GMA Entertainment Group’s newest primetime masterpiece “Maria Clara at Ibarra” is undeniably making headlines since its premiere on Oct. 3, 2022.
The historical portal fantasy series not only topped the rating charts but is also included in Twitter’s list of top trending topics in its first two weeks.
Based on Nielsen Philippines TAM ratings data from Oct. 3 to 7, the show posted a combined average people rating of 15.1 percent on GMA and GTV.
The program maintained its strong TV ratings from Oct. 10 to 14 with a combined (GMA and GTV) average people rating of 14.8 percent based on Nielsen’s TAM preliminary/overnight data.
Netizens could not help but admire the educational yet entertaining story of “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” which is bannered by Barbie Forteza as “Klay,” Julie Anne San Jose as “Maria Clara” and Dennis Trillo as “Ibarra.” It tackles not only the rich history of the Philippines, but also some of the most crucial issues in the society.
“They discussed education, labor, misogyny and ethnocentrism in a span of three episodes. GMA is brave enough to tackle feminism in the recent episode of MCI. This only manifests that they are taking our free TV experience into a more realistic point of view,” a netizen tweeted.
Fans and netizens also stay tuned on social media for snippets and replays of the series. It has accumulated more than 130 million views and counting on TikTok, while thousands of people watch its livestream on GMA Network’s YouTube account every night. The first six episodes of “Maria Clara at Ibarra” also received over one million views each on GMA Network’s Facebook page, another milestone for the GMA primetime series.
Even movie junkies, K-Drama enthusiasts and some teachers and elementary students are hooked on the hit program.
“Not K-Drama related, but this Philippine historical drama titled ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ caught my attention! These emotions that can be rarely seen in Philippine drama make me want to know more about ‘Noli Me Tangere.’ GMA should provide more historical dramas that are as excellent as this,” a K-Drama enthusiast group posted on Facebook.
One netizen also praised how the production team paid attention to the smallest details of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novels.
“Fonda Francesca de Lala Ary is a famous hotel during the Spanish period in the Philippines. Dr. Jose Rizal may have stayed in this hotel during his stay in Manila as a student and he mentioned this place in ‘Noli Me Tangere.’” The said hotel can be seen in the show where Ibarra stayed after his sojourn in Europe.
Get ready for more plot twists and milestones as the series takes viewers to the world of ‘Noli Me Tangere.’ Catch “Maria Clara at Ibarra” at 8 p.m. weeknights on GMA, and at 9:40 p.m., Monday to Friday on GTV. Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. (PR)