Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Series writer Suzette Doctolero reveals that the message she wants Maria Clara at Ibarra to convey to the public is that the people should learn from history and avoid the mistakes that were committed before.

In an interview on 'The Howie Severino Podcast,' Suzette said history only repeats itself as shown in Jose Rizal's novels 'Noli Me Tangere' and 'El Filibusterismo' which, according to Rizal, is adapted from the real social conditions of the country, the same conditions that are still happening in the modern day.

“Ang gusto nating sabihin, kung gusto natin maka move forward as a nation, balikan natin ang kasaysayan natin at tignan natin kung saan tayo nagkamali dito,” she said.

She added that Filipinos are not learning from the mistakes made in history and are repeating them, which is why the novels are still relevant today.

Asked if it's possible that the series may have an opposite effect on the viewers, Suzette answered, “ Then ibig sabihin, nakabuti rin yung pakay dahil may pag-kwestyon na.”

“May kinukwestyon na na bakit hindi tayo umuunlad, hindi tayo nag-babago, ano ang dapat nating gawin as a nation para mabago itong mga bagay na ito?” she added.

Suzette, however, clarified that having questions about the history and the mistakes done in the country does not mean that one does not love the Philippines. Instead, asking questions means that one loves the country enough that one wants to change it for the better.

“It's something na dapat pag-isipan ng lahat and I think nakakabasa ako ng mga ganyan din, and it's good, magandang epekto siya,” she said.

She added, ” Isa yan sa mga saysay ng ating mga trabaho, hindi lang magbigay ng aliw, kundi maging salamin para mag-reflect ang manonood sa sarili o sa labas ng sarili.”

TAKE A SNEAK PEAK INTO EL FILIBUSTERISMO, THE BOOK TWO OF THE SERIES: