312. Where Are They Now? Advertising Model MARIANNE DE LA RIVA

MARIANNE DELA RIVA in POND'S COLD CREAM AD, 1974

Long before MARIANNE DELA RIVA was seen on the silver screen in blockbuster FPJ movie, and on TV where she found greater fame in telenovela, she was a refreshing presence in fashion circles, social events and in the world of media and advertising.  

The serene beauty with her trademark mole on her forehead had her first public exposure when she was named as one of Manila’s Five Prettiest from 1971-72, picked from 26 nominees. 

The 15 year old was proclaimed at a posh formal reception at Manila Polo Club, along with co-winners Maricar Zaldarriaga, Marianne de la Riva, Baby Corcuera, Emmeline Veloso and Malu Leuterio. 

Fashion guru Pitoy Moreno (+) is credited with discovering her, and featured her in many of his fashions shows. She became a prominent cover girl for many women’s magazines, and soon, advertising casters came knocking at her door.

 Surprisingly Dela Riva  only appeared in a few ads, and there are ony 2 memorable  commercial appearances on record—for ESKINOL, a popular facial lotion from MetroDrug ( J. Romero & Associates) and POND’s Cold Cream (J. Walter Thompson).

 This became a springboard for her to enter showbiz, and her first film was alongside Victor Laurel in “Love Song” (1973) opposite Victor Laurel. Her biggest break was becoming the favorite leading lady of the King of Filipino Movies, Fernando Poe Jr.,  in such movies as “Ang Leon at Ang Daga” (1975), and of course, the legendary ‘Ang Panday IV” (1984). 

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Dela Riva became a household name when she played Luisa in the hit soap “Gulong ng Palad” opposite with Ronald Corveau (as Carding) whom she married in 1979.The series, created by Lina Flor,  lasted from 1977 to 1985. Marianne de la Riva's last project was the television remake of Panday, shown on December 2005.