Dear diary, make the ILYS 1892 adaptation worthy “fls?”

Imagine being a UST student pushed by a strange, old lady under the Arch of the Centuries, and later waking up in the year 1892. This is how I Love You Since 1892 started — a historical yet heartbreaking love story that bridges both the past and present. Written by UndeniablyGorgeous or Mia Alfonso in real life, the novel explores an everlasting love that was tested through time. 

First released in 2016 in the reading and publishing platform Wattpad, the story continues to entice audiences of all ages due to its captivating storyline, which combines history, drama, humor, and romance. 

I Love You Since 1892 revolves around a stubborn lass named Carmela Isabella, a UST student who despises her history class. She was brought back to the year 1892 to change the fate of her nearly identical ancestor, Carmelita from the Montecarlos clan, who ended her life in a lake near their mansion after her lover, Juanito Alfonso, was fatally shot during their wedding by an unknown assailant. The setting was during the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule, where one mistake in Carmela’s mission will change the course of her future. 

Her mission is easier said than done — prevent Juanito from falling in love with her, to hinder their already fixed marriage in order to stop the latter's assination, and to rewrite Carmelita’s diary. Little did the two know they were really bound to love each other.

While in the past, Carmela began to appreciate history, realizing that what shapes today is all rooted in what we had experienced before as a nation. She understood that our ancestors and heroes sacrificed everything to liberate the country from oppressive colonial rule. She also learned how to appreciate the freedom and lavish life she enjoys in the present, as she got to experience first-hand how cruel our colonizers were. 

The story also features the Philippines' cultural heritage, including the well-known Baro’t Saya, delicious recipes, and historical places to visit. I Love You Since 1892 is the perfect story to read during leisure time. It’s not just about undying love, it also gives the readers a glimpse of the past. 

A simple yet striking realization that brought Wattpaders in tears, as the wounded Carmela woke up under the Arch of the Centuries — where everything started — bathed in bright sunlight, leaving Juanito and their love from the past behind. Carmela later on discovered that while she was in the past, time froze in the present, making everything as is when she returned from her mission. 

Carmela’s appreciation of the past was evident as she took a history course after completing her initial degree. She also converted the Montercarlos mansion in San Alfonso into a museum that houses historical remnants, including some of the memories of Juanito. 

On Tuesday, July 11, Studio Viva announced that the beloved story of Carmela and Juanito would have a film adaptation soon. Mia Alfonso, the novel’s author, posted a statement on Facebook the same day, expressing her appreciation for the patience and support she and her story received from the Wattpad community. She also assured her Sunshines that she approved most of the scenes in the upcoming movie.

“Ako ay bahagi ng Script Writing process kung kaya't makaaasa kayo na karamihan sa mga eksena, linya at emosyon sa kwento ay aking aprobado. Ako rin ay humahanga sa husay nina Direk Mac Alejandre, Creative Writers, Producers at Staff sa kanilang dedikasyon at passion sa bawat detalye ng pelikula,” the statement reads. 

For years, Wattpad readers envisioned Janella Salvador as both Carmela and Carmelita, as the characters suit her well. Salvador can portray both the traits of being classy and mahinhin, which makes her well-suited to play the role of Carmelita, and she has that kalog personality to act as Carmela. On the other hand, Marlo Mortel is capable of portraying a noble, maginoo, and reputable character such as Juanito Alfonso. Some fans even created a fan-made video of the novel featuring the MarNella loveteam years ago. 

As of writing, official casts of the adaptation are yet to be revealed. But rumors are already circulating online about the casts. In the same statement, Alfonso addressed the clamoring fans who hope for a MarNella portrayal of their beloved characters. 

“May mga tweets ako noong 2017 na nag-aalab ang damdamin na Marnella lamang ang gaganap. Ako'y 19 years old nang i-post iyon, wala pang ideya sa mangyayari sa hinaharap, ang proseso ng pagpili sa cast na dumadaan sa mga eksperto at producers na siyang maglalaan ng salapi at tiwala sa nobela. Marami silang batayan tulad ng mga proyekto, karanasan, parangal, personalidad, pagiging uhaw sa pag-improve sa sarili at marami pang iba,” she said.

“Ukol sa new casting ng Viva One, makaaasa kayo na dumaan din ito sa mabusising proseso at mararamdaman niyo rin ang kanilang dedikasyon sa pagyakap sa bawat karakter ng nobela,” Alfonso added.

Hopefully, the film adaptation will give us the same vibes, the same laughs, and the same amount of tears we shed upon learning that Juanito died while waiting for Carmela to return — that the casts will give justice to the emotions conveyed by the characters, and that the scenery would be more immersive and realistic, just like what the book version brought us into. 

All we have to do for now is to hope. Hope that the producers will give justice to the readers’ imagination and that Carmela would be Carmela, Carmelita will be Carmelita, and Juanito would be the maginoong Juanito we all know. Hopefully, this will be something worth waiting for. Because, admit it or not, some adaptations of popular Wattpad stories aren't a must watch despite the anticipation. They often turn the words into screens and ruin everything afterwards due to unfit portrayals and excessive tweaking of the original plot. 

If the same thing will happen to ILYS 1892, it is better to leave the story alone in the shelves and make no attempt in remaking it, as I Love You Since 1892 is more than just a story — it encapsulates our origin and how the past shaped us for who we are today. It is more than Juanito and Carmela, or even MarNella. It is more than the mission of changing Carmelita’s tragic fate but also a chance to make learning our history more attractive to the younger generation of audience while teaching them true love can wait even centuries apart.

More than eternal love, the novel ILYS 1892 helps us to appreciate our history, for who we are today, and how we should value love and life.