Direk Antoinette Jadaone recalls Marian Rivera's humility, generosity after 'Marimar' success

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes guested on "Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast" hosted by directors Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac.

In the episode, Direk Tonet recalled how humble and generous Marian remained even after the success of "Marimar," GMA Network's hit 2007 adaptation of the Mexican telenovela where she starred as its titular character opposite Dingdong (Sergio Santibáñez).

"'Marimar' created a different world, as in, Marian of course she was already an artist then but her rise to stardom as Marian Rivera — we thought she would become snobbish after, but she didn't," she said in Filipino.

Per Direk Tonet, Marian is among the most generous celebrities she knows.

"I remember back then we would make planners and Yanyan bought some copies. I even thought she could have bought more," she said in jest. "I think she only bought one dozen or maybe two dozen. I was like, ‘Why not thirty?’ I even went to her house for something like that."

"She really never let her success as Marimar get to her head. Sometimes, she would even forget that she was Marian Rivera. She would casually go shopping somewhere, and I'd remind her, ‘You're Marimar!’"

She added that it was good that "Dyesebel" came right after "Marimar" as the teleserye also became a huge hit.

Direk Tonet likewise recalled Marian's generosity toward staff members, sharing that the Kapuso Primetime Queen keeps gifts in the back of her car to give to those celebrating their birthday.

"Whenever a staff member had a birthday, there was always something she could give them. She would simply attach a ‘Happy Birthday’ note to the gift," she said.

"She even let me choose a perfume from there. That was when I experienced having access to so many different perfumes, with so much going on.”

Marian and Dingdong will star in the upcoming family drama film "Remember." It is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mae Cruz-Alviar, the director behind their box-office hit movie "Rewind" in 2023.

"Remember" will premiere in cinemas worldwide on November 11.

—CDC, GMA News