Marian Rivera as OFW on Saturday's Tadhana

TOP-RATING GMA Public Affairs’ weekly drama anthology Tadhana celebrates its first anniversary with host Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera leading the cast of a special episode airing on Saturday, June 23.

Since last year, Tadhana has shared inspiring stories of OFWs enduring hardships and overcoming challenges to be able to improve the lives of their families back home. Viewers are given an opportunity to see the trials OFWs endure and how they persevere in the face of challenging circumstances.

Marian is grateful for the warm reception of viewers—especially of OFWs—to her program.

“Nagpapasalamat kami na patuloy na sinusubaybayan ng televiewers ang aming episodes tuwing Sabado,” says Marian. “Ako mismo nai-inspire tuwing mababasa ko ang script ng bawat episode. At nakatataba ng puso na isang taon na tayong nagbibigay ng leksyon at inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan—para magingat sila sa pag-a-apply nila ng trabaho sa ibang bansa at magkaroon ng katuparan ang pangarap nila sa buhay. Sa ating mga kababayang OFW, saludo po kami sa inyong pagsisikap para maitaguyod ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay.”

As a treat to her loyal viewers and fans, Marian will play the lead role in the anniversary special of Tadhana with no less than her husband and Kapuso Primetime King, Dingdong Dantes, directing the episode.

Dingdong admits that he had reservations accepting the rare chance of directing his wife but eventually took the project. “’Yung takot ko at 'yung pag-iwas ko na idirek siya ay naging opportunity,” shared Dingdong in an interview with GMA News Online. “I saw a different kind of actress, a different kind of Marian. Mas naappreciate ko siya bilang artista, bilang tao, bilang nanay, dahil ganu'n siya kaseryoso sa kaniyang [trabaho].”

In the special episode, Marian brings to life the story of Jackie— an OFW who had to bear being away from her children to give them a good life by working in Bahrain during the ‘90s.

With her husband seriously ill, Jackie was left alone to raise their family. When the opportunity to work as a domestic helper abroad came knocking on her door, Jackie did not hesitate and accepted the job. It did not matter if this meant being separated from her kids. What was important was to give them a decent future.