Acting credentials, guts, and even physical attributes were just some of the considerations that Dreamscape Entertainment checked off when they cast Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes for the 2010 remake of the classic 1992 telenovela Mara Clara.
Dreamscape Entertainment creative writer Danica Domingo shared with The Rewined Podcast how she felt upon seeing Kathryn and Julia as leads—as well as why they are very much fit for the roles.
For Kathryn, she says, “Siyempre, kilala namin sila na Goin’ Bulilit kids, e. E, siyempre, ang nakikita pa lang namin na materyal… ang pagkakaalala ko, alam ko kasi si Kathryn, nagpi-play na nung mga ano e, young ganito, young ganyan.
“So, napapanood ko ‘yun at na-a-amaze talaga ako kasi, at a very young age, meron siyang maturity sa pag-tackle ng character.”
Screenshot: ABS-CBN Entertainment
Kathryn used to play young characters—one remarkable portrayal was the young Gretchen Barretto in ABS-CBN’s Magkaribal in 2010. Many people could also remember her as Maya in the 2006 superhero series Super Inggo.
As for Julia, Danica emphasized that it is the actress’s facial profile that made a mark on her. She says, “Si Julia, at that time, ang memory ko lang sa kanya ay Goin’ Bulilit pero gandang-ganda ako dun sa face niya.
“Kasi parang Mama Mary na hindi. Alam mo yun? Parang Mama Mary na may tapang. So, sobrang na-excite ako nung siya finally yung nakuha for the character of Clara.”
Screenshot: ABS-CBN Entertainment
Danica also emphasized that their reputations as actresses were not the only thing considered; they also checked whether their visuals and determination compliment each other to make the ‘tapatan’ plot more effective.
She says, “Minsan kasi kahit physical attributes inaaral, e—pag tinapat sila pareho. So yun, na-excite naman kami. Kasi alam namin yung mga batang ‘to, may gustong patunayan, gusto talaga…they really want to make it big in the industry.”
What makes a good rival-centered show?
In the same interview, Danica took a stroll back when their team was still drafting the character designs—emphasizing that the key to an effective ‘tapatan’ plot is their shared and conflicting values.
Danica says, “Kapag gumagawa kami ng tapatan na show, kapag alam namin na rivalry siya, nagte-take time talaga kami to do the character design. Kasi, kailangan nagdya-juxtapose sila and at the same time, mirror sila ng isa’t isa.
“So, kapag tiningnan mo yung mga past na ginawa namin, usually nagru-root yung rivalry dahil lahat ng gusto niyang maging ay nandun sa isang tao.
“O kaya lahat ng kinaiinisan niya sa isang bagay ay nasa isang tao pero yung tao na yun, nakakalusot. Parang, ‘Bakit siya? Bakit ako hindi?’ Parang ganun.”
Screenshot: ABS-CBN Entertainment
Danica simplified it by taking the yin-yang as an example. Very much like the black and white concept, she said that there should be a deeper motivation that stimulates the conflict.
As she puts it, “Pag dine-design namin yung character, lalo na pag kontrabida, very important na hindi lang sila magsasampalan—maiintindihan mo [dapat] bakit sila nagsampalan…
“Hindi siya gimmickry lang. Maiintindihan mo yung pinanggalingan ng character.”
Watch the full episode of REWINED about The Making of Mara Clara 2010 here:
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