Mara Clara (2010 TV series)

This article is about the 2010 series. For the 1992 series, see Mara Clara.

Not to be confused with Maria Clara at Ibarra.

Mara Clara
Title card
Genre	Family drama
Created by	ABS-CBN Studios
Based on	Mara Clara by Emil Cruz Jr.
Written by	Danica Mae Domingo Ma. Regina Amigo David Diuco Allan Cuadra
Directed by	Jerome C. Pobocan Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV
Starring	Kathryn Bernardo Julia Montes
Theme music composer	Nonong Buencamino Jr.
Opening theme	"Mara Clara" by Carol Banawa
Composers	Idonnah C. Villarico Rommel Villarico
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Tagalog
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	158 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Jennifer Borja-Soliman
Editors	Marion Bautista Marianne Fernando
Running time	30–35 minutes
Production company	Dreamscape Entertainment Television
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	October 25, 2010 (2010-10-25) – June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)
Related
Mara Clara (1992–1997) (Philippines) Kaew Lom Phet (Thailand)

Mara Clara is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. The series is a remake of the 1992 Philippine television series of the same title. Directed by Jerome C. Pobocan and Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV, it stars Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up and worldwide on TFC from October 25, 2010, to June 3, 2011, replacing 1DOL and was replaced by Guns and Roses.

The title is derived from María Clara, the mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere, a novel written by José Rizal.

Mara Clara was the highest-rated program on Philippine television from June 3, 2011 to October 26, 2012, when the 2012 series Walang Hanggan became the highest-rated show for 2012 according to Kantar Media Philippines. The series is streaming online on YouTube.

Series overview

Adaptation

Main article: Mara Clara

Mara Clara was a remake of the 1992 television series, Mara Clara an adapted novel and serial of Emil Cruz Jr. produced by ABS-CBN Studios. In 1996, the original TV series was adapted into a film which nearly the whole cast reprised their roles. In August 2010, ABS-CBN announced that they had decided to remake the television series with Kathryn Bernardo slated for the role of Mara opposite Julia Montes as Clara which centers on two children who were both born on the same day and were switched by Clara's biological uncle, Karlo (Ping Medina). Mara grew up poor while Clara grew up in a rich family as a spoiled girl. However, it was noted that Karlo was only following his brother Gary's (Jhong Hilario) order until both girls were returned to the people they belonged to. The series premiered on October 25, 2010, and continued to air until June 3, 2011.

Episodes

Main article: List of Mara Clara (2010 TV series) episodes

Year		Episode numbers	Episodes	First aired	Last aired
	2010	1–50	50	October 25, 2010 (2010-10-25)	December 31, 2010 (2010-12-31)
	2011	51–158	108	January 3, 2011 (2011-01-03)	June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)

Cast

Kathryn Bernardo portrays Mara David / Mara Del Valle originally by Judy Ann Santos

Julia Montes portrays Clara Del Valle / Clara David originally by Gladys Reyes

Mylene Dizon portrays Susan David originally by Susan Africa

Jhong Hilaro portrays Gary David originally by the Late Eruel Tongco.

Dimples Romana portrays Alvira Del Valle originally by Beverly Vergel.

Protagonist

• Kathryn Bernardo as Mara David (de facto) / Mara C. Del Valle (de jure) – Mara is the main protagonist. She is the loving and hardworking daughter of Gary and Susan David who will do anything to support her family's needs. Her biological parents are Amanthe and Alvira Del Valle. Her life became miserable when Clara enters the picture to oppose. Despite, all of these misfortunes, she still holds on her faith in God and believes that the sun will shine again for her. She was kidnapped, but survived from being killed by Gary.

Antagonist

• Julia Montes as Clara C. Del Valle (de facto) / Clara E. David (de jure) – She is the beautiful and intelligent, but bratty daughter of Amanthe and Alvira Del Valle, a wealthy couple. Her biological parents are Gary and Susan and her friends resent Mara for her social status. She is head-over-heels in love with her childhood best friend Christian.

