Is there a chance for the Klay-Ibarra ship? 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' writer Suzette Doctolero answers

Before Fidel realized his feelings for Klay, some "Maria Clara at Ibarra" fans waged shipping wars between Team FiLay and Team Klaybarra.

While the insane chemistry between Fidel and Klay was hard to resist for many, others preferred the dynamic between Klay and Ibarra.

The FiLay ship seems to be sailing ahead now that Fidel has confessed his feelings, but was there ever a chance for Klay and Ibarra?

"Maria Clara at Ibarra" writer Suzette Doctolero addressed this question in the latest episode of the "The Howie Severino Podcast."

"Ang mayroon lang possibility ay magkagusto si Klay kay Ibarra. At hindi malayong mangyaring magkagusto siya kasi, I mean, Dennis Trillo, guwapo si Ibarra," she said.

"Plus idealistic na lalaki, mabait na lalaki, gentleman so imposibleng hindi magkagusto si Klay na isang Gen Z na napaka-vocal at napakabukas."

("There was only the possibility of Klay developing feelings for Ibarra. And it's not far-fetched for that to happen because it's Dennis Trillo, Ibarra is handsome. Plus he's an idealistic man, kind, gentleman so it's impossible for Klay not to fall for him as a Gen Z who is very vocal and open.")

In the series, Klay indeed developed feelings for Ibarra but never acted on them. She assured Maria Clara that she is not there to steal her fiancé.

Ibarra, for his part, remain as loyal as ever to Maria Clara. He admires Klay but only thinks of her as a friend.

"Hanggang doon lang kami. Tinease lang namin 'yan. Kasi alam naman na si Ibarra ay kay Maria Clara," Doctolero said.

("That's as far as we go. We only teased it because as we all know that Ibarra is for Maria Clara.")

Doctolero also said that Klay's feelings for Ibarra is not the possessive and obsessive kind of love.

"Ito 'yung love na mahal mo 'yung tao kasi he's a great human being. Mahal ni Klay si Ibarra dahil ito ay isang mabuting tao. At 'yun ang love niya," she said.

"Hindi niya pinagnasaan na gusto niyang gawing jowain at gusto niyang lasunin si Maria Clara para mamatay na. Walang ganun."

("This is the kind of love that you love the person because he's a great human being. Klay loves Ibarra because he is a good person. That's her love. She doesn't lust after him that she wants to have him for herself and poison Maria Clara so she would die. That's not the case.")

Meanwhile, Doctolero also gave her take on Maria Clara as an empowered woman in the podcast.

"Maria Clara at Ibarra" airs on GMA Telebabad on weekdays after "24 Oras." The episodes are also livestreamed at GMANetwork.com/KapusoStream.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News