Mara Clara (2010 TV series)

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
Production
Executive producer	Jennifer Borja-Soliman[1]
Editors	Marion Bautista[1] Marianne Fernando
Running time	30–35 minutes
Production company	Dreamscape Entertainment Television
Release
Original network	ABS-CBN
Picture format	480i (SDTV)
Original release	October 25, 2010 (2010-10-25) – June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)
Chronology
Related shows	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. 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, a mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere.

Mara Clara was the highest-rated program of 2011 in Philippine television according to Kantar Media Philippines.^[2] The series is streaming online on YouTube.^[3]

Overview[]

Adaptation[]

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 was 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]

Cast[]

Main cast[]

• Kathryn Bernardo as Mara David / Mara 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. Mara is kind, good, and intelligent. Her life became miserable when Clara 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.
• Julia Montes as Clara Del Valle / Clara David – Clara is the main antagonist. She is the beautiful and intelligent but scheming daughter of Amanthe and Alvira Del Valle, a wealthy couple. Her biological parents are Gary and Susan David. Clara and her friends resent Mara for her social status. She is head-over-heels in love with her childhood best friend Christian.

Supporting cast[]

• Mylene Dizon as Susan David – 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 – 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 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.
• Gina Pareño as Lupe David – Gary and Karlo's mother, Susan's mother-in-law, and Mara's 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 Clara's biological uncle. He’s 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.
• Diego Loyzaga as Derrick Gonzales
• 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.
• Jamilla Obispo as Lenita Santos – Gary's evil mistress who supports his crimes. She died after saving Mara from a bomb explosion.
• 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.
• 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 Soriano
• Solo Kiggins as Anthony Mercado
• Marion Gopez as Mickey Torres
• Renzo Cruz as Nathaniel Gonzales
• 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 Del Valle
• Christine Joy de Guzman as young Clara David

Cameo[]

• Arron Villaflor
• Robi Domingo
• Enrique Gil
• Zanjoe Marudo
• Jake Cuenca
• Ejay Falcon
• Joseph Marco
• Joem Bascon
• Martin del Rosario
• Matteo Guidicelli
• Sam Concepcion
• Sam Milby
• Xian Lim
• Zaijian Jaranilla

Reception[]

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.^[10] Due to its success, reruns were broadcast after the 9pm primetime news later in the year.

See also[]

• List of shows previously aired by ABS-CBN
• List of drama series of ABS-CBN

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Mara Clara at IMDb