Marian Rivera born with a twin snake

MARIAN RIVERA is shuttling back and forth the various sets of “Amaya” in Pagsanjan, Laguna; Morong, Bataan and Marilao, Bulacan. “Iba-iba ang location kasi may gubat, may dagat with a big warship called Karakoa na kinunan naman sa Bolinao in Pangasinan, tapos may separate set for the interiors na mga palasyo noong araw,” she explains at the grand presscon of “Amaya” where all the characters were presented in full costume. “Sa first week, wala pa ako dahil mga bata pa yung characters portrayed by Glaiza de Castro, Rochelle Pangilinan and I. Iisa ang father naming, si Raymond Bagatsing as the datu, but we have different moms. Sila, si Gina Alajar who’s the legal wife. Ako, anak sa isang alipin, si Lani Mercado, who’s born na may kakambal na ahas. Sa second week ako papasok ng dalaga na. The story is based on actual historical studies made by consultants from U.P. I play a binukot, prinsesang hindi puedeng tumapak sa lupa at di rin puedeng masilayan ng ibang tao kaya itinatago, iniingatan. Kaso, ako as Amaya, may pagkapasaway. Adventuruous. Kaya tatakas ako para makakita ng ibang tao, ibang lugar and I will meet Bagani, who’ll be Sid Lucero, na anak ng mortal enemy ng tribe namin, si Gardo Versoza.”

Does she feel the pressure of starring in a lavish, expensive show like “Amaya”? “May pressure naman in all the shows I do from ‘Marimar’ up to ‘Endless Love’. Siempre, they have high expectations for it to rate. Ako naman, I just consider it a challenge to make sure iba ito sa characters na nagawa ko na before like Marimar, Darna, Dyesebel. The difference of ‘Amaya’ is original story and character ito, not based on komiks or other TV shows. Wala rin akong powers dito like in Darna. Sa fight scenes ko when I become a warrior, I have to rely on my own physical skills kaya nga nag-training ako sa arnis for this. Tinuro sa’kin ang tamang paghawak, tamang tindig, tamang pagsugod. Nag-training din kami sa pagsasalita in old Tagalog. Siempre, hindi puede gamitin yung lengguwahe ngayon kundi yung salita nila noong araw.”

She confirms going topless in some scenes. “Wala naman kasing bra noong araw, di ba? But it’s not really topless naman dahil may takip na buhok at mga kuwintas ang dibdib namin. It’s no big deal kaya nga sabi ko, don’t capitalize on that. Mas magandang pag-usapan dito yung story, yung production values na hindi pinagtipiran from the sets, props, to the costumes. Iba-iba ang costumes ko rito as prinsesa and later, as alipin or slave and as a warrior.”