Julie Ann San Jose exits 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' with emotional post: 'Tayo ay lumalaban at patuloy na lalaban'
Outstanding and iconic—this is how fans of Julie Ann San Jose describe her final performance in GMA's hit show Maria Clara at Ibarra.
But as much as viewers were left in awe of her acting, the actress attributes her latest feat to the show's artistry and promising vision to instill nationalism among its viewers.
Julie Ann bid goodbye to her role as Maria Claria on the show's episode last Feb. 10. Her exit comes seven days before Maria Clara at Ibarra ends with its 100th episode on Feb. 17.
In her last scene in the historical fantasy drama, Maria Clara gave up her life for the man she loved the most, Crisostomo Ibarra, when Pader Salvi tried killing him with a gun.
The series is based on Dr. Jose Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which the hero wrote inspired by the social, political, and living conditions of Filipinos during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.
Shortly after the latest episode ended, the 28-year-old actress took to Instagram to express her gratitude for being part of a show she considers a valuable masterpiece in today's times.
"Para sa akin, isang obrang maituturing ang aming palabas. Ito ay siguradong kapupulutang aral, na maipamamana sa mga susunod pang henerasyon," she captioned her post.
"Matapos man ang palabas na ito, ang kultura at kasaysayan natin ay habang buhay na nakatatak sa ating mga puso’t isipan. Ito ang nagpapaalala sa ating mga karapatan bilang tao, at sa ngalan pag-ibig–sa sarili, sa kapwa, at maging sa bayan–tayo ay lumalaban at patuloy na lalaban."
The actress-singer also sent her heartfelt thanks to GMA Network, her talent agency Sparkle GMA Artist Center, director Zig Dulay, and everyone who worked behind the scenes of the hit show.
Julie Ann wrote, "Isang napakalaking karangalan na mapabilang sa programang #MariaClaraAtIbarra. Maraming salamat sa @gmanetwork at @sparklegmaartistcenter sa tiwala at pagkakataon na mabigyang buhay ko si Maria Clara."
"Maraming salamat kay @zigcarlo sa paggabay sa bawat eksena, sa aking mga kasamang aktor na tunay na mahuhusay, sa mga manunulat na malikhain, at sa buong produksiyon ng proyekto na naging kaibigan at pamilya ko na," she continued.
Julie Ann also thanked the show's fans for their tremendous support which, in turn, encouraged her to deepen her love for her craft.
"Higit sa lahat, maraming salamat sa inyo gabi-gabi, nakakataba ng puso ang inyong pagsuporta at pagmamahal sa programang ito. Mas minahal ko ang aking larangan bilang artista sapagkat kami ay naging instrumento upang maipakita namin ang makulay at maalab nating kasaysayan," she said.
Julia Ann concluded her post with words of love for the country's history. She said, "Hanggang sa muli, ito po ang inyong Maria Clara delos Santos Y Alba, isang maalab na pagpupugay sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, salud!"
Fellow celebrities had nothing but praises for the actress, as seen in the comments section of her post.
Her Maria Clara at Ibarra co-star Barbie Forteza wrote, "Lovely as always, mare ko @myjaps [claping hands emojis]"
Julie Ann's boyfriend, Rayver Cruz, said, "Super proud roud of you napaka husay! [clapping hands, raised hands, and heart emojis]"
"HUSAY NYOOLIE!! NICE ONE!! [raised hands emoji]," Mavy Legaspi said, while Gabbi Garcia commented, "Take a bow!!!! Super deserve!!!!! Congrats Julie!! Always rooting for you [face holding back tears and heart emojis]"
Over at Twitter, fans are likewise astonished by Julie Ann's effective portrayal of the iconic character.
"You felt so real to us. You became our friend/sister, we cheered for you, cried with you, and most of all we rooted for your happiness and yes I’m crying for real right now. MAHAL NA MAHAL KA NAMIN, MARIA CLARA. AMING CLARITA," one user wrote.
Another one said, "To my favorite character, who symbolizes a true filipina not for her demureness, but for how society deemed her weak her entire life but she showed strength despite it. clarita, u showed everyone what a woman is capable of. for that, u will forever be in my heart"
"Maria Clara is such a big role to take but ms.Julie Anne San Jose took it whole heartedly and portrayed it as if it was really her, she surprised us with how amazing she is. Congrats Julie you blew us away!!!" one user quipped.
Maria Clara At Ibarra premiered on GMA on Oct. 3, 2022. Prior to airing its finale, the show has already received several acting and production awards from award-giving bodies such as the Gawad Lasallianeta, GEMS Awards, and the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards.