Marian ‘destined’ to present stories of triumph

Marian Rivera and her Tadhana team continue to be a source of compelling stories about Filipinos here and abroad. She remains a voice of inspiration through her show. Their commitment to churn out narratives week after week has never wavered for the past three years. For its fourth-year celebration that starts today, Marian will celebrate our kababayan’s stories of triumph through the anniversary special episodes, Sa Ngalan ng Ama and Kabayaran.

“Actually, every Filipino has a story (to tell),” said the actress-host in a recent media conference. “Sa bawat Pilipino na mag-ku-kwento at i-sha-share nila kung anong buhay na nangyari sa kanila, makakapagbigay yan ng 100-percent na inspirasyon sa mga makakapanood (The experiences being shared by each of them will truly inspire the viewers). This is the reason why I’m very thankful to our kababayan, who have been sharing and want to share their stories with Tadhana.”

Airing Saturdays after Wish Ko Lang!, the drama anthology doesn’t only get the attention of viewers, but also its host.

“Sa sobrang galing ng creative ng Tadhana, it’s me who would usually ask what’s our next story and what will happen,” shared Marian. “I’m excited to know more. Alam ko talaga sa huli ng kwento, hindi maaaring hindi babangon ang isang Pilipino para sa, alam mo yun, kung ano man ang nangyari sa kanya (At the end of every story, I know that the Filipino will always recover from a setback and stand up again). Kasi ang mga Pilipino (ay) hindi basta-basta sumusuko, lalaban at lalaban hanggang makamit nila ang gusto nila. So yun ang nakakatuwa talaga dun. Kapag nag-ho-host ako ng Tadhana, (sa) bawat kwento nila, sinasabi ko talaga, ‘Iba talaga ang Pilipino.’” This resonates with viewers, and especially now that they are still making sense of these extraordinary times.

“Lahat naman tayo ay na-shock talaga sa nangyari sa atin sa pandemyang ito (We were all really shocked by what happened to us in this pandemic),” said Marian. “Since the situation is here, and sometimes Dong and I would talk about what to do, we can’t just wait (for it to end). We have to help ourselves and those around us. Gawin mong positibo talaga itong environment na ito (We have to turn this into something positive or look on the bright side). Kasi kung maghihintay tayo talaga na ibalik ang nakaraan, medyo mukhang matatagalan tayo. Mas maganda na mag-cope tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon at gawin nating positibo ito.”

In dealing with the new normal, Marian acknowledged the presence and support of her husband, Dingdong Dantes, and the importance of communication between them. “Higit lalo na may anak ako, na kailangan kong maging matatag at malakas para sa kanila (I need to be firm and strong for my children).”

  Marian also implicitly suggested that thoughts like “This too shall pass (Ang lahat ng ito ay maiisip mo na talagang lilipas din),” everybody has the potential to help others and He will take care of everything will give one comfort and reason to move forward.

This mindset is what has driven Tadhana to consider new possibilities (like working from home) and bring what it has promised to viewers.

“I told them that I couldn’t go out and they found a way, came up with (something) to continue Tadhana,” said Marian of how she and the show embraced the new-normal working conditions, especially at the height of the pandemic. “It should be done at home and Dong was around to direct me. Kung sarili ko lang, siguro pwede, pwede pa. Pero iniisip ko kung lalabas ako, safe ba akong makakauwi sa mga anak ko (But I was thinking, if I would go out, would it be safe for me to go home with my children). Siyempre hindi ko kakayanin kung yung mga anak ko ay matamaan dahil tayong matatanda nga ay sobrang natatakot pa tayo, what more kung sa bata pa (ito) mangyari.”

“I’m very thankful to their idea of doing Tadhana at home, in which I feel more comfortable. Kaya patuloy pa rin ang Tadhana,” added she.

The collaborative efforts made by the people behind and in front of the camera have brought Tadhana to its year four. Aside from presenting stories that inspire, it will give away a house and lot to a lucky Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or his or her family member.

“Nakakataba ng puso dahil umabot kami ng apat na taon,” said Marian. “(I’m not surprised at all since) napakaganda ng mga kwento ng ating mga kababayan that give hope and inspiration to many.”

Yes, Marian has fully embraced and adjusted well to the work-from-home set-up. As an artist, she remains productive and visible. But her fans love to see her act again in a TV series or a movie. Is she toying the idea?

“Ang hirap kasi na sabihin ko na on the spot ay oo o hindi, depende pa rin yan sa magiging sitwasyon at protocol ng GMA,” answered she. “If I’ll be working for a few days, why not? Let’s compromise. Pero kung katulad ng lock-in taping, mawawala ako ng isang buwan para sa mga anak ko, mahirap yan para sa akin, dahil siyempre yung mga anak ko ay umaasa sa akin. Si Zia nag-aaral, si Sixto sa akin. Mahihirapan ako, pero tignan natin. Baka naman pagdating (ng) next year, mas OK na, mas smooth na ito, at alam na natin kung paano diskartehan. So, tignan natin, di ba?”

Meantime, let Marian continue presenting stories about Filipinos, in which she is destined to do.

(Watch Sa Ngalan ng Ama starting today until Nov. 20, and Kabayaran from Nov. 27 to Dec. 4.)