Main cast

• Mylene Dizon as Susan Estacio-David – Mara's foster mother and Clara's biological mother. She experiences resentment from Gary and his mother Lupe for not being well-off like Alvira.
• Jhong Hilario as Gary David† (not to be confused with the basketball player of the same name) – Alvira's ex-boyfriend and Lupe's older son. Later it is revealed that he is not the latter's father, and is the biological father of Clara. This is because of his own plans where his brother Karlo had switched the girls at birth. He kidnapped Mara and tried to kill the latter. In the end, he died after Susan impaled him.
• Dimples Romana as Alvira Castillo-Del Valle – Clara's foster mother and Mara's biological mother. She has always felt the need to spoil Clara throughout her life despite her husband's objections. This went as far as hurting Mara in Clara's defense, before and even after knowing the identities of the girls.
• Bobby Andrews as Amanthe Del Valle – Clara's foster father and Mara's biological father. He does not approve of Clara's mean-spirited personality caused by her spoiled attitude from childhood; thus, he feels distant to her as a foster father. Later revealed to have a mistress in his own company.
• Albie Casiño as Christian "Otoy" Torralba – Clara's childhood friend, and eventually Mara's boyfriend. Despite their rough first meeting and impressions, he becomes determined to earn Mara's friendship and trust.
• John Manalo as Erris Reyes – Christian's best friend. At first, he prioritizes working over his studies, but eventually enrolls in the same private school as Christian, Clara, and Mara.

Supporting cast

• Gina Pareño as Lupe David – Gary and Karlo's mother, Susan's mother-in-law Mara's grandmother and Clara's biological grandmother who knows nothing but money. She mistreats Susan, and subsequently Mara, for her lower-class background, and favors Alvira. She becomes nicer and changes her ways after realizing Mara's kind nature, and learning of her older son's toxic actions and behavior.
• Ping Medina as Karlo David† – Gary's younger brother, Lupe's youngest son, Susan's brother-in-law, and Mara's uncle. He is responsible for switching Mara and Clara at birth. He remains caring for Mara despite his crime against both her and Clara. He dies before the truth is revealed to everyone aside from his brother and Clara, but his diary documenting the incident is recovered by Susan.
• Desiree del Valle as Christina Borres† – Employee in Amanthe's company. She is revealed to be his mistress and was killed by Gary before she tried to look for Amanthe.
• Diego Loyzaga as Derrick Gonzales - Mara's second love interest, who was adopted by Mayor Nathaniel Gonzales after his biological father is imprisoned and Carlotta's adoptive brother.

Recurring cast

• Chokoleit† as CG – Susan's friend and Mara (and Clara)'s godparent.
• Tiya Pusit† as Yaya Vonnel – Clara (and Mara)'s nanny. She has taken care of Clara throughout the latter's childhood while the parents have been busy with their businesses. Her name is a pun on April Boy Regino's song "Ye Ye Vonnel".
• Jamilla Obispo as Lenita Santos† – Gary's evil mistress who supports his crimes. She died after saving Mara from a bomb explosion.
• Paolo Serrano as Fidel - Gary's friend
• Dido dela Paz as Abdul Dominador† / Lover Boy† - Owner of the casino who mistreats Lenita. He died after getting shot by Lenita.
• Cherry Lou as Vanessa Torralba – Christian's mother who does not like Mara and favors Clara.
• Jan Marini Alano as Virginia/Barang
• Kiray Celis as Desiree Francisco – She is Clara's evil partner in crime, who also hates Mara and her friends due to Mara being raised poor. Together with Clara they make Mara's life miserable as hell.
• EJ Jallorina as Butch Mauricio – Mara's friend.
• Aria Clemente as Christina "Jin Jin" Angeles – Mara's friend.
• Vangie Martelle as Abby – Clara's friend.
• Arie Reyes as Kaye – Clara's friend.
• Phytos Ramirez as Miguel "Migs" Soriano – Christian's basketball teammate.
• Solo Kiggins as Anthony Mercado – Christian's basketball teammate.
• Marion Gopez as Mickey Torres – Christian's basketball teammate.
• Renzo Cruz as Mayor Nathaniel Gonzales† – Carlotta's biological father and Derrick's adoptive father who died after getting killed by one of Gary's henchmen.
• Helga Krapf as Carlotta Gonzales
• Francis Magundayao as young Gary
• Izzy Canillo as young Karlo
• Andre Tiangco as Atty. Barrameda

