MANILA, Philippines -- Actresses Jessy Mendiola, Marian Rivera, Erich Gonzales and Carla Abellana are all primetime stars of their respective TV networks. All four of them have also portrayed iconic roles popularized by Mexican superstar Thalia.
Rivera and Abellana played the title characters in the GMA-7 remakes of "MariMar" and "Rosalinda," respectively, while Gonzales became "Maria la del Barrio" in the Kapamilya adaptation of the hit "telenovela."
Set to portray the title character in ABS-CBN's upcoming remake of "Maria Mercedes," Mendiola is the latest Filipina actress to channel Thalia's charm in taking on a role she made iconic.
Asked what she thinks sets her apart from the previous actresses who followed in Thalia's footsteps, the 20-year-old Kapamilya star instead brought up the differences in the stories of their respective characters.
"Iba ito sa Maria la Del Barrio, kasi si Maria Mercedes very boyish siya, lumaki siya sa Tondo so iba siyang klaseng babae. Hindi siya 'yung lagi niyong nakikita sa akin na pa-sweet na babaeng babae. Iba siya, palaban siya. Vulnerable siya pero pag inaway na 'yung pamilya niya, siya na 'yung haharap," she was quoted as saying by entertainment news site Push.
Mendiola nonetheless welcomes the comparisons, saying she has also come to "accept" that not everyone may see her fit to take on her latest role.
Noting that she is aware of comparisons to Gonzales and River specifically, Mendiola said, "I guess I’ll just have to accept kung ano 'yung opinion ng ibang tao kasi madami rin naman 'yung nagsasabi na bagay at marami rin nagsasabi na mas bagay si ganito sa ganyan. Ito na po eh. Ako na si Maria Mercedes!"
'Close to heart'
In the original Mexican series, Thalia portrays a street urchin whose life takes a turn when she agrees to marry an immensely rich man who is terminally ill.
For the Pinoy remake, Mendiola said several changes were made to cater to its target audience's taste.
"Maraming changes dito. Same pa rin 'yung basic flow but maraming parang iniba ng konti para ma-adapt siya sa pagiging Pinoy... Parang gusto nila very close sa pagiging Filipino at close din sa akin kasi Waray ako eh," she said.
The actress said the role is "close to her heart," citing her similarities with Maria Mercedes.
"Si Maria Mercedes palaban, masayahin, pero kahit walang-wala sila, mahal na mahal niya pamilya niya. Ako rin mahal ko din pamilya ko. Ito 'yung character na talagang feeling ko sobrang lapit sa puso ko.
"Si Maria kasi 'yung tipo ng tao na gagawin niya ang lahat para sa pamilya niya. Lalaban kapag kahit isa sa pamilya niya maapi, siya na mismo ang haharap. Ako na mismo ang awayin niyo huwag lang ang pamilya ko, ganun siya. So malapit sa puso ko talaga ang pamilya ko. So parehas kami dun sa area na 'yun ni Maria Mercedes," she said.
Joining Mendiola in the upcoming Kapamilya series are Jake Cuenca, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nadia Montenegro and Vivian Velez. It will be directed by Rechie del Carmen.
