Shout!


e diel, 17 qershor 2007

Mariel Rodriguez

Mariel Rodriguez

With her upbeat voice, likeable disposition, and endearing sweetness, Mariel Rodriguez, who claims she'd draw flowers on the MTV logo if it was up to her, admits that she's as ‘girly' as one can get.

Mariel first drew attention in the Philippines through lead roles in TV commercials, endorsing brands such as Clean and Clear, Rexona, Close-Up, and many more. Acting wasn't something she was ready to explore, until a last-minute opportunity to audition for Rouge, MTV Asia's first action-drama-comedy series came her way. Despite having auditioned on a webcam at the living room of a friend's house, Mariel's innate talent for acting made her shine. After a final audition where she was flown to Singapore to meet the producers for an impromptu boot camp, she won the role of Pam, the bubbly, multilingual, walking encyclopedia of the group. Mariel proved to be an effective and versatile actress when the role required her to act like a rock star and perform her own martial arts stunts. She pulled everything off with ease and her signature feminine flair.

Upon returning to the Philippines, she continued her TV work with a series of local network shows, including co-hosting the popular reality show Extra Challenge and acting in the romantic comedy/drama series, Love to Love. But little did she know that before Rouge even aired, MTV Philippines was already closely watching her, and after a few months in December 2004, she was launched as an MTV VJ.

"Just like in Rouge, I also get to wear costumes as a VJ. But what I like best about this job, aside from meeting lots of people, is I get to be silly!" gushes Mariel. When she's not entertaining people with her crazy antics on MTV Jukebox or MTV Mic ‘Mo To, Mariel says she's actually a homebody who enjoys simple pleasures like watching DVDs, eating, and playing with her Gameboy. Just like the character of Becky Bloomwood in one of her favorites, the Shopaholic book series, Mariel is also a self-professed shoe addict, stating ‘stepping on her new shoes' to be the thing that will probably anger her the most.

But don't be fooled into thinking that Mariel's a damsel-in-distress kind of girl. She's got a tough side, too; after all, Mariel is all about girl power. It comes as no surprise that she cites Madonna, Britney Spears, and Avril Lavigne as her favorite artists.

A very pleasant and unassuming person whom MTV producers describe as someone who works very well with people, Mariel claims that the greatest misconception about her is that she's seen as mataray [snobbish]. "But eventually, people find out that I'm nice after all", she adds with a dimpled grin. Unmindful of those who antagonize her, she simply adheres to the motto "You can't please everybody."

Always full of jokes and fond of making people laugh, Mariel is also full of passion, seemingly limitless energy, and loads of optimism. With these traits and more, achieving her goal of becoming a millionaire before turning 25 doesn't seem too far from reality.

What you want to know about Mariel:

My biggest indulgence is chocolate.
The secret to happiness is lots and lots of sugar!
People might be surprised to know that I love puto!
The life soundtrack would include "I'll be There For You" by The Rembrandts
Musical idols: Madonna, Britney Spears, and Avril Lavigne
The thing that makes me most angry is stepping on my new shoes!



0 Comments: