Charles Teves
GMA Entertainment Group’s Maria Clara at Ibarra is gaining traction since it premiered on October 3.
Just two weeks from its run, it already trended on Twitter Philippines.
Nielsen Philippines rating data from October 3 to 7, the program posted a combined average people rating of 15.1 percent on GMA and GTV.
From October 10 to 14, the show had an average people rating of 14.8 percent. Its rival, Darna, only scored a combined average people rating of 7.2 percent from October 3 to 7 and a 6.9 percent combined average people rating from October 10 to 14.
Netizens called the show informational due to its historical accuracy.
Barbie Forteza plays the character of Klay, Julie Anne San Jose as Maria Clara, and Dennis Trillo as Ibarra.
“They discussed education, labor, misogyny, and ethnocentrism in a span of three episodes. GMA is brave enough to tackle feminism in the recent episode of MCI. This only manifests that they are taking our free TV experience into a more realistic point of view,” a netizen tweeted.
Viewers thouhht Trillo nailed the role of Ibarra.
“Super deserve! Wala nang ibang magfi-fit sa character na ito kung hindi si Sir Dennis. Another ‘Best Actor’ award in the future! Ang husay gumanap from head to toe, dama talaga ang vibe ni Ibarra,” another commented.
The show is also relatable to many viewers as Klay comes from a broken family who suffers at the hands of an abusive father.
“This is the series that I am waiting for. It talks about real human struggles. Barbie’s story is very realistic and her lines were so on point. Grabe ‘yung batuhan nila ng lines ng prof niya and ‘yung between sa kanila ng nanay niya. She deserves an award for this,” one viewer noted.
Fans also praised San Jose’s opening scene wherein she spoke Filipino and Spanish.
“Grabe ang ganda, simula pa lang! Napakagaling mo, Julie! Nakaka-goosebumps! Buhay na buhay ang “Noli Me Tangere” novel. I love listening to those Spanish words. Nakakabighani ang iyong kagandahan, binibini at katangi-tangi ang iyong pagganap,” a fan commented.
The first six episodes of the program have garnered over one million views each on GMA Network’s Facebook page for a total of 130M views regardless of the streaming platform.
The movie review blog Maganda Ba Movie praised the show’s cinematography and other aspects.
“May magaling na cinematography yung serye na ito. With Maria Clara At Ibarra, buhay na buhay ang camera work and movements kaya hindi boring panoorin ang bawat eksena. Kapanapanabik na subaybayan ang mga pagbabago na maaaring mangyari (kung meron man) sa istorya ng aklat ni Dr. Jose Rizal.”
Also, the production got praised for paying attention to the smallest details. Meanwhile, a clip of students watching the show during recess went viral.
“Pinagbigyan ko po silang manood kasi may mga batang walang TV sa bahay. Although wala pa silang Noli Me Tangere, kahit papano nagkaka-idea na sila sa Noli. Ang dami nila tanong about sa past. Nakakatuwa lang po kasi seryoso silang nanonood talagang interested sila kaya vinideo ko po,” said their teacher.
The show airs every at 8PM on weeknights on GMA and at at 9:40PM, Mondays to Fridays on GTV.
