Marian Rivera said she never thought of leaving GMA Network even as her contemporaries have network hopped several times. Being Kapuso gave her both her breakout role, "Marimar, "and her reel-turned-real life leading man, Dingdong Dantes.
GMA Network always took care of her, even through her two pregnancies, Rivera told Summit Media journalists. From Marimar, she rose to become primetime queen playing Darna and Amaya among others.
"To be honest, ni-isang katiting hindi sumanib sa isip ko na lumipat ng ibang channel. Una sa lahat grabe ang pag-iintindi sa akin ng GMA, everytime na may gagawin ako, everytime nabubuntis ako. 'Ah di po ako pwede'. Sobrang grabe 'pag iintindi nila, yung pagbibigay nila ng proyekto," she said.
In the exclusive interview, where the actress talked about her upcoming theater debut, Tanghalang Ateneo’s ‘password: 03d1pu5_R3x’ (based on Greek play Oedipus Rex), Rivera disclosed how she asked her home network for permission first before accepting the role of "Kreon".
ALSO READ: Marian Rivera Dives Into Theater, Here's Why She's Doing It
"At higit sa lahat, sila yung nagbigay sa akin ng oportunidad na maging Marimar," Rivera-Dantes said. In the 2007 soap that was her first lead role, the actress starred opposite her would-be husband, Dingdong Dantes.
"At dahil sa Marimar maraming oportunidad na pumasok sa akin at dahil sa GMA nakilala ko rin ang asawa ko. Kaya meron akong Zia tsaka Sixto kaya hinding-hindi ko ata magagawa yun sa GMA," she said.
MORE SUMMIT NETWORK EXCLUSIVES:
Why Star Maker Johnny Manahan Left ABS-CBN
Alden Richards Raised P200,000 for Ulysses Victims While Helping Fight COVID