Mara Clara
Title card
Genre	Family drama
Based on	Mara Clara by Emil Cruz Jr.
Written by	Danica Mae Domingo^[1] Ma. Regina Amigo David Diuco^[1] Allan Cuadra^[1]
Directed by	Jerome Chavez Pobocan^[1] Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV
Starring	Kathryn Bernardo Julia Montes
Theme music composer	Nonong Buencamino Jr.^[1]
Opening theme	"Mara Clara" by Carol Banawa^[1]
Composers	Idonnah C. Villarico^[1] Rommel Villarico^[1]
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Tagalog
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	158 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Jennifer Borja-Soliman^[1]
Editors	Marion Bautista^[1] Marianne Fernando
Running time	30–35 minutes
Production company	Dreamscape Entertainment Television
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	October 25, 2010 (2010-10-25) – June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)
Related
Mara Clara (1992–1997) (Philippines) Kaew Lom Phet (Thailand)

Mara Clara is a Philippine drama television series which aired on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida block from October 25, 2010, to June 3, 2011, replacing 1DOL and was replaced by Guns and Roses. Directed by Jerome Chavez Pobocan, the series stars Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes together with an ensemble cast. It is a remake of the 1992 series of the same name that starred Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes.

The title is derived from María Clara, the mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere, a novel written by José Rizal.

Mara Clara was the highest-rated program on Philippine television from June 3, 2011 to October 26, 2012, when the 2012 series Walang Hanggan became the highest-rated show for 2012 according to Kantar Media Philippines.^[2] The series is streaming online on YouTube.^[3]

Series overview

Adaptation

Main article: Mara Clara

Mara Clara was a remake of the 1992 television series, Mara Clara an adapted novel and serial of Emil Cruz Jr. produced by ABS-CBN. In 1996, the original TV series was adapted into a film where nearly the whole cast reprised their role. In August 2010, ABS-CBN announced that they have decided to remake the television series^[4] with Kathryn Bernardo slated for the role of Mara opposite Julia Montes as Clara which centers on two children who were both born on the same day and were switched by Clara's biological uncle, Karlo (Ping Medina). Mara grew up poor while Clara grew up in a rich family as a spoiled girl. However, it was noted that Karlo was only following his brother Gary's (Jhong Hilario) order until both girls were returned to the people they belong to. The series premiered on October 25, 2010, and continued to air until June 3, 2011.^[5]

Episodes

Main article: List of Mara Clara (2010 TV series) episodes

Season		Episode numbers	Episodes	First aired	Last aired
	2010	1–50	50	October 25, 2010 (2010-10-25)	December 31, 2010 (2010-12-31)
	2011	51–158	108	January 3, 2011 (2011-01-03)	June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)

Cast

Kathryn Bernardo portrays Mara David/Mara Del Valle originally by Judy Ann Santos

Julia Montes portrays Clara Del Valle/Clara David originally by Gladys Reyes

Mylene Dizon portrays Susan David originally by Susan Africa

Jhong Hilaro portrays Gary David originally by the Late Eruel Tongco.

Protagonist

Kathryn Bernardo as Mara David/Mara Castillo Del Valle – Mara is the main protagonist. She is the loving and hardworking daughter of Gary and Susan David who will do anything to support her family's needs. Her biological parents are Amanthe and Alvira Del Valle. Her life became miserable when Mara enters the picture to oppose. Despite, all of these misfortunes, she still holds on her faith in God and believes that the sun will shine again for her. She was kidnapped, but survived from being killed by Gary.

Antagonist

Julia Montes as Clara Castillo Del Valle/Clara David - She is the beautiful and intelligent, but bratty daughter of Amanthe and Alvira Del Valle, a wealthy couple. Her biological parents are Gary and Susan and her friends resent Mara for her social status. She is head-over-heels in love with her childhood best friend Christian.

Main cast

Mylene Dizon as Susan David – Mara's foster mother and Clara's biological mother. She experiences resentment from Gary and his mother Lupe for not being well-off like Alvira.
Jhong Hilario as Gary David† – Alvira's ex-boyfriend and Lupe's older son. Later it is revealed that he is not the latter's father, and is the biological father of Clara. This is because of his own plans where his brother Karlo had switched the girls at birth. He kidnapped Mara and tried to kill the latter. In the end, he died after Susan impaled him.
Dimples Romana as Alvira Castillo-Del Valle – Clara's foster mother and Mara's biological mother. She has always felt the need to spoil Clara throughout her life despite her husband's objections. This went as far as hurting Mara in Clara's defense, before and even after knowing the identities of the girls.
Bobby Andrews as Amanthe Del Valle – Clara's foster father and Mara's biological father. He does not approve of Clara's mean-spirited personality caused by her spoiled attitude from childhood; thus, he feels distant to her as a foster father. Later revealed to have a mistress in his own company.
Albie Casiño as Christian "Otoy" Torralba – Clara's childhood friend, and eventually Mara's boyfriend. Despite their rough first meeting and impressions, he becomes determined to earn Mara's friendship and trust.
John Manalo as Erris Reyes – Christian's best friend. At first, he prioritizes working over his studies, but eventually enrolls in the same private school as Christian, Clara, and Mara.

