How I Started to Watch and Adore the "Maria Clara at Ibarra" PH TV Series

MCAI is already at Episode 65, but I wanted to look back on how I started watching this wonderful PH historical fantasy drama. I'll try to make this short and quick (hopefully), or you can also check my dedicated Twitter thread about this. 😂

To begin, I once shared a post on Facebook saying "May isekai genre na sa GMA!" — in which isekai means the plot is about a character being transported into another world. I thought it was cool, since it's an unusual genre for a PH drama.

My initial interest for Maria Clara at Ibarra also rooted with their costumes. I was heavily attracted to Klay's costume on one of their promotional photos. I also started to ask where to watch the full episodes. I got intel that episodes are available on GMA Network's YouTube channel.

I was the first one to watch Maria Clara at Ibarra in our household on October 8, 2022 (I checked on my YT history). The first episode was aired on October 3, so I already have 5 episodes on my first watch. 

My sister asked me what KDramas I'm currently watching, and I'd say Under the Queen's Umbrella, some anime, and MCAI, too. I eventually lured some of my fam members to watched it with me. We watched it by batches (like 4-5 episodes in a chosen day of the week). But then, the full episodes became unavailable in YT, and that left us with no choice but to use our old-school TV.

It was November 6, 2022, when I shared a post with caption: The ship is sailing folks! It was my first, written declaration as Team #FiLay! 😊

And before I knew it, I was hooked! Like Fidel falling for Klay — slowly but surely — I began to adore these two characters and the Maria Clara At Ibarra TV series. I began to claim as part of Team FiLay, which eventually turn into Saklay — the fans of FiLay.

It was my sister who informed me that there are several discussions about FiLay on Twitter. I rarely use Twitter, but I began to use it again. Here's my very first tweet about #MariaClaraAtIbarra — a reply to @dealwithBARBIE (Klay).

Then, I also followed @davidlicauco (Fidel). Here's my first reply on one of his tweets.

I also joined a dedicated Facebook group for Maria Clara at Ibarra GMA last December 15, 2022, but Saklay community in Twitter hits differently. I was able to talk to several FiLay fans, discuss theories with them, and enjoy my fangirling moments in Twitter. I felt heard and relatable.

I still occasionally share/comment on MCAI posts on Facebook, and I tend to mimic David's way of commenting: just an emoji or a few words. 😂 I also went so far by trying to learn the TikTok app (@dandielyph) in order to follow the actors and watch FiLay contents from there. I adore vid edits — beautifully made! 

And while it was all fun to be able to chitchat with co-saklays, I got to participate in MCAI Food Truck project, too — a very important, first-time experience for me! Through my humble contribution, I was given a chance to show my support for FiLay, and for that I'm extremely grateful as they (FiLay) really gave me so much joy. Again, thank you so much to @OfficialFiLayFP admins!

Here are some photos of the food truck from @Sparkle_GMA, as well as from @danriemyrtd and @OfficialFiLayFP.

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco were extremely grateful to the fans of their #MariaClaraAtIbarra love team, Team #Filay, as they sent a food truck at their shooting location.#BarbieForteza #DavidLicauco pic.twitter.com/aCAd8QOIbS

— Sparkle GMA Artist Center (@Sparkle_GMA) December 28, 2022

Wahhhhh!!! Thank you so much, Team #FiLay and #ClariSostomo for this Food Truck. Super nag enjoy and nabusog niyo po kami sa set. Love y'all!!! 😘😘😘#Fidel #Klay #MariaClara #Ibarra #MariaClaraAtIbarra #mcai #MCAIFoodTruck @davidlicauco @dealwithBARBIE @MyJaps pic.twitter.com/SPPh7hNZpA

— Myrrr 🦄 (@danriemyrtd) December 28, 2022

The Operation: Food Truck Project for MCI was a complete success and it is all thanks to everyone who supported it! Kindly Read note from 4/4#FiLay pic.twitter.com/6wrala8OxM

— FiLay FP | Trends and Updates (@OfficialFiLayFP) December 27, 2022

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Disclaimer: All images of Maria Clara at Ibarra TV series are owned by GMA Network.