MAKING the required reading of every Filipino an interesting primetime television show is quite a challenge. Still, GMA seems to have everyone seated with full attention — no help from RA 1425 is needed. With their recent release, “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” viewers are transported via a historical portal to the world of Jose Rizal’s Noli me Tangere, which is seen through the Gen-Z lens. 

From past and present parallels to age-old problems in the modern eye, the series provides a new angle to the literary work that shaped a nation — a gentle reminder to those indifferent to its importance.

The Filipino Student Self-insert

“Hindi ko po gets kung anong saysay ng subject niyo sa course kong nursing.” This is an opinion shared, in variation, by many Filipino students across generations about studying the works of our national hero, with the series’ protagonist, Klay or Maria Clara Infantes (Barbie Forteza). Through this uninhibited proclamation to her Rizal professor, she receives a quintessential fairytale curse and is hauled into the alternate literary universe of Noli me Tangere in order to see the lesson of the story. With a contemporary mindset, Klay’s predicament provides Noli with a modern charm that enables us to enjoy the novel through a relatable perspective.

However, what makes her the perfect lens to see through goes beyond her generation, is in the nuances of her character. With a laborious “working student” lifestyle and a tough home life, Klay represents the struggling Filipino that does not have the privilege of having an ideal academic experience. Until now, education remains a luxury in our country as many claw their way to finish or end up as out-of-school youth. With this acknowledgment in the show, we are reminded of the many factors contributing to the lack of prioritization of history or non-career-centered courses, which creates a cycle of indifference. But luckily with Klay, we, too, are given a chance to re-understand our history’s significance beyond the factors which may hinder it.

The Female Gaze

Entering the world of Noli as someone who is unaware of its contents is difficult — but what more as a woman? Us Filipinos are aware of how the Spanish colonial period was a grueling time of oppression for the poor and women alike, which are facets highlighted in the novel. In the series, the shift of the protagonist has provided us with a modern educated female gaze, an outlook intolerant to injustices.

From being abandoned at birth to having a domestic abuser of a stepdad, Klay has had a life far from perfect. Her hardships shaped her strong and protective character, often reflected in her familial relationships. Consequently, upon entering the alternate world, Klay has been subjected to these instincts almost immediately. Witnessing the abuse of Padre Damaso (Tirso Cruz III) on a woman — particularly “mababa ang lipad” or a prostitute — has filled Klay with anger and frustration, especially seeing that people condone this type of behavior while she is unable to help. 

As we progress more into the series, we’ll encounter more instances of Klay’s resistance to the norms of exploitation and sexism of the era. While she challenges the world of Noli me Tangere with her wit and courage, we’ll see a new side of emotion — the sensitivity of a modern woman within an eye-opening narrative. Through characters like Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo), Sisa (Andrea Torres), and another original character, Fidel (David Licauco) among others, we’ll be able to observe the significance of Maria Clara Infantes as the new heroine, a character that won’t sit and let this go by — an abrupt counter to the story.

Reimagined Not Unwritten

Considering the changed protagonist, added characters, and the difference in flow, it is apparent that “Maria Clara at Ibarra” isn’t exactly a retelling of the novel. These changes, although similar between book adaptations, beg the question, “does the series provide justice to Jose Rizal’s Noli me Tangere?”

Considering the series’ constant trending status on Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms, it is safe to say the show is definitely booming. You can truly see the investment of the fans and how they’ve created their own fandom cultures — such as ship names like FiLay or KlayBara and memes of varying mediums. Despite the popularity, this modern ingestion of the story may cause some important factors to be lost in translation or be given less notice.

But let’s not take away the many wins the series has provided for historical awareness. Just like Rizal’s objective to expose the ugly conditions of society to incite a reform, “Maria Clara at Ibarra” matches this through Klay’s now common Filipino mindset who is uninterested in the history of our country and is looking for a way to leave it; this includes other paralleling facets like her demand for human rights by protecting the abused — specifically those subjected to hierarchal discrimination — and calling out sexism to the male characters who are entirely new to the idea. 

So, if anything, what truly determines if the series has given the book justice remains at the viewer’s discretion. Given the different time periods, changes made to adapt to the modern palate and highlighting contemporary problems are necessary. It is up to our perspectives if the enduring message speaks to us. But seeing many choose to pick up or reread Noli me Tangere, we can see the impacts it has in the community which is already something we can feel hopeful for.

Going forward with the story of Maria Clara at Ibarra, we have yet to see how Klay handles the conflicts and events we anticipate from the story. Her relatable viewpoint, wit, and courage have truly made her a character we can’t help but root for. Becoming a weeknight ritual for many, the series has all of us anticipating for more to come. Through the many characters Klay is yet to meet and as they dust off the next Rizal novel to cover, El Filibusterismo, we’ll hopefully see a clearer view of the essence of the teleserye and the literature behind it — a mirror to our culture and society.