With just seven months remaining until the 2025 national elections, Filipinos have initiated the crucial task of carefully choosing their preferred candidates to lead the nation.

Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera and her husband, actor Dingdong Dantes, emphasized that they are aligned with the voters when choosing the candidates they will support and vote for.

"Bumoboto talaga ako. Kaming dalawa ng asawa ko. When it comes to choosing candidates, Marian said: Nag-uusap talaga kami ng asawa ko. Mahalang mahalaga sa amin ang pagboto especially kay Dong," said Marian during an interview for the movie "Balota" at Gateway 2 in Araneta City recently.

Marian added: "Isa ito sa pinagiisipan niyang mabuti pagdating sa botohan. May heart to heart talk kami lagi ni Dong kung sino ang dapat iboto.

"Kapag may sinasabi ako, nakikinig siya (Dingdong). Pero mas more na nakikinig ako sa kanya," she said.

Asked if there were offers for her to run in the elections, Marian laughed and said: "Maraming offers. Pero ano naman ang io-offer ko? Mag-aalaga na lang ako ng anak. Puwede ka naman tumulong na hindi ka tumatakbo di ba? Puwede ka naman tumulong na hindi mo pinapa-alam."

"Minsan kasi ang hirap. Kapag pinakita mo (na tumutulong ka) may masasabi sila. Kapag hindi mo ipinakita may masasabi parin sila. So siguro gawin mo na lang kung ano yung nararapat at sa tingin mo saan ka makakatulong," she said.

'Balota'

Marian said she's grateful for the success of her latest movie, "Balota," where she won Best Actress at Cinemalaya 2024 last August. The movie, directed by Kip Oebanda, is one of the top-grossers in the same film festival.

Marian was also recognized as Best Film Actress at the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards and “Movie Actress of the Year” at the 5th Village Pipol Awards. She also won “Takilya Queen” at the 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies and took home the “Bida ng Takilya Award” at the 2024 FAMAS Awards.

"Posible pa pala. Pero higit sa award, ang regalong natanggap ko ay ang muling pagliyab ng aking pagmamahal sa paggawa ng pelikula, dahil sa inspirasyong ibinigay sa akin ng Cinemalaya community," Marian wrote in her Instagram account after receiving her first acting award.

She added: "Bonus na lang sa akin ang award. Okay lang naman kung hindi manalo dahil priceless ang movie na 'Balota.' Ang mahalaga talaga ay inihatid namin ang mensahe ng pelikula.

"Ang dami kong pinakamahirap na ginawa doon tulad ng pag-akyat ko ng puno. Medyo nakakatakot yun kasi ang taas. Literal na nasa puno lang ako noon. Tapos hawak ko yung ballot box na ang bigat bigat.

"First shooting day namin parang ito yung pinaka-mainit na panahon at nasa labas kami gumagawang pelikula.

"Parang ito na ang pinakamahirap na project na ginawa ko kasi no makeup, ang dami kong sugat at hindi na siya prosthetics. Tunay na sugat na siya. Ang dami ko ring pasa na hindi naranasan sa mga soap opera ko," Marian said.

Marian also recalled the first time the movie was offered to her.

"When I read the script the first time gusto ko siyang gawin talaga. Nagte-taping ako nyan ng 'My Guardian Alien' at busy talaga kami sa taping. Ang layo pa ng location. Sabi ko sa management ko na kausapin si GMA para maayos ang scheduling. Ginawan naman nila ng paraan.

"It's about time na iba naman ang gawin ko kasi sa mga soap opera, sinasabunutan ka at sinasampal ka na pero ang ganda mo pa rin. So this time, ayaw talaga ni Direk Kip na may makeup. Gusto niya raw.

"Noong na-approach ako for this project, tinanong talaga nila ako kung ready ba ako na no makeup at yung location natin kakaiba. Sabi ko, 'Okay. Accept ko yung challenge na yun,' " Marian also said.

Marian admitted that she carried an actual ballot box, which was so heavy. But she didn't think about the weight of the ballot box. Instead, she was focused on the role of teacher Emmy. She insisted that an actual ballot box be used in the scenes.

Dingdong also encouraged Marian to accept the offer. "Sabi niya bagay raw sa akin ang role."

