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Marian Rivera (pronounced: [maˈɾjan riˈβeɾa]), (born Marián Gracia Rivera on August 12,[1] 1984 [2][3] in Madrid, Spain) is a Filipina commercial model and actress, known for her roles in Marimar, Dyesebel, Darna, and Amaya.[4] As a recording artist, Rivera has released two studio albums: the platinum hits Marian Rivera Dance Hits[5] and Retro Crazy.[6][7] She has also starred in some box-office movies such as: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend, Tarot,[8] You to Me Are Everything,[9] and Panday 2.[10]
In 2009, Rivera ranked #5 in Manila Standard's "2009 Top Celebrity Endorsers",[11] #3 in "Top 10 Most In-demand Celebrity Endorsers in 2010[12] and was also included in 2011's Top 20 Endorsers.[13] She was hailed as FHM's Sexiest Woman in 2008 and recently, for the second time this 2013[14] dethroning Sam Pinto as the Sexiest Woman in the Philippines.
Personal life[edit]
Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain to Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard and Amalia Rivera, a Filipina from Cavite, Philippines.[15] After her parents separated 2 years after her birth, her mother brought her to the Philippines where she grew up most of her life. However, her mother had to leave to continue her work commitment abroad that she was sent to her maternal grandmother, Francisca Rivera in Bacoor, Cavite. Rivera pursued her elementary and high school education at Saint Francis of Assisi College System, and spent her college education finishing Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in De La Salle University Dasmariñas. After graduating, she worked for National Institute of Mental Health in Mandaluyong City where she gave out medicines, examinations and evaluation to patients, among others.[16] She also tried becoming a SPED teacher before she was discovered for showbiz.[16]
Career
2005-06: Discovery and career beginnings
Rivera pursued ramp modelling during her elementary years, and later starred as commercial models for a beauty product, SkinWhite lotion and a biscuit brand, Sky Flakes.[17]She was discovered through her commercials by Tony Tuviera, TAPE Inc.'s executive producer. The management make her appear in an afternoon soap operas for TAPE Inc.and GMA Network including Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat and Pinakamamahal with Oyo Boy Sotto as her leading man. GMA Network then cast her for motherly roles, first through Philippines-Malaysian drama, Muli together with Alfred Vargas.[18] She made her first appearance in a film through OctoArts' Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Continues in 2005 where she played as a fairy opposite Sotto.[19] Her second and last motherly role is through the network's fantasy series, Super Twins in 2007, acting also as villain on the latter part of the story.[20][21] In 2006, Rivera signed a contract with Regal Entertainment and casted on her first everantagonist role in a film along Dennis Trillo and Iya Villania entitled as Pamahiin.[22]
2007-09: Marimar and rose to fame
In 2007, Rivera auditioned to a future lead role for GMA Network's remake of a Mexican series titled as MariMar originally acted by Thalía.[23] AfterAngel Locsin turned down the role and transferred to rival network ABS-CBN, the network had an audition which was attended by other actresses like Nadine Samonte, Katrina Halili, Jennylyn Mercado and Karylle but it landed eventually with Rivera.[24][25] She acted opposite, Dingdong Dantes. The show became the highest-rated primetime show on Philippine television at that time and made Rivera rose to an instant fame.[26][27]She was honored also by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc. as Phenomenal TV Star in the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards in 2008.[28] The year proved to be her year as she won numerous awards for her work in the show, as well as several product endorsements. She was also named as the country’s sexiest woman by FHM magazine, and was also included in the “hottest” list of other magazines like Maxim and Uno.[29] In the same year, Rivera appeared in two films, Desperadas and Bahay Kubo, both Metro Manila Film Festivalentries.[30]
