‘Mara Clara’ remake surges in ratings
Filipino viewers have carried over their love for the remake of “Emil Cruz Jr.’s Mara Clara” as it gains control over the national household ratings in the primetime slot since its premiere on October 25.
According to the Kantar Media TNS report on national TV household overnight ratings for November 12, “Mara Clara” surged at 27.7% over GMA-7?s “Grazilda,” which trailed at 18.6%.
The original “Mara Clara,” considered the longest running drama series that aired from August 1992 to February 1997, launched the careers of Judy Ann Santos, who played the role of Mara del Valle, and Gladys Reyes, who gave life to Clara David.
The second take on “Mara Clara” now features Kathryn Bernardo, 14, as Mara and Julia Montes, 15, as Clara. These young actresses have admitted feeling pressured over the fact that they have some big shoes to fill.
“Siyempre kami po gusto po namin maging ganun kasuccessful pagdating ng araw pero ayaw po muna namin magexpect. Ginagawa na lang po namin yung best namin para maging ganoon,” Bernardo said in a press conference held recently.
“Yun po yung goal po namin sa ngayon,” Montes added.
Bernardo and Montes’s new found fame has changed their lives tremendously.
“Nabago po kasi po pag po nagmamall din kami minsan po tinatawag na kami sa character namin tulad ko po tinatawag na akong Clara. Parang sinasabihan na din po ako na ‘wag kang masyadong harsh kay Mara,’” Montes said.
“Para sa ‘kin po for example punta po ako ng mall parang ‘Uy si Mara picture tayo’ parang nakakasarap lang po sa pakiramdam na nakikilala po nila ako ngayon,” Bernardo added.
The “Mara Clara” series isn’t complete without its love teams. This time around, Albie Casiño is paired with Bernardo as the new Christian Torralba (which was portrayed by Wowie de Guzman in the original series) and John Manalo joins Montes as Erris (previously played by Christopher Roxas).
Alan Benedict Lee Casiño, 17, was first seen as Albie Marquez in ABS-CBN’s “Your Song Presents: GIMIK 2010.” He dreams of becoming a senator some day.
When asked if the new Mara Clara is better than the earleir series, Casiño said, “Sa tingin ko po impossible pong malampasan yung old Mara Clara e. Sana we do justice to it. Yun na lang.”
John Vladimir Manalo 15, is one of ABS-CBN’s homegrown talents. He appeared in several commercials, movies and television shows. He and co-stars Bernardo and Montes came from the original casts of the hit children’s television show, ABS-CBN’s “Going Bulilit.”
Despite being blood related to Jericho Rosales, Manalo doesn’t mind being compared to his uncle. “Simula po nung bata ako sabi nya sa ‘kin ‘John gusto ko sumikat ka ng sarili mo. Gusto ko gawin mo yung ginawa ko. Gumawa ako ng sarili kong pangalan. Ayoko pong humihingi ng tulong sa kanya basta pinapayuhan nya po ako palagi, masaya na po ako dun tska sinusuportahan nya po lahat nung mga desisyon po namin…buong family.”
All four young actors and actresses attend School regularly. Bernardo attends OB Montessori in Greenhills, while Montes goes to Blessed Hope Christian School. Casiño and Manalo attend La Salle Greenhills and Marist School Marikina respectively.
“Wala naman pong special treatment sa ‘min. Parang gusto lang po nila makahabol ako sa mga lessons. Yung number of absences kailangan daw wag naman pong ma-accrue lahat yun.” said Bernardo.
“Humahabol lang po. Tapos minsan po binibigyan ako ng mga kaklase ko ng mga lessons, para kung ano po yung tinuro sa kanila binibigyan po nila ako ng notes.” Montes said.
“Pag nagaabsent po, itetext ko po yung mga kaklase ko ‘Pare, anong namiss ko?’ Tapos minsan po nag papatutor po ako tapos hinihingi ko po yung parang outline nung pinag-aralan so pag-aaralan ko po. Yun po. Habol po. Wala pong exemption,” Manalo added.
Photo by Jacqueline Timola/NPPA Images