Special appearances

• Kimberly Fulgar as young Mara David
• Christine Joy de Guzman as young Clara De Valle

Cameo

• Arron Villaflor
• Robi Domingo
• Enrique Gil
• Jake Cuenca
• Jason Abalos
• Ejay Falcon
• Enchong Dee
• Joseph Marco
• Joem Bascon
• Martin del Rosario
• Matteo Guidicelli
• Sam Concepcion
• Sam Milby
• Xian Lim
• Zaijian Jaranilla
• Zanjoe Marudo

Difference between original and remake

Original	Remake
Susan gave birth to twins: Clara and another baby who died in Kardo's hands. The deceased twin was mistakenly believed to be Mara.	Susan has three children: Clara and a twin born at the near end in the series.
Gary's last name is Davis, the Del Valle couple's names are Amante and Almira, while Kardo is Gary's cousin. The surname of Enrico, Almira's adopted brother, is David	Gary's last name is David, the Del Valle couple's names are Amanthe and Alvira, while Karlo is Gary's brother.
Almira was forced to be in love with Gary.	Alvira was in love with Gary, but they separated when she went to America.
Mara learns that Gary was imprisoned upon his release.	Mara knew about Gary's imprisonment while he was in prison.
Susan is Amante's ex-girlfriend.	Susan and Alvira used to be best friends.
Gary and Kardo are cousins. Louie is Gary's half-sister.	Gary and Karlo are brothers.
Gary's mother was mentioned as Ramona but did not appear in the series.	Lupe is Gary and Karlo's mother.
Kardo is alive throughout the series.	Karlo was killed in the middle of the series.
Susan's friends, CG and Lagring, are also Mara's godmothers. CG mysteriously vanishes mid-series.	CG's character is Susan's loyal friend and Mara's godmother, while Lagring's character was not in the series.
Mara and Clara studied in different high schools.	Mara and Clara are classmates in high school.
Erris and Jepoy are the Del Valles' adopted sons.	Erris is Mara and Clara's classmate in school. Jepoy's character was not included in the series.
Carol is Clara's best friend and roommate during the former's stay in the Del Valles' home. Carol and Lester are also Clara's accomplices.	Desiree was Clara's accomplice.
Karen, Jepoy, Erris and Denise are part of Mara's circle of friends.	Butch and Jin Jin are part of Mara's circle of friends.
Enrico was Almira's cunning adopted brother and one of the final villains in the series.	Enrico's character was not included in the series, making Gary the only villain.
Gary's character was killed off in the middle of the series by the accident (Eruel Tongco, who played him, tragically died in a car accident while the show was still airing).	Gary was killed at the end of the series.
Mara and Clara both met at the Davises' house.	Mara and Clara both met in school.
Lola Binay, Querubin and Dado are the Del Valles' helpers.	Yaya Vonnel is Clara's nanny.
Amante and Almira are philanthropists and run a printing house.	Amanthe and Alvira run a realty company.
Susan goes insane due to her miscarriage and Gary's wrongdoings, including his affair with Lenita.	This storyline was not included in this series.
Amante knows Clara is not his daughter. He believed his real daughter died during Almira's childbirth.	Amanthe, along with Alvira, learns that Clara is not their real daughter when they take the DNA test.
Clara learns she's not Amante's biological daughter by overhearing his phone call with Gary. A year later, Gary reveals Mara's true identity to Clara.	Clara learns about her and Mara's true identity because of Karlo.
Clara's identity was kept a secret because of Almira's heart condition.	This storyline was not included in the series.
Clara fully accepts Susan and Gary as her parents and resents Amante for keeping her away from them.	Clara struggles to accept her fate when she learns that Susan and Gary are her real parents.
Susan stabs Gary while protecting Mara, but he survives and only gets wounded.	At the end of the series, Susan stabs Gary to death while protecting Alvira.
Kardo gets amnesia after being beaten by Gary and his henchmen, who are trying to kill him. Later, Susan experiences the same fate as Kardo.	Mara feigned amnesia after being rescued from a kidnapping.
Clara only knows her true identity after her birthday party.	Mara and Clara knew who they really were on their birthdays. Mara's party was at the Del Valles', and Clara's was at the Davids'.
