''Maria la del Barrio'' () is a

Philippine The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

remake of the Mexican telenovela of the same name, starring

Erich Gonzales Erika Chryselle Gonzales Gancayco-Lorenzo (born September 20, 1990), better known by her stage name Erich Gonzales (), is a Filipino actress. She is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. She started her showbiz career at the age of 14, as ...

and

Enchong Dee Ernest Lorenzo Velasquez Dee (, born November 5, 1988), professionally known as Enchong Dee, is a Filipino actor, model, and swimmer. Dee is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. He came to prominence after starring in his first major TV ...

. The series premiered on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

's ''Primetime Bida'' evening block and worldwide on

The Filipino Channel The Filipino Channel, commonly known as TFC, is a 24-hour global subscription television network based in Daly City, California with studios in Redwood City, California and offices in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, UAE, Ethi ...

from August 15, 2011 to March 2, 2012, replacing ''

Mula sa Puso ''Mula sa Puso'' ( en, From the Heart) is a 1997 Philippine primetime melodrama romance television series originally aired by ABS-CBN from March 10, 1997, to April 9, 1999 (the series ended for 2 years in its long-run) replacing '' Maria M ...

''. The series was streaming on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

Synopsis

Maria Hernandez (

) is a charcoal maker who dreams of making furniture in her own shop, much like her mother Sandra ( Assunta de Rossi), who died years ago in a fire leaving Maria orphaned. Maria grows up with Sandra's best friend Casilda (

Ai-Ai de las Alas Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan (born November 11, 1964), known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino actress and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent and best know ...

) in barrio Munting Ilog. When Casilda falls ill, Maria is forced to seek help from Father Honorio for added work. This leads her to meet Fernando de la Vega (

Ian Veneracion Stephen Ian Lopez Veneracion (; born February 7, 1975) is a Filipino athlete, actor, pilot, and singer. He was a former talent of GMA Network and is currently an artist of ABS-CBN and TV5. Personal life and career His father is renowned painte ...

), the owner of Amore Design, one of the country's top furniture companies. Fernando takes Maria to work for his family as a maid. Unknown yet to Maria, Fernando was the former love of her mother Sandra. And that Fernando's wife Victoria (

Angel Aquino Angel Aquino (born Angelita Velasquez Aquino on February 7, 1973) is a Filipino film and television actress. She is currently part of ABS-CBN's contract talents. She is mostly known for her lead antagonist roles such as Ether in '' Encantadia: ...

), is Sandra's former friend and partner. Sandra and Victoria founded Amore designs, but Victoria double-crossed Sandra taking both her boyfriend and ownership of Amore. But before the fire, Sandra had bequeathed her shares to Maria, making Maria owner of 50% of Amore Designs. Working for the De la Vegas leads Maria to meet, for the second time, Luis de la Vega (

), the eldest of the De la Vega children. Among those children are Vanessa (

Jane Oineza Elizabeth Jane Urbano Oineza (born July 22, 1996), better known as Jane Oineza, is a Filipino actress, commercial model and singer. A former child star of ''Goin' Bulilit'', she gained local relativity on ''Pinoy Big Brother: All In''. Oineza a ...

) and Vladimir (

Arron Villaflor Arron Villaflor (born July 5, 1990) is a Filipino actor, rapper, dancer, and talent of ABS-CBN. He started his career in Philippines' showbiz industry in the second season of ''Star Circle Quest'' where he finished as the runner-up. He's curr ...

). Maria had met and admired Luis before, seeing his work in Viscera, a small furniture shop. But Luis pays to her no mind. Worse, Luis, having had problems with his father Fernando, begins to suspect Maria to be Fernando's mistress. This through the suspicions of Soraya, his friend who is secretly in love with him. Luis makes Maria fall in love with him, with the intention of hurting Maria and making her leave. Furthermore, he falls in love with Maria. And Maria, despite the pain, cannot help herself from loving Luis. But their love is put to the test by several trials. Such as, Soraya's attempt to break Luis apart from Maria, Sandra's comeback to ruin Victoria's life, lies that caused Maria's insanity which leads her into her wealthy transformation, and Sabrina who will do her best for her to keep Maria's daughter, Andrea. But an unfortunate disease will finally cause Soraya's life. Could this be Soraya's time to pay her sins to Maria?

