa dahil nagkakaisa ang lahat kung paano natin siya maikukuwento na hindi rin naman nakakaligtaan ang entertainment value niya."
Both of Rizal's novels are dark and brooding, with the characters following an ominous path leading to the end.
CREATING THE CHARACTER OF KLAY PLAYED BY BARBIE FORTEZA
This is the reason why Barbie's character of the spunky and vivacious Klay is a welcome and refreshing addition to the story's somber mood.
From sputtering modern terms like "Marites," "bida-bida," "babu" that confuse the people around her, to chastising men for their misogynist views, to showing fragility at the sight of injustices, and tender kilig moments — Klay has captivated the audience while lending the old narrative a breath of fresh air.
"Nung kinu-conceptualize pa lang ito, nung binasa ko yung Noli and Fili, nakita ko na mabigat talaga siya," said Suzette.
"So importante na yung Gen Z na gaganap is siya yung magdadala sa ating lahat doon sa mundong yun, yet dapat nag-e-embody siya ng isang Gen Z rin talaga na may sarili siyang isip, yet, at the same time, may humor siyang kasama.
"Kasi ang ganda na pumunta ka sa mundong iyon na ibang-iba yung mindset mo.
"Ibang-iba ang mindset ni Klay, ibang-ibang ang kanyang beliefs at paniniwala.
"Nung ibinangga natin siya doon sa mundo ng Noli, na ibang-iba rin ang kanilang worldview at that time kasi napaka-patriarchal, napaka-feudal, tapos ang mga babae ay walang boses, e, ipinasok natin dun si Klay na napaka-opinionated at vocal sa kanyang mga paniniwala, so nagkakaroon ng lightness yung kuwento."
J-mee agreed, saying that Klay embodies the audience, who might have forgotten the story of Rizal's novels or are totally not familiar with the stories.
"Parang bagamat lahat tayo dumaan ng high school na meron tayong subject na Noli Me Tangere, El Fili, or yung Rizal, nakalimutan natin siya, e. Tapos ngayon sa mata, sa pananaw ni Klay, para niya tayong kasama.
"Yung mga nakabasa na nung nobela, parang binabalikan, parang nagbabalik-aral. And at the same time dun sa makabagong henerasyon naman, mas lutang sa kanila yung mga bagay na hindi pa nila nalalaman.
"And so, ganun na ganun yung POV [point of view] ni Klay kaya mas lalo siyang interesting."
CREDIT TO BARBIE'S ACTING PROWESS AND THE KILIG FILAY TEAM UP
Barbie's performance has earned her the admiration of viewers, critics, and colleagues.
"First time ko nakatrabaho si Barbie and na-realize ko na, ‘Ah kaya na niya,'" said Suzette.
"Kaya niya yung isang multi-dimensional na character, kaya niyang dalhin ang isang show.
"Siya si Klay mismo. Siya si Klay na sa bawat eksena—kaya niyang umiyak, tumawa at patawanin ang audience, kaya niya yun."
Cheryl added, "Although alam ko namang magaling siya, but ito, parang ito talaga ang nag-semento na, 'Wow! Si Barbie talaga!'
"Isa siya sa pinakamagaling sa generation niya, di ba? Kaya niya mag-shift, 'pag drama iyak na iyak ka, pagka comedy naman, natatawa ka."
Another exciting element in the series is Barbie's surprising chemistry with Kapuso hunk David Licauco, who portrays the character of the sexist and classist Fidel de los Reyes Maglipol.
Funnily, Fidel has been dubbed by the viewers as the "sinaunang red flag" because of his seemingly narcissistic traits.
Viewers can't get enough though of Klay and Fidel's banter, which is oftentimes funny, nakakakilig, and intense.
Suzette called the "FiLay" pairing one of the show's "happy coincidences" that caught everybody by surprise.
"Hindi sinadya," Suzette beamed proudly.
"Although yung character ni Fidel ay nagsi-symbolize ng isang lalaki na may matinding machismo, no.
"Pero yung kanilang repartee ni Klay ay nasa script na yun, pero ang cute nilang panooring dalawa.
"Feeling ko, pagbubuhat ng bangko nang konti, medyo itinaas yung aso’t pusa romance kasi ang pinag-uusapan nila at lagi nilang pinagtatalunan ay yung differences ng kanilang mga opinyon sa mga bagay-bagay.
"So hindi sinadya yun kasi nasa artista yun, yung kanilang chemistry."
Both the characters of Klay and Fidel are nowhere to be seen in Rizal's novels, and that's probably why TV viewers find them intriguing.
As Suzette puts it, "Hindi nila alam kung saan pupunta ang kuwento."
Even Zig finds the pairing irresistible and credits Barbie and David for giving the story the levity it needs to balance out the mood.
"Representasyon si Fidel ng machismo, e. Mataas talaga ang tingin niya sa pagkalalaki niya," said Zig about David's character in the series.
"Tapos darating itong isang babae na against doon, so magke-create talaga ng friction in a way na natutuwa yung mga tao, na pag nagkikiskis itong dalawang ito, sa friction na iyan, may nabubuong love. So tuwang-tuwa sila sa mga ganyan.
"Nung una maliit lang yung mga eksena nila, pero sa mga nuances nila, magaling talaga sina Barbie at David, kahit mga simpleng tinginan lang nagku-connect yung mga mata nila. May nake-create na something.
"Feeling ko yun yung nakita ng mga tao, plus, inaabangan tuloy ng mga tao na kailan kaya magme-mellow down itong away na ito na magtu-turn into love.
"Tapos ako, pag nagsu-shoot kami, natatawa talaga ko sa eksena nila kasi ang cute.
"Even pag nagpe-preview na, tawa ko nang tawa din sa mga reactions. Madaming mga eksenang ganun."
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
Proof that the series has connected with the viewers on a large scale is the barrage of comments that the show has been getting on social media.
The team behind Maria Clara at Ibarra believes this fervent interaction among viewers means they have struck a chord.
"Nagkakaroon sila ng emotional impact dun sa napapanood nila sa present at naglu-look forward din kami na, 'Ok, mas exciting pag napanood na nila yung part na ito kasi drawn na sila sa current episode na ito, e,'" said J-mee.
Suzette loves going through the comments to read what the viewers have to say and even suggest.
"Usually, ako, as head writer, mahilig ako magbasa ng mga comments at pumapatol sa mga comments," Suzette smiled.
"Kasi ang soap ay paraan mo ng pakikipag-dialogue mo sa iyong audience.
"So binabasa ko rin at tinitimbang bilang creative head din kung sound ba ang kanilang suggestions, o ang kanilang comments, o makakasagabal siya dun sa eventually gustong puntahan ng kuwento."
She continued, "Ang napansin ko lang medyo mainipin sila [viewers], pag gusto nila halimbawa si FiLay, gusto nila nandudoon na agad, yun na yung kuwento agad.
"Pero siyempre bilang nasa creative at bilang writer din, marami silang puwedeng daanan bago ma-achieve yung relationship na yun.
"Pero, yes, definitely importante na nakikinig kami, akala lang ng iba hindi pero nakikinig kami.
"But, at the same time, hindi rin naman namin ipapahamak yung integrity ng istorya."
Every viewer has different reactions before and after each episode, from feeling annoyed at the sickly Padre Salvi and his huge eyebags — "Sakitin naman po kasi talaga siya... nakalagay naman talaga yun bilang detalye sa nobela," explained J-mee — to being astonished by the timing of the "Blood Moon" episode coinciding with the real total lunar eclipse that happened last November 8, 2022.
"Hindi siya sinadya, hindi namin alam na magkakatotoo. Matagal nang naisulat iyan at matagal nang nai-shoot nila, so akma," explained Suzette, pertaining to the talked-about Blood Moon episode.