Supporting cast

Gina Pareño as Lupe David – Gary and Karlo's mother, Susan's mother-in-law Mara's grandmother and Clara's biological grandmother who knows nothing but money. Mistreats Susan, and subsequently Mara, for her lower-class background, and favors Alvira. She becomes nicer and changes her ways after realizing Mara's kind nature, and learning of her older son's toxic actions and behavior.
Ping Medina as Karlo David† – Gary's younger brother, Lupe's youngest son, Susan's brother-in-law, and Mara's biological uncle. He is responsible for switching Mara and Clara at birth. He remains caring to Mara despite his crime to both her and Clara. Dies before the truth is revealed to everyone aside from his brother and Clara, but his diary documenting the incident is recovered by Susan.
Desiree del Valle as Christina Borres† – Employee in Amanthe's company. She is revealed to be his mistress and was killed by Gary before she tried to look for Amanthe.
Diego Loyzaga as Derrick Gonzales - Mara's second love interest, who was adopted by Mayor Nathaniel Gonzales after his biological father is imprisoned and Carlotta's adoptive brother.

Recurring cast

Chokoleit† as CG – Susan's friend and Mara (and Clara)'s godparent.
Tiya Pusit† as Yaya Vonnel – Clara (and Mara)'s nanny. She has taken care of Clara throughout the latter's childhood while the parents have been busy with their businesses. Her name is a pun on April Boy Regino's song "Ye Ye Vonnel".
Jamilla Obispo as Lenita Santos† – Gary's evil mistress who supports his crimes. She died after saving Mara from a bomb explosion.
Paolo Serrano as Fidel - Gary's friend
Dido dela Paz as Abdul Dominador† / Lover Boy† - Owner of the casino who mistreats Lenita. He died after getting shot by Lenita.
Cherry Lou as Vanessa Torralba – Christian's mother who does not like Mara and favors Clara.
Jan Marini Alano as Virginia/Barang
Kiray Celis as Desiree Francisco – She is Clara's evil partner in crime, who also hates Mara and her friends due to Mara being raised poor. Together with Clara they make Mara's life miserable as hell.
EJ Jallorina as Butch Mauricio – Mara's friend.
Aria Clemente as Christina "Jin Jin" Angeles – Mara's friend.
Vangie Martelle as Abby – Clara's friend.
Arie Reyes as Kaye – Clara's friend.
Phytos Ramirez as Miguel "Migs" Soriano – Christian's basketball teammate.
Solo Kiggins as Anthony Mercado – Christian's basketball teammate.
Marion Gopez as Mickey Torres – Christian's basketball teammate.
Renzo Cruz as Mayor Nathaniel Gonzales† – Carlotta's biological father and Derrick's adoptive father who died after getting killed by one of Gary's henchmen.
Helga Krapf as Carlotta Gonzales
Francis Magundayao as young Gary
Izzy Canillo as young Karlo
Andre Tiangco as Atty. Barrameda

Special appearances

Kimberly Fulgar as young Mara David
Christine Joy de Guzman as young Clara De Valle

