Marian Rivera (left, with Alden Richards) will return to the primetime scene with ‘Carmela’. (Courtesy GMA Network)
Marian Rivera is making a long-awaited television comeback. After winning FHM Philippines’ ‘Sexiest Woman’ title and announcing herself as the calendar girl for Ginebra, the long-time GMA contract artist will resume her leading lady role in a teleserye that will take her career to another level.
The project will be called ‘Carmela’. Originally named ‘Catarina’, the title was changed to ‘Carmela’ because Rivera thought the latter sounded sweeter than the former. The series, currently in the pre-production stage, will be Rivera’s first teleserye since ‘Temptation of Wife‘, and Alden Richards, nine years her junior, will be her leading man.
In a related report, Louise delos Reyes is now undergoing rigid training sessions to prepare for her role as a mermaid. Delos Reyes will play a more supporting role in ‘Carmela’ as opposed to her lead role in ‘Mundo Mo’y Akin’. Other stars confirmed to play supporting roles in the series include Agot Isidro, Roi Vinzon, Rochelle Pangilinan, Ina Feleo, Max Collins, and Jennica Garcia.
The upcoming drama series will be released in the first quarter of 2014. Given that GMA’s primetime television ratings have been in the red of late thanks to ABS-CBN’s younger stable of talents, the re-entry of Marian Rivera to the primetime scene should give the Kapuso network a boost they desperately need.
From the Tube 
Bro, good luck to Marian on her new show. By the way, haven’t you noticed that GMA has not come out with any news on its Christmas special this year compared to ABS-CBN which had its special at Araneta? In fact, GMA is airing Rambo 3 on the same time slot as the ABS-CBN Christmas Special this Sunday.
Perhaps GMA is focused on planning for their customary New Year’s live concert. Remember, ABS-CBN does not hold a New Year’s concert, but rather a New Year’s mass.