'Maria Clara at Ibarra': GMA Network's Latest Drama is Based on 'Noli Me Tangere'

GMA Network's latest historical drama, 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' portrays Jose Rizal's 'Noli Me Tangere' in a more modern perspective

If there's one title that all Filipinos are familiar with, it's Noli Me Tangere. Jose Rizal's magnum opus has drawn plenty of attention internationally and through generations. Together with its sequel El Filibusterismo, Rizal's novels inspired a revolution by exposing the corruption of the Spanish colonial government. Rizal was ultimately shot down for the crime of rebellion in Bagumbayan, what is now known as Luneta.

Many of today's generation are likely to have vague memories of reading Noli Me Tangere in high school. There are the shadows of characters such as Padre Damaso, Sisa, Maria Clara, Elias, and Ibarra who likely remain in our consciousness still—but their symbolisms, motivations, and representations have likely turned nebulous from years of neglect. Recently, GMA Network has helped to dust off the cover of our national hero's famous book and help Filipinos rediscover not just the characters of Rizal, but also their storylines' relevance to our lives and the importance of appreciating history as well.

Maria Clara at Ibarra, a new drama (or teleserye) on GMA's primetime lineup, revolves around a girl who also happens to be named Maria Clara (Barbie Forteza). Called Klay for short, our protagonist wants nothing more than to work abroad as a nurse. She has no inclination to stay in the Philippines and though she is doing well in school, she does struggle with one class: history. Convinced that history is the least important priority in her life—between a hectic schedule for a working student and a turbulent family life—Klay is magically transported into the fictional world of Noli Me Tangere by her history professor. At this point in time, the teleserye has already presented us with many of the main characters. Klay has become invested in the well-being of Sisa (Andrea Torres), who has already lost both her sons and has been showing signs of deteriorating mental health. Padre Salvi (Juancho Trivino) has shown the audience his malevolent intentions, and in a unique twist of storytelling, Klay has also been developing feelings for Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo).

It's an enjoyable watch—one that can be heavy at times, but lighthearted at others. And let there be no doubt: viewers have taken very well to it. Andrea Torres has received praise on social media for her sincere and cathartic portrayal of Sisa, while the drama itself has consistently been trending online. Some fans have even been inspired to take up reading the original book, which is always a win for culture in general. Noli Me Tangere was dedicated to all Filipinos and having the genuine interest to know it—versus having it simply taught as part of the curriculum—helps to uplift social cancer which is, arguably, still present today.

But is Maria Clara at Ibarra an accurate portrayal of the book? Does it do Jose Rizal's idea and intention justice?

Noli Me Tangere was lifted by Rizal from the Bible verse John 20:17 which means "touch me not". Historically, this term was used by medical practitioners during Rizal's time to label cysts, tumours, and cancer cells, in general, at a time when Cancer was untreatable and no one dare to touch it. Rizal used this term to symbolise cancer that is spreading in our society: the tyranny of Spanish friars, the indifference of the Filipinos towards fellow Filipinos' sufferings, the corruption in the government, and many more. The GMA series created Klay a nursing student who desires to work overseas, escape from the sufferings in the Philippines, and uplift her family from injustice. But throughout the episodes, she has started to see how she can also 'nurse the wounds' of Noli's characters, in an attempt to change how the book will end.

Any modern adaptation of a book will call for changes to make the plot more achievable or desirable for the contemporary audience. So perhaps it's not up to us to answer the question of whether or not it does the book justice—it is up to the personal perspective of every individual viewer. I would, however, like to begin as Jose Rizal did and bring up the author's dedication at the start of Noli Me Tangere. In it, Rizal writes to his countrymen, “Desiring thy welfare, which is our own, and seeking the best treatment, I will do with thee what the ancients did with their sick, exposing them on the steps of the temple so that everyone who came to invoke the Divinity might offer them a remedy. And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition faithfully, without discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to truth everything, even vanity itself, since, as thy son, I am conscious that I also suffer from thy defects and weaknesses.”

Rizal's dedication is important as it offers the reader the true objective of the narrative: to expose the conditions of Filipino society, despite its ugliness, so that there will one day be reform. In this way, GMA Network is paralleling Rizal's objective as it begins with the current plight of the Filipino youth: much like Klay, many are uninvested in history, with many looking for a way out of the country. And even today, there is plenty of ugliness in Filipino society, and though the Spaniards no longer rule and the Catholic Church continuously does reforms, a discriminatory hierarchy among Filipinos still exists. Of course, Maria Clara at Ibarra presents a much lighter and much friendlier version of events, but it does—in its own way—reproduce some important themes faithfully in the drama.

Modern issues are also brought up. Klay introduces the idea of feminism to characters such as Ibarra and Fidel (David Licauco), and also demands for human rights as the guardia civil abuse Sisa.

Now, fans are faithfully awaiting more episodes of Maria Clara at Ibarra, perhaps a nightly ritual to look forward to on weekday nights at 8pm. And though there are those little morsels of what to watch out for, no one really knows what will happen to our protagonists next. Perhaps as the months roll on, we'll find out—but as we go along the way, it would be good—perhaps even necessary—to remember that this teleserye isn't rooted in mere fantasy or capricious romance but in a book written by a very important man, whose life and ideas hold a real impact on the shaping of our nation.

NOW READ

Are You a Fan of Period Films? Here are 5 Popular Shoot Locations in the Philippines

How Well Do You Know Your History? Netizens Revive Calls to Bring Back PH History Subject in Highschool

Dr Jose Rizal: Who Were The Women in the National Hero's Life?

Tatler Asia

'Maria Clara at Ibarra': What's the Hype with GMA's Newest Historical Drama?