iStyled: Marian Rivera for Manila Bulletin (Nov 9, 2011)

There's Something About Marian

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photos by JERICO MONTEMAYOR

(Assistant Photographer CROMWELL TORIO)

Styled by JP DICHE

MakeUp by RHINA MONTEMAYOR

Hair by MARTIN ALONZO

Special Participation of MARLON STOCKINGER (for Cal Carries)
FOLDED AND HUNG (Marlon)Clothes from KARIMADON (Marian) 

Accessories from PJ VALENCIANO (PALAMUTI)

Shot on Location at THE ICE CREAM BAR by FIC 

(Joya Tower, Joya Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati)

MANILA, Philippines — When Marian Rivera arrived at the shoot location, she was glowing with positive vibe. She warmly greeted everyone, and said she couldn't wait to splurge on her favorite ice cream after. It just made her feel like a kid again, she mused.

But Marian insisted she has matured a whole lot since being almost constantly embroiled in some sort of controversy the past few months.

“Dati mahirap tanggapin para sa akin na bakit hindi ako naiintindihan ng mga tao. Maraming mga intriga na hindi ko kinaya.

Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala ang showbiz. Pero kahit maraming bumabatikos, ipinagpapatuloy ko ito kasi mahal ko ang trabaho ko at marami rin akong mga nakilala na nagmamahal sa akin,” she said.

You can’t please everyone – Marian knows this better than most. More than her stunning mestiza looks, the Filipina-Spanish actress is known for her feisty personality. Her being transparent is what gets her into trouble, she admitted.

Yet no matter what hardships come her way, Marian always manages to come out on top, and a better person.

“Kung ang ordinaryong tao nga may mga ganyang isyu, kahit sa office or sa school pa ‘yan. Nagkataon lang na nasa showbiz ako, nai-interview, nakikita ng mga tao, napapalabas sa TV. I’m very transparent. Alam ng mga fans ko kung sino talaga ako.”

BLESSED AND GRATEFUL

Marian reveals that her family was against her getting into showbiz because they know her all too well.

“Ayaw nilang lahat. Kasi alam nila ‘yung personality ko na ganito ako. May mga pagkakataong nami-misinterpret ka. Pero dahil napagdaanan ko na ata lahat, ngayon kapag may naririnig akong hindi maganda, hindi na ako apektado kasi alam ko na kung paano i-handle,” she explained.

Her mother wanted her to become a nurse. “Gusto talaga ni mama na mag Nursing ako. Kasi may kakilala siya sa London kung saan pwede sana akong magtrabaho.

Sabi ko sa kanya hindi ko talaga kaya ang Nursing. Unang-una takot ako sa injection. Kapag may mga naaaksidente madali akong mag-panic. Kaya Psychology ang kinuha ko,” related Marian, who hopes to go back again to school one day and take up either a culinary or a baking course.

“Bago ako pumasok sa showbiz, hindi pwedeng hindi ako nakatapos ng pag-aaral. Lahat pwede ko raw gawin kapag nakatapos na ako. Siyempre bilang artista, mas maganda na meron kang ibang maipagmamalaki. Nag-artista ako pero graduate ako ng college,” she continued.

Since shooting to superstardom not a long time ago (her breakout role came in 2007 when she played the title role in the Philippine remake of Mari-Mar), Marian continues to be blessed and she’s more than grateful.

“Hindi ako naniniwala na sinwerte lang ako. Hindi ako naniniwala sa pagkakataon. Naniniwala ako na kung sa’yo, sa’yo.

Kapag pinaghirapan mo ang isang bagay, hindi ito mawawala. Naniniwala din ako na kung ano man ang nakuha ko ngayon, sobrang pinaghirapan ko siya. Parang naging mabilis lahat sa akin, nakita ako sa commercial, pinasok ko ang pag-aartista, pero ang hindi nila alam, marami akong pinagdaanan bago ako naging Mari- Mar at bago ko na-achieve ang lahat ng ito,” she said.

 

DIFFERENT SIDES

Marian has gone on to play many roles that showed different sides of her, from a superhero in “Darna” to a mysterious woman in “Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang”, and a number of comedic roles on TV and movies. Now she can be seen playing the title role in “Amaya” on GMA, which continues to be a top-rater on primetime.

Since it is loosely based on early Philippine history, the show has been recommended by some teachers as a nightly viewing habit for the students.

“First time na nagkaroon ng soap about history. Parang naging educational show na siya kasi nirerequire din siya sa mga schools na panoorin. Masarap sa pakiramdam na nakatulong ka sa mga bata, lalo na sa education nila, may natutunan sila,” Marian said, adding that the cast and crew make sure to produce each episode as realistically as possible.

At the same time, Marian has learned a lot from doing the show.

“May mga natututunan akong mga ancient Tagalog words. May mga UP historians kami na kasama sa set para maki-sang-ayon o makapagbigay ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga nangyari noong araw.

May one-onone kami ng director ko at ipinapaliwanang niya ‘yung mga research nila. Kaya kahit ako marami rin akong natutunan,” said Marian, who, apart from “Amaya,” is also busy wrapping up work for the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Ang Panday 2.”

FOOD FOR HER SOUL

Before pursuing an acting career, Marian worked at the National Mental Hospital after earning a degree in B.S. Psychology at the De La Salle University- Dasmariñas. She was assigned to attend to kids with depression.

“May isa akong pasyente, na-depress siya kasi hindi siya kayang pag-aralin ng parents niya. Naapektuhan man ako ng problema niya, pero hindi ko pwedeng ipakita. Kinakain niya ang buhok niya. Kaya kung mapapansin mo lahat sa mental hospital maikli lahat ng buhok, babae at lalaki,” she recalled.

Amid the fame and popularity, Marian continues to involve herself in anything that feeds her soul. So aside from helping out long-time boyfriend Dingdong Dantes with his education advocacy through Yes Pinoy Foundation, Marian is now a volunteer for the Philippine Red Cross.

She is currently promoting its Million Volunteer Run program, which will be held simultaneously in Manila and other key cities and municipalities of the country on Dec. 4.

Aside from the fun run, Marian promises to actively support other Red Cross missions, including visiting disaster areas and penitentiaries.

AT HER HAPPIEST

Marian says she is at her happiest when she is surrounded by family and knowing that she is making people happy through the work that she does.

“Kahit maraming intriga at maraming bumabatikos, mahal ko ang trabaho ko. Ipinagpatuloy ko ito kasi marami rin akong mga nakilala na nagmamahal sa akin.

Kahit na maraming trabaho, kapag mahal mo talaga ang ginagawa mo, walang pagod. Marami pa akong pangarap sa buhay, ‘yun ang nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa akin. Dahil sa trabaho na meron ako, nae-enjoy ng pamilya ko kung ano ang meron ako ngayon,” she ended, flashing that signature smile that has endeared her to many people.

Article from mb.com.ph

Special thanks to Students and Campuses - please like their Facebook Fan Page HERE

Special Thanks to Yolanda Celdran, Marden Encarguez, Raffy Viernes (KARIMADON), Alan Vianzon (Folded and Hung), and Allan Acosta (CalCarries)