Back to fantasy land

By Joseph Peter R. Conzalez

Marian Rivera will be the new Darna on television! This was confirmed by GMA-7 through Wilma Galvante, SVP for Entertainment. She made the official announcement in the presence of GMA Films top honcho Annette Gozon-Abrogar, fellow execs Lilybeth Rasonable and Marivin Arayata and the children of the late Darna creator Mars Ravelo.

Actually, this is a solo vehicle for Marian unlike in the original plan in which Darna is supposed to share the screen with Captain Barbell.

As Darna, Marian is aware of the role’s physical and emotional requirements.

“I was told I have to undergo a lot of physical training. I have to learn various fight routines and stay fit and in top shape because the costume is sexy. Apart from this, I also have to be prepared emotionally because Darna’s alter ego Narda is a mortal and I have to show her human side. I know this is a big challenge for me but I’m thrilled to the hilt.”

Interestingly, her perennial screen partner Dingdong Dantes will not be her love interest in her new telefantasya. The only confirmed co-star as of this writing is child wonder Robert “Buboy” Villar who will play Ding, Darna’s sidekick of a brother.

“It’s just fine with me if I have a new leading man in Darna. I’m open to work with any actor. I know that it’s for the benefit of my career and Dong’s too. After Marimar, Dyesebel and Tadyang, I feel that we also need to be paired with other stars to grow. I’ll surely miss Dingdong but he can be a guest in Darna if ever, right?”

It’s inevitable that she’ll be compared to those actresses who previously played Darna on screen, especially Angel Locsin who is considered one of her rivals when it comes to popularity.

“To be honest, I already have that in mind. But I don’t want to be affected. For me, this is just work and it is part of the job. As I’ve stated earlier, I’ll just do my best in order to come up with an accurate portrayal of Darna,” Marian seriously ends.

Leading man ni darna

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT Ni Master Showman Kuya Germs

Talagang masasabi kong napakasuwerte na ni Mark Anthony Fernandez kapag nakuha siyang leading man ni Marian Rivera sa Darna. Nagiging paboritong leading man na siya sa GMA 7. Kung sabagay, hindi naman alangan, bukod sa may looks siya, magaling din siyang artista at hindi problema sa kanyang mga nakakasama, artista man o sa produksyon.

Mag-uumpisa sa June ang Darna ni Marian Rivera.

Scene : Mag-uumpisa sa June ang Darna ni Marian Rivera.

Magsisimula na si Marian ng martial arts training bilang paghahanda sa action scenes ng Darna.

E-mail brigade ng Dingdong-Marian fans, dinedma ng Siyete

By: Nitz Miralles
Basta

TINANONG si Dingdong Dantes kung sino ang gusto niyang maging leading man ni Marian Rivera sa Darna o Narda at madiing “wala” ang isinagot nito.

Hindi rin ito nag-comment sa nabalitang si Mark Herras ang ipapareha kay Marian sa bago nitong show.

Balak daw ng GMA-7 na bilhin ang rights ng kantang Narda ng Kamikazee para gawing theme song o kung ’di man, gamitin sa series.

Doble ang lungkot ng fans nina Marian at Dingdong dahil magtatapos na today ang Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang at last project muna ito ng dalawa, next year na pagtatambalin uli.

Walang nangyari sa e-mail brigade ng kanilang fans sa Channel 7 dahil nakapag-decide na ang network na paghiwalayin muna sila at ibalik sa isang mas matinding series.

Photos during the announcement: Marian is Darna

Darna 2009 Teaser

Marian to undergo physical training for Darna

April 27, 2009, 1:53pm



Expect a more agile and flexible Marian Rivera in the coming days as she undergoes tough physical training in preparation for her portrayal of Darna.

At the recent GMA-7 event announcing that the young actress has been formally tapped for role of the most famous Filipino heroine, Marian said she will undergo some serious physical training before taping starts for “Darna.”

“Nabanggit na nga nila sa akin na may mga training akong gagawin. Kasi, ang pagganap ng Darna ay physically and mentally draining. Lahat ng emosyon mo bilang isang artista ay ilalabas mo rin, kasi hindi lang naman basta lumalaban si Darna. Tao rin siya na magpapakita ng emotions niya sa lahat ng sitwasyon. Kaya ngayon pa lang ay hinahanda ko na ang sarili ko. Tinatanong ko na nga ang mga kailangan kong gawin, kasi alam kong malaking challenge ito for me. Tungkol sa pag-maintain ng kaseksihan, walang problema doon kasi binabantayan ko naman ang sarili ko,” Marian shared.

There are no confirmations yet as to who will play Darna’s love interest but her sidekick Ding will be played by “Zorro’s” Buboy. Another thing that’s clear though is that she will have to part with on-screen partner Dingdong Dantes for this project. “Siguro it’s time na may iba na akong makakasama ngayon sa new project. Kailangan na nating gawin ‘yon para na rin sa ikagaganda pa ng career namin ni Dingdong. Nasabi ko naman kay Dong na mami-miss ko talaga siya. Kasi nga, ever since “Marimar,” “Dyesebel,” at “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang,” si Dong na ang nakasanayan kong makasama araw-araw sa taping.”

“Kaya nga noong last taping day namin, naiyak talaga ako kasi alam kong mami-miss namin ang isa’t isa. Pero kung may pagkakataon ba na magiging guest si Dong sa ‘Darna,’ bakit naman hindi puwede, di ba? Bahala na ang mga writers at mga taga-GMA-7 sa desisyon na ‘yan. Basta ako, open na ako to work with another actor, at gano’n din si Dong na puwede na siyang tumambal sa ibang artistang babae.”

When asked if she intentionally kept being chosen as Darna from the media before, Marian explained, “Yung mga sinasagot ko before sa mga interviews sa akin tungkol sa ‘Darna’ project, totoo ‘yon. Wala pa silang sinasabing new project ko at malayo ang project na ‘Darna’ sa isipan ko. Nasabi lang nila sa akin na pambata na project ang gagawin ko.”