How the 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' cast explores the past on and off screen

Have you ever thought about what would happen when you'd wake up and find yourself in the world of "Noli Me Tangere?" Well, that's what happened with nursing student Klay in "Maria Clara at Ibarra."

The "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" team time-traveled to the set in Malolos, Bulacan near Barasoain Church to visit the set of GMA-7's hit historical portal fantasy series.

Barbie Forteza, who endeared many with her portrayal of Klay, caught up with host Jessica Soho and admitted that preparing for the role was "overwhelming."

A true Gen Z at 25 years old, Barbie said she made sure not to lose her own personality.

"Habang ginagawa ko po 'yung character arc niya sinigurado ko na hindi mawawala 'yung Barbie, 'yung core na character ni Klay para kung mapunta siya sa ibang mundo andun 'yung principles niya, 'yung weaknesses niya, 'yung ayaw niya ng babaeng nasasaktan," the actress said.

["I made sure that I won't lose my own personality in portraying Klay. Even if Klay was sucked into a different world, she held the same principles, the same weaknesses. She hates women getting hurt."]

Barbie added that since her character does not have a father figure, she always viewed men as mean and abusive.

That is, until Klay meets Crisostomo Ibarra, the ideal man, who changes her perspective of men.

Inside the set

Dennis Trillo indeed makes a dashing Crisostomo Ibarra—and a big portion of that are the carefully crafted costumes.

The show's fashion team created almost 200 costumes. Some are called Panuelo and Traje De Mestiza.

Dennis has to wear three layers.

"Nasanay na po," he said. "Itong costume na 'to ay mas mahaba kaysa dun sa sinusuot ko na every day na blazer. Madalas ganito ang sinusuot ko kapag ako ay bumibisita kay Maria Clara."

["I've become used to it. The sleeves on this costume are longer than the sleeves I have to wear every day. This is what I usually wear when I visit Maria Clara."]

The stylists said they base the costumes on their consultant Gino Gonzales' book Fashionable Filipinas. The tops are mostly made with pure pinya fabric sourced from Lumban, Laguna.

Additionally, since Klay's clothes are from Ibarra's parents from the 1869s and 70s, the folds depend on the year.

Julie Anne San Jose, who plays Maria Clara, also wears costumes composed of different layers.

Her hair also takes a while to get done.

"Originally I have short hair pero I had to wear extensions. And hindi pong maaaring nakikita ang mga kababahihan noon nang basta-basta na naka-down ang hair kasi napagkakamalan silang mujer libre," she said.

["I had to wear hair extensions and put my hair up. Because back then, women don't usually have their hair down."]

An important detail in her character would be the fan or Porta Abanico, which Barbie and Julie Anne learned how to use.

Past and present

While working on the series, Barbie was able to appreciate Maria Clara of the past, because she shows how women have evolved over the years.

"In general, siguro po susundin ko po 'yung reaksyon at opinyon ni Klay kasi medyo parehas po kami ng isip," she said. "Parang ang limited po kasi ng inaasahan ng mga tao sa mga kababaihan. Parang matuto ka lang ng gawaing bahay, matuto kang magdasal, matuto ka ng magandang asal para mapagsilbihan mo ang maging asawa mo, magiging mga anak mo."

["Klay and I have a lot in common. Back then, women aren't expected to do much—they had to learn how to do household chores, pray, and learn good manners for their future husband and children."]

She added that it's totally different to how women are now. "Kung kaya ng lalaki, kaya ng babae."

["If a man can do it, so can a woman."]

The show also makes sure to show the difference between the old and modern Maria Clara.

"'May mga bagay si Klay na ituturo kay Maria Clara at si Maria Clara nagtuturo siya ng more on the religious side naman po ang itinuturo niya kay Klay. So parehas na generation po may natutunan."

["Both generations learn a lot from each other. There are things that Klay is able to teach Maria Clara, and there are things that Maria Clara can teach Klay."]
Here's a fun fact: the series has camerawomen behind the scenes, a rare profession in a male-dominated industry.

'Honor and a privilege'

How do the cast members feel that they are able to portray such iconic characters from Philippine literature?

"Honor and privilege of course," Dennis said.

"Dahil representation [si Ibarra] ni Rizal, embodiment talaga siya ng Pilipino," he added. "And gustong makita ni Rizal na tularan 'yung mga pag-iisip at kung papaano mamuhay si Crisostomo Ibarra nu'n na grabe 'yung nationalism niya and 'yung acceptance ng pagbabago sa sarili, 'yun 'yung magandang mai-highlight ng character na 'yun."

["Ibarra is like an embodiment of a Filipino. It's a must to highlight Ibarra's nationalism and his openness to accept change within himself."]

To embody the role, Dennis said he lets himself believe he's Ibarra.

However, the Kapuso Drama King added that he and his character are really different.

"Siguro 'yung koneksyon lang na mai-uugnay ko dun sa Dennis sa present time ay 'yung pagmamahal niya rin sa pamilya niya at kung papaano niya pinahahalagahan 'yung mga mahal niya sa buhay," he said.

["I think the biggest thing I have in common with Ibarra is how much he loves and values his family."]

This is especially relevant since Dennis is a new dad.

The actor continued that in this present day, the people need someone like Crisostomo Ibarra.

"Kailangan ng ganung isang tao na merong ganung klaseng pag-iisip para pamarisan siya na 'yung mga taong makakita sa kanya ay hindi matatakot na kung meron silang paniniwala na tama ay ipagpupursige nila 'yun kung alam nilang nasa tamang lugar sila."

["In this age, we need someone who'd fight for what they believe in, who'd always be in pursuit of the right thing to do."]

Julie Anne San Jose, meanwhile, said that being in the role felt surreal.

"Never in my life na in-imagine ko ang sarili ko na magpo-portray ng isang napaka-iconic na tao," she said.

["I never imagined myself portraying someone as iconic as Maria Clara."]
Julie Anne said that she auditioned and learned Latin for Ave Maria and Padre Nuestro.

Latin and Filipino aren't the only languages featured in the show, but also— and probably most importantly—Spanish. The producers even hired a Spanish language expert, Professor Roven Alejandro.

Alejandro said that since the novel and series is based in the Spanish times, the use of the language gives the cast a much deeper glimpse of the past.

Meanwhile, Barbie's portrayal of Klay became such a huge hit, that even veteran screenwriter Suzette Doctolero could not imagine anyone else in the role.

"Humbling even na ma-recognize ng isang Suzette Doctolero at ng maraming tao," she said. "So ngayon napakasaya ko lang dahil finally after a decade or more e finally na-recognize na po nila 'yung trabaho ko."

["It's a very humbling experience to be recognized by so many people. I'm very happy that people are finally recognizing the work I've done through the years."]

—JCB, GMA News