When Marian Rivera Dantes received the offer to host the drama anthology Tadhana, she immediately asked her management why she was being handpicked to do the project. She felt that she wasn’t fit for the job but was thankful for the opportunity.
“Looking back when the project was first offered to me, I asked the management, ‘why me?’ I don't know how to do hosting. Now, we are celebrating our third year, nakakataba ng puso na ganun ang pagtanggap ng tao sa programa,” Marian told Manila Standard Entertainment during a virtual presscon held this week.
The award-winning drama anthology program hosted by the screen star is celebrating its 3rd anniversary with month-long specials airing every Saturday afternoon beginning tomorrow. And according to Marian, it’s just the start of more exciting things to come.
“I love my Tadhana family and despite the situation we are in, we can still tape at home. That’s a good thing because the show provides job. Maraming nagaganap sa likod ng Tadhana at masaya ako na nakakapagtrabaho sila na ligtas,” the 36-year-old screen star and mother-of-two said.
Tadhana started off as a platform that showcases stories of overseas Filipino workers’ challenges and sacrifices working in a foreign land, all the while facing the struggles of being homesick across the world in the hope of the loved ones' better future.
This year, Tadhana not only offers viewers bigger luggage containing true stories of adventure, hope, dreams, and sometimes even the challenges being faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Exciting and a wider array of stories of struggles, trials, and triumphs of ordinary Filipinos that will inspire and give valuable life lessons also await the public.
“Before, Tadhana featured OFW stories now, it has evolved, kwento na ito ng mga Pilipino. We wanted to share more stories that can inspire viewers,” Marian explained.
Kicking off the series of anniversary specials on Nov. 7 and 14 is “The One That Ran Away.” The two-part episode features the story of Hannah who is scheduled to get married to an architect named Carlo. However, as fate would have it, she crosses paths with Jared who is the substitute wedding photographer for their prenup pictorial. What important role did Jared play in a chapter of Hannah’s past that has remained unfinished and unclosed? The episode features guest celebrities Kim Molina, Paolo Contis, Edgar Allan Guzman, Dave Bornea, and Didong.
On Nov. 21 and 28, Tadhana features "55 (Hindi pa Huli ang Umibig)." This two-part episode, on the other hand, tells the story of middle-aged, perennial widow Cordelia, and a mysterious young man, Ramil, who will try to make her fall in love again. Will a ‘May-December’ love affair bloom in the midst of the pandemic? Guest celebrities include Cherie Gil, Jon Lucas, Rochelle Pangilinan, Aira Bermudez, and Cecil Paz.
Tadhana’s month-long 3rd anniversary special is directed by Rember Gelera. It airs every Saturday before Wish Ko Lang! on GMA Network.