Make way for the new Dancing Queen

MANILA, Philippines - As a TV performer, Marian Rivera will step up as she topbills her eponymous dance show in June. The Kapuso star is taking dance as a form of entertainment this time around. She can’t contain her excitement to dust off her dancing shoes and wear them again.     

“It’s my dream to do a show like this and they are the show’s inspiration,” answers Marian when asked if her Sunday early-night show is a throwback to the ‘80s shows of Vilma Santos (VIP, Vilma in Person), Alma Moreno (Loveliness) and Maricel Soriano (Maricel Live! and Maria! Maria!). “This is something that I want to do. It is one of my dreams that GMA has fulfilled.” 

The televiewers will be treated to a myriad of dances from modern jazz to hip-hop, which Marian was into in her younger days. “I also danced Lambada and Macarena,” recalls Marian. “I like these types of dance.”

Before the acting bug bit her, Marian found artistic expression in dance. “I joined dance competitions when I was in high school,” she says. “Those people, who also studied in my school, know this. I also competed in individual dance contests.” Her interest in dance has also been nurtured by her family — which has the body rhythm for it — and the school competitions — which have given her insights and experience.    

In preparation for Marian, the dance show, the actress recently wrapped up the photo shoot and the plug to “tease” the public. “It excites me because of the many choreographers that I will be working with,” says Marian. She will have a specific choreographer in every dance sequence.

As a sneak peek of the things to come on the show, Marian shares, “We will be focusing on dances popularized by Ate Vi  and Ms. Maricel for the pilot episode. However, we will enhance the dances (perhaps by adding new steps).” So, it is a “mash-up” or a fusion of then and now dance moves that will make them relatable and do-able for the audiences. Marian’s stamina will be put to the test as “the dance (sequences) will be long and there are many dance productions,” she says. “(The show) will run for an hour.”

Aside from reinterpreting popular dances, Marian will also have the Top Three Dances of the Week portion, and hopefully, the actress will also engage televiewers in a dance instruction, showing how each step is done. Julie Anne San Jose and Paolo Ballesteros are the show’s other artists. Paolo will exchange repartees with Marian. Julie Anne is in charge of a music segment.

Since a dance show is also about “visual spectacle,” such as grand production design and mood-setting lighting, costume change is something one can look forward to. Liz Uy is Marian’s style consultant. Designers like Pam Quiñones will dress her up. The show will not short change one’s weekend viewing when it comes to the line-up of guests. At a recent presscon for Marian, a writer suggested that boyfriend and former Abztract dancer Dingdong Dantes should do the Dirty Dancing with Marian. Remember the iconic movie of Patrick Swayze and its theme song (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life? Marian said she will consider it.

Also on the show, Marian will do interviews and is ready for some “buwis-buhay,” jaw-dropping production numbers.

Before the show’s premiere, Marian is busy gracing Eat, Bulaga! three times a week and joins the gang of Paolo, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola in the segment Sugod Bahay. Marian doesn’t mind the sweltering heat of the sun and the occasional light rain showers.

“To be honest, it’s my choice to be assigned outside the studio,” says Marian. “The experience is different when you just watch it on TV. (Being out) there, you will appreciate what kind of life you have; you’ll feel thankful for what God has given you. When you give something to people, they can’t simply act out (or fake) their reaction. It’s live TV.” Meeting people coming from different walks of life and experiencing their sincerity first hand will keep Marian stay in this newfound hosting chore. On the pipeline for Marian is a soap, which will begin taping either in August or September.

“Everything is possible as long as you love what you’re doing,” says Marian of the busy schedule ahead of her. “Kung gusto mo ang isang bagay, gagawa at gagawa ka ng paraan kahit one minute lang.”