On January 16, Maria Clara at Ibarra creatives Suzette Doctolero, J-Mee Katanyag, and director Zig Dulay detailed what viewers can expect with the El Filibusterismo Saga of the hit Kapuso period-fantasy series.
At the media conference for the Season 2 of Maria Clara at Ibarra, GMA Network senior writer Suzette Doctolero cited the challenge they faced in presenting the dark and realistic themes of El Filibusterismo visually enticing way for viewers.
“Ang unang-una naming challenge doon ay paano ito ikukuwento sa paraang ang audience ng soap [opera] na mahilig sa escapismo ay maging realistic.
“Also paano ia-adopt ang naratibo ng Noli at El Fili na nakasulat sa prosa into a visual feast para sa TV kasi magkaiba ‘yun eh. Iba ‘yung pagkakasulat sa nobela, iba rin kapag itrinanslate sa telebisyon.”
Series head writer J-Mee Katanyag added that they ensured that they incorporated the essence of Jose Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo.
“‘Yung El Filibusterismo, bukod sa Book 2 siya na literal, para siyang act 5 ng buong Noli Me Tangere story. So parang ‘yun ‘yung pinaka last act kumbaga, bongga.
“So minarapat din ng team na kunin ‘yung esensya noon at ‘yun nga ‘yung challenge no, ‘yung kunin ‘yung esensya noon given the time, and at the same time kung paano siya itatawid with justice sa telebisyon.”
Doctolero added that they included a storyline in the series that the National Hero would’ve appreciated.
“At may isa kaming major na ginawa sa Noli, isang sobrang major, na tinawid namin hanggang El Fili na hindi naisulat ni Rizal pero kaya naming panindigan na ipagpapasalamat ni Rizal na nagawa namin.”
As for the series director Zig Dulay, he clarified that the creatives maintained other lighthearted plot points to balance out El Filibusterismo‘s darker themes.
“Siguro hindi siya darker kasi may mga elemento pa rin pinapasok ‘yung creative natin na hindi lang siya monotone, hindi lang siya dark. Katulad lang siya ng Noli Me Tangere, na marami pa ring aspeto, marami pa ring rekados para mas maging malinamnam at masarap kung pagkain kumbaga kung ganon.”
He then pointed out the challenge of sustaining or surpassing the intensity of the Noli Me Tangere Saga of Maria Clara at Ibarra.
“Mas challenging lang doon sa part namin kung paano mame-maintain ‘yung intensity or kung paano pa namin siya mae-escalate kasi alam namin na inaabangan ng maraming tao ‘yun. Inaabangan ng maraming tao ‘yun kung paano– kung hindi magtutuloy-tuloy ay maitaas pa ‘yung intensity na ‘yun. Kung paano ma-maintain ‘yung hope ng mga tao and at the same time mas maitaas pa yung bar kumbaga mas lumagpas pa sa mga nga nakita ng tao.”
As for their series, Maria Clara at Ibarra stars Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, Julie Anne San Jose, and David Licauco.
The teleserye also features a powerhouse Kapuso cast with Andrea Torres, Juancho Trivino, Tirso Cruz III, Rocco Nacino, Dennis Padilla Chai Fonacier, Gilleth Sandico, Juan Rodrigo, Ces Quesada, Lou Veloso, and Kirst Viray.
Joining the El Filibusterismo Saga of the period-fantasy series are Khalil Ramos, Kim De Leon, Julia Pascual, Arnold Reyes, and Pauline Mendoza.
Catch the continuation of Maria Clara at Ibarra weeknights on GMA Telebabad after 24 Oras.
