ABS-CBN's Maria la del Barrio on August 15!

First, let me tell you that I am a Thalia fan forever.  More or less, I know Thalia and her life.

Thalia became a name in the Philippines when her first Maria trilogy (MariMar) was shown in 1994 on RPN 9.  Filipinos loved her more when she visited our country in 1996 for major concerts.


Our soap operas in the Philippines would take 2 or 10 years to finish, but when soap operas or telenovelas from Latin America like Mexico were introduced, it would take 3-6 months to finish.

Marimar changed the viewing habit of the people all over the world including the Philippines.The story was fast-paced, not beating around the bush, original and people could relate.

How I witnessed how Thalia madness spread all over the world. People went gaga over Thalia.


In 2007, GMA 7 had a remake of MariMar starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes. It enjoyed high ratings in primetime.

GMA 7's remake of Rosalinda (starring Carla Abella and Geoff Eigenmann) was not a big success. I liked the OST but the whole repackage lacked the appeal to capture the hearts of the televiewers although Carla and Geoff are good actors. The  Filipinization of the story didn't work at all.

Now, ABS-CBN will have a remake of Maria la del Barrio, the last Maria trilogy of Thalia.  The original Maria la del Barrio was shown on RPN 9 in 1996 and  GMA 7 aired it in 2003 or 2004. 

Thalia and Fernando Colunga

Thalia also sang Maria la del Barrio in Tagalog in her album released in 1996.

Premiering on Aug. 15,  ABS-CBN"s "Maria la del Barrio" stars Erich Gonzales as Maria, a poor young girl who falls for rich guy Fernando Jose, played by Enchong Dee.




ABS-CBN announced its plan to remake the series as early as December 2010  but the project met a few bumps that delayed production. Televisa, the original producer, had approved it lately.

I hope that with the Filipinized Maria la del Barrio will make us again a novelero!

We love you Thalia!

While waiting for Maria la del Barrio on August 15, here are lyrics in Tagalog:



MARIANG TAGA BARRIO (MARIA LA DEL BARRIO)

Ito'y istorya
Ni Mariang taga-barrio ay
Siya'y lumaki na isang mahirap
Pangarap niya'y magbago
Makaalis siya sa lumang barrio
Hanapin ang bukas
Ito'y istorya
Ni Mariang taga-barrio ay
Mula sa pagkabata ay natutuhan nang
Umibig sa kasuyo
Puso ay nabigo
Pag-asa'y naglaho

Ito'y istorya
Ni Mariang taga-barrio ay
Nagawang ikubli ang nakaraan
Pinilit niya na kalimutan
Na tanging siya lang ang may alam
At di alam ang hangganan

Maria, Maria la del barrio
No, no llores mas
Maria, Maria la del barrio
Por tu amor el regresara
Maria, Maria la del barrio
No te culpes mas
Maria, Maria la del barrio
Dios te perdonara

Kay daling magmahal ng puso ko
Na magpahanggang nagyo'y laan sa'yo
Hindi ko magawang limutin sya
Siya pa rin at wala pa ring iba
Ang lahat sa 'kin ay iniwan ko
Upang mapalapit sa puso mo
Isip ko'y litung-lito
Saan kaya patutungo
Kailan kaya darating ang panahon
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon
Diyos ko isip ko'y litung-lito na
May ligaya pa bang madarama
Escuchar fragmento