An old clip of GMA Network actress Marian Rivera’s singing of Rihanna’s hit song “Unfaithful” again circulated on social media recently following the transfer of her former colleague, singer Regine Velasquez to the rival network, ABS-CBN..
Marian’s unique rendition of the song on GMA’s now-defunct noontime variety show “Party Pilipinas” were depicted in memes and video clips shared both on Twitter and Facebook.
It was part of the farewell event of the GMA show “Temptation of Wife,” which Marian starred in, back in 2013.
One recording showed a clip of Rihanna’s concert, but was edited using Marian’s version of it.
Another popular edited video featured English boy group One Direction’s execution of their own best selling single “Story of My Life.” The song’s title is also the first line of Rihanna’s “Unfaithful.”
An informal survey conducted on the new singer for GMA’s station ID this year also gained traction this month. Results showed Marian’s name was the most preferred by at least 55 percent of the respondents.
The five-year-old “Unfaithful” video started circulating again in September as rumors on Regine’s departure to ABS-CBN also swirled. Marian is being pitched—in a tongue in cheek manner—as Regine’s replacement.
Regine, known as “Asia’s Songbird,” was declared an “official Kapamilya” on October 17. Her return to the network that kicked off her career also became a reunion with her close friends and former SOP hosts, including her husband Ogie Alcasid.
Marian’s happy for Regine
Marian, who is Regine’s close friend and former GMA colleague, admitted that she was saddened with Regine’s exit. Still, she continues to support her decision.
“Ang importante diyan, kung saan siya mahalaga. Kung saan siya magiging masaya, doon siya. Kasi bilang kaibigan ko siya at ninang namin siya, e nirerespeto ko kung ano ang desisyon niya,” she said in an interview.
She also said that Regine did not inform her of the reason for the sudden move.
Regine was one of the principal sponsors of Marian and actor Dingdong Dantes in their wedding.