Margaret Diaz is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after actresses on VMX as she takes on another high-profile remake, this time headlining Warat alongside Itan Rosales.
Following her breakout appearance in the remake of the ’90s sexy film ‘Balahibong Pusa’, Diaz now steps into a role originally portrayed by Joyce Jimenez in the 1999 film directed by Joel Lamangan. The new adaptation, streaming on VMX beginning February 27, is directed by Christian Paolo Lat and reimagines the provocative drama for a Gen Z audience.
Being cast in remakes of well-known titles inevitably invites comparisons — something Diaz openly acknowledges.
“Masaya ako na nabibigyan ako ng break pero may pressure din siyempre dahil nga naikukumpara ako sa mga bigating pangalan,” she shared.
She admitted that taking on the role of Rica, once portrayed memorably by Jimenez, came with expectations.
“Mahirap kasi magulo talaga ang character ko dito. Maraming emotions ang kailangan kong i-channel sa maraming eksena, pero I think I did a good job naman with the help of my co-star Itan Rosales and our director,” she said.
Director Christian Paolo Lat explained that while the team aimed to stay faithful to the original’s themes of seduction, ambition and betrayal, they updated the dialogue and visuals to resonate with modern viewers.
“We tried to be as faithful as we can to the original, but we updated the language and visuals to make it more appealing to today’s audiences,” he said.
In the reboot, Diaz plays Rica, a young woman living under the control of an abusive aunt. Hardened by circumstance, she is fully aware of the effect her beauty has on men and uses it as a tool for survival — though beneath her tough exterior lies vulnerability and longing for escape.
Opposite her is Itan Rosales as Rex, a troubled young man wrongfully accused of killing his father. Though entangled in criminal activity, Rex denies the accusation that defines him. When he meets Rica, their attraction is immediate and intense.
Rica sees Rex as her way out of a difficult life, while Rex finds solace in someone who appears to understand his isolation. However, what begins as refuge soon spirals into a dangerously toxic relationship.
“Wild kung wild,” Rosales said of the film’s intimate scenes, emphasizing their full commitment to making the project impactful.
Nearly three decades after the original stirred audiences, ‘Warat’ returns with a contemporary lens — exploring trauma, manipulation and the illusion of salvation.
At its core, the film poses a sobering question: can two wounded individuals truly save each other, or do they only deepen each other’s scars?
Check out some of the behind the scenes photos of the original ‘Warat’ (1999):
Streaming worldwide on VMX starting February 27, ‘Warat’ marks another bold chapter in Margaret Diaz’s rising career — one that positions her firmly among today’s emerging provocative leading ladies while carving out her own identity in the industry.
