Marian Rivera stars in the movie "Tarot" with Dennis Trillo.

"Tarot,” Marian Rivera’s latest movie with her home studio, Regal Films, premiered last Monday, Aug. 24 at SM Megamall, while its regular showing begins Wednesday, Aug. 26 in theaters nationwide.

Aside from Marian, the movie stars Dennis Trillo, Roxanne Guinoo, Glaiza de Castro, Rich Asuncion, Nina Jose, Gloria Diaz and Celia Rodriguez under the direction of Jun Lana.

During the press conference for the movie last Thursday at Imperial Palace Suites, Marian underwent a tarot reading by a professional tarot reader/fortune teller.

“The readings were all good and very positive,” Marian said later. “But if I have my way, I would like to have at least five sons to complete a basketball team.”

Asked what would be the name of her first son or daughter, she refused to answer. “I will choose a name that will not be difficult for him or her,” she said.

“My great wish after ‘Darna,’” she stressed, “is to see my father. You know, I am the only child, and seeing my father will be one great blessing for me!”

“I have been working so hard,” she added. “All the roles given to me were really very, very difficult. Imagine playing ‘Dyesebel.’ I have to be wet the whole day. And when I did ‘Marimar,’ it was again so very difficult. It was so taxing to my body and emotion. It was one real drama. And now with ‘Darna,’ I have to be in harness and fly, and do a fight sequence at the same time.”

For her Darna role, Marian had to trim down. “My costume requires it. Besides, the current Darna is a new concept,” she added. “It took sometime before I could fly, because all my powers were in the possession of my enemies. I have to get them back first!”

Since last Thursday, Marian – as Darna – has already been flying!

Tarot, with the use of ancient-looking cards, is another form of fortune-telling. It can be learned. There are now books available on how to use the tarot cards for fortune-telling.

In Quiapo, there are veteran tarot cards readers, and if you want to be guided in your daily, weekly or monthly activities, you can visit them. Of course for a fee.

Better still, watch the movie “Tarot” directed by Jun Lana. In the movie, Jun Lana said that they designed their own tarot cards. The director also said that reading or interpreting the tarot cards is also a special talent, or that the tarot cards reader is gifted.

A lot of people are dependent upon the tarot cards. They cannot act or make decisions without consulting a tarot cards readers first.

Jun Lana, while he is aware that tarot cards reading is a violation of church tenets, said that it should only serve as a guide.

In the movie, the director said that they designed their own tarot cards.

“I’m very blessed to be receiving very good projects under my home studio, Regal Films,” Marian said.

“They have been very instrumental in my growth as an actress and I am truly proud as one of the remaining Regal Babies.”

After “Tarot,” Marian is set to star in one of Regal’s Metro Manila Film Festival entries, “Nieves.”

Marian revealed that she is now 25 years old. She would like to get married before she becomes 30, perhaps at 28.

Mother Lily tendered a grand birthday party for Marian last Thursday evening at the Imperial Suites. The party was attended by Marian’s family and friends in the business sector plus her network bosses, sponsors and advertisers.

“The party proves Marian’s impact on a lot of people, and she has indeed a lot of blessings to be thankful for,” said Regal’s executive Roselle Monteverde-Teo, herself a firm Marian believer.

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Despite the rain, Willie’s Davao show draws big crowd

Yes, despite the heavy intermittent rain last Sunday (Aug. 23), Willie Revillame’s “Wowowillie” show at the Tiongko Agro Football Field in Davao City went on as scheduled. Indeed, in showbiz, the show must go on no matter what.

Well, Willie did it for his numerous fans in Davao who started trooping to the place as early as 8 a.m. last Sunday. Because of his absence from his daily show “Wowowee,” his fans have been anxious to see Willie once more and so there was nothing that could deter them from going to the Tiongko Agro Football Field even if they get soaked in the rain. It was Willie’s first public appearance since he went on an indefinite leave from his daily show “Wowowee” on ABS-CBN.

Willie sang a medley of his songs that included “Giling-Giling” and “Ikaw Na Nga” among others and excitedly, the people sang and danced with him. Other performers were Chocoleit, Alynna, Mae Rivera, Saicy Aguila, Vice Ganda, Bentong, and the ASF Dancers. They all got wet but they all (especially Willie of course) showed professionalism and love for the people of Davao.

Drawing a crowd of about 120,000, it was the biggest show in the Kadayawan Festival, and the biggest so far that happened in the venue. Willie was so overwhelmed by the love and support he received from his fans in Davao that he promised to go back in the near future for another show for them. They had to cut short the show because of the thunderstorms that caused problems in the audio system.

Incidentally, a 71-year-old woman named Labiana Eredania (from Sandawa) was one of the happiest in the crowd because she received a Wowowee jacket from Willie. She went to the Tiongko Agro Football Field alone just to see Willie in person. She loves Willie, she said, “kasi priority niya kaming matatanda.” She went alone to the show because her children wouldn’t have allowed her to go considering the inclement weather, she said.

Joining Willie in the show is Senator Manny Villar who also did not have qualms getting wet in the rain just to greet his Davaoeño supporters on their annual Kadayawan Festival.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 26, go to Angelia P. Valenciano, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Jay Durias, Nonong Bagatsing, Irineo “Boy” Chan, Dr. Adrian Buensalido, Amparo de Leon, Amelia Novido, Diana Olivares, Efren Edlagan, Paps Suares, Libay Gaspi, Patricia Camille T. Soriano, Gboi Tabios, Carlos Yturzaeta, Sofia G. Romualdez, Mary Grace Maluya-Frones of Tagum City, Suzy Unas, and Atty.