By Jush Andowitt
joshandowitt@yahoo.com
www.gmapinoytv.com
Los Angeles: She was the epitome of simplicity and innocence, unassuming lass who was lovable in her naïveté. And yet she captured the hearts of millions of viewers in different parts of the world and became a household name familiar even to young children.
She is Marimar, the lead role in the Mexican telenovela of the same name which changed the landscape of Philippine TV in the ‘90s. Marimar not only ushered in the telenovela craze in the country, it also jumpstarted the production of shorter and more fast-paced soap series in the local setting.
Starting September 6, GMA Pinoy TV brings the most-awaited treat to viewers with the launch of the new Marimar Filipinos can truly call their own. With the most bankable Filipino actors portraying the well-loved roles in the original Mexican series, GMA Network’s Marimar will surely be endeared to the Filipinos because the setting and the characters are definitely closer to home.
Playing the coveted title role is versatile actress Marian Rivera, who emerged among a promising crop of talented actresses who auditioned for the part. As Marimar, Marian will be giving a fresh twist to the phenomenal character and give it a distinct Filipino flavor. Also tasked to “filipinize” the Mexican series’ equally popular character of Sergio Santibañez is matinee idol Dingdong Dantes, who is set to show a new dimension to his acting capacity and make more hearts swoon to his striking good looks.
GMA Network is proud to present Richard Gomez and Katrina Halili, who are touted to deliver a notable performance as husband and wife in the series. Richard will be portraying the complex character of Renato Santibañez, the affluent businessman who is also Sergio’s father. Katrina Halili is the cunning and self-centered Angelika, who is Sergio’s girlfriend but marries his father instead to get her hands on the Santibañez fortune.
With directors Binibining Joyce Bernal and Mac Alejandre at the helm, recreating Marimar to suit the Filipino setting is indeed very challenging albeit rewarding as well – what with a powerhouse cast completed by Rita Avila as Lupita, Jestoni Alarcon as Gustavo Aldama, Manilyn Reynes as Corazon, Bing Loyzaga as Esperanza, Caridad Sanchez as Lola Cruz, Leo Martinez as Lolo Pancho, Nadine Samonte as Innocencia, Buboy Garovillo as Padre Porres, Mel Kimura as Perpekta, Gabby Eigenmann as Nicandro, Bianca King as Natalia, Mike Tan as Choi, Sheena Halili as Monica, and Marky Lopez as Arturo. Funnyman Michael V. will also be lending his voice to Marimar’s trusted pet Fulgoso (portrayed by the golden retriever Nigel, who won in the daily show ‘SIS’ dog contest for the role) while sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto voices Angelika’s pet poodle and Fulgoso’s love interest Fifi.
The story of Marimar bespeaks a journey of a young lass who has been deprived of everything that was rightfully hers. Separated from her real parents – the wealthy Gustavo Aldama and the poor Lupita – at a young age, Marimar was found and raised by the old couple Lolo Pancho and Lola Cruz, who treat her as their own grandchild. Not knowing that she is the sole heiress to the riches of Don Gustavo Aldama, Marimar lives a modest and carefree life by the sea. She befriends the ambitious Angelika, who later holds the greatest grudge against her due to an incident that is beyond Marimar’s control.
Angelika becomes the girlfriend of Sergio Santibañez, but her selfishness and gold-digging nature is further manifested when she marries Sergio’s father, the resort tycoon Renato Santibañez. Sergio, devastated by the betrayal of the Angelika, vows to retaliate against his father and ex-girlfriend. He meets the unassuming Marimar, who easily falls in love with him.
Marimar’s complicated and tormented life begins when she agrees to marry Sergio and is subjected to the cruelty of Angelika in the Santibañez mansion. Here starts Marimar’s awakening to the harsh reality of what her love for Sergio has done to her. And when fate begins to favor the once oppressed Marimar, how will she turn the tables on Sergio and all the others who once looked down on her?
Children will also surely be delighted in hearing and dancing to the catchy Marimar theme song, which is sung by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez. The riveting story of Marimar will begin on September 6, 2007. Call your preferred pay TV operator now and subscribe to GMA PINOY TV. For more information, please log on to www.gmapinoytv.com.