Primetime Queen Marian Rivera puts an end to all speculations about a possible network transfer as she signed a three-year contract with her home network, GMA. The contract signing was held at the Manila Golf and Country Club on Saturday, August 10.

Primetime Queen Marian Rivera puts an end to all speculations about a possible network transfer as she signed a three-year contract with her home network, GMA. The contract signing was held at the Manila Golf and Country Club on Saturday, August 10. Present at the said event were GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar, Entertainment TV Group OIC Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Entertainment TV Vice Presidents Marivin Arayata and Redgie Magno, President of All Access to Artists Rams David, AVP for Corporate Communications Angel Javier-Cruz, and AVP for Alternative Productions Gigi S. Lara.

“Napakasarap ng pakiramdam ko na muli akong pumirma sa GMA, bilang alam naman nating lahat na ang GMA ay malaki ang utang na loob ko dahil kung hindi naman dahil sa GMA ay wala rin namang Marian Rivera na mabubuo,” shares Marian after she inked her new contract.

When asked if she had to think about her decision, this is what she had to say. “Lahat naman ng bagay pinag-iisipan, pero hindi pinag-iisipan ng sobrang daming beses dahil siyempre wala din akong ibang pupuntahan talaga kundi ang GMA. Dito ako nabibilang, Kapuso ako, at dito nagsimula ang lahat, sa Marimar. GMA ang nagbigay sa akin niyan.”

Atty. Gozon had a short but sweet reaction to what Marian said. “Talagang mahal namin siya, hindi lang bilang artista, bilang tao din. Mabait si Marian.”

The actress, whose last project was the hit series Temptation of Wife, admitted that she had offers from other networks. “Hindi ko po itatanggi na mayroon. [Pero] walang dahilan para umalis ako sa GMA, dahil isa lang ang gusto ko at maramdaman, ang pagmamahal nila. At binigay nila sa akin ‘yun.”

The big bosses of the Kapuso network are also very happy with Marian’s decision. “Inspirasyon sa aming lahat ‘yung sense of loyalty ni Marian. Kaya’t sa pagkakataong ito ay ibig naming iparating sa kanya, kay Rams at kay Mr. Tuviera ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat sa patuloy na pagtitiwala, at nakakasiguro naman si Marian na aming isinasapuso ang kanyang mas lalong pagsulong, paglago bilang isang entertainer at artist. So we are very, very happy,” says Mr. Duavit.

He also expounds on what can be expected from Marian’s three-year contract. “Ang mangyayari sa pananaw namin is a further evolution of Marian. So there will be very close cooperation and coordination with Marian and her management, and we will all endeavour to make sure that Marian further grows and furthers her career. Magsasanib puwersa po tayong lahat sa likuran niya.”

Marian also shared what her first project will be. “Ang una kong gagawin? For sure magkakaroon ako ng soap opera. Kailangan this year ‘yan, dahil matagal-tagal na rin akong nakapagpahinga galing sa Temptation of Wife. Sana, this year, baka, malamang po talaga (laughs).”

The press also asked if her boyfriend Dingdong Dantes is also renewing his contract with GMA. “To be honest, partner ko si Dong as partner, pero may sarili siyang pag-iisip. At bilang respeto sa manager niya, hindi natin alam kung ano ang desisyon nila. Pero, hindi natin alam, puwedeng magkahiwalay, puwedeng magkasama, so sila ang magde-decide niyan, Basta ako, okay ako, nasa GMA ako.”

As she is celebrating her birthday on August 12, the Kapuso star revealed that Dingdong has a surprise for her. “Bukas, aalis kami ni Dong. Basta tinext lang niya ako, ‘Ito ang mga dadalhin mo: swimsuit, formal dress.” Talang in-enumerate niya sa akin. Out of the country, pero di ko alam kung saan niya ako sosorpresahin.”