Once again all eyes are on Marian Rivera as she plays her dream role on television – Darna!

Barely a week of taping for her new GMA-7 primetime series, Marian is already compared to all the actresses who have played Darna especially Angel Locsin, who wasn’t only the most recent actress to tackle the super heroine but was the most popular as her “Darna” series was a primetime phenomenal hit at GMA-7.

For the star of “Mari Mar” and “Dyesebel,” such comparison issues do not affect her as an actress because she is too focused on her new role.

“I believe that people have different tastes. I also believe that the management won’t give me this project if they don’t believe I could pull it off. I’m already thankful that I was given the role of Darna,” expressed Marian in Filipino during an intimate get together with the entertainment press last Thursday at Annabel’s in Tomas Morato.

She also denied rumors that there’s a growing rift between her and Angel. “Angel and I are okay. I’ve even read her interviews and she had good words for me. She has beautiful comments about me and she even wished me luck. It is not important if people are saying things about us, what is important is that we’re okay with one another,” added Marian.

Marian is also confident that she could give televiewers a new Darna when it airs this August. She dons a sexier costume and her head gear is also different from Angel’s. She is also excited that her “Darna” series is not only a love story but also a story on Darna and Ding.

She has been taking-up and practicing the martial art Wu-shu to prepare for the role better. And for someone who doesn’t exercise, going through such training was admittedly an ordeal for Marian.

“I’ve been doing a lot of stretching also. I would also have to go to the gym if needed... they told me that they want me to do a lot of action in my fight scenes like tumbling and other stuffs. I know this will be hard for me,” she related.

She recalled that playing her previous title roles “Mari Mar” and “Dyesebel” were already difficult especially the latter where she was under water a lot. But Marian considers Darna to be the hardest as she sees it to be a combination of elements from her past soap operas. With the costumes, harness and fight scenes, she said that she would be going full throttle as Darna!

How does it feel then to be playing a superhero?

“It’s a different feeling when you’re just wearing the bra and panty part of the costume. But when I wear the helmet, I transform immediately like… wow! I believe that every child or woman wanted to be Darna or liked Darna a lot,” replied Marian who also described her “Darna” version as based on Vilma Santos’ “Darna” movies.

“I’m really excited to play Darna because I’ve played all roles that I liked but not that of a superhero. Now that I am Darna. I’m giving my best and playing this character just makes me love my job more so whatever comes out in the process as a result of doing the character I’m just happy that I’m Darna... Here is a character that is witty and funny especially when she is with Ding. They [the writers] injected a little bit of comedy,” commented Marian.

As of press time the villains of Darna are the following: Babaing Lawin, Babaing Linta, Babaing Tuod (Krissa Mae), Nadine Samonte as Babaing Impakta, Iwa Moto as Valentina and Paolo Contis as the father of Valentina.

The most important man in her life, Dingdong Dantes

Without having to confirm the status of their relationship, Marian declared that Dingdong Dantes is the most important man in her life at the moment. The reason is simple – Dingdong is her source of much happiness!

“I’m really happy. We’ve always been honest to the public of what we really are to each other. And they know the truth. Right now I’m happy too that we can go out in public and we can be open to each other. I’m very happy of what we have right now,” beamed Marian.

According to her, what she liked about Dingdong is his consistency. When they first worked together in “Mari Mar” the actor already voiced his utmost support to her. And he also showed it. Until now, Marian said that Dingdong never changed and he  treats her the way he always has. He also consistently supported her in all her projects.

“He said that he would always be behind me and if I need him, he would always be there for me. Until now he is still like that. I also know that he is always defending me. He is one of those who always treat me with much importance and we all know how nice Dingdong really is,” smiled Marian.

With a flourishing career and blooming lovelife, what else does Marian want to accomplish?

“I want to have more investments in the future. Someday I also want a restaurant business,” answered Marian who now has 24 active endorsements and still growing. To name a few there’s SM, Fit & Right, Maxi Peel and Jag.