Mara Clara is a Philippine drama television series on ABS-CBN, which aired from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997, replacing Sebya, Mahal Kita and was replaced by Esperanza. The series stars Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. It was the longest running weekday drama on ABS-CBN and on Philippine television until July 10, 2020, when FPJ's Ang Probinsyano surpassed it upon airing its 1,176th episode. It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. Mara Clara was a first release from Dreamscape Entertainment.
This series is currently streaming on Jeepney TVYouTube channel every 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm.[1]
Plot
Mara and Clara were switched at birth, and the details of this event were recorded by Kardo (Dan Fernandez), a hospital staff, in his diary. Mara (Judy Ann Santos) lived as the poor daughter of the couple Susan (Susan Africa) and Gary Davis (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez) while Clara (Gladys Reyes), their real daughter, was brought up the rich Amanthe (Juan Rodrigo) and Almira Del Valle (Beverly Vergel).
The good-natured Del Valle couple (Juan Rodrigo and Beverly Vergel) takes in Mara (Judy Ann Santos) as a servant and decides to spend for her education, not knowing that she is their real daughter. Gary (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez), who is actually a gang and syndicate leader, approves of the idea that Mara lives with the Del Valles to extort money. Clara makes life for Mara difficult. But, as time progresses they find out their true identity in the spotlights, damages are paid, and they all know where to stand.
After the cancellation of Ula, Ang Batang Gubat, director Emil Cruz Jr. conceptualized a soap opera entitled "Mara Clara" and was presented to ABS-CBN for approval. Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes were handpicked by the director for the titular roles. During the early years of the soap, majority of scenes, particularly the Del Valle mansion are shot inside the studio. It was near the end of Book 1 towards Book 2 that the series started shooting on an actual location.
On May 19, 1996, cast members Eruel Tongco, Ireneo Sevilla, Joy Clarise Cojuangco and Bienvenido dela Rosa died when their vehicle fell into a ravine in Palayan while driving home from a Nueva Ecija stage presentation.[2]
Broadcast
Timeslot
The series originally aired at 2:30 p.m. as a blocktimer produced by its original director Emil Cruz Jr. from August 17, 1992, until September 30, 1994, after Anna Luna. It moved to a 2:00 p.m. timeslot on October 3, 1994, when its predecessor Anna Luna moved from the said network to RPN. The show's rights was later on purchased by ABS-CBN Entertainment and was moved to a primetime slot on July 8, 1996, after TV Patrol to challenge RPN's Tagalog-language dub of Mexican telenovela, Marimar and Villa Quintana of GMA. It ended on February 14, 1997, to make way for Esperanza as the replacement on February 17.
Reruns
The series re-aired in 2007 by affiliates Studio 23 (now S+A) and Kapamilya Channel (internationally subsidiary of The Filipino Channel) through 2008. It aired internationally in 1994 til its series finale on The Filipino Channel when it first aired as same day airings. It then re-aired in 2007-2008 for the first time on the Kapamilya Channel.
Adaptations
Film adaptation
On September 18, 1996, a movie was produced based on the television series. This was the first television series created by ABS-CBN to be adapted by Star Cinema. In the film, only Gary Davis' character was changed. It was portrayed by Eruel Tongco in the series, while William Martinez played the role in the film due to Tongco's death from a car accident in 1996.
During the ABS-CBN trade event held on August 24, 2010, at the World Trade Center Manila, it was announced that a remake of the series will start its production in 2010.[3]Kathryn Bernardo is slated for the role of Mara, with Julia Montes as Clara.[4] It aired on ABS-CBN from October 25, 2010, to June 3, 2011.
Kardo revealed to Gary that Mara is not her real daughter later in the series.
Gary knew from the start that Mara is not her daughter.
Susan attacked Lenita after the latter ordered Mara to wash her clothes.
Susan attacked Lenita after the former discovered Gary's affair to the latter.
Clara brought the diary together with her things in the mansion.
Kardo handed over the diary to Clara after she found out the truth of her identity.
Reception
The series had its highest rating of 45% in one of its episode in 1994, it is considered as one of the highest rating Filipino TV series of all time.
The TV series made waves through most of the Filipino audience and being called by ABS-CBN as, "Ina ng Pinoy Soap Opera" owing to the series' huge success.
However, some of the viewer base has shown a negative response for the character of Clara; played by Gladys Reyes, due to its violent actions done throughout the series against Judy's character, Mara, which provoked a huge reaction on those who viewed the show's protagonist Mara, more favorably. As a result, the viewers and netizens tagged Gladys Reyes as the "Bella Flores of the 90's".
Notes
^Eruel Tongco originally played the Gary Davis character from 1992 until his death in 1996. Tongco was replaced by William Martinez for film adaption.
