Entertainment

(Needs Grammar Check)

There is really no reason for us to let these two stunning ladies go against each other and attest to everyone who fits the role of Maria Mercedes better since both of them are equally talented, charming and captivating. I don’t even give a damn thing about that rivalry since I am very much willing to have a date with any one of the two! Just kidding.

The synopsis of the Philippine Maria Mercedes telenovela is not exactly the same as the original Mexicanovela. A large amount of it has been adapted to Philippine culture.

The original story of Maria Mercedes

Working on the streets of Mexico City selling lottery tickets, cleaning windshields, and dressing up as a clown were the things that the seventeen year old girl named Maria Mercedes do for a living . Her mother left the family when Meche, as they called her, was only eight years old. She was left to care for her father and three siblings who she supported by making sure they had food on the table and a roof over their heads. They grew up in a life of poverty and violence because her father was an alcoholic.

On one good day she met a very wealthy man, Santiago del Olmo, who was dying and wanted her to inherit his fortune. This was due to the hatred he had towards his own family because his all his cousin, Malvina cared about was money and they would otherwise end up with all of his wealth. He convinced Maria Mercedes to marry him and the only reason she accepted was because that would be a way that she could get her family out of the misery they were in. Before he died, Santiago made his will and demanded that his money would be for Maria Mercedes.

Once she inherited his wealth, Maria Mercedes was faced with many problems. The del Olmo family tried everything possible to get her out of the will. Meanwhile Maria Mercedes fell in love with one of the family members, his name was Jorge Luis, and that brought her more problems. Malvina who was Jorge Luis’ mother took advantage of this and in order to “recover” the money she convinced Jorge Luis to marry Maria Mercedes to take all of her money. Jorge Luis was not thrilled by the idea but because of the respect and obedience he had towards his mother he accepted to marry her and go through with the plan. The innocent and naive Maria Mercedes was not aware of any of these malicious plans.

There were so many obstacles that didn’t allow them to have a happy marriage. Jorge Luis began to see the beauty in Meche and started to fall in love with her. Because of this, Malvina tried to make their life impossible; she tried everything from mistreating her to trying to put her in a mental institute. In spite of all of the obstacles Maria Mercedes and Jorge Luis ended up living blissfully for the rest of their lives.

Pinoy adaptation of Maria Mercedes

The mother of Maria Mercedes, Magnolia Alegre (played by Vina Morales) is only forced to be with another man to earn money and save the life of her child. Unfortunately, young Maria witnesses her in a compromising situation. His father soon learns about it and kicks Magnolia out of their house. They soon leave for Manila to start a new life without Magnolia. So, unlike the original version, it is Maria's family who abandons the mother.

Her father, Manuel Alegre (Dominic Ochoa) is an ideal father, but would pass away soon, while his children are still young. This would force Maria Mercedes, who is the eldest child, to be responsible for raising her siblings, even when she herself is still very young.

Time passes by and Maria Mercedes learns her way in the metro. She is able to provide for her siblings Rosario (Devon Seron) and Andres (Yogo Singh) by getting several odd but decent jobs with the help of her childhood friend Clavio (Jason Abalos).

Her life will turn around once she meets the handsome and rich businessman Luis Sancuevas (Jake Cuenca).

Sad to say I will not be able to do a comparison about their endings since the Pinoy adaptation of the Mexicanovela is still on-going.

So far, who do you got? Do you still prefer the cheerful and innocent looking Thalia and her perfectly tempting waist? Or the younger, alluring and tempting Jessy Mendiola? I am not creating a rift between the two. There should never be one anyway since Thalia have already gave her blessings to Jessy Mendiola to be the new Maria Mercedes.