Maria Clara at Ibarra is coming to Netflix! The hit TV show by GMA starring Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, David Licauco, and Julie Anne San Jose that has made quite an effect in local culture and with young Filipinos.
The show portrays Klay, a Gen Z nursing student who time-travels back in to Philippines' colonnial era. The twist: she finds herself inside the story of Dr. Jose Rizal's famous novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Starting April 14, Netflix subscribers can stream and re-watch MCIA.
Maybe one of the reasons the audience is captivated is because history comes alive when you watch the show. Just like Barbie Forteza's character Klay, viewers are also transported back to those times.
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Gen Z's and youngsters started flooded social media with comments, reactions and reviews about Maria Clara at Ibarra once it aired its final episode. Contrary to popular belief, the young generation does enjoy our history and culture.
Rekindled interest in Philippine History
Maria Clara at Ibarra proves the assumption that history is boring. Teenagers showed their interest not only in the plot of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, but also the actual events in history that inspired Dr. Rizal's works.
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Smart Parenting gathered some teenage fans of #MCAI and their thoughts on the show.
Dale Reign Villaflor, 14 year old Grade 9 student said, “Si Crisostomo Ibarra at Fidel, yung mga suot nila, ang ganda kasi.” He said that the first thing that made him interested in the show is the costumes of actors and actresses. MCAI also showcased the beautiful Philippine national costume, baro’t saya and barong tagalog.
Dale shared some photos of their role play in school, based on the novel of Dr. Jose Rizal. And clearly, the rekindled interest in our history was not only in social media, it has also reached the schools.
He added, “Kailangan kasi nating maging interesado sa history dahil ito din ang magdadala sa atin. Kailangan nating malaman ang tunay na nangyari noong panahon na sakop tayo ng mga Espanyol (333 years).”
Theresa Balaso, Grade 8 student is also a certified #MCAI fan. She said, “Yung mga aral na dinala po nila sa akin, [kasi] dati po wala akong pake.”
She was not interested in Philippine history before #MCAI, “Sorry to say po pero yes, hindi po ako masyadong interested sa history before MCAI. Medyo boring po kasi.” But after watching the show, Theresa discovered that our history was quite interesting and full of action. She also started reading the novel of Noli Me Tangere.
When asked about the most important lesson she learned after watching MCAI she said, “Mahalin po ang bayan at pahalagahan ang kasaysayan.”
'Mommy, bakit ganun po ang tingin ng mga boys sa girls dati?' -A boy asks his mom after watching Maria Clara at Ibarra
And that, we think, is an absolute win.
Apple Joy Teodoro, 20 years old, is also a fan. She was caught by her sister watching the show intently.
“Actually po nung unang sinabi na magkakaroon nga ng teleserye ang Maria Clara at Ibarra tuwang-tuwa na yan. Kasi nga daw hindi niya daw naiintindihan yung kwento nung high school siya. Pero ngayon na pwede palang gawan ng teleserye yung mga kwento sa history, ok rin na mapanood kasi mas lalong nagiging interesado yung mga kapatid ko kasi nabibitin sila sa mga nangyayari at pag arte ng mga artista,” said Angel Teodoro, her sister.
“Girl power”
One of MCAI powerful scenes showed how women were treated back then. It was one of the things that captured the attention of the younger viewers because it is very different from what’s happening today.
Janice Pomaloy, a Smart Parenting Village member, shared a question asked by her son. While watching the show he asked, “Mommy, bakit ganun ang tingin ng mga boys dati sa girls?”
Maybe it was disconcerting for the kids and teenagers to see women who can’t voice out opinions and who were punished for fighting for their rights.
'Ang pinaka-gusto ko sa MCAI is yung nakapasok si Klay sa sinaunang panahon. Kasi siya yung naging boses ng ibang mga babae.' -Kem Villena, 19 years old
Another fan, Kem Bragat Villena, a 19-year-old student shared, “Ang pinaka-gusto ko sa MCAI is yung nakapasok si Klay sa sinaunang panahon. Kasi siya yung naging boses ng ibang mga babae.”
In one episode, Klay, as portrayed by Barbie Forteza, exclaimed, “Men have no right to tell women to shut up!”
Kem also said, “Oo, masasabi ko na mas naging interesado ako sa Philippine history dahil sa MCAI, mas lalo akong naging curious. Naging interesado din ako sa Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo. Gusto ko na ding bumili ng libro para naman malaman ko talaga ang nangyari sa bansa natin nung panahong sakop tayo ng mga Kastila.”
RELATED: Are We Really Raising Our Sons In A World Where People Still Say 'Men Are Babaero In Nature'?
Love for History
One thing that Maria Clara at Ibarra made us realize is that the younger generation is not disinterested in History. In fact, they are curious and have many questions. It’s only a matter of presentation and providing an avenue for learning.
Thank you, Maria Clara at Ibarra for letting us re-discover our love for Philippine history!
Hanggang sa muli!
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