Mara is Judy Ann Santos, Clara is Gladys Reyes. "Mara Clara" is a Filipino daytime/primetime television drama on ABS-CBN, which ran from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997. It was re-aired on Studio 23 (now ABS-CBN Sports+Action) and Kapamilya Channel, both ABS-CBN subsidiaries. It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. It spanned 1,167 episodes. Mara Clara is the longest running weekday telenovela in the Philippines.
Here are the original cast of Mara Clara when it was made into a movie.
Mara and Clara were switched at birth in the nursery when they were born, and the details of this event were recorded by Karlo, a hospital staff, in his diary. Mara lived as the poor daughter of the couple Susan and Gary David and Clara, their real daughter, was brought up by the rich Amante and Alvira del Valle.
The good-natured del Valle couple takes in Mara as a servant and decides to spend for her education not knowing that she is their real daughter. Gary, who is actually a gang/syndicate leader, approves of the idea that Mara lives with the del Valles to extort money. Clara makes life for Mara difficult. But, as time progresses, they find their true identity in the spotlights, damages are paid, and they all know where they stand.
Four Years ago in 2016, Mara Clara had its first grand reunion
The reunion happened last week of June 2016 in a private restaurant in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. It was Gladys Reyes who coordinated everything and it was Judy Ann Santos who paid for everything.
It was very well attended except for Beverly Vergel who played Almira, the mother of Clara who was in Canada during the reunion and Congressman Dhan Fernandez who was busy in the Congress at that time. His role is the most important of all because he is the one who made the diary that keeps the secret of Mara & Clara's identity.
Most of the main cast were present.
Wowie de Guzman is Christian, the childhood sweetheart of Mara. Susan Africa is Susan, the mother of Mara. Judy Ann Santos is Mara, who was pregnant with her third child during the reunion . I who played the role as Mara's godmother. Juan Rodrigo who was the father of Clara. Chtistopher Roxas, who was Eris, the childhood sweetheart of Clara and who later became the real life husband of Gladys Reyes, who played Clara.
Susan's kumares and confidant in the telenovela were me who played the role as CG and Minnie Aguilar who played the role as Lagring. Susan and I were real life kumares. I am the godfather of his eldest son with Spanky Manikan.
The three of us became very close to one another because our taping schedules are always the same. How cant it be, we see each other for work thrre times a week, we do our make up and change clothes in one room, and we practically became like sisters.
Minnie and I were the hosts of the grand reunion. We reminisced the past, our bloopers, our unforgettable happy moments and our true bond of friendship not only within us actors but also with the rest of the staff & crew. Our Executive Producer, Associate Producers,Production Assistants, Talent Coordinator, Editor, Cameramen were present. We are just one happy family then and until now.
It was a night of fun and happy memories four years ago of the longest running Telenovela in Philippine TV history. We will always be a family until probably the next lifetime. Mara Clara, the favorite top rating television show is still top rated in our hearts.
The longest running TV series is also the longest running friendship in TV history.