Behind the Fins

Mars Ravelo’s “Dyesebel” is a primetime hit in GMA Networks being starred by Marian Rivera where she portrays the role of “Dyesebel” a mermaid.
Marian got her first breakout role in the remake of the Mexican’s telenovela “Marimar”. The show that is lead by Thalia was a top rated show in the 90’s.
But who is Marimar and Dyesebel in real life? Marian Rivera as popularly known by her fans is Marian Garcia Rivera, born in Madrid, Spain on April 12, 1986 from a Spaniard father Francisco Javier Garcia and a Filipino mother Amalia Rivera.
Her father leave them when she was still 2 years old that makes her mother decided to bring her in the Philippines. She then was brought to her maternal grandparent in Bacoor, Cavite for her mother had to go back abroad for her working commitment.
Francisca Rivera, Marians grandmother, attends to her while her mother is away. She studied in a private school in Cavite at Saint Francis of Assisi College System during her Elementary and High School and at the De La Salle University-Dasmariňas during college where she graduated with a degree of B.S Psychology.
To work for her dreams, she went to manila to pursue a career in commercial and ramp modeling. She was then first appeared in screen with her TV commercials Skin white lotion and Sky Flakes crackers.
These appearances catch the attention of Tony Tuviera who is Executive producer of TAPE Inc. and offered her to work with TAPE Inc. and GMA Networks. She then appeared on different afternoon series of the networks soap operas like Aagawin Mo Man Ang Lahat that earned her an award of becoming the Newest TV Personality last 2006 PMPC Star Awards.
She also starred in Pinakamamahal where she worked with Oyo Boy Soto as her leading man and Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako. It was then followed by another casting in the networks afternoon show “Muli”, a Philippine- Malaysian drama with Alfred Vargas and primetimes Super Twins.
But winning the role of “Marimar” bring Marian to stardom after the audition from which other actresses like Bianca King, Jennelyn Mercado, Karylle, Katrina Halili, Jewel Mische and Nadine Samonte, Valerie Conception, Chiska Garcia and many more auditioned. The offer of the role was rejected by Angel Locsin a reason for the network to give an audition.
Her new team-up with Dingdong Dantes then started who played the role of Segio Santibaňes and soon followed by another movie remake of the Dyesebel that was originally done by Charlene Gonzales.
The door over the big screen was open for Marian when she comes out in the movie on 2006 at Pamahiin, a horror movie with Iya Villanea and Dennis Trillo. It was then followed by MMFF entries the following year the Desperadas and Bahay Kubo. She also had a romantic-comedy movie with Richard Gutierrez in My Best Friend’s wedding.
She also appeared in an album cover Of Marians Rivera Dance Hit where she performs dance choreography for the dance compilation of Universal Records Inc.
Marians being in the lime light also bring her to some controversies that include the Dyesebel Taping incident that was viewed in YouTube that tagged as “Marian Scandal”. An allegedly news spread out about Marian’s slapping and shouting incident with a fan during the taping. The latter got angry after the said fan did not listen when she ask him to stop recording a video that was prohibited in the set. The fan raises his voice after being scolded that provokes Marian to defend herself.
Another controversy she got involved when she was crowned as 2008 FHM Philippine’s Sexiest women where she bested Angel Locsin (2005 FHM winner) and previous winner Katrina Halili and other 97 contestants.
It creates a hot discussion and protest among online blogs and forums because of what they called the “irregularities of the show. Angel Locsin who only ranked 4th leads in the poll by more than 7,000 votes from Marian Rivera that was reported on primetime news. Marian only place 3rd after Katrina Halili who is in the 2nd place.
But proving herself against those allegations, Marian Rivera just keep giving her best and is coming up with a romantic movie this year “Amnesia” with Dingdong and Iza Calzado.