Kris, na-touch kay Marian

Author: Nel Alejandrino
Column: Tattle

HOW nice of Marian Rivera to have attended the wake of former President Cory Aquino sa Manila Cathedral noong Tuesday, kung saan kasama niya si Dingdong Dantes at ilang GMA-7 top guns.

There, she had the chance na ma-meet nang personal si Batangas Governor Vilma Santos na, like Marian, ay naging Darna (thrice at that, ha?) at Dyesebel.

Palagay namin ay na-touch si Kris Aquino sa gesture ni Marian, since we don't think close sila sa isa't isa.

Considering their age gap -- in her early 20s lang si Marian (who'll turn 23 sa August 12), samantalang in her late 30s na si Kris -- and the fact that they belong sa magka-ibang network and have never worked together.

Pero, understandable na magkakilala sila. Marian's talent manager, Popoy Caritativo, is a close friend ni Kris.

* * *

As the new Darna, parang nakikita mo si Governor Vi kay Marian.

Pareho kasi silang petite although mestiza ang features ni Marian at medyo darker naman si Gov. Vi.

But, no doubt, mas sexy si Marian bilang Darna.

Unlike sa original Darna, which has also been performed by Rio Locsin, Nanette Medved and Anjanette Abayari, si Marian na rin mismo ang gumaganap na kanyang alter-ego sa Darna ng GMA-7.

In past Darna movies kasi, the alter-ego, Narda, is played by a teenager.

But Narda will remain a cripple, like in the original Darnas.

"Pinaka-sexy din ang costume ng kasalukuyang Darna," ani Marian.

"Well, to go with the times," sabi nga ni Wilma Galvante, who is behind the successful primetime shows ng GMA-7.

"Before taping for Darna started, feeling ko," ani Marian. "I was already sexy.

"But when Tita Wilma took a thorough look at me, magpa-sexy ka pa, sabi niya," susog ni Marian.

Is it true that boyfriend Dingdong complained about her "too sexy for comfort" costume?

Marian simply smiled: "Next question, please. "

* * *

Darna will start airing on Monday.

Based on the series' powerhouse cast, masasabi ngang GMA-7 didn't leave any stone unturned in giving Marian the powerful support cast she needs.

Joining Marian in Darna are Eddie Garcia as Father Mateo; Celia Rodriguez as Perfecta, Narda's surrogate mother and who runs the orphanage which houses the orphaned Narda; Caridad Sanchez as Loleng, Perfecta's assistant; Robert 'Buboy' Villar as Carding, the kid who knows the secret of Darna; and Mark Anthony Fernandez, Narda's childhood sweetheart.

Others in the cast are Raymart Santiago, Rufa Mae Quinto, Janice de Belen, Rita Avila, Jestoni Alarcon, Ian de Leon, Alfred Vargas, Paolo Contis, Iwa Moto, Ehra Madrigal, Francine Prieto, Nadine Samonte, Maggie Wilson, Ricky Davao, Polo Ravales, Angel Aquino, Gabby Eigenmann, Bearwin Meily, John Apacible, Krissa Mae, Roxanne Barcelo, Renz Valerio, Sweet Ramos and Nicole Sanoy.

Directing the series is Dominic Zapata, popularly known as the boyfriend of Krista Ranillo, and Don Micahel Perez.

* * *

Pangako pala ni Ma'am Wilma kay Mark Anthony na kapag naging consistent siya sa pagiging professional, 'di siya mawawalan ng assignment sa GMA-7.

Isang pangakong obviously Mark Anthony took to heart dahil maituturing siyang pinaka-versatile among his contemporaries.

No wonder din na at GMA- 7, he doesn't just get one tv assignment after another.

The roles entrusted him are also mostly challenging.

But he makes sure that he always delivers.

"I promised my dad (the late Rudy Fernandez) in his deathbed that I will make him proud of me.

"I'm glad na malaki ang tiwala sa akin ng GMA-7 at ni Tita Wilma.

"I promise I will not fail them," pahayag ni Mark Anthony.

Source: People's Tonight