In 2008, Rivera played the role of Dyesebel which aired on April 28, 2008, the famous Philippine mermaid character which already acted by many Filipinos actress as early as 1970.[31] The series is another team-up with Dantes who also rose to fame after his long time hiatus.[31][32] The year also marked Rivera's first leading lady role opposite Richard Gutierrez in a Valentines film by GMA Films entitled as My Best Friend's Girlfriend.[33] In the same year, the Dantes-Rivera love team then debut in a film, One True Love directed by Mac Alejandre which gross lesser than her film with Gutierrez.[34][35] Aside from the two films, are two Metro Manila Film Festival entries such as Shake, Rattle & Roll X, an omnibus horror trilogy in which she played the role of Nieves:The Engkanto Slayer[36][37] and Desperadas 2, a sequel of her movie with Rufa Mae Quinto, Iza Calzado and Ruffa Gutierrez in 2007. Rivera was among the third group of stars honored in the Eastwood City Walk of Fame located in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City in 2008.[38]
Rivera released her first dance music album, Marian Rivera Dance Hits under Universal Records in 2008.[39] It was a compilation of 12 dance musics like Jessica Jay's Chichiquita, Soul Control's So Sexy and Surina's Nasty Girl, all of which were choreographed by Rivera.[39] The album was certified 2x Platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.[40] In 2009, she released her first single, "Sabay Sabay Tayo" under her second album Retro Crazy. The single and the album both received Gold Award and later on, Platinum Award from the PARI.[41]
In early 2009, she appeared in her first straight drama series, Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang, an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas's graphic novel.[42] It was her third team-up with Dingdong Dantes.[43] Later that year, she was paired with Dennis Trillo in an adaptation of the famous historical fiction heroine in the Philippines which is Darna.[44] Rivera played the role of Narda, which turns superhero named Darna, after swallowing a magical stone. Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirerdescribed the series as "loud and livid", praising Rivera's acting.[45] Later the year, Trillo and Rivera teamed-up for the second time on a horror-suspense film, Tarot produced by GMA Films and Regal Entertainment.[46][47] According to Manila Bulletin, it is Rivera's scariest film after Pamahiin and Shake, Rattle and Roll.[48] She also appeared on her first sitcom, Show Me Da Manny alongside Filipino boxing champion, Manny Pacquaio.[49] According to Philippine Star, Rivera showed a natural comic skill.[50]
2010-13: Amaya, Temptation of wife and other works
Rivera, starred in the Philippine Adaptation of Endless Love, a Korean series aired in GMA Network.[51] Rivera also reunite with Dantes in You to Me Are Everything, a romantic-comedy movie under GMA Films which premiered on May 5, 2010.[52] She acted as Francisca Carantes, a girl from Cordillera who turned out to be a daughter of a millionaire.[52] She also starred in her own Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Super Inday and the Golden Bibe wherein she was nominated as Best Actress on the festival's awards night.[53][54] She also starred on the Holy Week Drama Special entitled Anghel sa Lupa(Earth Angel) produced by APT Entertainment and on the Christmas Series of the network entitled, The Christmas Doll(Int'l Title).[55]
