When Sergio meets MariMar

Lately, traffic has not been irksome in the GMA-Timog area because Marimar’s entrancing billboard is allowed a second look. There is no question that Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes must have had unmistakable chemistry during the photo shoot to achieve something so captivating. Find out how they got past the typical awkwardness of a first-time team-up. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. With an interview by Alula Love M. Dela Cruz. Photos courtesy of GMA Network.

The Audition
We all know how Marian feels about her Marimar audition, but what’s Dingdong’s reaction?
“Sobrang I’m really surprised,” says Dingdong enthusiastically, obviously proud of his new leading lady. “Kung bakit siya naging Marimar is because of her ‘revelation.’ She automatically shifted into this person na hindi natin akalain na magiging ganoon siya. I mean, we saw her before in her past shows; iba 'yung


projection niya, and yet we believed during that time that she was this character. Like for example, (in) Super Twins. But now, when you see her in Marimar, walang kang maiisip na, ’You were this before,’ because of the revelation that she became open, and she showed her sexiness, and her youthfulness, which is very much required for the role. So ang galing! Na-combine niya nang napakaayos noon – actually, perfectly. Kaya siya naging Marimar.”

He explains further, “Actually, siya 'yung unang-una (na nag-audition). I was kind of late that day, kasi I had an allergy, so I was trying (to make it) subside. Hanggang (sa) hapon (na) nawawala na, sabi ko, ‘Okay, punta na ako.’ Sabi (sa akin), ‘Bilisan mo, kasi patapos na si Marian!’ (Tapos noong) nag-eksena kami, sabi ko, ‘Malaki ang fighting chance.’ Saka nakita ko pa 'yung tape when she danced. Talagang ‘yun -- truly and purely a revelation! ‘Whoa! I never saw this before!’ Astig – ibang klase!”

Working together

During iGMA’s trip to Zambales where Marimar shoots its beach scenes, Marian and Dingdong’s working relationship was like that of old pals. Dingdong, the natural comic that he is, would resort to playful pranks around his leading lady, while Marian would come up with her own tricks to get back at him.
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Marian says that she’s really looking forward to working with the former Atlantika (2006) star, especially with all the workshops they went through to get to know each other well.

An openness to sharing each other’s experiences, secrets included, helped the two get comfortable during the workshop. “(Nagsabihan kami kung) ano 'yung sikreto (namin) -- para may bonding,” imparts Marian. “(‘Yung tipong) ‘A, alam ko (na) secret niyan, e.’ At saka para maging honest kami sa isa’t-isa. Siguro noong una, naiilang ako, (kaya) sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Naiilang ako katrabaho ka, kasi parang may wall, parang ang hirap mong abutin…’ (Sabi ni Dong), ‘Hindi naman ako ganoon, e!’ Simula noong nag-workshop kami, (okay na kami). Sabi ko, ‘Wow, may chemistry din kami kahit papaano, di ba?’”

“’Yung workshops talaga ang importante,” agrees Dingdong. “It was more of familiarizing ourselves with each other, knowing what she wants in life, what makes her happy, and vice versa. Kailangan lang talaga, sensitive kami sa isa’t-isa. And I really believe na magki-click kami, kasi aside from the fact na pareho kaming Leo, e ‘yung pagka-kalog niya, ganoon din ako madalas!”

Dingdong shares, “Noong (audition), tameme ako! So hindi ko nari-reason (out) na nag-jive kami (kaagad). It was really more of, what do you call it? Astonishment. For a moment there, I became a fan! I was just watching her!”

On intimacy

There will definitely be kissing scenes in the telenovela. How does Marian feel about this?

“Ay, nagawa na namin noong workshop! Nanlamig talaga ako, kasi kahit naman kay Oyo (Sotto), (at) kahit kanino ako makipag-kiss talaga, para kasing hindi normal! May camera, may tao! Hindi ko naman sinasabi na hindi pa ako nahalikan, di ba, pero hindi mo boyfriend, tapos may camera, tapos maghahalikan? Parang, ‘Hmm!’”

“Pero syempre, bilang artista, kailangan kong gawin ‘yun. Pero nandoon pa rin 'yung ‘ilang factor.’ (Paanong paraan ko ba siya hahalikan?) E si Marimar, siya talaga 'yung naghahabol! Parang, ‘Ang landi naman ng babaeng ito!’ Pag pinapanood ko 'yung scenes, mukha siyang lukaret na hindi ko maintindihan! Pero nakakaaliw siya!”
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Dingdong explains, “(For) Most of my leading women, ako 'yung humahabol (sa characters nila). Ako (‘yung) unang may gusto sa kanila. Pero dito, baliktad – it’s the other way around. In fact, medyo magkakagusto sa akin si Marimar muna, then magkakaroon ng dahilan kung bakit ko siya gugustuhin na medyo hindi maganda 'yung dahilan. Kaya panoorin na lang nila!”

The true test of a good love team is the ability to separate their onscreen and off-screen relationship. Everyone knows that Dong is already with long-term girlfriend Karylle, and Marian clarifies that this never caused any conflict in their roles. These two are mature and talented enough to handle complex onscreen emotions that need not transcend to real life.

“Alam namin ni Dong (ang) limitations namin (sa trabaho). May personal na buhay siya; ako rin, ganoon ako. Trabaho lang kami. Ang maganda sa amin, nag-workshop kami na alam ko kung gaano niya kamahal 'yung isa. Pero kailangan namin ipakita sa tao na may chemistry din kami -- syempre, Marimar at Sergio, kailangan talaga may chemistry! (Walang problema kasi) nag-usap na kami ni Dong, alam na namin (ang) tungkol (sa) lahat niyan!”

Joining Dong and Marian in the show are Richard Gomez (Renato Santibañez), Katrina Halili (Angelica), Manilyn Reynes (Corazon), and Michael V. (as Fulgoso’s voice), among others.

It’s Marian’s first time to work with most of the cast members, and she looks forward to getting to know all of them better in due time. “Kilala niyo naman ako, ganito, simple lang, so tingnan natin, kasi ang hirap din ng feeling close – parang ayoko naman (pilitin ‘'yung bonding). Siguro darating naman sa point na magiging (sobrang komportable) na, hindi 'yung pinipilit.”

Marian admits that she feels the pressure of leading such a well-loved show, especially since the original was a phenomenal hit. “Tulad ng sinabi ko dati, ibibigay ko 'yung 100% ko dito -- hindi 'yung pabanjing-banjing. Pero sinasabi ko naman (na sa) lahat ng trabaho ko, never na hindi ako nagseryoso. Lahat ginawa ko, binuhos ko lahat. Lalo na dito sa Marimar, kasi ako 'yung lead dito, at saka primetime ito, so kailangan ko talagang doblehin at triplehin pa!”

Fall in love with Marimar all over again starting on August 13!
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