Sassa Gurl jests she's behind Marian Rivera's deglamorized look in 'Balota'

Sassa Gurl is such a riot!

In the latest episode of "Updated with Nelson Canlas" podcast, Sassa Gurl said in jest that she is the reason behind Marian Rivera's deglamorized look in "Balota."

Nelson had asked Sassa a question that came from netizens, saying, "Bakit daw sa pelikulang 'Balota,' si Marian sobrang pinapangit, ikaw naman ganda-gandahan lang?"

According to Sassa, it's to keep things balanced.

"Syempre, maganda na 'yan ano ba! Diyos ko, para mabalanse, ang kapal ng mukha ninyo. Maganda na nga 'yung tao, tatapat pa ko sa maganda, kawawa naman kami, di ba? Paano na lang kami?" she said.

The internet personality also joked that she gave director Kip Oebanda some money to make Marian look unsightly in the film.

"Tsaka 'yang si Direk Kip, inabutan ko 'yan ng 300 [pesos], sabi ko, 'Papangitin mo 'yan.' Nako, nanggigigil ako. Mag-w-walk out ako sa set na 'to pag maganda 'yan. Charing!" she said.

Sassa eventually conceded, though, as she admitted that Marian still looked gorgeous despite being deglamorized.

"Alam mo, pinapanget na, ganda pa rin! Dun ko masasabi talaga na may kalawang 'yung genes namin kasi bakit ganun? Ako magpawis lang nang onti, ang baho na tingnan pero siya, nilagyan na ng kung anu-anong grasa, diyosa pa rin," said Sassa.

Back in June, GMA Network unveiled Marian's disheveled look for "Balota." In the photo, she can be seen wearing a grimy teacher's uniform, with messy hair, as well as blood and bruises all over her.

In an interview with Lhar Santiago for "24 Oras," which aired recently, Marian shared that she refused to have a body double in "Balota" and also showed the bruises she sustained from filming.

"Balota" is directed by award-winning filmmaker Kip Oebanda and will premiere at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which will run from Aug. 2 to 11.

The story follows a land-grabbing tycoon and a former male sexy actor who are locked in a tight race for the mayoral seat of a small town.

Marian plays the role of Emmy, a teacher who serves in the election. She runs into the wilderness with a ballot box, the last copy of the election results, when violence in their town erupts.

Apart from Marian, other cast members include Sassa, Esnyr, Will Ashley, Royce Cabrera, Raheel Bhyria, Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Joel Saracho, Sue Prado, Mae Paner, and Gardo Verzosa.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News