Cast and characters

Protagonist

as María Hernandez *

as Luis Fernando M. Dela Vega

Lead cast

as Victoria Montenegro-Dela Vega *

as Fernando Dela Vega * Assunta de Rossi as Sandra Hernandez

Main cast

Jewel Mische Jewel Fatima Avejade Mische-Kurzer (born 29 June 1990) is a Filipino former model and actress. Biography Although born in Manila, Mische grew up in Bocaue, Bulacan. Her father is of German-Spanish-American descent while her mother is Filipin ...

as Sabrina Villabrille *

Paw Diaz Amparo "Paw" Diaz (born March 16, 1987) is a Filipina former actress, model and TV host in the Philippines, came to mainstream attention when she joined ABS-CBN's reality artist search, Star Circle Quest, where she emerged as a finalist. She ...

as Soraya Montenegro *

as Vladimir M. Dela Vega *

Jake Roxas Jake Roxas (born July 13, 1977) is a Filipino actor. He is mostly known for his role in Imortal as Magnus Imperial. He was a contract actor of ABS-CBN. Career Roxas started his showbiz career in the GMA Network. He was a cast member of the teen ...

as David Decasa *

as Vanessa M. Dela Vega * Alyanna Angeles as Andrea "Andi" H. Dela Vega

Supporting cast

K Brosas Maria Carmela Brosas (born 15 July 1975), better known by her screen name K Brosas, is a Filipina actress, comedian, singer and television host. She was born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother and was a band member ...

as Carlota *

Katya Santos Katya Santos (born 1981/1982) is a Filipino actress and model. She started her career on the Philippine television series '' Ang TV'' and ''Oki Doki Doc'' at the age of 13. Since then she has become a sex symbol in the Philippine cinema having s ...

as Cha-Cha * Badjie Mortiz as Urbano * Justin Gonzales as Pedro *

Atoy Co Fortunato "Atoy" Gan Co Jr. (born October 15, 1951) is a Filipino former basketball player and coach who played 13 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association, mostly with Crispa Redmanizers. Nicknamed "The Fortune Cookie" (a pun on his n ...

as Mang Doro * Chiqui del Carmen as Lupe * Peewee O'Hara as Berta * Isay Alvarez as Calixta *

Gio Alvarez Giorgio Pietro Verano Alvarez (born November 18, 1976), better known as Gio Alvarez, is a Filipino actor in movies and television shows. He was an original member of ''Ang TV'', a youth-oriented variety show in the Philippines. Career He playe ...

as Anot

Guest cast

* Rolando Inocencio as Padre Honorio * Joed Serrano as Atty. Paul Parco *

Dionne Monsanto Dionne Monsanto-Stalder (born December 5, 1985) is a former Filipina actress. Career Monsanto appeared on '' Pinoy Big Brother: Season 2'' as a contestant in 2007. Monsanto entered on ''Day 12'' of the series, and was evicted on ''Day 77''. In th ...

as Anna *

Fred Payawan Fred Payawan (born March 12, 1989) is a Filipino actor. He is a co-housemate with PBB Teen Edition. He is one of Gerald Anderson's bestfriends, from whom he met in PBB Teen Edition. He is part of ABS-CBN Star Magic ABS-CBN Center for Communi ...

as Kevin *

Frances Makil-Ignacio Frances Makil-Ignacio is a Filipino actress (born March 29, 1971). From 2001-2012, she starred in numerous shows of ABS-CBN as a contract actress. In 2012, she briefly transferred to TV5 as part of Valiente before staging an ABS-CBN comeback the ...

as Jessica *

Erika Padilla Erika Padilla (born November 22, 1986) is a Filipino actress, TV host, model and sideline reporter. Early life Padilla's father is General Ricardo Ilagan Padilla, a former regional director of Region 4 Calabarzon and the incumbent Mayor of Bon ...

