The Eye-Opening Truth
By: Angelique Reign Del Rosario
A modern and Gen Z girl stuck in a different and conservative period. The book Noli Me Tangere addressed how the people were subjected to abuse of power, poverty, unequal treatment, misogyny, and communal violence.
Published on:
May 31, 2023
Last updated:
May 31, 2023
To wake up one day and realize that you're in a different time zone– a plot that has piqued the interest of most Filipinos nowadays, shown by a new rising teleserye called Maria Clara and Ibarra by GMA Network. The story is adapted from Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere revolving around a college nursing student in the present time–2022 who has almost no interest in Philippine literature until her professor teaches her a lesson by letting her in the book of Noli Me Tangere. Klay as the main character portrayed by Barbie Forteza.
“The Modern Story of Maria Clara”
Klay was subjected to these treatments as she entered and stayed in the book of Noli Me Tangere. But how did she surmount these issues knowing that she came from a modern era where these problems are still present but are being addressed and fought for, unlike the era she transferred into?
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, a young Filipino who studied in Europe for seven years and is engaged to Maria Clara, returned to his home country after learning that his father died in prison as a result of a fight with Padre Damaso. Maria Clara, the said daughter of Captain Tiago and the fiancée of Ibarra. She was raised by her aunt, Isabel.
Klay awoke from her sleep to discover herself in Maria Clara's room. She could not believe she had entered the world of Noli Me Tangere.
She was then introduced as Ibarra's cousin. And since then, she has stuck with Ibarra and helped him. Fidel is another made-up character in the show. He is friends with Ibarra and a tease to Klay.
Klay was there with them through all of their difficulties. She did everything in her power to help them in resolving issues and challenges, particularly those relating to Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi. The two priests who sin frequently and act in ways that violate their convictions.
Fighting was the main cause of all the difficulty Klay found herself in. She took a stand, particularly for repressed women. Despite receiving criticism from others around her, she disregarded it and did her best to help the characters in need.
“Hindi magnanakaw ang mga anak ko. Kahit gutom. Sanay kami sa gutom. Tinataya ko sa kapuspalad kong buhay. Mahirap kami ngunit hindi kami magnanakaw.” A line delivered by Sisa, a mother of two who lost her sanity when her two children disappeared. Sisa is classified as an Indio—a low-class Filipino. This part addressed a wide range of issues, including religious violence, abuse of power, and poverty.
Klay tried her best to help Sisa, but a lot of things occurred to hinder them. People in the higher sector gaslighted them with religious violence or fundamentalism.
Indeed, people who abuse their positions of power silence the poor. Despite her efforts,
the original and overwhelmingly painful plot nonetheless occurred. One thing is certain: no
matter how painful or tragic things were in the past, they cannot be changed in the present nor in
the future.
Angelique Reign Del Rosario
A senior feature writer from 9 - Josette Biyo.
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