MANILA, Philippines -- Among local TV's most visible leading ladies today, Marian Rivera has learned an important lesson from being in the entertainment industry for almost seven years: detractors come with the territory.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News at the sidelines of filming for the action-comedy flick "Kung Fu Divas" on Monday, Rivera addressed the negative feedback to her recent best actress win at the 10th Golden Screen Awards -- her first major acting nod since joining showbiz.
"Okay lang po 'yun. Sa industriya talaga lahat dadaan sa ganyang pagkakataon. Ang importante, ikaw, sa sarili mo, mahal mo ang trabaho mo. Ako, para sa akin, 100%, mahal ko 'yung trabaho ko. Kung ano man ang ibigay sa akin, ibigay man o hindi, thankful ako," she said.
Rivera said she is particularly thrilled to mark a milestone in her career by starring alongside comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas in "Kung Fu Divas," which is written and directed by Onat Diaz.
Ai Ai-Marian team-up
Dubbed local showbiz's "Comedy Queen," delas Alas is also considered "box-office royalty," owing to her string of blockbuster films, from the "Tanging Ina" franchise to the current all-time highest grossing local film "Sisterakas."
"Proud ako na nakasama ko siya. Sabi ko nga, napakalaking bagay sa akin na makatrabaho ko si Ate Ai, dahil marami akong natututunan sa kanya," Rivera said.
She added: "Minsan nga, sabi ko, parang hindi ako artista eh. Ako 'yung tumitingin sa kanya, tumatawa ako sa kanya on the spot, pero, 'Ay, rolling na!'"
"Kung Fu Divas" is also Rivera's first major team-up with a top ABS-CBN talent. Rivera is a contract artist of GMA-7, and is seen as one of its most prized talents.
"Iyon po ang maganda para sa akin, nagkakaisa ang industriya natin, na si Ate Ai at ako pinagsama na magkaiba ng network," she said.
Asked whether there is chance that she will topbill another film with a Kapamilya star, Rivera said, "Sa teaser kasi namin (seen above), baka ito na 'yung 'Una at huling pagsasama,' so tingnan natin."
In the first trailer released for the comedy flick, the characters of delas Alas and Rivera are seen competing in a pageant called "Hiyas ng Dalampasigan." Their "fight for the crown" quickly escalates to an apparent kung fu match, which literally takes them to the mountains.
During the visit of ABS-CBN News to the movie's filming on Monday, Rivera related that it was her first time to act in a chroma set. Chroma key composting is a special effects or post-production technique in films used to make actors appear as if they are in a different environment.
Referring to the chroma set, delas Alas said, "Actually, 'pag nakakakita ako ng ganito, alam ko mahirap. Kasi 'yung mga fight scenes sa chroma usually ginagawa eh. Ayan nakaka-stress na 'yan, pero napakagandang pelikula, sa totoo lang."
Close ties
Over the course of filming for "Kung Fu Divas," Rivera said she has become close with delas Alas. For her part, the veteran actress said she has grown fond of her co-star.
"Masarap katrabaho ni Ate Ai, napaka-transaparent, napakabait, napaka-sweet. Hindi naging mahirap para sa akin ang mag-reach out sa kanya," Rivera said.
In a separate interview, delas Alas added, referring to Rivera, "Napaka-propesyunal, napakabait na bata, napakamasayahin, tawa nang tawa, at maaga sa set. Mabait."
"Super bonding [kami], parati niya akong pinapasalabungan. Ako naman, binibigyan ko siya ng mga little gifts. Bonding talaga. And love ko siya, mabati eh," she said.
Also starring Roderick Paulate, Edward Mendez and Nova Villa, "Kung Fu Divas" is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide in October 2013.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
