Marian Rivera stays positive throughout pandemic

CEBU, Philippines — Actress Marian Rivera is particularly fond of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers): Her mother used to be one, which is why she grew up for the most part under the care of her maternal grandmother. Her foreigner father also lives in Spain, and so she knows firsthand how it is to be far away from loved ones, whether due to necessity or circumstance.

“Ang maganda doon, we had a lot of communication and we are open to each other. Kaya hindi naging mahirap sa akin na tanggapin yun,” said Marian, referring to her mother leaving her behind to toil in another country.

“At the same time, ang tatay ko ay nasa ibang bansa din. So the word OFW is very close to my heart at relate na relate ako diyan. Marami silang sakripisyo at punong-puno ng pagmamahal sa pamilya.”

The Kapuso star is talking about strongly identifying with the stories featured in GMA Network’s weekly drama anthology “Tadhana”, which is marking its fourth year this month. It airs Saturdays at 3:15 p.m. before “Wish Ko Lang!”

For its month-long anniversary special, “Tadhana” has lined up heartwarming episodes with noted actors starting off with today’s featured story fleshed out by industry veterans Gabby Concepcion and Eula Valdez.

To further mark its milestone, the show is giving away a house and lot to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) or his/her family member (details at Tadhana’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TadhanaGMA).

In a virtual interview, Marian said she is not surprised that “Tadhana” has lasted for four years in a television landscape that has a quick turnover in programs, because she believes the stories of our fellowmen have been worth watching and filled with inspiration.

“Every time I host ‘Tadhana,’ bawat kwento nila sinasabi ko talaga, ‘Iba talaga ang Pilipino.’ Kaya siguro ito minamahal at tinatangkilik dahil ito ay kwento ng bawat Pilipino that gives inspiration and that viewers are able to relate to,” she said.

The most fulfilling part of the job, she added, is how as narrator she gets to learn about the stories first before viewers get their fill.

“I myself am inspired by the stories,” she said. “The stories have a big impact on me. Sometimes I even ask the director if the stories are really true. Nangyayari ba talaga ang mga ito? That’s how amazing these are.”

Lately “Tadhana” has widened its scope by not limiting its features on the woes and tribulations of the Philippines’ so-called modern-day heroes, but has also tackled the tales of any Juan or Juana worth sharing and picking a lesson or two from.

For its opening salvo today (November 13, to be continued on Nov. 20), the complicated story of two parents and a daughter caught between them will be witnessed in “Sa Ngalan ng Ama,” starred in by

Gabby and Eula, with Thea Tolentino, Ariella Arida, and Bubbles Paraiso.

Gabby plays Christian, the biological father of Tracy portrayed by Thea. Choosing to be true to herself after coming out as a lesbian, Diane played by Ariella leaves Christian and raises Tracy without him. After many years, Christian tries to reclaim the daughter he never met. But this is not without a fight from Coco, portrayed in the episode by Eula. Coco is the lesbian guardian of Tracy who assumed responsibility of taking care of Tracy when Dianne died during childbirth.

The second part of Tadhana’s fourth anniversary special, titled “Kabayaran,” will air on Nov. 27 and December 4. After the death of her father Danilo, Joy is abused and maltreated by her mother Hilda and stepsister Fatima. Hilda blames Joy for the death of Danilo. Eventually, Hilda and Fatima create a scheme to get rid of Joy. They sell her to John, an American with illegal businesses in the country who makes a sex slave out of Joy. Years later, Joy manages to escape from John and with the help of her best friend, she devises a plan to exact revenge.

Marian, who is among the stars not comfortable with the new normal lock-in taping set-up, expressed her gratitude that “Tadhana” producers allowed her to tape her spiels at home – with her husband Dingdong Dantes taking on the task of directing.

“I’m very thankful to the ‘Tadhana’ family because I really told them na hindi ako pwede lumabas. So gumawa talaga sila ng mga scenario para dire-diretso pa rin ang ‘Tadhana,” she said.

Explaining her wariness to go out, Marian said, “Noong rurok talaga ng pandemya, hindi ko talaga kaya lumabas. Natatakot talaga ako, kasi may anak ako. Kung sarili ko lang siguro pwede-pwede pa. Kung lalabas ako, safe ba akong uuwi sa mga anak ko? Hindi ko kakayanin kung ang mga anak ko ang matatamaan.”

Staying at home for 2020 and the better part of this year has unfazed the 37-year-old mother of two. She said the key is to accept the circumstances one has been dealt with, move forward, and not dwell on what might have been.

“Kapag nag-uusap kami ni Dong, sinasabi ko, eto na kasi yung buhay natin. Kahit anong gawin natin ito na yung kailangan natin harapin. So we need to have a positive outlook. Kasi kung maghihintay tayo na ibalik ang nakaraan, medyo mukhang matatagalan. So it’s better to cope and be positive.”

“Lahat naman tayo ay na-shock talaga sa nangyari sa atin sa pandemyang ito. Pero bilang nandito na ito…minsan nag-uusap kami ni Dong talaga na anong gagawin natin? Hindi naman pwede na maghintay tayo. Mas maganda talaga na ikaw mismo tutulungan mo ng sarili mo, ang kapwa mo, at ang mga nakapaligid sayo. Make your environment positive.”

Marian said it helps that she has a husband to discuss fears and anxieties with, and to help her out when the going gets tough.

“Higit lalo na may anak ako at kailangan kong maging matatag at malakas para sa kanila. Hindi ako pwede maglugmok kasi ang anak ko nag-aaral and I have to explain to them anong buhay ba meron ngayon,” she continued.

“Magandag isipin mo na lahat ng ito ay lilipas din. And of course, sa tulong ng taas. Kapag malakas ang faith mo, sureball ako na hindi ka niya pababayaan. Ipapaliwanag niya mismo kahit natutulog ka ‘Anak, eto ang mga dapat mong gawin.’ At kung positibo kang tao mas maganda siguro kung i-share mo yan para mas dumami tayong positive sa buhay.”

On the upside, she delights on having had more time with her kids – five-year-old Zia and two-year-old Sixto – but also regrets that they can’t enjoy the outdoors and other activities that their age should be exposed to.

“Mas natututukan ko sila. At the same time I don’t want to be selfish because kids are supposed to explore outside, mingle with other kids, go to school and play,” said Marian. “Hindi nila magawa dahil nasa loob ng bahay. But we make the situation positive by, no choice, lalabas kami sa maliit naming garden, bike-bike kami doon, trampoline. Yun lang yung naapektuhan talaga.”

On her fans’ relentless inquiry of a teleserye comeback soon, Marian is not making any promises.

“Ang hirap kasi sabihin na yes on the spot. Depende pa rin yan sa magiging sitwasyon and protocol ng GMA kasi kung konting araw lang naman, bakit hindi diba? Let’s compromise. But if it’s a lock-in taping na mawawala ako ng isang buwan para sa mga anak ko, medyo mahirap yan para sa akin dahil ang mga anak ko umaasa sa akin. Si Zia nag-aaral, si Sixto sa akin. Tignan natin. Baka mas okay na next year.”