Iwa Moto makes good in villain role, earns ire in televiewers
MARIAN RIVERA, the Pinay Marimar, is soooo hot that even women can’t help but openly express their admiration for the 20-something beauty.
“Ibang klase ang ganda ni Marian, habang tinititigan mo siya, lalo siyang gumaganda. Hindi nakakasawang tignan,” a friend of mine commented, after I showed her my picture with Marimar during the launch of the show.
Kristine Gonzales, a colleague who writes for Business Mirror, complained good-naturedly on how Marian manages to look so fresh and perky at seven o’clock in the morning, this despite the fact that we—press people and the Marimar cast—all stayed up very late, chatting endlessly about the show and the possibility of Sergio and Marimar’s reel romance to become real.
“I don’t get it. It’s not fair. How does she manage to look like that when we all trooped back to the hotel at past 11 in the evening,” Kristine commented as she plopped herself beside me on our breakfast table.
I stifled a laugh, then craned my neck to get a good look at Marian.
There she was, eating her share of the morning feast, looking effortlessly radiant.
Sigh. I’d kill for her curls. I’d kill for her vavavavoom bod! Ha ha ha!
Being part of the junket that saw GMA’s Marimar and Sergio as part of the Kapuso Mall Show down South, I saw how Marian and Dingdong were lovey-dovey on-stage, in front of screaming fans demanding that they kiss right before their eyes.
You bet, the two obliged! Upping the ante of shrills and shrieks and catcalls to an all-time ear-splitting high. Kilig factor? We’ve got an overdose.
During dinner, the two were seated together, surrounded by a handful of press people eager to squeeze the latest news, update, affirmation or denial from their very mouths.
Minus the klieg lights and the screaming audience, Marian and Dingdong remained sweet to each other (Tita Nora Calderon caught them constantly holding hands) that one cannot help but get into thinking, is their on-screen romance inching its way to reality?
They throw casual glances whenever they’re pressed for a comment about the other, without really being too stingy when asked to answer the issues/speculations about the status of their relationship.
Both were consistent in saying that their relationship as co-actors in the highly-successful remake of Marimar is the kind of friendship they’re most comfortable with right now. Both are generous with praises for each other, and both admitted that it’s not hard not to fall in love with each other.
Dingdong was asked about what he likes about Marian.
“Wala siyang itinago, she’s open, she’s not afraid to give out herself. Kaya ako, naging open na rin ako sa kanya. Sa audition pa lang, nakita ko na kung gaano siya ka-professional.
Dolly Anne Carvajal teased Dingdong and pressed him to explain why he chose the song Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? for Marian. Sergio blushed and was held speechless for several micro-seconds before he stammered his answer. Everyone was laughing so much so our giggles drowned out whatever defense he had managed to fib.
The scene in that bistro was warm, carefree and severely infectious. The positive vibe bounced off on all four walls and back to our small group, dispelling the heavy downpour of the evening.
Personally, I think, they make a cute couple. Sorry. A handsome couple, I must say.
Side by side, they’re such a contrast. Physically, Dingdong’s much taller than Marian and his muscular built easily overshadows his leading lady’s petite frame. While Dingdong’s subdued, Marian’s more expressive with the way she talks. She’s refreshingly candid and open; he’s more reserved, mild-mannered.
And I think this exotic blend of contrasts is responsible for that unique cup of chemistry that I’m sure all of us partake in as part of our evening primetime viewing habit. Whether they’re an item or not, it doesn’t matter to this deadline-beater, as long as I have something nice and light to watch before I get my fair share of snooze.
Awww!
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While waiting for her cue to go onstage, we’ve managed to corner StarStruck First Princess IWA MOTO. Off-cam and without a trace of her scheming personality in the afternoon soap Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap, Iwa behaves rather normally.
She easily warms up and becomes chatty—this despite her early declarations that she’s shy and nervous in facing the members of the media. The chinky-eyed young actress gamely answered our questions in Bisaya and Tagalog—afterall, she’s proud to trace her roots in
Iwa shared that somehow she misses the old life that she had. She misses being with her family. Though she still lives with them in one house, she doesn’t get to spend much time with them as much as she wants to.
“Minsan lang, naiisip ko na, para sa kanila din naman lahat ng ito (her hardwork) pero, nakakalungkot lang kasi bihira ko silang makita. Pagdating ko ng bahay, tulog na sila. Tapos, siyempre, pag umuuwi naman ako, matutulog ako dahil galing ako sa trabaho,” she sighed.
Iwa’s schedule includes a regular stint in Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap, Nuts Entertainment and guestings in other shows and programs.
But she’s not really complaining, she hinted. Fact is, she’s thankful that she’s getting good breaks. Like in one of GMA’s upcoming shows, Shaido, Iwa is included in the cast as well—as a villain, again.
Isn’t she worried that people are fast-remembering her as ‘wicked’, ‘evil’, a ‘tormentor’?
“Hindi naman po. Kasi, I just love my job. Kung ano po ang ibinibigay sa akin, talagang gusto ko na magampanan talaga ng maigi.
Iwa’s aware that whenever she goes out, people tends to see her still as that kontrabida who makes life a living hell for Katherine, Nadine Samonte’s character in Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap.
“
Ask to recall what’s her worst experience with a fan who ‘hated’ her because of the role she portrays in the Sinenovela and Iwa recounted the incident with gusto.
“I think, nasa mall ako nun. Tapos may isang babae na napansin ko ang sama ng titig sa akin. Tapos, lumapit siya. Sinabihan niya ako ng ‘ang sama mo! Mang-aagaw ka talaga! Ang landi-landi mo! Inaagaw mo si Stan (Dennis Trillo’s character in the GMA afternoon soap)’. Grabe! Ako, nagulat ako. Pero siyempre, hindi ko siya inaway. Nag-sorry ako. Sabi ko, mam role ko lang po ‘yun. Ginagawa ko lang po ‘yung role ko. Hindi po totoo ‘yun,” she recalled.
We were laughing so hard while she’s telling her story and lauded her after. Imagine, she managed to keep her composure even as the woman scandalized her?!
“Nadala lang siguro siya talaga ng galit dun sa role ko,” Iwa offered.
And then she was politely excused as her time to perform onstage was already cued.
Iwa’s an effective villainess alright, and I think, she’s one of the promising character actresses of her generation and could be a whole lot more, if she keeps on honing her craft and remains dedicated to it just like she is now.
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BLINDSPOT: Apparently, the truth is starting to surface about this young actress. The rumored pagmamaldita on the set of her latest show is true. She’s lucky that her co-star, a bigger name and a more respectable actor than her, is gentleman enough to cover up for her. Let’s see how she fares in her future gigs…that is, if she will be given one that is equal or more than the past shows she had. How true that the enviable friendship of these two famous hosts is on the rocks? A colleague whispered that the other half of the tandem is giving the other host the cold shoulder treatment. Hmmm…well, that’s what adds spice and color in any relationship.
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