Márianne
“Being a woman to me means being able to take on the world and express yourself unapologetically on any given day.”
Márianne is a game-changer, an innovator and an artist. She is determined to amplify and create space for Asian voices in film and theatre. From playing a Filipino nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest run soap Shortland Street to playwriting, screenwriting and starring in the country’s first award-winning Filipino production Pinay - she is constantly breaking barriers. Márianne is also currently working to release Mekeni, Aotearoa’s first Kapampángan short-film. She is someone who fights for her dreams and won’t give up until she reaches them. Márianne is taking on the world with kindness, passion, dedication and drive. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
M: Born in Pampanga (Philippines) raised in Christchurch (Aotearoa NZ), Marianne is an interdisciplinary Kapampangán creative practitioner and actor in theatre and film. In 2016 she graduated with a Bachelors in Performing Arts Majoring in Screen and Theatre Acting from Unitec. Marianne then joined forces with Proudly Asian Theatre (PAT) as the company producer and co-founder and creative director of Te & Kuya Collaborative (TKC). Later, Marianne emerged as a fresh playwright and screenwriter presenting and featuring in Aotearoa’s first and award-winning Filipino theatre production called ‘Pinay’ and is soon due to release ‘Mekeni’, Aotearoa’s first Kapampángan short-film, proving her to be a game-changer in NZ’s artistic landscape. She's swiftly up-skilling and joining the screen industry not only as an actor but also as a new producer. Márianne continues to make history in New Zealand starring as the first Filipino nurse ‘Madonna Diaz’ in NZ’s longest running soap TV show Shortland Street. Infante works to empower and authentically represent Asian voices and support the growth of Asian talents in film and theatre.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
M: I am a kind, generous and thoughtful person in all aspects of my life. I am a hard-working and ambitious woman who will fight to create change and space to ensure voices like mine are heard. I am feisty, head-strong and determined, I am also bubbly, vibrant and charismatic, however I am also sometimes awkward, clumsy and silly.
P: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
M: I am able to find my comfort zone in any given situation and I am able to create or be the energy that a space needs - if I need to be the life of the party, I will assume that role, but if I can see the room is already thriving, I'm more than happy to be a sponge that enjoys that shared space. This is why I love being an extrovert-introvert, I am able to rely on myself enough to know I am able to keep myself supported, comfortable and safe.
P: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
M: Don't let anyone dim your light or tell you that you are being too much. You just continue doing what makes your heart sing.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman to me means being able to take on the world and express yourself unapologetically on any given day. If you feel like being bold, loud and assertive - then be that person with kindness, compassion and respect. If the next day you feel like being silent, reserved and insular, then be that person and again be kind to yourself and you don't have to explain your silence to anyone else.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
M: There are too many names that I can't possibly just choose one. One person who I miss today is a good friend who is no longer with us, Emily Campbell - if she was around I would tell her thank you for the love, understanding and time you gave me to grow, for the vulnerable moments we shared together in which you gave both us the space to discover parts of myself without judgement. You're an incredible friend and I am forever grateful you were a part of my journey on this planet.
