Marian Rivera —MARINEL CRUZ
My heart is happy. My heart is at peace,” declared actress Marian Rivera when reporters asked her to comment on the news that she and fellow GMA 7 talent, Heart Evangelista, have finally patched things up 12 years after their highly publicized falling out while working on “Joey Gosiengfiao’s Temptation Island.”
“[The reconciliation with Heart happened] in God’s perfect time. Whatever we talked about behind the cameras, please allow it to remain between just the two of us because it’s too personal. I’m just happy that we’re talking. Up to now, our communication lines have remained open. God is good,” Marian told reporters during her launch as endorser of Ecran De Luxe silicone sunscreen gel in Makati City on Wednesday.
“At this point in my life, having peace of mind is important. It’s better that you’re not avoiding anyone. I keep saying, ‘God is really awesome because He will give you only what’s best for you.’ I’m now super happy and peaceful—let’s just leave it at that,” Marian stressed.
Marian and Heart created buzz on social media after their followers noticed that they were already following each other on Instagram, and when the two actresses started exchanging “heart” comments.
They had a misunderstanding in 2011 while filming the Regal Entertainment-produced “Temptation Island” on a set in Ilocos Norte reportedly because of Marian’s beau, Dingdong Dantes. However, the two actresses never confirmed this.
In a separate interview with GMA 7, Heart said her sister, “who belongs to the same community in school with Marian,” was among those who helped the two of them reconcile.
“We also have a lot of friends in common. We have been talking for a long time now. I just don’t talk about this in interviews because I don’t want it to be seen as a publicity stunt. It’s something that has to be from the heart,” Heart said. “Marian and I have always liked each other… It’s really the people around us who make things bad. You love her, you love me… this means we’re both OK as individuals. It was only a matter of time [before we meet personally again]. She has a very strong character, but she has kindness in her heart.”
Working together
When asked if she would be open to working with Heart again in the future, Marian said: “Why not? Oo naman.” On collaborating with the latter on social media, Marian said,: “We’re both very busy at the moment. We’re hardly sleeping these days. In time, we will be able to see each other again—FLG’s (Felipe L. Gozon, GMA 7 chair) birthday is coming up. I’m sure there will be a lot of opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Marian said there were only two more shooting days left for her film with Dingdong, “Rewind,” to wrap up. Mae Cruz-Alviar’s drama is a finalist in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Marian and Dingdong play a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. He does not treat her kindly and she seems to be suffering in silence. The trailer shows a car accident happening, followed by the happy memories of the couple before their relationship began to fall apart.
“I can see that Dong really loves what he does. I told him that I will miss working with him,” Marian told Inquirer Entertainment when asked what it’s like to be working with her husband. “He hasn’t changed since the time we first worked together, but he is such a better actor now. We have been shooting from Saturday up to this morning. We came home at 3 a. m. already.”
“Of course, I am able to spot the change in him when the camera starts rolling. He immediately turns into the Dong I know as soon as he hears, ‘Cut!’ We also worked on ‘Bonggang Villa,’ but this is different. After doing heavy scenes, we would also feel the need to release, so we would laugh and say, ‘Ang hirap no’n!’” she recalled.
Marian said she has also gotten to know director Mae really well, and now admires how the latter works on the set. “Nakakatuwa siya. She is very hands-on when she directs. She will guide you from how you should deliver your lines to what emotions you are supposed to feel. She is very supportive of her actors. What is also good about her is that she gives her actors the opportunity to express themselves in every scene.”
Dingdong’s return to film
She continued: “This movie will really make you cry, but I assure you, ‘yong iyak na masarap sa dibdib. I tried to do my best to portray my character. I hope the audience will appreciate it.”
On the fact that 10 movies will be competing in this year’s MMFF, Marian pointed out: “More than the competition, I’m happy that people are slowly returning to the cinemas. I’m also happy that there are more options for them this year. I hope they will watch all the entries, but watch ‘Rewind’ first.”
The film is a collaboration among Star Cinema, APT Entertainment and Agosto Dos Media. It marks DongYan’s return to the big screen after “You to Me are Everything” in 2010.