GMA’s ‘Tadhana’ gives voice to inspiring stories of OFWs

While her mother worked in the UK, Marian’s grandmother took care of her.

While her mother worked in the UK, Marian Rivera’s grandmother took care of her.

Every day, thousands of Filipinos leave the country to seek greener pastures abroad hoping to provide a better life for their loved ones back home. Their sacrifice and endurance to face the unknown for the sake of their families, as well as helping the country’s economy through remittances, have earned them the title, “Bagong Bayani.”

Personal remittances by OFWs reached $2.7 billion in March 2016, up 1.4 percent from a year ago, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a statement.

On May 28 via GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Public Affairs proudly presents “Tadhan¬¬a,” a weekly drama anthology featuring the colorful, romantic, heroic, and inspiring stories of OFWs. Hosting the program is Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, whose mother was herself an OFW.

“Every Saturday, iba’t ibang story ang mapapanood nila — mga kuwento ng ating mga kababayan na nagtrabaho at nakipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa,” revealed Marian of her latest program with the Kapuso Network.

She said that “Tadhana” will be very different from her previous projects: “First time ko ito as story teller at happy ako kasi may matututunan ako sa bawat istorya.”

Every week, “Tadhana” will feature a story of an OFW, showing his struggles and sacrifices to fit in a world that is unknown to him and his readiness to face separation and to battle sadness across tumultuous seas, snow-covered cities, and barren deserts in the hope of giving his loved ones a better future.

Aside from showing these difficulties, “Tadhana” will also present the other face of an OFW — a person who, through his resilience, has been able to rise above the situation and succeed. Each episode aims to inspire viewers to never give up and continue reaching for their dreams.

Marian knows how difficult it is to be away from her loved ones.

With husband Dingdong Dantes (top), and 3-year-old daughter Zia (below)

With husband Dingdong Dantes (top), and 3-year-old daughter Zia (below)

marian and daughter

“Bilang anak, nakalulungkot ‘yung lumalaki ka na nasa abroad yung nanay mo, buti andiyan ang lola ko para alagaan at gabayan ako,” she shared.

This is also why her new TV project is teaching Marian to value her family even more. “[Importante] ang maging close sa family kasi mahirap ‘pag malayo ka na sa kanila.”

For its pilot episode, “Tadhana” presents the story of Elvie, a former OFW who worked in Saudi Arabia. Playing Elvie is Kapuso star Kris Bernal while actress Cherie Gil portrays Hannah, Elvie’s employer.

Elvie is reluctant to work abroad. It does not help that her experience while working in Saudi Arabia is nightmarish. Elvie works for an abusive employer who takes advantage of her, even putting her life in danger.

Watch how Elvie is able to escape an abusive employment condition and turn her life around in the pilot episode, starting May 28 via GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

Born in Madrid, Spain, Marian’s parents separated when she was two years old. Her father is a Spanish national, her mother a Filipina from Cavite. When her mother decided to work as an airport attendant in London to support the family, Marian was left in the care of her maternal grandmother. Although the family was broken up, her mother made sure Marian was able to get an education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at De La Salle University Dasmariñas.

Marian is married to fellow actor Dingdong Dantes.



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