Dingdong’s proposal: Better the second time

Aug 10, 2014 19:38 pm

By SAMANTHA PORTILLO

 PHOTO BY BOCHIC ESTRADA, GMANetwork.com

The scene filled the GMA studio with shrieks:  Dingdong Dantes was kneeling in front of Marian Rivera, telling her that he wanted her to be his wife.

The reaction reverberated online.

But what was Dingdong saying?

"May isa akong importanteng bagay na di nagawa noon -- di ko nasabi dahil sobrang overwhelmed ako pero allow me to do it right this time."

Then he popped the question.

Dingdong’s proposal to Marian last August 9 was not the first. It was his second.

Dingdong first proposed to Marian in Macau in August 2012. He took her to a butterfly dome on his birthday. He planned to propose to Marian, but he was too overwhelmed.

In an interview after the show, the Primetime King recalled his first try: “Kasi alam mo, ‘yung unang beses, wala akong nasabi. Wala akong nagawa. Zero, kaya masaya ako that I was given another chance to do it right.”

Doing it right

During the show, a presentation of that moment in the butterfly dome was shown, which brought tears to both Marian and Dingdong. Marian hugged him.

Dingdong asked that the scene be frozen, then clearing his throat, told Marian: "Sa tingin ko mas magiging espesyal siya (proposal) ngayon kasi ngayon kaharap mo na ang pamilya mo at nandito ang lahat ng nagmamahal sa atin. Gusto kong ipagsigawan sa buong mundo and like what I said I wanna do it right this time."

Dingdong knelt before a crying Marian, and the song Kahit Maputi Na Ang buhok Ko started playing in the background.

Dingdong said: "I have been praying na sana bigyan nya ako ng makakasama ko sa kalokohan, kasiyahan...isang taong kasama kong mangarap. Isang taong maibibigay ko ang lahat sa kanya. There's nothing else I want to ask for but to settle down and have a family.

"May isang bagay na malinaw sa akin. It's that I wanna spend the rest of my life with you."

"Kaya ngayon saksi ang mga mahal natin sa buhay gusto kong ipagsigawan sa buong mundo na ikaw ang sagot sa aking mga dasal."

Dingdong then brought out a ring, and said: “I offer you this gift on your birthday. But something (else) that's beyond any material thing - that's beyond any tangible gift. I offer you myself, my love, today, and all the days of my life. So please, Marian. Uy, serious ito (noting his laughing girlfriend's expression). Please, Marian, will you be my wife."

Marian said yes.

The right time

Dingdong said he and Marian did not hide the 2012 proposal from the public.

“Ang mahalaga, sinabi namin sa tao dahil we owe also part of our love story to the people,” he explained.

Marian added, “Hindi naman sa sinecret namin. Tulad ng sabi ni Dong, siguro naghintay kami ng tamang panahon, tamang tiyempo na sabihin ito nang tama. Ito nga, nangyari ito.”

What made Marian happier: The first proposal or Dingdong’s live proposal in Marian?

“Both. Parehas. Actually, kahit noong unang proposal kasi, hindi rin ako masyadong naka-react kasi ngalngal ako nang ngalngal. Ang saya. Hindi ko na maipaliwanag. Parang nasa ulap lang talaga,” the blooming actress gushed.