How Marian finally achieved the best version of herself
Having played Darna, Super Inday, Nieves the
engkanto slayer, Amaya and Kung Fu Diva, Marian Rivera has the distinction of portraying the most number of superheroine roles in Philippine television and cinema.
And just when she thought she’s done saving the world with her supernatural powers, she’s back on GMA
Telebabad primetime block via the action-fantasy series Super Ma’am.
Yes, the Kapuso primetime queen is set to rule one’s nightly viewing habits starting Sept. 18 as Minerva Henerala, the kind-hearted and passionate high school teacher bent on helping wayward students and defending them from the Tamawos, Pinoy folklore creatures who suck youth and vitality off of children.
More than the spectacular effects, stunts and fight scenes, what attracted Marian to the project helmed by LA Madridejos is its social relevance and the moral lessons it will impart on students, teachers and parents.
“I want the show to be an eyeopener for students to appreciate the sacrifices of their teachers and vice versa,” said Marian in a oneon-one with The Philippine STAR at Rockwell’s Grace Park Restaurant. “This is for
all teachers who have dedicated their lives educating children and treating them as their own. I also want to do projects that will make my daughter Zia proud of me when she watches them.” Among other things, Super
Ma’am addresses — without being preachy — disruptive and misbehaving kids who give teachers a lot of stress and hard time managing the class and impede the learning of the other students.
Super Ma’am’s alter ego, Miss Henerala, endures bullies and disrespectful students until she wins them over.
In one of Marian’s favorite episodes, she recalled Miss Henerala befriending an unruly student who comes from a broken family. It turns out the boy merely needs somebody to talk to who will listen and won’t judge him, she said.
“Sometimes it’s only necessary that the lines of communication are open to understand why a student behaves this or that way,” Marian pointed out. “With everyone preoccupied and the world besieged with problems, we forget to talk to our children and ask them if they have problems or something.” And every teacher or parent can accomplish wondrous things even without the aid of superpowers, she added matter-of-factly.
“This may sound a cliché but what the world really needs now is love,” Marian said. “There’s too much hatred around. Even in social media, you can sense it. The bashings are too much and you can only wonder where the anger is coming from. With love comes respect, understanding, harmony.”
Ever since the Madridborn and La Salle-educated actress was thrust into stardom exactly a year ago via the Filipino adaptation of the hit Mexican telenovela Marimar, not a few in the industry have noticed how she has matured immensely both as an actress and as a person.
Gone are the days when the three-time FHM’s sexiest frequently landed in hot water over issues she’d now rather take with a grain of salt.
“We all believe the turning point was the arrival of her daughter Zia,” a GMA insider told The STAR. “Zia is constantly giving Mrs. Dingdong Dantes joy and peace and inspiration that helped her become the best version of herself.” The Dyesebel and Temptation of Wife star has acknowledged that her now two-year-old girl has pushed her to become a super mom and taught her to prioritize things.
“When I got married and became a wife and mother, my priorities and perspective on life changed,” she noted. “I don’t easily get affected by bashings anymore. I learned to choose my battles. There are times when you just have to stay quiet because the truth will eventually come out.”
“The social media is also a big factor because I have my own Instagram account where people see the other side of me off camera,” she said, “how I am at home as a wife, as a mother, as a friend.”
Marian’s manager Rams David said the actress’ positive image has also turned her into a formidable product endorser. She is currently endorsing at least 18 popular products that attest to her high trust rating as a brand ambassador.
“I still get surprised whenever I am told that they want me to endorse their brand,” Marian revealed. “I am very grateful to showbiz industry for everything it has given me. It gave me the power to help others. It gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people, including the man who became my husband. And I’m really thankful that since my
Marimar days, all my fan clubs are still there for me.”
Isn’t she afraid of someday giving up her throne as her network’s beloved queen? We asked her.
“Someday I will also get old and I have to give way to other stars,” said Marian, who suddenly turned serious. “I’m fully aware of that reality. It’s all about acceptance. What is clear to me is that showbiz shouldn’t be my life that when my career slows down or comes to an end, my life will end as well.”
“That queen tag is just a label,” she continued. “What really matters is how I was as an actor and as a person. What have you done for others? How many lives have you touched? Have you made a difference in this life? At the end of it all, those are the things that will matter.”
“I always believe that what you sow, you reap,” Marian added with a wide smile. “And if the fruits are sweet, it means you’re doing the right thing.”