After five years, Marian Rivera returns to primetime via the Kapuso family drama series "My Guardian Alien" opposite Gabby Concepcion.

During a recent media conference held at Luxent Hotel, Marian saw the series as a perfect opportunity to make a comeback on primetime television.

"Noong pinakita sa akin ito ng GMA, ito talaga yung napusuan ko kasi bago sa akin at sure ako na mapapanood ito ng mga anak ko," said Marian. 

"Kasi gusto kong gumawa talaga ng isang serye na kayang panoorin ng mga anak ko at magiging proud ako. Sabi ko nga eto na siguro yung moment na magiging proud yung mga anak ko sa akin. Worth it ang paghihintay ng limang taon para gawin ito."

"Noong unang sumabak ako uli nahirapan talaga ako. After five years, hindi ko na alam saan yung anggulo ko so nangapa talaga ako. Even sa pagmemorize ng line nahirapan ako. Pero dahil sa tulong ng mga tao sa paligid ko, naging madali sa akin yung trabaho," Marian said.

Marian expressed gratitude towards the team for making her primetime comeback effortless and comfortable.

"Special mention to my PA na walang sawa na pumupunta sa akin sa set na kapag alam niyang may mga mahabang linya ako. Pinupuntahan niya ako ahead of time. Tapos si direk hindi rin nagkukulang sa akin kung ano ang dapat kong ipakita na acting. 

"Sabi ko sa GMA, bigyan nila ako ng soap na hindi naman ako mahihirapan kasi pag uwi ko ng bahay, pagod pa ako. Bukod sa sobrang ganda ng storya nito, sobrang dali dahil wala akong lines minsan. Kasi nga alien ako eh. Naging madali para sa akin.

"Sabi ko nga, ito yung nilo-look forward ko - yung makagawa ng magandang proyekto, na mapapanood ng mga anak ko, na magiging proud sila na at the same time, proud ako sabihin na nakagawa uli ako ng isang pamilya dahil sa show na ito. So lahat ng ito ay blessing para sa akin," she also said.

Marian and Gabby have attempted to work on a project together at least four times, but they have only done so now. She enjoys working with Gabby, whom she calls a nice person and a loving family man.

"Napakagaan ka trabaho ni Kuya, eh. Napakabait katrabaho, at magaan katrabaho. Yung nga moment namin, mahilig siya mag-joke. Ginagawa talaga niyang light yung mga pagkakataon. Tapos na-appreciate ko rin yung mga pagkakataon na pinaguusapan namin yung mga buhay namin. Nakita ko kung gaano niya kamahal ang pamilya niya at napakabuti niyang tao.

Gabby said it was a pleasure working with Marian in the series.

"Ever since supportive ako sa buong cast. Kung ano ang ipagawa sa akin gagawin ko. Ayoko nga umiyak eh pero pinaiyak ako ni direk. Andito lang ako para suportahan si Marian sa pagbalik niya. Masarap kasama yan dahil laging nagpapakain yan. Nanay talaga siya ng pamilya dahil lahat pinapakain niya. Masayang katrabaho," he said.

Raphael Landicho, who portrays Marian and Gabby's son in the show, initially felt pressure to work with Marian due to her celebrity status.

"Lagi kaming inaalagaan ni Ate Yan. Lagi kaming busog sa set. Noong una medyo pressured ako pero noon patagal ng patagal na yung taping, nagiging komportable na ako kay Ate Yan," he said.

Marian admires Raphael for being presentable and having a positive attitude.

"Si Rafael magaling na bata at marunong umarte. At ang cute niya. Noong niyakap ko siya sabi ko buti na lang mabango siya. Kasi lagi kaming magkayap at nagki-kiss so conscious si Rafael doon. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya na dalhin niya yan hanggang paglaki niya na maging conscious sa sarili niya para he will always look presentable sa makakatrabaho niya. Ganun si Rafael," she said.