In 2011, she has been casted on a movie, Temptation Island, a remake of the 1980 film of the same title.[56] She was casted as Cristina G., a beauty queen aspirant who has been trapped on an island together with contenders acted by Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff and Lovi Poe.[57][58] She also star as an add-up character to a film by Bong Revilla, Ang Panday 2.[59] In the same year, Rivera headlined the most expensive Philippine series to date, Amaya, a historical fiction depicting early Filipinos in the 1600[60][61]She won several awards and accolades including "Favorite TV Actress" on 2011 KZONE Awards, "Best Actress" in a Prime Time Television Series on NSSUA Awards, and for the first time as "Best Actress" in Golden Screen TV Awards in 2013.[62][63] On the same year, she also won in her second "Best Actress" award for the same show at the 2013 Northwest Samar State University Annual Awards.[64][65] The series is also promoted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Department of Education due to its cultural concept that shows and depicts the Filipino material culture, beliefs, traditions and mores in the Pre-Hispanic era.[66]
In 2012, Rivera headlined on different programs of GMA Network such as My Beloved, a Filipino romance drama-suspense-thriller series created and written by RJ Nuevas, under the helm of Dominic Zapata and Lore Reyes.[67] The series premiered February 13, 2012, it follows the life and love story of an angel of death named Arlan, a fictional character portrayed by Dantes, who falls in love with a human named Sharina, played by Rivera. He was punished and sent to earth to become human being. But complications arise when he found himself trapped in the body of a notorious criminal.[68] She also casted on her second sitcom Tweets For My Sweet which earned her two nominations as "Best Actress in comedy show" on 2012 PMPC Star Awards and 2013 Golden Screen TV Awards.[69][70] Rivera also did hosting through a reality show, Extra Challenge with Richard Gutierrez & Boobay.[71] The show is a recurring reality show originally aired in 1999, 2003 and 2006.[72]
In the latter part of 2012, Rivera gained another fame through the Philippine adaptation of a Korean series, Temptation Of Wife aired on the same network in 2012.[73] She star on a role of Angeline, a martyr wife who has been lied up to by his husband, Marcel and friend named Heidi.[74] Eventually, she returned as Chantal, a rich sophisticated woman who take revenge on the people who hurt her.[75]The series once again gave fame to Rivera on various Asian countries, resulting to a fan meeting and television guestings in Vietnam, where the series was aired, along with her other works.[76][77]The series gave Rivera a "Best Actress" award at the PMPC Star Awards for TV[78] and a "Best Actress" nomination to the 18th Asian Television Awards.[79] Rivera also appeared on her second movie with Richard Gutierrez through a romantic-comedy film entitled as My Lady Boss.[80][81][82]According to her, "It’s my first time to play a mean but ultraconservative character...", referring on her role as Evelyn, also known as the boss from hell.[83]Rivera also made an appearance for the film, Ekstra: The Bit Player, an official entry to the 2013 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival which stars the Philippines Star-for-all-season and Batangas governor, Vilma Santos.[83][84] She appears with rival network primer actor, Piolo Pascual in a film within a film subtitled as, "Nauna Kang Naging Akin".[85]Rivera also appear with Philippines Queen of Comedy, Ai-Ai de las Alas in a film produced by Reality Entertainment and The O&Co Picture Factory, Inc and one of the 20th Anniversary films of Star Cinema entitled as Kung Fu Divas, [86][87][88] Rivera also act as co-producer of the said film.[89][90]This prompted her to appear for the first time on ABS-CBN, rival network of GMA 7. She appeared on three episodes of Kris TV, Showbiz Inside Report, The Buzz with Delas Alas and a live interview in Bandila.[91][92]On the interviews, she revealed that she had her OJT in ABS-CBN during her college days.[93]
2014-present: Carmela
Rivera is expected to return to primetime with a heavy-drama project temporarily entitled as Carmela (formerly "Catarina")[94] under GMA Network and is set to air early 2014.[95][96] She is set to be paired with young actor, Alden Richards under the direction of Dominic Zapata.[95]Marian also mentioned that being given the opportunity to play the title role "Carmela" means a lot to her.[97] She explained that she is excited to work again after her award-winning series, Temptation of Wife.
