I know of some people who purposely make sure they’re home weekdays before 9 p.m. because of “Mara Clara.” The show’s high ratings, hitting plus 30 on its best days, are a clear indication that when I say “some people,” that could actually be much more than you can imagine.“Mara Clara” entered Chapter 2 last Tuesday, Feb. 1, with a shattering moment of truth. The parents of Mara and Clara, respectively, discover that the two girls, now aged 16, had been interchanged at birth!
Mara, the poor one, shall henceforth be the rich girl. Clara slides to a world of poverty.
On the occasion of “Mara Clara’s” entrance into chapter 2, ABS-CBN hosted a media dinner to announce the good news.
The teleserye clinched its highest national rating thus far, 34.6 percent, on Jan. 31 against its rival program, which scored 17.3 percent only.
According to Kantar Media, “Mara Clara” earned an average national rating of 29.9 percent, maintaining the top spot among the most watched programs throughout the country.
Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes, playing Mara and Clara respectively, said the high ratings have only inspired them to work harder and not mind the sleepless nights they spend on the set.
Kathryn and Julia, highly talented actors both, are the next generation lead stars of ABS-CBN.
Quite in contrast to their on-screen characters, Kathryn and Julia are such good friends in real life.
They first met on the set of “Goin’ Bulilit,” where the two girls kicked off their careers. Working three times a week together on “Mara Clara” has further cemented their friendship.
Kathryn, only 14, is a high school sophomore at OB Montessori in Greenhills. Sixteen-year-old Julia is a graduating senior at Blessed Hope Christian School in Pandacan, Manila.
The two girls are not in favor of dropping out of regular school to do home study as most young actors are inclined to do these days. There’s something about being on campus that makes you feel you are being educated the right way, they chorus.
“Besides,” they continue, “we’re not fond of doing modules all by ourselves.”
By the way, did you know that Julia is the real Mara between the two of them? Julia’s real name is Mara Schnittka. Her father is a German national.
