11-year-old inspired to buy copy of 'Noli Me Tangere' after watching 'Maria Clara at Ibarra'

Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" is a hot topic these days, following the success of "Maria Clara at Ibarra." This time, an 11-year-old boy is going viral for buying a copy of the book out of excitement for the next episodes of the fantasy serye.

On social media, a teacher posted a picture of the novel, saying that his young nephew Teng actually fell asleep reading it.

“I went home from work to hear this amazing story coming from my mom and sister: ‘Si Teng ay bumili ng libro at nakatulog habang nagbabasa, nakarating na din ata sya sa loob ng libro,’” said Teacher Joey Dela Cruz Magracia in his post.

“Just to give you a context, ang batang tinutukoy dito ay hindi palabasa, sakto lang sa school, grabehan sa gadget, oh yes, sobrang sutil pagdating sa gawaing bahay vs. mobile games. Kaya naman hearing those words made me really shocked and a bit happy,” he added.

Magracia, who teaches at Meycauayan, Bulacan, pointed out that this was unlike his nephew, who is a Grade 6 student.

“The fact na bumili sya ng libro is a mature act, the first action to curiosity is research… Dahil na-excite sya sa kung anong mangyayari sa mga susunod na episodes ng MCAI, humanap sya ng resource to validate and gather data. Sa Grad school, humihiram lang ako ng book para maghanap ng RRL, pero itong pamangkin ko bumili sya, ibang level,” he said.

Magracia added that he felt his nephew did something refreshing in this digital age.

“He could have ask questions to me or his classmates or his teacher, pero instead he finds a way on his own. Many kids ngayon magrely na lang sa kung anong narinig sa kaklase or napanood na opinion sa socmed, pero he chose to find answers sa book,” he said.

He stressed that the event made him proud: “‘Yun lang. I am just one proud Tito for this moment and I hope this would result to a much more better attitude towards his study.”

Magracia concluded his post by thanking the people behind the hit show.

“And to the makers of Maria Clara at Ibarra, isang pagsaludo sa inyo at sa inyong craft. Salamat sa isang fresh take to reserve our beloved history laban sa mali at pekeng impormasyon na naglaganap,” he said.

“Maria Clara at Ibarra” airs on GMA Telebabad on Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m., and streams on the GMA Network YouTube channel, website, and app. —JCB, GMA News