'Maria Clara at Ibarra' director says they wanted to define the modern Filipina

If you watch "Maria Clara at Ibarra," then you know it quickly becomes clear  that there is a contrast being drawn between the two female leads.

Julie Anne San Jose's Maria Clara, based on the character written by Jose Rizal, is every inch what an ideal lady was expected to be like in old times. Barbie Forteza's Klay, meanwhile, is a Gen Z nursing student who is not afraid to speak her mind.

In an interview on "The Howie Severino Podcast," director Zig Dulay said that during all their brainstorming over the show, they were always sure to mention women empowerment.

"'Pag sinabi nating Maria Clara, dine-define niya 'yung pagiging dalagang Pilipina," he said. "'Yung pagpasok ng makabagong Maria Clara, which is si Klay, paano na natin ide-define ngayon 'yung pagiging dalagang Pilipina or paano na natin ide-define ngayon 'yung pagiging babaeng Filipina? So 'yun 'yun."

He added that the Gen Z and time travel aspect of the series might have been a reason why it clicked with viewers.

However, although they wanted to entertain people, they also wanted to educate.

"... Hindi lang siya nakapagbibigay aliw or hindi lang siya nakakapagpalibang doon sa tao kundi alam mong may bigger purpose," he said.

"Sayang naman itong pagkakataon na ito, sayang naman itong oras na ito para magamit na hindi lamang mang-aliw kundi mag-educate pa," he added.

"Maria Clara at Ibarra" follows Klay, who wakes up and finds herself in the world of Jose Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Barbie and Julie Anne stars alongside Dennis Trillo, who plays Crisostomo Ibarra.

It airs on GMA Telebabad on Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m. Viewers can also join the Kapuso Stream on the GMA Network YouTube channel and take part in the live chat. The full episodes are also posted as well as exclusive online content from behind the scenes. —JCB, GMA News