(NOTE: The said episode sees Klay attempting to return to the present time through a portal by going to the church's bell tower in time for the appearance of the blood moon.)
the onscreen chemistry between DENNIS AND BARBIE
Some viewers, meanwhile, expressed discomfort with the subtle love triangle between Crisostomo, Maria Clara, and Klay, played by Dennis Trillo, Julie Anne San Jose, and Barbie Forteza, respectively.
At some point in the series, it was established that Klay starts to harbor romantic notions towards Ibarra.
As it is, the two have even become each other's confidants due to Klay's circumstances as an odd stranger who seemingly knows so much about what would happen in the world of Crisostomo and Maria Clara.
"May mga medyo nagagalit nga dahil dun sa KlayBarra.
"Ang sinasabi ko, ito silang mga lalaki ay nabuhay sila sa panahon na ang mga babae ay Maria Clara, hindi sumasagot, walang boses. And then all of a sudden, may makikilala siya na almost kasing-level niya ng mind, marunong mag-English, marunong magsalita, alpha female," enumerated Suzette.
"Hindi ba kahit in love siya kay Maria Clara, hindi ba makukuha rin nito [Klay] ang atensiyon ni [Crisostomo]?
"Pero ang namamayani pa rin ay ang integrity ng character, na kahit halimbawa man magkagusto siya dito, hindi naman niya, di ba [iiwan si Maria Clara], dahil may integrity pa rin naman yung character niya."
Suzette added, "Pero ayaw kasi namin laktawan yun. Kasi pag tiningnan mo si Klay, hindi ka ba mafu-fall dito? Ang ganda ng puso ni Klay, napaka-vocal niya, meron siyang ideyalismo.
"Matapang siya sa pananaw nila Ibarra, kahit na nagagalit si Ibarra minsan na napakapasaway, e, amusing pa rin kay Ibarra ito."
Zig chimed in, "Isa dun sa nilu-look up ko sa treatment ni Dennis sa pagiging Ibarra niya na kahit na, kasi maganda si Klay, e, mahusay, matalino.
"Pero pag tumitingin si Ibarra kay Klay, alam mong may borderline. Ang galing kasi nagagawa niyang ganun, na hindi rin siya pa-fall, kahit balikan mo lahat ng eksena."
He continued, "Alam naman natin na one great love si Maria Clara at Ibarra, hindi naman natin kinukuwestiyon iyon.
"Ngayon paano natin maipapakita na legit nga na one great love sila kung hindi mo ite-test?"
The whole team agrees that Maria Clara at Ibarra has made it possible for the viewers to put a face on these characters that they only read about in the books.
"Ginagawa lang nating tao itong mga characters na ito, and, in doing so, may mga iba-ibang reaksiyon," said Suzette.
"It is both nakakatuwa, mixed feelings din kasi. At least nagre-react mga tao dahil mahal na nila yung characters."
JULIE ANNE'S COMMENDABLE PORTRAYAL AS MARIA CLARA
This couldn't be more true in the case of Maria Clara, who is perhaps the most misunderstood character in Philippine literature.
Maria Clara has become a symbol of the "ideal" Filipino woman who is demure, submissive, and self-effacing.
However, these same attributes can also be seen as a representation of the patriarchal culture prevalent in Philippine society even to this day.
"Medyo iniba talaga natin yung character ni Maria Clara kesa dun sa libro," shared Suzette.
"May tinweak talaga tayo kasi, one, nung inaral namin yung Maria Clara na character, hindi ako naniniwala na mahina siyang babae.
"Kaya hindi namin ginawa na mahina siyang babae. Mahinhin siya yet meron siyang sariling tapang."
Said Zig, "Tahimik siya [Maria Clara] pero powerful siya. Hindi siya nagsasalita pero puro paloob.
"Nakikita mo sa mga mata niya, doon sa mga detalye, doon sa mga nuances niya.