Cameo

Difference between original and remake

Original^[6]	Remake^[7]
Susan gives birth to twins. One of them is Clara and the other one died in Kardo's hands. Clara's twin sister was also mistaken for Mara.	Susan only gives birth to Clara. She only gives birth to a twin at the end of the series.
Gary's last name is Davis, the Del Valle couple's names are Amante and Almira, while Kardo is Gary's cousin. The surname of Enrico, Almira's adopted brother, is David	Gary's last name is David, the Del Valle couple's names are Amanthe and Alvira, while Karlo is Gary's brother.
Almira was forced to be in love with Gary.	Alvira was in love with Gary, but they are separated when she went to America.
Mara learns that Gary was imprisoned upon his release.	Mara knew about Gary's imprisonment while he was in prison.
Susan is Amante's ex-girlfriend.	Susan and Alvira used to be best friends.
Gary and Kardo are cousins.	Gary and Karlo are brothers.
Gary's mother was mentioned as Ramona but did not appear in the series.	Lupe is Gary and Karlo's mother.
Kardo is alive throughout the series.	Karlo was killed in the middle of the series.
CG and Lagring are Susan's loyal friends and Mara's godmothers.	CG's character appears as Susan's loyal friend and Mara's godmother while Lagring's character was not included in the series.
Mara and Clara studied in different school when they are in high school.	Mara and Clara are classmates in high school.
Erris and Jepoy are the Del Valles' adopted sons.	Erris is Mara and Clara's classmate in school. Jepoy's character was not included in the series.
Carol is Clara's best friend and roommate during the former's stay in the Del Valles' home. Carol and Lester are also Clara's evil friends.	Desiree was Clara's evil partner in crime.
Karen, Jepoy, Erris and Denise are Mara's circle of friends.	Butch and Jin Jin are Mara's circle of friends.
Enrico was Almira's scheming adopted brother. He appeared as one of the final villain in the series.	Enrico's character was not included in the series, making Gary the only villain.
Gary's character was killed in the middle of the series (Eruel Tongco, who played Gary, died from an accident in real life while the show was still airing).	Gary was killed at the end of the series.
Mara and Clara both met at the Davises' house.	Mara and Clara both met in school.
Lola Binay, Querubin and Dado are the Del Valles' helpers.	Yaya Vonnel is Clara's nanny.
Amante and Almira are philanthropists.	Amanthe and Alvira run a realty company.
Susan becomes crazy because of Gary's wrongdoings like having an affair with Lenita, and her miscarriage.	This storyline was not included in this series.
Amante already knows that Clara is not his daughter. He thought that his real daughter died while Almira was giving birth to her.	Amanthe, along with Alvira, learns that Clara is not their real daughter when they take the DNA test.
Clara learns her true identity when she eavesdropped on the phone conversation between Amante and Gary. But Mara's identity was not yet revealed in this scene. Clara learns Mara's real identity because of his father, Gary, one year later.	Clara learns her and Mara's true identity because of Karlo.
The reason why the identity of Clara keeps secret is Almira's heart condition.	This storyline was not included in the series.
Clara fully accepts that her parents are Susan and Gary. She despises Amante because she was forced away from her real parents.	Clara doesn't fully accept her fate when she knew that Susan and Gary are her real parents.
Susan stabs Gary while defending Mara but he survives and only gets wounded.	Susan stabs Gary to death at the end of the series while she defends Alvira from being killed.
Kardo gets amnesia when Gary and his henchmen beat him up as part of their plan to kill him.	This storyline was not included as Karlo was killed in the middle of the series.
Clara only knows her true identity after her birthday party.	Mara and Clara already know their true identities on their birthday. Thus, Mara's birthday party was held at the Del Valles' home while Clara's birthday party was held at the Davids' home.
Lenita is revealed to be Sylvia who is Amante's ex-girlfriend (she also thought that Amante's real name is Raphael.)	This storyline was not included in the series. Thus, Lenita only had an affair with Gary .
Lenita has a son from Amante but later died. She later gaves birth to Lester.	Lenita has no son in the series.
Susan learns Mara and Clara's true identity through Kardo.	Susan learns Mara and Clara's true identity upon reading the diary.
Erris was thought to be Amante and Lenita's son.	Erris has no relationship with Amanthe and Lenita.
Susan became a temporary villain in the series while Gary went missing. She makes Mara's life miserable as she doubts that the latter's real father, Amante, was the one who killed Gary.	Gary becoming missing was not include in the storyline. Thus, Susan does not become a villain, but instead she is a loving mother to Mara even though she knows that the latter is not her real daughter.
Susan was paralyzed at the middle of the series.	Lupe was paralyzed from the middle towards the end of the series.
Risa was able to save the diary from being burned in the trash can by Kardo.	Susan accidentally picked up part of the burned diary when she put some trash in the trash can.
Clara's kidnapping incident was staged while Mara was intentionally kidnapped by Gary.	Mara is still kidnapped intentionally while Clara was accidentally kidnapped by Gary's henchmen because they were caught while they were about to kidnap Mara.
Susan gets pregnant at the middle of the series but later gets miscarriaged.	Susan gets pregnant at the near end of the series.
Clara returned to her real family's home because she felt she was blamed for the previous rift between Amante and Almira, who only cared about Mara.	Clara hated being sent back to the Davids' home after her and Mara's identities were revealed.
Mara knew Clara's true identity first before her own	Mara knew her and Clara's true identity at the same time.
Amanthe and Almira had conflict after he found out the letters of Gary for her in the cabinet of Almira.	Amanthe found out the pictures in a bag consists of Alvira and Gary in a place that he thought they date that made them had a conflict later on.
Erris has a crush on Mara.	Erris doesn't have a crush on Mara.

Reception

KANTAR MEDIA NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD TV RATINGS
(08:30PM PST)
PILOT EPISODE	FINALE EPISODE	PEAK	AVERAGE	SOURCE
27.3%	'43.2%	'??%	??%	^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]

International broadcast

Mara Clara had a successful run in Kenya, airing on NTV - one of the nation's top three television stations - during the 6pm to 7pm primetime slot. It premiered at the beginning of 2012, succeeding Magkaribal (broadcast as Rivals) and concluded in June.^[12] Due to its success, reruns were broadcast after the 9pm primetime news later in the year.