MANILA -- ABS-CBN viewers will see more of GMA-7 star Marian Rivera in the coming weeks, as the actress gears up for the premiere of her Star Cinema-produced film, "Kung Fu Divas."
At the sidelines of a bloggers' conference held Thursday for the action-comedy flick, the 29-year-old actress confirmed she is set to appear in at least one Kapamilya program as part of the movie's promotional campaign.
Asked if there is a particular ABS-CBN show she wishes to appear on, Rivera said, "Kahit saan naman pwede, basta papayagan ako ng network ko."
A prized contract artist of GMA-7, Rivera made headlines on Wednesday when she visited the ABS-CBN compound to attend a meeting about "Kung Fu Divas," which she co-stars with Ai Ai delas Alas.
The Onat Diaz-directed film, which opens on October 2, marks the first team-up of both actresses. This is also the first time Rivera is starring in an ABS-CBN-backed project.
The film is a co-production among the two lead stars, Star Cinema, Reality Entertainment, and The O&Co. Picture Factory Inc.
On Thursday, Rivera related that her recent visit to ABS-CBN isn't the first time she has been inside the Quezon City headquarters.
She recalled being an intern in the human resources division of the Kapamilya network in 2004.
"Hindi ko na matandaan, basta nag-OJT (on-the-job training) ako dito halos dalawang buwan. Taga-xerox lang naman, hayaan niyo na! 'Diba gano'n naman talaga pag OJT, inuutusan? Mag-si-xerox, mag-ta-type, so 'yun 'yung na-experience ko," she said, laughing.
As to her experience returning to the same ABS-CBN building as a sought-after actress, Rivera said, "Syempre, nakakatuwa dahil ang sarap ng pagtanggap nila, ang babait ng mga tao sa akin dito, so nakakatuwa."
Asked if she felt nervous about her visit, the actress added, "Hindi siguro kaba. More on na-excite, more on saya 'yung pakiramdam dahil finally eh makikilala 'yung mga taga-rito."
Noting the numerous starring roles of another GMA-7 star, her long-time partner Dingdong Dantes, in Star Cinema projects, Rivera expressed confidence that this won't be her last time collaborating with ABS-CBN.
"Natutuwa ako na may mga ganitong pagkakataon na binibigay sa artista sa kabila para makatrabaho ng kabila. Nakikita ng mga tao na, 'Ay, wala namang...' May kumpetisyon, alam naman natin 'yan, pero nang dahil sa mga ganitong pangyayari, nawawala 'yung wall.
"Ibig sabihin nagiging... nagkakaisa-isa tayo para maging maganda 'yung proyekto, magkasundu-sundo. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako na may mga ganitong pagkakataon," she said.
