Mara Clara is a Philippine drama television series on ABS-CBN, which aired from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997, replacing Sebya, Mahal Kita and was replaced by Esperanza. The series stars Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. It was the longest running weekday drama on ABS-CBN and on Philippine television until July 10, 2020, when FPJ's Ang Probinsyano surpassed it upon airing its 1,176th episode. It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. Mara Clara was a first release from Dreamscape Entertainment.

The title is derived from María Clara, the mestiza heroine of José Rizal's Noli Me Tángere.

This series is currently streaming on Jeepney TV YouTube channel every 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm.^[1]

Mara and Clara were switched at birth, and the details of this event were recorded by Kardo (Dan Fernandez), a hospital staff, in his diary. Mara (Judy Ann Santos) lived as the poor daughter of the couple Susan (Susan Africa) and Gary Davis (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez) while Clara (Gladys Reyes), their real daughter, was brought up the rich Amanthe (Juan Rodrigo) and Almira Del Valle (Beverly Vergel).

The good-natured Del Valle couple (Juan Rodrigo and Beverly Vergel) takes in Mara (Judy Ann Santos) as a servant and decides to spend for her education, not knowing that she is their real daughter. Gary (Eruel Tongco/William Martinez), who is actually a gang and 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 out their true identity in the spotlights, damages are paid, and they all know where to stand.

After the cancellation of Ula, Ang Batang Gubat, director Emil Cruz Jr. conceptualized a soap opera entitled "Mara Clara" and was presented to ABS-CBN for approval. Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes were handpicked by the director for the titular roles. During the early years of the soap, majority of scenes, particularly the Del Valle mansion are shot inside the studio. It was near the end of Book 1 towards Book 2 that the series started shooting on an actual location.

On May 19, 1996, cast members Eruel Tongco, Ireneo Sevilla, Joy Clarise Cojuangco and Bienvenido dela Rosa died when their vehicle fell into a ravine in Palayan while driving home from a Nueva Ecija stage presentation.^[2]

The series had its highest rating of 45% in one of its episode in 1994, it is considered as one of the highest rating Filipino TV series of all time.

The TV series made waves through most of the Filipino audience and being called by ABS-CBN as, "Ina ng Pinoy Soap Opera" owing to the series' huge success.

The highly-overt antagonism of Gladys Reyes' main antagonist character, Clara, by way of her violent actions done throughout the series against Judy's character, Mara, had provoked a huge reaction on those who viewed the show's protagonist Mara, more favorably, such to the point that Gladys Reyes had earned the title "Bella Flores of the 90's".

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• List of telenovelas of ABS-CBN
• Mara Clara (2010 TV series)