Mara Clara

Mara Clara
Genre	Family drama
Created by	Emil Cruz, Jr.
Developed by	ABS-CBN
Starring	Judy Ann Santos Gladys Reyes
Opening theme	"Mara Clara" by Therese Amper
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language(s)	Filipino, English,
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	1,167
Production
Camera setup	multicamera setup
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	ABS-CBN
Picture format	480i SDTV
Original release	August 17, 1992 (1992-08-17) – February 14, 1997 (1997-02-14)
Chronology
Related shows	Mara Clara (2010) Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2012-2013)

Mara Clara is a Filipino television soap opera on ABS-CBN, which ran from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997. It was re-aired on Studio 23 (now ABS-CBN Sports+Action) and Kapamilya Channel (now Bro), both ABS-CBN subsidiaries.^[1] It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. This soap opera made Judy Ann Santos the Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera and Gladys Reyes as Primera Kontrabida on Philippine television.

Plot

Mara and Clara were switched at birth, and the details of this event were recorded by Kardo (Dan Fernandez), a hospital staff, in his diary. Mara (Judy Ann Santos) lived as the poor daughter of the couple Susan (Susan Africa) and Gary Davis (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez) while Clara (Gladys Reyes), their real daughter, was brought up the rich Amanthe (Juan Rodrigo) and Alvira Del Valle (Beverly Vergel).

The good-natured Del Valle couple (Juan Rodrigo and Beverly Vergel) takes in Mara (Judy Ann Santos) as a servant and decides to spend for her education, not knowing that she is their real daughter. Gary (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez), who is actually a gang and syndicate leader, approves of the idea that Mara lives with the Del Valles to extort money. Clara (Gladys Reyes) makes life for Mara difficult. But, as time progresses they find out their true identity in the spotlights, damages are paid, and they all know where to stand.

Cast

Main cast

• Judy Ann Santos as Mara Davis / Mara del Valle - Mara is the main protagonist of the series. Mara is a loving and hardworking daughter with a drive to better herself for the sake of her mother. Her greatest weakness is her family. She is intelligent, strong and of good moral character. She tries not to call attention but when needed, finds the courage to stand up for what is right. Loves greatly - sometimes to a fault. Because of her great capacity to love she always forgives her father's abuse.
• Gladys Reyes as Clara del Valle / Clara Davis - Clara is the main antagonist of the series. Clara is rich, spoiled and bratty. She is used to getting whatever she wants. She can be very affectionate but she knows how to use her charms to get her way, even with her mother. She is intelligent, an achiever and a good leader who can command attention wherever she goes. She can be a very good friend, but a formidable enemy.

Supporting cast

• Susan Africa as Susan Davis
• Eruel Tongco / William Martinez as Gary Davis
• Beverly Vergel as Almira del Valle
• Juan Rodrigo as Amanthe del Valle
• Dan Fernandez as Kardo Davis
• Wowie de Guzman as Christian Torralba
• Christopher Roxas as Erris Reyes
• Minnie Aguilar as Lagring
• Eagle Riggs as CG
• Noel Colet as Enrico
• Anita Linda as Aling Pacita
• Paolo Contis as Jepoy
• Agatha Tapan as Denise
• Carol Magallanes as Carol
• Jochelle Olalia as Karen

Extended cast

• Rico Yan as Derrick Gonzales
• Angelika de la Cruz as Joyce
• Ian Galliguez as Bekya
• Leni Santos as Lenita
• Piolo Pascual (recurring role)

History

The series originally aired at 2:30 p.m. from August 17, 1992 until January 27, 1995 after Eat Bulaga! and before Valiente (both of which are produced by TAPE Inc.) It went to a 2:00 p.m. timeslot on January 30, 1995 since Eat Bulaga! moved from the said network to GMA Network in make way for the new daily noontime variety show 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, premiering February 6. The show once again moved to a primetime slot on July 1, 1996 after TV Patrol to challenge GMA's Villa Quintana and RPN's Tagalog-dubbed of Mexican telenovela, Marimar. Until it ended on February 14, 1997 in make way for Esperanza as the replacement on February 17.

A 2010 remake, starring Kathryn Bernardo as Mara and Julia Montes as Clara, aired on ABS-CBN from October 25, 2010 to June 3, 2011.

Reception

Film adaptation

In 1996, a movie was produced based on the television series. The Mara Clara movie adaptation was the first television series created by ABS-CBN to be adapted by Star Cinema. On the adaptation, the only cast changed was the character of Gary Davis who was portrayed by Eruel Tongco in the television, and was played by William Martinez in the movie due to the former's death from a car accident in 1996.

Remake

During the ABS-CBN trade event held last August 24, 2010 at the World Trade Center Manila, it was announced that a remake of the series will start its production this 2010.^[2] Kathryn Bernardo is slated for the role of Mara, with Julia Montes as Clara.^[3]

Re-Air

The series re-aired in 2007 by affiliates Studio 23 and Kapamilya Channel (internationally) through 2008.

Production staff

• Executive Producer: Annaliza A. Goma
• Producer: Book One: Maru R. Benitez; Book Two: Dagang V. Vilbar
• Written and Directed by: Emil Cruz, Jr.

See also

• List of shows previously aired by ABS-CBN
• List of telenovelas of ABS-CBN
• Mara Clara (2010 TV series)

References

External links

• Mara Clara at the Internet Movie Database