In the continuing celebration of the 60 Years of Pinoy Soap Opera, ABS-CBN will bring back on primetime one of the well loved television series in history.  Beginning October 25, the story of Mara Clara, a teleserye that ran on ABS-CBN for five years during the ‘90s and originally starred Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes in the title roles, will be told once again starring young stars Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes. 

The new Mara Clara will be directed by Jerome Pobocan and Tots Mariscal.  Direk Tots talked about why ABS-CBN decided to come up with a remake of Mara Clara.  “Mara Clara ang isa sa mga naunang teleserye.  Part na siya ng pop culture.  If we can remake Koreanovelas, why not remake one of our own?  And Mara Clara is an original by ABS-CBN.”

Those who easily suspect that the new Mara Clara will just be a complete copycat of the original will have to think again. According to Direk Jerome, they added new elements in the story which is now more applicable to our time.  “We improved the characterization of the original characters.  Kung dati si Susan ay martir sa lahat ng bagay, siya ngayon ay palaban na pagdating sa kanyang anak na si Mara.  Dati si Almira Del Valle ay donya lang sa bahay, siya ngayon ay isang working mother na hirap hatiin ang oras sa trabaho at sa pamilya.  Kung dati may pagkabobo si Clara kaya nangongopya lang siya sa klase, ngayon ay competitive na siya.  Makikita natin ‘yung competition nina Mara at Clara sa school.

Direk Tots further admitted it’s a challenge to please both the original viewers of Mara Clara back in the ‘90s and the young audience of today.  “Ang hirap kasi talagang maiko-compare ka sa original.  Ang difference ngayon is mas mabilis na ang pacing.  Sa technical aspects mas malaki na rin ang na-improve.  Sana magustuhan ng mga bagong viewers ay mga loyal followers itong Mara Clara.”

Related Links and Articles

• ABS-CBN - Mara Clara