PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS AND WIFE WELCOME MEXICAN SOAP OPERA STAR THALIA TO MANILA

Record ID: 442465

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS AND WIFE WELCOME MEXICAN SOAP OPERA STAR THALIA TO MANILA
  • Date: 20th August 1996
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AUGUST 20, 1996) (RTVM) 1. GV PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS AND FIRST LADY AMELITA RAMOS SHAKING HANDS WITH MEXICAN SINGER-ACTRESS /SOAP STAR THALIA AND PARTY 0.03 2. SV THALIA AND PRESIDENT AND MRS RAMOS 0.14 3. CU OF THALIA (REAL NAME ARIADNA SODI MIRANDA) 0.17 4. SCU RAMOS TALKING TO THALIA 0.23 5. GV RAMOS AND WIFE AND THALIA TALKING 0.29 6. GV PAN JOURNALISTS 0.35 RTV (AUGUST 18, 1996) (PERFORMANCE CLEARENCE REQUIRED) 7. GV THALIA PERFORMING DURING HER CONCERT 0.40 8. SV/GV THALIA PERFORMING 1.00 9. GV AUDIENCE 1.02 10. SV THALIA PERFORMING 1.10 RTV (RECENT) 11. GV TV SCREEN SHOWING "MARI MAR" SERIES BEING AIRED 1.14 12. GVS/CU FAMILY WATCHING "MARI MAR" 1.25 13. GV/CUS NEWSPAPER VENDOR SELLING PAPERS WITH "MARI MAR" HEADLINES 1.35 14. DRIVER READING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON "MARI MAR" 1.40 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 4th September 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA,PHILIPPINES
  • City:
  • Country: Phillippines
  • Reuters ID: LVAE0AG670I1WVHG8ZF5YQTF7XW9
  • Story Text: - INTRO: A Mexican soap opera star, whose series "Mari Mar" has become a huge hit in the Philippines, met with President Fidel Ramos and First Lady Amelita Ramos on Tuesday (August 20) during a week-long visit to Manila.

    Thalia, or Ariadna Sodi Miranda in real life, has had the red carpet rolled out for her since arriving in the Philippines.

    President Ramos invited Thalia to participate in the 1998 centennial celebration of the country's independence from Spain, and asked her to be the "modern bridge" between the Philippines and Mexico.

    In the 16th century, the Acapulco Galleon Trade served as the gateway to goods between Mexico and Asia, including the Philippines.

    Thalia's low-budget "Mari Mar" series, dubbed into the main local dialect, zoomed to the top of the ratings when it debuted in March, displacing one of the country's top newscasts.

    Every evening from Monday to Friday, millions of Filipinos forget their daily concerns and escape into a fantasy world.

    Thalia performed before a packed audience on Sunday (August 18), singing popular Spanish songs and an extended version of the "Mari Mar" theme.

    Mari Mar's popularity has caused traffic jams on the roads as devoted followers of the show abandon their cars to catch the broadcast.

    One man who refused to switch channels was stabbed to death by a drunken cousin who wanted to watch the show.

    Social experts point to the Filipinos' colonial past as the main factor for the fascination over "Mari Mar", whose main theme revolves around oppression and redemption.

    Others attribute it to the natural love of Filipinos for the underdog.


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