Marian Rivera Flexes Acting Skills For Role Meant Initially For Her Husband!

In the trailer of Tanghalang Ateneo’s virtual play Password: 03d1pu5_R3x, Marian Rivera had two short lines (scroll below to watch), and that was all it took to get us excited to see this modern adaptation of the classical play and Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex.

Yes, Marian is dipping her toes in theater, something she says she never really imagined doing.

Marian told us why during an exclusive interview with Summit Media* editors dubbed Sandwich Sessions.

"Ako ay naduwag dahil pakiramadam ko hindi ko po ito kakayanin dahil teatro. Parang salitang teatro palang...medyo kinakabahan ako dyan."

The person tasked to ask her to accept the role was none other than her husband, Dingdong Dantes, which was ironic.

This play, the story of a charismatic president’s downfall, needed someone strong and magnetic to play the vice president, Kreon. The director, Ron Capinding, initially imagined Dingdong playing it.

When Ron finished adapting the play, it became clear who needed to play the role.

Ron recalls writing to his kumpare, “I wanted so bad for you to play this role because I knew you could easily do it; your public servant persona would also make the role accessible, and your inclusion would also add value to a project that would otherwise be snubbed again because it’s another ‘theatre-offering-on-screen.’

“However, I wanted to complete my adaptation first before asking you so I could be more certain that you are what this role needed. And now that I’ve completed the first draft, it became very clear to me that I really have to invite your wife, Ms. Marian Rivera (instead of you).”

When Dingdong spoke to Marian about the play, she assumed Tanghalang Ateneo wanted Dingdong. “Sabi ko, wow, gawin mo yan, Dad! Kaya mo yan!”   

That’s when Dingdong told her, “Yun ang masaklap kasi hindi ako yung gusto nila. Ikaw ang gusto nila!”  

In this exclusive video, let Marian herself tell you how she decided to take on the challenge of playing a vice president “na may paninindigan although mayroon din naman pusong maon sa bandang huli.”

*Summit Media is the publishing company of Smart Parenting.