as Liz * Maritess Joaquin as Marnette *

Manuel Chua Manuel Chua (born ) is a Filipino model, actor, businessman, and politician. Acting career He was discovered in the Filipino version of a reality game show, ''Pinoy Fear Factor'', which was aired on ABS-CBN from November 2008 to February 200 ...

as Roel * Paul Jake Castillo as Gabe * Joe Gruta as Kiko * Rommel Velasquez as Atty. Santos * Shey Bustamante as Gret * Helga Krapf as Mia * Noel Colet as Enrique Villabrille *

Johan Santos Johan Morielle Santos (born June 1, 1987) is a Filipino television actor, presenter, and model who participated in 133 episodes of Philippine The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( ...

as Kent *

Niña Dolino Niña Dolino (born October 26, 1982) is a Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Phi ...

as Bianca Lopez *

Boom Labrusca Anthony "Boom" Labrusca (; born December 2, 1976) is a Filipino character actor and model. Recent career In October 2010, he started at hosting ''Usapang Lalake'' on Studio 23 with Aran Sese, Jobert Austria and Alex Calleja. Personal life Lab ...

as Edwin Marasigan *

Archie Alemania Archibald Nicholas Alemania (born 6 March 1978), professionally known as Archie Alemania, is a Filipino actor, host, comedian, and dancer. Career Alemania has appeared in several television commercials such as Chippy, San Miguel, Globe and P ...

as Nelson * Cherry Lou as Christina Ruiz *

Regine Angeles Diorella Regine De Leon Angeles (born October 29, 1985) is a Filipina model and actress. She started her showbiz career after winning ''Be Bench / The Model Search'' of ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto ...

as Lorrine Ruiz * Luke Jickain as Alex * Art Acuña as Attorney Fajardo *

Justin Cuyugan Justin Paulo Cuyugan (born October 11, 1980) is a Filipino actor. Career Cuyugan was one of the new talents launched by ABS-CBN's talent management arm Star Magic ABS-CBN Center for Communication Arts, Inc., doing business as Star Magic ( ...

as Arturo * Raul Montessa as Judge Sarmiento * Gem Ramos as Hope *

Perla Bautista Perla Marcial Bautista (born February 18, 1940) is a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. She acted in more than 250 movies and television shows. She won the Best Actress FAMAS Award for ''Markang Rehas'' (1962). She also won Gawad Urian A ...

as Tita *

Lloyd Zaragoza Lloyd Zaragoza (born November 2, 1982) is a Filipino actor and singer. Personal life Zaragoza is a younger brother of singer and actress Jessa Zaragoza Richelle Ann Mallari Loyola-Avanzado (born January 31, 1979), better known by her st ...

as Arnold *

as Casilda Dimaculangan *

Christian Vasquez Christian Oliver B. Vazquez (born February 8, 1977) is a Filipino actor, model and a former housemate of ABS-CBN's ''Pinoy Big Brother: Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition''. During his stint at Pinoy Big Brother, he was one of the comedian ...

as Manuel Hernandez *

Dennis Padilla Dennis Esteban Dominguez Baldivia (born February 9, 1962), popularly known as Dennis Padilla (), is a Filipino comedian, TV host, radio broadcaster and actor. He is the son of the late Dencio Padilla, and the father of actress Julia Barretto. H ...

as Chito Cayanan *

Miles Ocampo Camille Tan Hojilla (born May 1, 1997), known professionally as Miles Ocampo, is a Filipino actress, model, writer, and singer. A former mainstay in the kiddie gag show ''Goin' Bulilit'', she is a member of Crown Artist Management, a talent age ...

as Sunshine Cayanan

Production

Production started in February 2011. The series was initially part of ABS-CBN's line-up of afternoon dramas, ''Kapamilya Gold'', together with other television series; ''

Nasaan Ka Elisa? ''Nasaan Ka, Elisa?'' () is a Philippine crime drama television series loosely based on the 2010 Telemundo telenovela '' ¿Dónde está Elisa?'', an adaptation of the original 2009 Chilean telenovela of the same name. It is topbilled by Melissa R ...