Lenita is actually Sylvia, Amante's ex-girlfriend, who also thought his name was Raphael.	Lenita only had an affair with Gary. .
Lenita had a son from Amante, but he later died. She later gives birth to Lester. She also get pregnant from Gary but she later miscarriaged.	Lenita has no son in the series.
Susan learns Mara and Clara's true identity through Kardo.	Susan learns Mara and Clara's true identity upon reading the diary.
Erris was thought to be Amante and Lenita's son.	Erris has no relationship with Amanthe and Lenita.
Susan became a villain when Gary went missing. She made Mara's life difficult because she suspected Amante killed Gary.	Gary's disappearance was not part of the story, so Susan doesn't turn into a villain. Instead, she becomes a loving mother to Mara, even though she knows Mara isn't her biological daughter.
Susan was paralyzed at the middle of the series.	Lupe was paralyzed from the middle towards the end of the series.
Risa saved the diary from Kardo, who was going to burn it.	Susan accidentally picked up a piece of the burned diary from the trash can.
Clara's kidnapping incident was staged while Mara was intentionally kidnapped by Gary.	Mara was kidnapped on purpose, while Clara was accidentally taken by Gary's henchmen. They were caught trying to kidnap Mara.
Susan gets pregnant at the middle of the series but later has a miscarriage.	Susan gets pregnant at the near end of the series.
Clara went back to her real family's home because she felt blamed for the conflict between Amante and Almira, who only focused on Mara.	Clara hated being sent back to the Davids' after the truth about her and Mara was revealed.
Mara learned she wasn't Susan and Gary's daughter before discovering she was a Del Valle.	Mara knew her and Clara's true identities at the same time.
Amante and Almira argued after he found Gary's letters in her cabinet.	Amante and Alvira argued after he found a bag with a photo of her and Gary, thinking they'd been on a date.
Erris has a crush on Mara.	Erris doesn't have a crush on Mara.
Christian met Mara first at school. Then, he met Clara at the Del Valles' home.	Christian met Clara first at school, then Mara at a mall.
Jepoy is Erris' best friend.	Christian is Erris' best friend.
Almira learned Clara's true identity from Kardo, who had a copy of her supposed dead daughter's death certificate. Later, she saw Susan and Clara hugging, realizing their relationship. Eventually, she discovered the truth about Mara first before Amanthe, upon reading the diary.	Alvira and Amanthe learned Mara and Clara's true identities from Susan, who had the diary
Mara was believed to be Gary's daughter with another woman. Edna is Mara's fake mother, and Gary also has a daughter with Edna.	This storyline was not included in the series.
Mara overheard Susan talking to herself and learned her true identity. She knew before Amante and Alvira. Kardo later confirmed it.	Susan, Alvira, Amanthe, and Gary know Mara's true identity. Amanthe and Alvira knew first.
The diary was placed at the top of the TV on one of the Del Valle's room before the revelation.	The diary was wrapped in plastic inside a bag before the revelation.
Lenita planned on helping Clara get revenge on Mara after learning Mara is a Del Valle.	Lenita has a change of heart after learning that Mara is a Del Valle and saves her from a bomb planted by Gary.
Clara almost killed Mara by repeatedly hitting her head against a wall and smashing a vase over her head.	Clara found Mara trapped in a water tank and saved her.

Reception

KANTAR MEDIA NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD TV RATINGS
(08:30PM PST)

PILOT EPISODE	FINALE EPISODE	PEAK	AVERAGE	SOURCE
27.3%	'43.2%	'??%	??%

International broadcast

Mara Clara had a successful run in Kenya, airing on NTV - one of the nation's top three television stations - during the 6pm to 7pm primetime slot. It aired in 2012 from April to June. Due to its success, reruns were broadcast on the later 10pm primetime slot later in the year.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• List of ABS-CBN Studios original drama series

External links

• Official website
• Mara Clara at IMDb