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rp17

How Marian got the role
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 01:07am (Mla time) 06/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines - As envisioned by GMA 7, it was a much-hyped search, complete with the same vertiginous plot twists inherent in most Mexican telenovelas.

Indeed, the quest for the lead star of the all-Filipino remake of "Marimar" included a cast of hopefuls from both the Kapamilya and Kapuso channels. It even had an intriguing subplot involving the purported refusal of Angel Locsin to accept the plum role originated by Mexican superstar Thalia in the mid-1990s.

In the end, GMA 7 found its "Marimar" in Marian Rivera, a 22-year-old graduate of afternoon soap operas.

Wilma Galvante, senior vice president for Entertainment TV, told Inquirer Entertainment that Marian had bested other aspirants with her mestiza looks and acting skills.

"We actually had a screen test. She was asked to read for the part. In fact, we will show the video of her test on 'Showbiz Central' [today]," Galvante recounted.

Added Joyce Bernal, who will direct the series along with Mac Alejandre, "She has the right combination of innocence and sex appeal."

Galvante said the selection committee was composed of network executives, including chief executive officer and president Felipe Gozon.

Rivera told the Inquirer that she was asked by the panel to do three scenes on audition day: "A heavy drama scene, a light-hearted moment with [nanny] Corazon and [talking dog] Folgoso and a dance sequence."

"At first, I was nervous; the lines were given to me on the spot," she recalled.

To backtrack a bit: The Kapuso network acquired the remake rights from Televisa, the Mexican company that produced "Marimar."

Local color

Galvante explained: "Televisa gave us an English copy of the script. Apart from translating it, we were also allowed to embellish and imbue it with local color."

But is a show that first became a hit in the mid-1990s, still relevant in 2007?

"Yes," Galvante said. "It tells an eternal story. Timeless. Very komiks. It's about an oppressed heroine who triumphs."

Rivera was just 11 years old when "Marimar" became a nationwide phenomenon in 1996.

Rivera looked back: "I wasn't a regular viewer, but I remember that Thalia was a good singer and dancer. She's sophisticated and sexy. I also heard that she had a rib removed to become sexier."

Major makeover

No, she's not planning to have a rib or two removed, too, although GMA 7 is pulling out all the stops for a major makeover.

Said Galvante, "After 'Showbiz Central,' she will undergo re-imaging. We will not show her in public until her unveiling."

Taking over the part of Marimar's lover Sergio, originally played by Latino hunk Eduardo Capetillo, is Dingdong Dantes.

"When I got the role, Dingdong called me," Rivera related. "He said he's looking forward to the show. I'm also excited. It's our first time to work together [and] we hope we'll hit it off."

Another edge over the other candidates could be her Latina blood.

She was born in Madrid to a Spanish father and Filipino mother, but was raised by her grandma in Bacoor, Cavite.

Rivera admitted that she's daunted by the big break. "I'm praying hard," she said.

[ Last edited by  rp17 at 25-6-2007 09:47 AM ]

rp17

Cast: Partial list

Marian Rivera (Marimar)
Dingdong Dantes (Sergio Santiba馿z)
Richard Gomez (Ricardo Santiba馿z),
Bing Loyzaga (Esperanza),
Gabby Eigenmann (Nicandro),
Jestoni Alarcon (Gustavo),
Mike Tan (Choi),
Sheena Halili (Monica),
Marky Lopez (Arturo),
Manilyn Reynes (Corazon),
Mel Kimura (Perfecta),
Michael V. (Fulgoso's voice),
Leo Martinez (Papa Pancho),
Caridad Sanchez (Mama Cruz)  
Buboy Garovillo (Padre Porres).

rp17

Philippines'  Marimar

Marian Rivera

                     

rp17

Marian Rivera chosen to play 慚arimar

marimar05

Marian Rivera as Marimar

marimar05

Marimar with Fulgoso

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marimar05

Dindong Dantes as Sergio Santibanez

marimar05

marimar05

marissa_jc

rp, has this series starting airing already?

marissa_jc

beautiful and sweet.

marissa_jc

The synopsis of the storyline.

Gustavo marries Lupita despite his mother's disapproval of theirrelationship. Things were further complicated when Lupita bore Gustavoa daughter - Marimar. Dolores, Gustavo's mother, believes that Lupitamarried her son only for their wealth, and thus, will do everything toseparate the two of them.

Dolores drugs Lupita and hires a man to make it look like thatLupita is having an affair. Gustavo is devastated to find Lupitasleeping with another man, which unknown to him, is a plot by his ownmother. Dolores then demands Lupita to leave their property and neverto come back into her son's life.

It is too late, however, when Gustavo finds out the treachery ofDolores. He can no longer find Lupita or his daughter, who have goneinto hiding. Lupita promises to her daughter that, one day, she,Marimar, will clear their names and claim what is rightfully hers.

Stricken with guilt, Gustavo leaves his parents and decides to livealone in Manila. He doesn't lose hope that, one day, he will be able tofind Lupita and Marimar.

Seven years had passed, but Gustavo's efforts to locate thewhereabouts of Lupita and Marimar remain fruitless. One day, Esperanzavisits him, carrying with her the news of Gustavo's parents' fatalaccident. Despite his ill feelings towards his mother, Gustavo wenthome to finally put closure to his past.

While visiting the grave of his parents, Silva came by to informGustavo the whereabouts of Lupita and Marimar. Gustavo doesn't wasteany time in rebuilding his family again. Lupita manages to forgiveGustavo, and Marimar is delighted to finally meet her father.

On their way back to Manila, the passenger plane on which they arecrashes into the sea. The whole family is separated from each other,and Gustavo once again loses the family he has tried hard to rebuild.Lupita is later found, but is dead. However, Marimar was nowhere to befound.

Marimar is washed ashore to the next island. She is found by achildless couple, Cruz and Pancho, and upon discovering that Marimarsuffers from amnesia, decide upon themselves to raise Marimar as theirown grandaughter. Lola Cruz would eventually name her Marimar afterseeing Marimar's pendant necklace.
Marimar would then grow into an innocent naive young woman, whoseinnocence will be shattered by the world she thought was good to her.

marimar05

Hi! I'm new here.

The series started last Aug 13 and had the highest rating for Primetime shows that day. The first five episodes are on youtube.

marissa_jc

yes, i did try to find the ep's on youtube and found it.  good that we can still follow the show.  are you watching it?

marimar05

yes i'm watching it. I'm not really into soap operas and the only soap so far that I've watched from beginning to end is Maging sino ka man. The book 2 is not airing yet so i decided to give marimar a try and i'm totally hooked!

Anfield08

WK is finishing soon so maybe I should start with MariMar
Hv to keep up learning the language

rp17

I'm getting hooked with Marimar... try watching it. every episode is uploaded in youtube. it's a good show although not as good as the original

[ Last edited by  rp17 at 22-8-2007 11:52 AM ]

marissa_jc

Anfield you are watching WK.  what is happening right now?  i have to catch up on a lot of ep's already.  need to do a marathon run.   haven't started on marimar yet.

marissa_jc

hmm haven't seen the original so can't make the comparision.