Philanthropy
In 2009, Rivera together with Dingdong Dantes with assistance from Yes Pinoy Foundation, Philippine National Red Cross and Philippine Marines went to Cainta, Rizal to help the victim of Typhoon Ondoy.[98][99] Aside from being a volunteer in GMA Network's telethon, she also helped in repacking relief goods from the GMA Kapuso Foundation, a charitable institution from the network.[98] Rivera reportedly donated 100,000 Philippine pesos in the said foundation.[100] In 2011, Rivera joined "Mariott Manila", in reaching out for victims of Typhoon Sendong particularly the children in Pasay City.[101][102][103] In August 2012, Rivera joined the Philippine Red Cross team during their mission inQuezon City to help out the victims of the flooding.[104] Rivera, together with former senator Dick Gordon waded through floodwaters to get to the area in Ta talon where around 500 families have sought refuge from the floods caused by the non-stop rains.[104][105][106] She stated that helping out the victims is her 28th birthday gift to herself. She also said that she didn’t mind getting wet and tired during the mission, as she says it was a small sacrifice compared to the hardships that the victims are experiencing.[104] According to Rivera, she went to that place as a volunteer who gives foods and clothes to the victims and not as a celebrity.[107] Rivera also joined Presidential sister, Kris Aquino in visiting other affected areas throughout Metro Manila.[108][109] Rivera also organized a blood-letting program for the Red Cross at the Ever Gotesco in Quezon City in celebration of her 28th birthday wherein it was attended by lot of people including celebrities.[110]In 2013, Rivera and his boyfriend Dingdong Dantes contributed for the fund-raising event at the annual Noel Bazaar, the long-running Christmas shopping event in the Pasay City for GMA Kapuso Foundation. [111]During the Philippines' crisis over Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon ever recorded, Rivera also helped in the packing of relief goods to be distributed to the affected families and supported Yes Pinoy Foundation for the assistance of the victims.[112][113]In addition to that, she launched "Oplan: Bangka", a livelihood project in which Rivera will shoulder the expenses for the construction of fishing boats that will be given for the fishermen of Cebu, Philippines.[114][115]
Public image
 Rivera's FHM Cover FHM Magazine cover from January 2013 |
Rivera was declared as FHM Magazine's Sexiest Woman of the World in 2008 beating Megan Fox and replacing Katrina Halili who was atop the list in 2007.[116][117] With her victory, the FHM staffs clarifies that contrary to popular impression, Rivera was already being eyed by FHM even before her career skyrocketed because of Marimar.[118] Before arising as Top 1 in the Top 100 list, she was already listed in the list in 2006 and 2007 at #38 and #24 respectively.[118] She is consistently at the upper top 10 after her declaration as Philippines' finest woman, ranking #3 in 2009,[119] #4 in 2010[120] and #2 losing to Sam Pinto, in 2011.[121] In 2012, she entered the chart at #5, her lowest since topping the said list in 2008.[122] Rivera became a cover for the first time on FHM through its January 2013 issue, which made her one of the biggest contenders for the title, Sexiest Woman of the World for 2013.[123][124][125][126] Rivera also graces the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine in the same month[127][128] For the third time, she became a cover of Women's Health in March 2013. According to her, she owes her nice body to her new found devotion to Muay Thai and Wushu, both are forms of Martial Arts.[129] On 2013, Rivera was declared by FHM Philippines as "the sexiest woman in the Philippines" making her second to reclaim the coveted title five years after she first won it (the first was Angel Locsin, who bagged it in '05 and '10).[14][130][131] According to FHM, more than 16 million votes were cast this year, and the final tally saw Rivera raking in a total of 890,490 votes against Sam Pinto’s 778,681.[132]On 2013, Rivera became the image of popular brand, Ginebra San Miguel following her successful stint for the brand way back 2009.[133][134][135]
In 2009, Rivera was listed as #5 in "Top 20 Celebrity Endorser"'s list of Manila Standard and #1 in QTV's "Ang Pinaka..." List of Endorsers.[11] In 2010, she was listed at SPOT's list of "Top 10 Most In-demand Celebrity Endorsers" at #3.[12] Christine Marie Leido of AB Communications, Inc. stated, "In our choice, for instance, of Marian Rivera[...]she provided the excitement, fresh look and instant recognition the brand needed. The market understood the product and was able to relate to it because she embodied the values the brand stood for.".[12] She further stated, "...As could be expected, she motivated purchase because of her appeal across all classes and gender."[12] In 2011, YES! Magazine listed her on their "Top 20 Endorsers" list which was a result of cumulative earnings of each celebrity on their endorsements alone.[136][137] In 2012, Rivera ranked 2nd after losing to Angel Locsin on the "Top 20 Most Beautiful Celebrities In The Philippines" published by The Richest.[138] In 2012, Rivera charted at #9 on the "Top 10 International Beauties of 2012" published by TopTenz, the only Asian who made it to the list.[139][140] According to the web site, Rivera belongs to the major stars in the Philippines.[141]
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