Mara Clara

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 ABS-CBN's weekday drama on Philippine television until 2020 when FPJ's Ang Probinsyano surpassed it as it hit the 1,168 episode mark on June 30, 2020. It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. Mara Clara was a first release from Dreamscape Entertainment. The title is derived from María Clara, a mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere.

This article is about the 1992 series. For the 2010 series, see Mara Clara (2010 TV series).
Mara Clara
Title card
GenreDrama
Created byEmil Cruz, Jr.
Developed byABS-CBN Corporation
Written byEmil Cruz, Jr.
Starring
Opening theme"Mara Clara" by Therese Amper
Country of originPhilippines
Original languageTagalog
No. of episodes1,165
Production
Executive producerAnnaliza A. Goma
Producers
  • Maru R. Benitez (Book 1)
  • Dagang V. Vilbar (Book 2)
Production locationPhilippines
Running time30 minutes
Production companyDreamscape Entertainment Television
Release
Original networkABS-CBN
Picture formatNTSC
Original releaseAugust 17, 1992 (1992-08-17) –
February 14, 1997 (1997-02-14)
Chronology
Related showsMara Clara (2010–2011)

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.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Supporting cast

Recurring

Production

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 City while driving home from a Nueva Ecija stage presentation.[1]

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 after 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. 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

In 1996, a movie was produced based on the television series. The Mara Clara movie adaptation was the first television series created by ABS-CBN to be adapted by Star Cinema. On the adaptation, the only cast changed was the character of Gary Davis who was portrayed by Eruel Tongco in the television, and was played by William Martinez in the movie due to Tongco's death from a car accident in 1996.

Remake
Main article: Mara Clara (2010 TV series)

During the ABS-CBN trade event held on August 24, 2010 at the World Trade Center Manila, (last week during war of Manila hostage crisis on August 23, 2010) it was announced that a remake of the series will start its production in 2010.[2] Kathryn Bernardo is slated for the role of Mara, with Julia Montes as Clara.[3]

The 2010 remake, starring Kathryn Bernardo as Mara and Julia Montes as Clara, aired on ABS-CBN from October 25, 2010 to June 3, 2011.

Reception

The series had its highest rating of 49.6% in one of its episode in 1996, it is considered as one of the most 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
  1. Eruel Tongco originally played the Gary Davis character from 1992 until his death in 1996. Tongco was thereafter replaced by William Martinez for the remainder of the series' run from 1996-1997 and the film adaption thereof.

See also

References
  1. Giray, Celso (May 20, 1996). "Four 'Mara Clara' stars killed in Palayan car plunge". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 11. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. abs-cbnNEWS.com, By Sheila Reyes. "ABS-CBN revives hit soap 'Mara Clara'". ABS-CBN News.
  3. Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes topbill ABS-CBN's remake of Mara Clara Archived 2014-04-08 at the Wayback Machine retrieved via www.pep.ph 09-29-2010
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