On September 23, Kapuso head writer Suzette Doctolero affirmed that she’s ready for possible criticisms for their upcoming GMA Network series, Maria Clara at Ibarra.
At the media conference for the said show with the press, including LionhearTV, Doctolero recounted her previous projects that also received criticisms before they even aired.
“Sanay na ko, sanay na ako sa mga puna. I think so far naman, I’ve started with Amaya no, Amaya, Indio, Legal Wives, Sahaya, and then this one, lahat yan may mga puna bago ipalabas. Di pa pinapalabas may mga nagsalita na, may mga nagju-judge na, nagmamagaling na, magmamarunong na. And then noong nakita nila at napanood nila na maingat naman, na ni-research talaga, so nawala silang bigla.”
She then shared the premise of the series, citing that she could not anticipate the viewers’ reaction toward Maria Clara at Ibarra.
“Hindi ko masasabi kung anong magiging reaction nila dito because hindi ito ‘yung purong Noli at Fili dahil may galaw, may disruption–ang tawag ko ay disruption, si Klay na modern Marial Clara, na pumasok sa Noli at Fili ay disruption sa mundong ‘yun, sa kulturang ‘yun. So I’m sure na may mga purist na magsasabing bakit ninyo ginalaw ‘to. Bakit ninyo ginanito. I’m sure.”
She also voiced her thoughts on why people get offended by period shows that lacked historical accuracy.
“Mayroong contentment doon sa loob mo na hindi natin na-eexplain eh. Pero pag hindi maganda ‘yung palabas, at mayroon ginagalaw sa culture, at history natin, mayroong–na-ooffend ka, na hindi mo ma-explain kung bakit na-o-offend ka.”
However, Doctolero assured viewers that they would see the soul of the entire production team when watching the period-fantasy series.
“Makikita na lang natin sa palabas, I think pag pinanood mo ang isang palabas, mababasa mo, mararamdaman mo, at makikita mo ‘yung mga kaluluwa ng mga gumawa. Hindi pwedeng wala, ramdam mo at makikita mo ‘yung soul ng palabas. ‘Yung soul ng writer, ‘yung soul ng director, ‘yung soul ng mga artista, kung ano ‘yung kanilang nasa puso at tsaka soul, doon sa palabas. Pag maganda ang palabas, hindi mo kwekwestunin eh.”
Kapuso period-fantasy series, Maria Clara at Ibarra, stars Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, and Julie Anne San Jose.
The cast includes premiere Kapuso stars such as Tirso Cruz III, Manilyn Reynes, Rocco Nacino, David Licauco, Juancho Trivino, Juan Rodrigo, Lou Veloso, Ces Quesada, Dennis Padilla, Gilleth Sandico, Karenina Haniel, and Andrea Torres.
Watch the series premiere of Maria Clara at Ibarra, directed by Zig Dulay and written by Suzette Doctolero, on October 3, via GMA Telebabad.