IN PHOTOS: Marian and Alden’s drama leads GMA-7’s new shows for 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Marian Rivera’s upcoming soap opera “Carmela” headlines GMA-7’s drama offerings for the first quarter of 2014.

Premiering January 27, “Carmela” will be the 29-year-old actress’ first show with GMA-7 since her contract renewal with the Kapuso network in August of last year. Marian will be partnered with Alden Richards in a show described by the network as “a beautiful story of love that can never be.”

“Carmela” is directed by Dominic Zapata and written by Suzette Doctolero, the duo behind GMA-7’s 2013 surprise hit “My Husband’s Lover.”

“Heavy drama ito. Isa na siguro ito sa pinakamabigat na dramang gagawin ko. Mas mabigat pa sa ‘Temptation of Wife’,” Marian said of “Carmela” in an interview with Philstar.com last year.

Of Alden, she said: “Naku, huwag siyang mag-alala dahil aalalayan ko siya at naniniwala ako sa kakayanan niya.”

The Kapuso network will also premiere five other drama shows in its afternoon and primetime block in the coming months.

“The Borrowed Wife,” which will star Camille Prats, TJ Trinidad, Rafael Rosell, and Pauleen Luna, is a “story about love and obsession.” It will premiere Janaury 20.

Jennylyn Mercado leads the cast of “Rhodora X,” which also premiere January 27. The primetime drama will reunite the actress with former on and off-screen partner Mark Herras and fellow “Starstruck” contestant Yasmien Kurdi.

Meanwhile, after working together in the 2013 afternoon drama “Kakambal ni Eliana,” Kristoffer Martin and Kim Rodriguez will team up again in “Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw,” also premiering January 27.

Louise delos Reyes, after several shows with Alden, will star in the fantasy drama series “Kambal Sirena.” This time, she will be teamed up with Aljur Abrenica, whose last two soap operas were with perennial screen partner Kris Bernal.

Max Collins and Luis Alandy are paired up in the afternoon drama “Innamorata,” premiering this February.

The launch of these new shows comes on the heels of reports that TV5 owner Manny V. Pangilinan is negotiating with the owners of GMA-7.

“To be honest, hindi ito showbiz, wala kaming kaalam-alam,” GMA-7 Senior Vice President for Entertainment Lilybeth Rasonable told entertainment news site Philippine Entertainment Portal when asked about the rumors.

Here are more publicity photos for the Kapuso network's upcoming soap operas. (Photo courtesy of GMA-7)