Marian Rivera

De-clogging wardrobe for a cause

By Nico Erle Ciriaco

Primetime soap superstar Marian ‘Yan’ Rivera mounted her first Kapuso fan’s day at the SM City Clark Atrium in Pampanga very recently. Hosted by comedienne Boobay, Yan regaled her fans with performance numbers as well as in numerous exciting games.

“There’s no such thing as small help, everything’s big. As long as I can think of advocacies where I can be of help, I’ll do it. It feels good to help, especially when you personally go and visit the beneficiaries,” enthused the visibly happy bride-to-be.

Yan, who served as campaign ambassadress for the successful Kapuso Adopt-a-Bangka initiative, also gave her Region 3 fans a chance to own some of her garments in an auction for the Yolanda victims in Pampanga. Held in the spacious Estrellita Ballroom at the Lewis Grand Hotel, the 2-hour auction sale generated over P100K in cash and checks. 

“I do this projects as self-fulfillment as an artist and as a person. This October, I’m partnering with Smile Train for the ‘Yan ang Smile’ initiative. Kilala akong bungisnis so it’s my way to bring back smiles to hare-lipped children,” continued Marian.

The Pampanga auction followed her successful exhibit in Cebu last August where 30 of her most memorable gowns have been sold. Proceeds to the Cebu auction were instrumental to the holistic and transformative rehabilitation of the local communities in Bantayan Island, Northern Cebu in rebuilding the fishing village’s major tool for livelihood, their bangkas. 

“This event marks the culmination of the Kapuso Adopt-aBangka project. To date, we have built and rehabilitated bangkas as well as provided fishing implements to more than 300 families. We are at a loss for words on how grateful we are for Marian, who dedicated her time and effort as campaign ambassadress; and to our donors and sponsors who extended kindness and generosity. It has been nothing but a fruitful journey so far and we’re looking forward to more partnerships with Marian soon,” shared Oliver Amoroso, head for GMA’s integrated marketing services division.

“Help is hope. We were able to extend outreach right after Haiyan struck the Visayas. It’s been a fulfilling one-year journey for all of us. Each bangka costs from P30K to 35K. This initiative we’ve started now goes to the Southeast Asia project team who’ll continue the efforts,” he added.

Pampanga is the bride-to-be’s eleventh stop after similar successful shows in eight towns and cities all over the archipelago: Naga, Baguio, Dagupan, Cebu, Consolacion, Roxas, Bacolod, Davao, General Santos, and Daraga.

“We are truly grateful for all the support that poured in. Initially, we thought of helping with a hundred bangkas but eventually we were able to raise enough funds for 300!” intoned Cebu station manager Ann Marie Tan.

After her Hong Kong bridal shower, Marian and Dingdong continues their wedding preparations with the reception’s menu and food tasting. “For my bridal shower, I really wanted to go to Disneyland because I love arcade rides; even the ones in Star City and Enchanted Kingdom. Michael Cinco will do my bridal gown. Child wonder Rizza Mae will be one of the flower girls. My wedding entourage will be composed of non-showbiz friends, only five of them are from the industry. Our ninong/ninang list is at 22 na as of last count, excluding Gov. Vi.

“It’s about time that I settle down. I’m 30 now and Dingdong and I have been blessed in our respective careers. My Lola hopes we bear twins. I myself like to have a big family ‘coz I’m an only child,” Yan said in closing.

To know more about the latest updates on the Rainbow network’s regional events, simply follow GMA’s social network accounts on Twitter @GMARegionalTV and Instagram , #GMARegionalTV.