`Marimar’ up close and more personal

The telenovela that once sent hordes of working mothers, yuppies and young adults home early and glued to their TV screens is set to make a dent in the TV landscape anew. That telenovela that propelled Thalia into superstardom has found its way to the Kapuso Station. And fleshing out the titular role is Marian Rivera, who exudes that kind of beauty that Thalia had—one that smolders, enchants and disarms the beholder at the same time.

Marian Rivera is no stranger to rabid TV viewers.

She’s been a regular face in GMA Network’s afternoon soaps (the latest of which was “Muli”); starred in TAPE Production’s drama series; and just recently, played super mom to super heroes in the evening primetime hit—“Super Twins.”

But a different Marian Rivera will soon be unveiled.

This time around, she’s no longer playing the role of a pallid young mother aching for her child’s attention; nor the wan heroine periodically cued to produce buckets of tears; nor the baggy-clothed young woman constantly on the lookout for the welfare of her children.

Because this time, a sensual, more mature and daring Marian Rivera resurfaces as Marimar.

Yes, the telenovela that has sent hordes of working mothers, yuppies, young adults home early and glued to their television screens is set to make a dent in the TV landscape anew. That telenovela that propelled Thalia into superstardom, spanning continents and crossing language barriers, has found its heart anew at the Kapuso Station.

Fleshing out the role is Marian Rivera, who au naturelle exudes that kind of beauty that Thalia had. The kind of beauty that smolders, enchants and disarms the beholder at the same time.

Have you seen the Marimar TV plugs lately?

Cliché as it may sound, but Marian is a sight to behold.

The image of her coming out of the water – with nothing but sarong skimpily clinging to her tiny waist and leis of strung puca shells covering her heaving bosom—has surely made an impact to every watching eye.

Suffice to say, that kind of vision is something hard to scratch.

In my book (and friends agree as well) that Marian is the perfect Marimar (don’t you agree with me, Tito Ricky Calderon, my fellow TF entertainment columnist?).

Gone is her creamy white complexion (albeit temporarily), as she re-emerges honey-colored, something that befits a beach goddess…just like Marimar; something that Marian easily slips into, just like that. To think that not all white-complexioned girl will look fabulous with olive skin. Physically, I dare say, Marian fits the role to a T.

I attended Marimar’s press conference last week. Just when I thought I was totally blown with Marian’s charisma, she’s all the more endearing as one gets to talk to her or just listen to how she openly answers every question and intrigue thrown at her.

Marian as Marimar exudes that intoxicating sensuality that glows from every pore of her skin. As herself, off-character, she radiates the same contagious aura. Her laugh is contagious. Her voice has that rich, throaty texture that is both pleasing and enigmatic. No wonder the reporters milled around her, aching to get their news and fill of her presence.

Marian/  Marimar is truly charming.

On Getting The Part

Could it be because of the “Marian” root of her name that heavens were all ears when Marian made her wish in each church that she visited? The 20-something actress confessed that she wanted the Marimar role so much that she made sure to drop by in every church known to grant wishes and pray for the part.

 “Talagang ipinagdasal ko po ‘yan. Sabi nga ni Popoy (her manager), kulang na nga lang daw po, lahat ng simbahan pasukan ko,” she giggled.

On Preparing For The Part

Marian surprised the press when she danced towards the waiting Sergio—Dingdong Dantes—on the night of the Marimar launch. While most people must have seen her dance in SOP, perhaps they were not prepared to see her in an almost effortless show of terpsichorean grace. It was a beautiful surprise that did not fail to collect oohs and wow from the lips of those who witnessed Marian and Dingdong’s number.

“Bata pa lang po ako, hilig ko na talagang sumayaw. And mahilig din po akong sumali sa mga dance competitions,” Marian expressed.

Being adept in the artform has definitely given her the plus points when she auditioned for the part, not to mention the intense aching that drove her to prepare like she has never done before.

 “Kasi nung sinabi pa lang sa akin na mag-audition ako, sabi ko, ito na yung pagkakataon ko, gagawin ko ang lahat. Magre-research ako. Paghahandaan ko ang damit ko, ang sayaw ko. lahat gagawin ko.”

She even came to the auditions her hair dyed in flaming red.

 “Talagang hmm..ito na, ibibigay ko na ang 100 percent ko dito. Kailangan na papatunayan ko na kaya ko,” Marian laughed.

Marimar, Aw!

When she was named to do the part, she was bursting with too much happiness that she waxes thankful in everything that comes her way now.

On a personal note, Marian is radiant with gratitude and happiness that it seemed to infect everyone who talks to her, even if the issues raised were not exactly pretty.

Onscreen as Marimar and Sergio, Marian and Dingdong make a handsome couple.

Off screen, they still make a beautiful pair.

At this early, reporters and showbiz observers are quite ferocious in their teasing that they should make their celluloid relationship a reality. Something that’s not easy to draw.

While Marian is single, it is common knowledge that Dingdong has a girlfriend—Karylle.

Allegedly, because of the closeness that Dingdong has developed with Marian, his relationship with his real life girlfriend is on the rocks. And the girl to blame is the onscreen partner.

 “Hindi naman po siguro ng dahil sa akin. At kung meron man, labas na po ako dun. Si Dingdong na po ang makakasagot nuon,” the Pinay Marimar countered.

How is she and Karylle?

“Ay, okay naman po kami. Nagkita kami sa SOP, binati ko siya. Okay naman,” came the quick answer.

Does she (Karylle) make set visits?

“Si K?  Hindi po siya dumadalaw, pero kung pupunta siya, bakit naman hindi?” Marian smiled.

Is she ready for the possibility that she might fall in love with her leading man, for real?

“Ayokong magsalita ng tapos. Ayokong sabihing hindi, ayoko din naman sabihing oo. Tignan na lang natin. Tignan po natin. Basta ngayon po, ang iniiwan kong salita, mabuti kaming magkaibigan ni Dingdong,” Marian expressed.

GMA’S Next Big Star

With Marimar set to define the evening primetime viewing, undoubtedly, the Kapuso Station has paved the way for their next important star. While the young miss is undeniably thrilled with the attention and support, Marian admits that yes, she is feeling the pressure on what the press has labeled her to be, GMA’s next big star.

 “Ahm, malaking… pressure talaga. Pero ayoko namang isipin, I take it as a challenge. The more kasi na iniisip ko, the more na iniisip ko, the more na mas mahirap sa akin. Kaya siguro mas maganda na gawin ko lahat ng expectations nila, gagawin ko.”

Marian shakes off negative talks that she is now getting the breaks because the playing field is now more leveled.

 “Hindi naman po siguro. Kasi alam ko na kinuha ako ng GMA Managemen dahil alam nila na may talento ako at kaya nila ako kinuha dahil may tiwala sila sa akin. Malaki po talaga ang pasasalamat ko na binigyan ako ng chance na ipakita ko na ito si Marian Rivera,” she further expressed.

This Monday, August 13 make sure no funny thing will happen when you click your dial to your GMA Kapuso Station. Just to be sure, the line-up should be BALITANG BISDAK, 24 ORAS, MGA MATA NI ANGHELITA, LUPIN MARIMAR, IMPOSTORA and JUMONG. If something goes wrong, then your TV is obscenely bugged. Let’s all be prepared to experience the rush and thrill as MARIMAR unreels her story and get ready for a visual feast that will surely leave you exhilarated and craving for more.