GMA-7's Marimar: Angel’s loss is Marian’s gain

Pretty-faced TV actress Marian Rivera knows the significance of the upcoming "Marimar" to her showbiz career. It could mean a break that will make her the real next big thing for GMA-7. Or it may be that onetime shot to forever scar her as that actress who undeservingly portrayed Marimar.

Yet, the 22-year-old beautiful talent who won the audition to earn the right to play Marimar doesn’t want to put much pressure on her shoulder as she’s enjoying every bit of this big blessing that came to her life.

"I wasn’t expecting this opportunity to play a character like Marimar. Pero from the very start, talagang kinarir ko ‘to at pinagdasal. Sobrang saya ko

I was chosen to have this role. Marimar is Marimar," the rising star recently told the press during a set-interview in a Zambales resort where the cast and crew of the much-awaited teleserye gather for the taping of the Marimar remake.

An adaptation of the Thalia-starrer soap that captured Filipino viewers in the 90s, Marimar features ‘Kapuso’ stars, some story twists and slight revisions that would bring a fresh look to how Marimar was seen some years back. The series is also showcasing a lovably trained dog playing Fulgoso which amused everyone right on its first scene take.

Playing the role of Marimar’s love interest Sergio is Dingdong Dantes who describes his role as ‘not heroic but admirably different from his previous soap portrayals.’ He said of Marian: "I’m confident Marian is not feeling the pressure at all. I would say she really has the edge to play the role."

Other stars included in the cast are Richard Gomez, Manilyn Reynes, Gabby Eigenman, and Katrina Halili who recently won her second FHM 100 sexiest title. Katrina, who noted she’s been a fan of the original soap, plays the villain Angelika. She’s delighted the fact it’s her first time working with Richard who plays Renato, her husband.

"Ibang level na ‘to at sobrang challenging that I’ll be acting alongside someone like Richard Gomez. I’d like to promise na kahit kontrabida ako dito, magugustuhan ng tao ang role ko. That’s how I would like to attack my role," she reflected.

Marian revealed she underwent an acting workshop for her role as well as a bonding period with her leading man Dingdong. On day 1 of taping, she’d been so conscious about her acting efforts that she had to ask everyone each take if she’s overdoing it. Amusingly, she got the job done faster than what was expected.

"I used to portray nanay roles kaya this is quite something new to me. It’s a plus that Marimar’s plot embraces a universal truth that hindi lahat ng tao laging nasa taas at ‘yung nalulubog lumalaban at makakabangon din," she shared.

Maimar is obviously the biggest break for Marian Rivera who is of Spanish-Filipino descent. She is known for her roles in GMA-7’s telefantasya "Super Twins" and the PhilippineMalaysian drama "Muli."

She won the Best New Female TV Personality at the 2006 PMPC Star Awards for TV.

As a movie actress, she was part of Vic Sotto’s "Enteng Kabisote 2" wherein she played the role of Alyssa.

"Marian is a totally different look here. I’m excited to work with her and with the rest of the cast," assessed the versatile Richard Gomez who’s coming back in a serious acting mode since losing in the run for a senate slot.

Marimar opens this August over GMA-7.