ARIAN Rivera
believes it’s a blessing in disguise that Angel Locsin turned down the role of
Marimar and also decided to transfer to another network. Otherwise, she doubts
if GMA-7 would have noticed her.
But do you know that Direk Joyce Bernal, who
co-directs "Marimar," had second thoughts when it was suggested that Marian
plays Marimar?
Explained Direk Joyce: "Wala akong ideya how
she would approach the role. E, alam naman natin that Marimar was a top
telenovela when it was being aired in another channel. Identified ang
role kay Thalia, the Mexican actress.
"It was when I saw Marian dance that I was impressed with
her. Magaling siyang sumayaw. Seksi. And let’s face it, maganda rin
siya. Although, petite."
***
Although Marian was given a plum role in her first drama
series, "Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako," it didn’t become easy for her to reach
success soon in showbiz. For some reason, she was given only small roles in her
succeeding assignments. There was even a time when she played mother to actors
and actresses her age.
Actually, it was Tony Tuviera, producer of the popular
noontime program "Eat Bulaga" and some drama anthologies for GMA-7, who
discovered her. But it is Popoy Caritativo, also the talent manager of Dennis
Trillo, who is Marian’s talent manager.
A graduate of SPED (special education) from the De la Salle
University, Marian used to teach children with physical disabilities. Said
Marian: "Kaya, may close contact ako sa mga batang may hearing
impaired, dyslexia, and others. You really have to love the job to get involved
with it."
***
It’s not true, according to someone very relia-ble, that Pops
Fernandez and Martin Nievera are communicating. They don’t exchange text
messages, as earlier reported.
When both of them guested in the birthday concert of Sharon
Cuneta at the Araneta Coliseum recently, nobody saw them talking to each other.
"Kaya, duda akong mag-a-attend ng concert ni
Martin si Pops this February. Although confirmed nang magpe-perform
ang mga anak nila na sina Robin at Ram.
"Maganda kasi ang review sa mga bata when they
sang a number at Pops’ concert, also at the Araneta Coliseum," said our source.
***
Just a week after he broke up with dancer-girlfriend Lian
Paz, Mark Herras seemed to have moved on. He’s now reportedly flirting open-ly
with Rhian Ramos’ elder sister, Nadine.
Lian, on the other hand, is seemingly taking her break up
with Mark to heart. She was crying profusely when she guested in the talk
program, "Startalk," as she professed her deep love for Mark.
Jennylyn Mercado, first girlfriend of Mark, was herself
crying, when Mark broke up with her.
Now, of course, Jennylyn is pregnant with first child by her
current boyfriend, Patrick Garcia.
***
John Prats, who just arrived from the US, where he spent
Christmas and the New Year, with his family, has again agreed to play the role
of a gay in "Manay Po 2." A sequel to "Manay Po 1," John said he doesn’t find
anything wrong playing a faggot in a movie.
John has no idea yet who will direct the movie and who his co-stars will be.
A production of Regal Entertainment, "Manay Po 1" had Joel Lamangan at the helm.
