On January 16, Maria Clara at Ibarra‘s new cast members Khalil Ramos, Julia Pascual, Arnold Reyes, and Pauline Mendoza discussed their reactions to their roles in the continuation of the period fantasy series.
At the media conference for the Season 2 of Maria Clara at Ibarra, Ramos said he felt excited about taking on the role of an older Basilio.
“Ako po, noong sinabihan po ako ng role ko bilang Basilio ay agad-agad ko po akong bumalik sa pagbabasa noong kwento ng El Fili, medyo matagal na rin po kasi noong huling basa ko noong High School and I familiarized myself again with the characters, noong representasyon ng mga characters na ‘yun.”
Pascual considered the role of Paulita Gomez as an unexpected opportunity.
“Hindi ko inaasahan na sa akin mapupunta ‘yung role ni Paulita Gomez, pero napanood ko na ‘yung mga unang episodes ng Maria Clara at Ibarra at siyempre, kinailangan panoorin ko ang lahat at natapos ko lahat ng episodes in three days. Kaya sobrang na-e-excite ako na pumasok dito.”
Reyes highlighted how the series gave a modern spin to the Philippine Classic.
“Before, ginagawa na namin sa teatro ang Noli Me Tangere, sa Tanghalang Pilipino, Bulwagang Gantimpala, so nakakatuwa lang na before ng pandemic na available ito sa mga kabataan di ba?
“So noong nagkaroon ng pandemic, biglang nawalan ng theater, so I’m so happy na dahil sa GMA Network nakita ngayon ng mga bata — ‘yung Noli Me Tangere napanood nila. Kasi iba din ‘yung binabasa mo at iba rin ‘yung nakikita mo.
“At the same time, medyo inupdate din natin ‘yung pagkukwento kasi may character na ni Klay.”
As for Mendoza, she felt grateful about getting the role in the El Filibusterismo Saga of Maria Clara at Ibarra.
“I’m very happy and grateful, siyempre sobrang successful ng Maria Clara at Ibarra so now, napabilang ako sa El Fili so sobrang thankful and thank you for giving this opportunity din.
“I’m very excited to work with everyone and to give life to my character and Juli– and so I’m very [excited.] And excited akong makatrabaho si Khalil kasi ako ang kababata niya, so looking forward to be working with everyone.”
As for series favorites Maria Clara and Elias, the actors Julie Anne San Jose and Rocco Nacino hinted at their character’s future in the series.
‘So ‘yung isa sa mga changes po, as we’ve all read the book, ‘yung papasok sa kumbento si Maria Clara. So of course, kapag nasa kumbento ka na dedicated na ‘yung sarili mo, ‘yung buong pagkatao mo kay Lord, di ba? So sinakripisyo niya lahat, ‘yung buhay niya, ‘yung buong pagkatao niya, para lang ma-save ‘yung sarili niya,’ said San Jose.
“There will be ano– I don’t know if Elias would be part of El Fili, but abangan lang natin,” Nacino noted.
Maria Clara at Ibarra stars Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, San Jose, and David Licauco.
The teleserye features a stellar Kapuso cast with Kim De Leon, Andrea Torres, Juancho Trivino, Tirso Cruz III, Nacino, Dennis Padilla Chai Fonacier, Gilleth Sandico, Juan Rodrigo, Ces Quesada, Lou Veloso, and Kirst Viray.
Directed by Zig Dulay, catch the continuation of Maria Clara at Ibarra, weeknights on GMA Telebabad after 24 Oras.
