She only made waves when her much ballyhooed affair with bad boy-on-the-dance-floor Mark Herras became gossip fare. She was allegedly Herras’s next-in-line after his relationship with Jennylyn Mercado went pfft. Blind items also ran rampant about their infamous kandungan scene wherein Rivera was seen sitting allegedly on Mark’s lap as the two exchanged French kisses. When the rumors started getting ugly, both issued a denial and the budding romance crashed as Rivera opted to concentrate on her career.

Recently, GMA Network’s biggest star bid adieu post haste. She went to London to study a mini course in fashion design and signed a lucrative contract with the rival network. La Ingrata, as she was called by GMA Kapuso diehards, left a massive void and a gaping wound on the network that made her a star.

When Angel reportedly opted to go to London instead of taking on the title role in GMA’s next-big-teleserye, the remake of the Mexican telenovela that changed the soap opera habits of Pinoys when it aired in 1994, the network’s bosses scrambled for a replacement to play the lead role.

Although Marimar was a commercial-choked one-hit-TV-wonder, its biggest contribution to Philippine culture was the ravishingly beautiful Mexican actress Thalia — she of the soft curls, shell-covered bosom, and whisper of a skirt who shimmied and sashayed her pelvis like there was no tomorrow. Indeed, she was iconic and seemingly, only Angel could have done her justice.

Who would ever think that tides would turn in favor of a heretofore bland actress whose last gig was playing the young hapless mother of Super S and Super T of the Super Twins fame? Reportedly, every Kapuso actress auditioned for the plum role including Nadine Samonte, Katrina Halili, Jennylyn Mercado, Valerie Concepcion, Bianca King, Rhian Ramos, Glaiza de Castro, Jewel Mische and Karylle. One even reacted in a dead faint when she learned she was bypassed for the part. Marian was said to have won over closest rival Jennylyn Mercado.

Credit should be given to the GMA bosses for seeing the potential in the wannabe star, she of the luminous skin, honest-to-God Spanish lineage (she was born in Madrid where her parents worked and lived there until she was 12), dreamy eyes and now, transformation into the coquettish, Ma-ri-mar, awww!

Becoming Marimar

“I worked hard to get this role,” she declaims. “I had a costume made; I researched (on) the Internet and read as much as possible all materials about Thalia, enrolled in a samba class to get the groove, and gave my all during the audition.”

Marian knew the role required all-out sensuality. After all, Thalia’s Marimar displayed her earthly assets – the pelvis that swayed seductively, the cleavage that told of an ample bosom. “I went to the audition knowing that the role would require the wearing of a two-piece (bikini), and kissing scenes with my leading man,” she says. “I’m ready to do anything for the show. I won’t let GMA down.”

The pressure to make the show a success, she admits, is enormous, aside, of course, from the expectations of GMA. But she’d rather take on the pressure as a challenge and prove that they didn’t pick the wrong girl.

“Ang laban ko lang dito yung galing at ganda ng Pinoy,” she says. “Yung Marimar sinuportahan, kahit Mexicana ang mga bida, so, sigurado ako na ngayong Pilipino na ang gumagawa, bakit hindi yung Pilipino ang gumawa? I also know that people will appreciate the fact that I am giving my best in this soap. This opportunity comes only once and I am making it sure that I will deliver what is expected of me.”

She shares the burden of performing well in the ratings with leading man Dingdong Dantes who plays Sergio. Marian describes him as “kind, a gentleman, attentive and sweet. I am comfortable with Dingdong and magaan siyang katrabaho...hindi ako nahirapan.”

Marian and Dingdong’s palpable chemistry seems to be working and it seems that the viewers cannot get enough of them as the show’s premiere posted a 36.6 percent rating, against ABS-CBN’s Deal or No Deal.

It remains to be seen if Marian, Dingdong and the cast delivers on the promise of their early rating. But I’m rooting for the show and I say aww to that!