For Miss World 2013 Megan Young, being another Filipina Marimar brings both honor and pressure because of Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, who is the first one to portray the role in Philippines television.
“Sobrang grateful ako kasi nakatutok na kasi talaga kay Marian ‘yung title na ‘Marimar’ from Thalia. For me to be able to play Marimar is such a great honor (I’m so grateful because Marian is really known for the titile of Marimar from Thalia. For me to be able to play Marimar is such a great honor),” Megan said as reported by GMA.
But that honor, she said, comes with pressure, too, as Marian successfully portrayed the role in 2007.
“For them to trust me with this after siyang maging successful with both Marian and Thalia, parang ang laki ng pressure sa akin. But I really hope na magampanan ko as truthfully as she did and I hope magustuhan nila itong version namin ni Tom (It’s a big pressure for me to gain public’s trust, after the success of both Marian and Thalia in portraying the role. But I really hope I can and I hope they’ll like our version),” dagdag pa ni Megan.
Marimar, according to Wikipedia, is a poor, young and innocent girl who lives with her grandparents in a hut on the beach. She fell in love with Sergio, the son of wealthy Renato Santibáñez. Sergio married Marimar despite the disapproval of his father and stepmother, Angelica.
Earlier, as shared by Manila Bulletin, Megan said the new version of Marimar will be quite different and fresh.
“‘Wag muna ninyong i-pre judge, dahil iba talaga siya eh. Kung mapapanood mo siya, hindi mo iisipin na remake siya (Don’t pre-judge it because it’s really different. If you’re going to watch it, you won’t think it’s a remake),” she said, adding that her version of Marimar will not show “too much skin.”
“She won’t show parts of the body that shouldn’t be seen,” Megan explained.
Moreover, the remake will highlight a Filipina’s characteristics of being strong, fierce, and definitely a fighter.
“Ni-re-represent niya ’yung mga Pilipina. She (Marimar) grew up in the province, she’s a fighter. May mga pangarap siya na gusto niya makapag-aral, makapunta ng Maynila at gusto niyang ma-i-angat ‘yung pamilya niya. And I’m sure that every Filipina and Filipino can relate (She represents the Filipinas. She grew up in the province, she is a fighter. She dreams to go to school, and to go to Manila and help her family. I’m sure every Filipina and Filipino can relate),” she said.
“‘Yun ang gusto naming iparating, na si Marimar eh parang kayo lang (din) na nangangarap, at hindi sumusuko na kahit sasabihin mong wala sila masyadong resource (That’s what we want to emphasize, Marimar is just like each one of you who dreams and does everything to reach you dreams even if you have not enough resources),” she added.