"To be fair, inaaral din niya [Julie Anne]. To think na hindi ganun si Jules [Julie Anne's nickname], after mo mag-cut, bungisngis iyan, tawa iyan nang tawa. Tapos pag umupo nagdedekuwatro pa.
"Pero iba siya pag Maria Clara na, pag nag-action na.
"Ang nagawa lang ng teleserye, hindi lang sila [the characters] 2D, hindi lang sila stereotype as written, kundi naging tao sila.
"Parang kumatok sila sa bawat pinto ng mga tao, ng nga manonood, nagawang tao si Sisa, Maria Clara, and ang nakagawa ng pagiging tao nila ay dahil sa intervention ni Klay.
"Nakita natin yung pagiging tao nila dahil sa pangingialam ng isang batang Gen Z, or else kung hindi nakialam si Klay, mare-retain yung status quo. 2D pa rin yung pagtingin natin kay Maria Clara, mahinhin pa rin siya, hindi pa rin siya marunong lumaban, hindi niya nahahawakan yung buhay niya.
"Ganun din kay Sisa, hangga’t hindi niya nakilala si Klay, katatawanan pa rin yung Crispin at Basilio niya.
"Pero dahil sa presence niya [Klay], nagawa niyang gawing tao... nakakatuwa dahil nabuhay sa kanila yung mga characters."
STARTING A TREND?
The success of Maria Clara at Ibarra has sparked curiosity about Rizal's novels.
Suddenly, people are revisiting the pages of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, or rekindling their memories of both stories through the teleserye.
What's more, viewers are learning more about past Filipino culture and traditions, and seeing it visually makes it more impactful.
The team behind Maria Clara at Ibarra hopes the show will set a new trend and that more relevant programs that aim to educate viewers will emerge.
"We hope hindi lang sa TV kundi pati sa pelikula, marami pang mga ganitong klaseng tema at genre na ipalabas," said Suzette, who applauds GMA-7's willingness to take risks for a big-budget production of history serye, like Maria Clara at Ibarra and other atypical teleseryes (e.g. Pintados, Mulawin, Encantadia, Amaya, Legal Wives, My Husband's Lover) in the past.
"Kasi ano siya, e, palabas na may saysay. I’m not saying na yung ibang show ay walang saysay, pero ang laki ng epekto nito dun sa sinasabi ko ngang nation building.
"Part tayong lahat nun e, na bini-build natin yung nation natin, at the same time, yung pagiging Filipino natin.
"So we hope na marami pang mga sumunod, and we also hope and pray na hindi magsawa yung network sa pagsuporta sa ganitong mga klaseng palabas."
Zig echoed Suzette's wish and is looking forward to seeing more projects of this kind across all platforms.
"Kasi, as of the moment, yung nangyayari dun sa Maria Clara at Ibarra, ang saya na parang na-push talaga yung hindi lang sila nae-entertain, legit yun na natututo sila.
"Natututo sila ng hindi lang ng mga specific na impormasyon o detalye ng kasaysayan, kundi sumasagi sa isipan nila yung mga socio-political themes ng smooth lang, nadadala sila ni Klay, di ba?
"Nagpapakita siya ng kagalingan niya bilang babae, hindi namamalayan ng mga tao na kasama sila sa adhikain na yun, sa layunin na yun.
"Manonood ka, malilibang ka, and, at the same time, hindi mo sinasadya na nahuhubog yung pananaw mo tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay sa lipunan.
"Ako siyempre, ito yung mga materyal na gusto ko at siyempre wini-wish ko lagi na sana patuloy yung paggawa ng mga ganito.
"Pero siyempre hindi siya sapat na nagwi-wish lang ako, nagdarasal lang ako na sana magpunta diyan.
"Nakasalalay kasi at malaking porsyento diyan yung suporta ng mga manonood.
"Napatunayan natin, e, but the thing is, kailangan tuluy-tuloy yung pagbuo o pag-create natin ng audience katulad ng audience na na-create ng Maria Clara at Ibarra — sila yung tunay na pag-asa, sila yung tunay na hope."