'Grabe sasabog ang puso ko': Andrea Torres earns praises for viral Sisa portrayal in 'Maria Clara at Ibarra'

MANILA, Philippines — Andrea Torres managed to make many people rethink their image of Sisa after watching last Wednesday's episode of "Maria Clara at Ibarra." 

Andrea plays Narcisa or more popularly known as Sisa to readers of Dr. Jose Rizal's novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."

In last Wednesday's episode with the hashtag #MCIKumpisal, Sisa's slow descent into madness was deftly portrayed by Andrea. 

After the alferez decided to let her go from the made-up charges by Padre Salvi (Juancho Triviño), Sisa goes home to their hut late at night. When she finds that her son, Basilio (Stanley Abuloc) who was injured and ran away in fear of being apprehended by the guardia civil had not returned home, Sisa frantically searches for him. 

When she could not find him and only finds a piece of his clothing in their home, she breaks down and cries for him and his missing brother, Crispin (Kian Co). 

At the dead of the night, Sisa lets out her pain and anguish at the loss of her children, her screams echoing through the night, deafening an empty, dark forest that could not reciprocate her despair. 

The hashtag trended the whole night and even until the next day. The most liked tweet as of this writing has over 15,000 likes and almost 2,000 retweets. 

"I will never think about Sisa without thinking about @andreaetorres. Great execution and portrayal. I am beyond amazed on how talented this woman really is," a fan wrote. 

"Crispin, Basilio, mga anak ko!"

I will never think about Sisa without thinking about @andreaetorres
great execution and portrayal. I am beyond amazed on how talented this woman really is.#MCIKumpisal pic.twitter.com/r6gfjPxNCJ

— k8 (@Binibini_Marik8) November 2, 2022

Another shared the common sentiment of most viewers, many of whom said that they were reduced to tears or were not able to hold back their tears from falling. 

"This scene left me so speechless and broke me. She really gave justice to Sisa - her emotions, pain and her insanity," another viewer wrote. 

The viewer also noted how the show and Andrea's portrayal redefined how people see Sisa, who was often portrayed with less care as a crazy woman who screams "Basilio, Crispin" in many school plays and role playing assignments.  

"This show really changed the 'Crazy Sisa' that we used to know but introduced us to the loving Sisa who lost her children," the viewer added. 

This scene left me so speechless and broke me.

She really gave justice to Sisa her emotions, pain and her insanity.

This show really changed the “Crazy Sisa” that we used to know but introduced us to the loving Sisa who lost her children.#MCIKumpisal pic.twitter.com/VjOUiHqmH5

— kai ???? (@imnotkaiii) November 2, 2022

Andrea posted her appreciation to the viewers of the episode and show. 

"Ay grabe sasabog ang puso ko. Sobra kong naappreciate. Lalo na pag sinasabi niyo na di na lang basta baliw si Sisa sa paningin niyo. That’s the best TGBTG. #MCIKumpisal," the actress tweeted. 

Ay grabe sasabog ang puso ko. Sobra kong naappreciate ???? Lalo na pag sinasabi niyo na di na lang basta baliw si Sisa sa paningin niyo. That’s the best ?????????? TGBTG. #MCIKumpisal

— Andrea Torres (@andreaetorres) November 2, 2022

Apart from Andrea, most of the cast, including Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, Julie Anne San Jose, David Licauco and Juancho Trivino, have been receiving a lot of love from viewers since the show premiered last October 3.

Its first 10 episodes had a million views on YouTube. The full episodes are not seen on GMA-7's YouTube channel but for fans and viewers in the Philippines, they can download the GMA app to watch the full episodes for free. Those who prefer to watch online, they may stream via gmanetwork.com/kapusostream.

"Maria Clara at Ibarra" airs weeknights after "24 Oras" on GMA-7. A replay is aired on GTV at 9:40 p.m. 

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