Marian said the movie is timely, with the 2025 national elections just a few months away.

"Natataon talaga ang pelikulang ito para makapag-isip isip tayo na ano ba ang dapat nating gawin hindi lang para sa sarili natin kundi para na rin sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Kailangan talaga natin ng maayos at matino na mamumuno sa ating bayan.

"Sa umpisa pa lang ng movie sinabi na talaga ni teacher Emmy na hindi mo talaga dapat pinagbibili ang boto. Kaya dapat alagaan natin yan," she said.

Describing her role, Marian said: "Si Emmy mapagmahal na nanay. Kunyari strict pero kapag may kailangan ang anak, lumalambot. Ganun din ako sa mga anak ko. Malambot talaga ako sa mga anak ko. Pareho kaming may prinsipyo, matapang at may ipinaglalaban. Kilala nyo naman ako sa showbiz, what you see is what you get."

Marian mentioned that her 8-year-old daughter Zia Dantes wanted to watch "Balota," but she explained that it was not the right time yet.

"May mga salita na hindi naririnig ng ka-age niya. Balang araw mapapanood naman niya ang 'Balota.' So tinanong niya anong words daw yun? Sabi ko, 'Basta, balang araw mapapanood nyo ang movie ni Sixto. One time, dumating yung ballot box sa bahay. Sabi ni Zia, 'Mama, teacher Emmy is there!' "

Timely movie

GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment Group’s “Balota” will have its much-awaited nationwide theatrical release with new cuts starting Oct. 16.

“Balota” is a timely film that shines a light on the dedication of teachers to future generations and their role in safeguarding the public's votes during elections. Starring Cinemalaya Best Actress, Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, the film is written and directed by Kip Oebanda.

The satirical movie, which blends suspense, thriller, and comedy, narrates the story of a land-grabbing tycoon and a former male sexy actor, who are locked in a tight race for the mayoral seat of a small town.

When violence erupts amid the election, Emmy (Marian), a teacher, is found running into the wilderness with a ballot box. It is the last copy of the election results, which is the key to the election’s integrity. Together with the rest of the community, Emmy tries to outsmart and outmaneuver the goons who want the elections to fail.

The award-winning Kapuso actress showcased another facet of her acting prowess as she embraced her “deglamorized” character in her first-ever independent film. Rivera said that “Balota” gave her another sense of fulfillment as an actor.

"Hindi ko mapaliwanag 'yung pakiramdam ko after kong matapos 'yung ‘Balota,’ parang palagi kong sinasabi lalo na sa asawa ko na, alam mo 'yung ang tagal ko sa showbiz pero parang bumalik ulit 'yung fulfillment ko sa sarili ko sa paggawa ng trabaho,” she said.

Joining Marian in the film is an ensemble cast that further brings color to Emmy’s story.

Veteran actor Gardo Versoza plays Edralin, a former sexy star running for mayor who challenges the land-owning and hegemonic dynasty.

Sparkle’s new generation of actors – Will Ashley, Raheel Bhyria, and Royce Cabrera – add color to the film through their characters Enzo, Jimbo, and  SPO1 Morales, respectively.

Sharing the silver screen with the Kapuso actress are TikTok content creators Sassa Gurl and Esnyr who play the roles of Babe (Sassa) and Ehrmengard (Esnyr). The two are both vocal and compassionate queens of the town.  As best friends, they are endlessly hilarious with their witty banter and sharp observations couched in gay lingo and jokes.

Completing the stellar cast are Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Joel Saracho, Sue Prado, and Mae Paner.

Kip is behind the highly-acclaimed film “Liway,” which, after winning the Special Jury Commendation at the 2018 Cinemalaya Film Festival, earned various awards at the 2022 Filipino Arts & Cinema International (FACINE) Film Festival in San Francisco, United States, including gold recognitions for the film, direction, and story. He also co-produced and directed another notable film, “Bar Boys.”

Produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment Group, in cooperation with Cinemalaya, Balota also became an official selection for exhibition at the 44th Annual Hawai'i International Film Festival in Hawaii last Oct. 6  and other international screening dates on Oct. 12 at the Consolidated Theaters Kahala and Oct. 21 at the Lanai Theater at Hale Keaka.