'', ''

Mula Sa Puso ''Mula sa Puso'' ( en, From the Heart) is a 1997 Philippine primetime melodrama romance television series originally aired by ABS-CBN from March 10, 1997, to April 9, 1999 (the series ended for 2 years in its long-run) replacing '' Maria M ...

'', and '' Hiyas''. However, teasers were released in July 2011, which stated that the show was to air on primetime. The series premiered on August 15, 2011 on ''Primetime Bida''. Last July 2016. ABS CBN revived the show by uploading Episode 1-145 on YouTube along with Hiyas, Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin, Pintada,

, Paraiso and Angelito: Batang Ama.

Adaptation

María la del Barrio ''María la del Barrio'' ( Lit: ''Maria from the neighborhood''/English title: ''Humble Maria'') is a Mexican telenovela produced by Angelli Nesma Medina for Televisa in 1995. The series is a remake of '' Los ricos también lloran''. ''María ...

'', originally aired on

Televisa Grupo Televisa is a Mexican multimedia mass media company. A major Latin American mass media corporation, it often presents itself as the largest producer of Spanish-language content. In April 2021, Televisa and Univision Communications announce ...

in 1995. It was the third telenovela in the trilogy of ''Maria'', that starred

Thalia Thalia, Thalía, Thaleia or Thalian may refer to: People * Thalia (given name), including a list of people with the name * Thalía (born 1971), Mexican singer and actress Mythological and fictional characters * Thalia (Grace), one of the three ...

. The show first aired in the Philippines through RPN in 1996,

in 1997-1998 and

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

in 2002-2003, dubbed in Filipino. After

's successful adaptations of Thalia's '' Marimar'' and '' Rosalinda'', ABS-CBN decided to remake ''María la del Barrio''.

Postponement, reshoots and recasts

There were speculations that the production had to reshoot several scenes because the network was not convinced with the outcome of the already-shot episodes. In addition, several characters were recast, including a lengthy casting process for the role of Vladimir de la Vega. Inno Martin was originally cast to play the role of Vladimir, but after several failed recastings, the role eventually ended up being played by

. The role was first offered to

Enrique Gil Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V (; born March 30, 1992) is a Filipino actor, dancer, and commercial model. Gil has appeared in various films and television shows such as ''Mula Sa Puso'', ''Budoy'', '' Princess and I'', '' Muling Buksan Ang Puso'' an ...

. However, Gil had to decline due to conflicting working schedules. Inno Martin's scenes as Vladimir prior to his replacement appeared in the show's first set of promos. When the show started production for the soon-to-be reshot episodes covering the first few months of the show, Martin was sacked with

AJ Perez Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez (February 17, 1993 – April 17, 2011) was a Filipino actor. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic in Batch 13. He portrayed one of the lead characters in the 2009 miniseries '' Your Song Presents: Underage''. In 2 ...

tapped to take-over the now-vacant role . But after Perez' untimely passing, Villaflor was brought in to take over the role of Vladimir. It finally premiered on August 15, 2011.

Reception

Ratings

After the winning 26.0% finale rating of previous time slot occupant ''Mula Sa Puso'', ''Maria la del Barrio'' maintained the network's hold on the 6pm slot. The series debuted in fifth place with a 22.5% rating. The series aired its last episode on March 2 and earned fifth place in the ratings, garnering 20% of viewers.

Critical reception

On a review done by the Philippine Entertainment Portal, they quoted that "Erich looks tailor-made for the role; with her natural ability to summon naïve, childlike qualities with relative ease." They also stated that the scenes between the two lead actors provided the "'kilig' factor commonly sought by local viewers." The review concluded, "Erich has a wonderful opportunity to embrace the character as her own without having to live in the shadow of her famous Mexican predecessor."PEP REVIEW: Erich Gonzales seems a perfect fit for the title role of ''Maria la del Barrio''
retrieved on August 18, 2011 via www.pep.ph

Awards

References

External links

* {{ABS-CBN Franchised ABS-CBN drama series Television series by Star Creatives 2011 Philippine television series debuts 2012 Philippine television series endings Philippine television series based on telenovelas Philippine romance television series Philippine television series based on Mexican television series Filipino-language television shows Television shows set in the Philippines