'Maria Clara at Ibarra' pilot week takes viewers by storm

"Maria Clara at Ibarra" took viewers of all ages by storm with its successful pilot week.

According to Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras," Monday, students, teachers, and even K-drama fans gushed over the historical portal fantasy series.

Some teachers saw themselves the character of Lou Veloso, who plays the professor of Klay (Barbie Forteza) and assigns her to write a book report on "Noli Me Tangere."

"May time talaga na boring, na-bo-boringan sila kasi 'yung kuwento napakahaba. Ang ginagawa ko sa kanila, pinapa-reenact ko," said Justin Carlos Villanueva, a teacher for Grade 9 and 10 students.

("There really are times that it's boring, they think it's boring because the story is so long. What I do is I make them reenact it.")

READ: Here's where to watch 'Maria Clara at Ibarra'

Reenactment is also how TikTok creator Rocelyn Ordonez chose to engage with the series, playing different characters by herself complete with costume changes.

"Very unique po, very catchy, it's very interesting, tapos informative and it's innovative," she said about "Maria Clara at Ibarra."

Even K-drama fans could not help but be impressed with the series, which uses the isekai concept and follows a Gen Z student who ends up inside the world of Noli.

"Napapagkonekta niya po 'yung dalawang panahon [It connects the two time periods]," said Andrie Justine Godoy.

Even kids as young as Grade 3 pupils have been hooked, with one teacher sharing a video of her students eagerly watching the series at recess time.

Also starring Dennis Trillo and Julie Anne San Jose, "Maria Clara at Ibarra" airs on GMA Telebabad on weekdays after "24 Oras."

—MGP, GMA News