Asked if she believes in aliens, Marian answered: "Minsan kasi mahirap paniwalaan yung mga bagay na hindi mo nakikita. So malay naman natin. Kung tutoong may ganitong klaseng kagandang alien sa buhay ng isang tao, parang ang sarap niyang maging kaibigan."

Challenging project

Zig Dulay, who just won Best Director for the movie "Firefly" at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, revealed he was challenged by the Kapuso project because he was never a fan of fantasy.

"Fantasy yung huli kong ginawa. Sa tutoong buhay hindi ako fan ng fantasy. Kung papansinin ninyo yung mga una kong ginawa, mas fan ako ng realism. So yung mga projects na dumarating sa akin na ganito, nagsisilbi siyang challenge. 

"I challenge myself kung kaya ko ba or hindi. Ikinatutuwa ko naman dahil mas marami akong natututunan bilang director. Kapag kinakabit din yung fantasy sa family values, mas lalong yumayaman yung serye.

"Hindi naman pressured kasi yung mga nauna kong ginawa tulad ng "Firefly" parang tinitignan ko lang lagi na I am always as good as my team. Hindi ko ine-equate yung sarili ko na ako lang yun kundi ginawa yun ng buong team para maging maayos yung kalalabasan," Zig said.

The award-winning director said he never expected to work with Marian and Gabby since he was focused on indie projects.

"Never ko na-imagine na makaka-work ko si Marian at Gabby. Noong nagsisimula ako, alam naman ng lahat na nagsimula ako sa indie. Hindi ko talaga noon nakita na mag-wo-work ako sa mainstream. Pero noong nangyari na, tinanggap ko yung challenge kasi nakita ko yung responsibilidad bilang story teller na mas higit pang pagbutihin kung ano yung ginagawa mo.

"Noong nakita ko sla sa set, maaliwalas kasi yung mga aura nila. Bagay talaga sila sa series. Kapag andyan sila, lumiliwanag ang lahat," he added.

'My Guardian Alien'

Under Zig's helm, “My Guardian Alien” showcases the long-awaited tandem and undeniable chemistry of Marian as Katherine and Gabby as Carlos, the bankable leading man. Together with Raphael as Doy, the lead stars explore the feel-good and magical story of the Soriano family.

Max Collins's performance as Venus, a business partner of the Sorianos and Katherine’s mortal enemy, takes the out-of-this-world program to another level of entertainment.Completing the star-studded cast are Gabby Eigenmann as Dr. Ceph, a psychiatrist and Carlos’ good-humored friend; Marissa Delgado as Nova, Katherine’s domineering mother-in-law; Kiray Celis as Marites, the talkative yet reliable helper of the Sorianos; Josh Ford as Aries, a nonchalant teenager who works at the farm of Soriano family; Caitlyn Stave as Halley, the smart and independent sister of Venus; Christian Antolin as Sputnik, a former gang member-turned-loyal caretaker of Soriano’s farm.

Marian is set to again prove her unparalleled acting prowess in this family drama with a touch of sci-fi fantasy. “My Guardian Alien revolves around the story of Katherine’s happy, doting, and ideal family. However, their peaceful life will turn upside down when a shooting incident kills Katherine, leaving Carlos and Doy devastated.

One night at the funeral, a mysterious pod accidentally falls on Earth. It contains an alien which suddenly takes the form of the dead Katherine. 

Will Carlos and Doy accept this strange woman who looks exactly like their lost loved one? What is the alien’s mission on the planet? How can she fit into the world of humans where there is love and emotions?

The program is produced by the award-winning GMA Entertainment Group headed by Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; Assistant Vice President for Drama Helen Rose S. Sese; Program Manager Edlyn Tallada-Abuel; and Executive Producer Shielyn Atienza.

The show’s creative team consists of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan, Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee, Creative Consultant Agnes Uligan, Head Writer Anna Aleta Nadela, and Writers Onay Sales-Camero and Geng de los Reyes-Delgado.

“My Guardian Alien” will touch viewers' hearts beginning April 1, weeknights at 8:50 p.m. on GMA Prime. The program also has a delayed telecast on GTV at 10:50 p.m.