Marian Rivera
Content and complete
What does it take to feel content and complete? There’s no shortcut or easy path to becoming one, but Marian Rivera has proven that her different roles — actress, entrepreneur, advocate, wife, and mother — transformed her into the woman she is today.
Text by Bianca Geli
Photos by Marian Rivera Instagram and Angelo Villegas
The newly-opened function room of Luxent Hotel in Quezon City is bustling with activity as members of the press chatter while waiting for the media conference to start. But a sudden hush sweeps through the crowd as a fresh-faced Marian Rivera enters the room clad in a bomber jacket inspired by the traditional Filipiniana.
“Wow, parang concert lang!” Marian jokes lightly as she takes in the elaborate stage setting and standees.
The media conference starts, and reporters start asking Marian questions with a tinge of excitement and nervousness. The whole event becomes more of a casual high tea party between old friends rather than a formal gathering.
Call it the Marian effect, her ability to mesmerize everyone with just her presence. She astounds even the most skilled press people with her captivating beauty and effortless charm.
As time goes by, this effect has only gotten stronger. The Kapuso Primetime Queen was in and out of the limelight as she went on a maternity leave and took on motherly duties twice — leaving her fans and the press clamoring for more of her.
MAKING A COMEBACK
Following her maternity leave in March 2019, Marian is back in her element. Her comeback last July kicked off with her return to weekly drama anthology Tadhana and comedy variety show Sunday PinaSaya, but her loyal fans couldn’t help but ask for more.
The queen of GMA soaps revealed her drama comeback plans.
“May offer po [for a new soap] pero siguro by next year pa. Ang weird kasi na matatapos na ‘yung taon tapos magsu-soap ako.
“At si Dong kasi magkakaroon din siya ng soap. Siguro right after Dong, ‘yun na po ‘yung time ko. Kasi ang hirap na parehas kaming wala sa mga anak namin eh.”
Marian explained that when her husband, Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes, has a major acting project, she tries to keep herself free for their kids.
“May deal din kami ni Dong na kapag siya ang nagwu-work, ako ‘yung nasa mga bata. Kapag ako ‘yung nagwu-work, siya ‘yung nasa bahay.
“Hindi puwedeng both kaming wala para sa mga anak namin.”
While she was on a break from showbiz, Marian was busy being both a mom and an entrepreneur. She is the face of Beautederm Home, and according to the brand’s CEO Rhea Tan, their sales tripled after Marian became their endorser.
Aside from being the face of the brand’s line of home products, Marian makes it a point to be regularly updated with their sales. She also actively shares her ideas and inputs about the products’ overall look.
“Ang kontrata namin ay magtatanong sila sa akin kung ano’ng gusto kong packaging, ano’ng gusto kong scent, tapos ia-approve ko ‘yun.
“Ako mismo ‘yung tinatanong nila kung ano ‘yung mga gusto kong packaging at amoy. Kaya very thankful ako kasi kinu-consider nila ‘yung mga sasabihin ko at mga gusto ko para sa produkto.”
Now that she’s launched her products for Beautederm Home, it’s about time she makes a television comeback.
REESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS
What makes Marian’s return to primetime even more exciting is her recent reconciliation with her former manager, Popoy Caritativo.
Marian smiles serenely as she talks about how she and Popoy renewed their friendship through the help of Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo.
“Si Dennis kasi ang isa sa mga dahilan. Humingi ako ng tulong kay Dennis. Kasi nagkita kami sa Avon Run. Ayun, kinulit ko siya nang kinulit, tapos sabi ko kay Jennylyn [Mercado], ‘Jennylyn ah, ipaalala mo kay Dennis.’”
The reconciliation was something that Marian had been praying for.
“Binigyan naman ng pagkakataon, nakuha sa pagdadasal ng ilang taon. Sobrang happy ako nung nakita ko siya ulit.”
Marian also shares that even her daughter, Maria Letizia or Zia, knows how close she is to Popoy.
“Basta mahal ko siya mula noon, hanggang ngayon. Kung nasaan man ako ngayon, utang na loob ko sa kanya at tatanawin ko ‘yun hanggang sa nabubuhay ako.
“Actually kahit kay Zia sinabi ko sa kanya, pupunta tayo kay Momsy.
“Very vocal ako sa mga anak ko kung ano ang nagawa ni Popoy at ipinagpapasalamat ko ‘yun.”
Her reunion with Popoy brought to light another renewed friendship. This time, with Kapuso actress Lovi Poe.
Their photo taken after a Sunday PinaSaya taping became viral after netizens noticed that it has been a while since the two have interacted in public. The two were rumored to be in a feud for years.
Marian clarified, “Wala namang away na naganap sa amin ni Lovi, at wala kaming away ni Lovi.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Sunday PinaSaya kasi doon kami nagkasama ulit. Nagyakapan na lang kami, nagkumustahan kaming dalawa.”
She pondered, “Habang tumatanda ka, siguro mas gugustuhin mo ng mas masarap na buhay, na araw-araw tuwing may makakasalubong ka, lahat nakangiti sa ’yo.
“Napakasarap sa pakiramdam. Ang sarap ng ganoon, na wala kang iniiwasang tao, masaya ka. Mas masarap na walang kaaway, lahat kabati mo.
“Ang tanda ko na, dalawa na ang anak ko. Gusto kong makita ng mga anak ko na masarap mabuhay na walang kagalit, na puro pagmamahal ang ibibigay mo,” she says.
EMBRACING MOTHERHOOD
Marian associates her enlightenment in life to motherhood. She describes the simple joys of motherhood such as seeing her children grow as milestones.
“Palaki [na siya] nang palaki, pa-cute nang pa-cute, nakakagigil, ang hirap iwan, at humahabol na siya. Mag-a-apat na ‘yung ngipin niya,” she says, pertaining to her second child, Jose Sixto IV or Ziggy.
Stardom seems to run in Marian’s veins as her eldest Zia effortlessly makes a name for herself by being an Internet darling. The four-year-old is constantly trending on social media for her cute antics and beautiful features, a perfect combination of her good-looking parents.
As to whether Zia will be following in her parents’ footsteps in showbiz, the matter remains to be discussed by their family.
“Gusto rin naman naming magawa niya ‘yung mga bagay-bagay na gusto niya. Kasi kapag tinatanong namin siya kung ano gusto niya, sumasagot na siya.
“Alam ko, bata pa si Zia, pero may ganito siyang pag-iisip na nakakapag-decide siya para sa sarili niya.”
Zia’s fame is also becoming international as Vietnamese teen website Kenh14 recognized her as one of the most beautiful children of Asian celebrities.
But Zia is more than just a pretty face, and Marian encourages her daughter to explore her potentials.
“Si Zia kasi 'yung tipong batang mature mag-isip. Kaya nag-usap kami ni Dong na starting a certain age niya, puputulin namin lahat ng social media niya,” Marian reveals.
Though it may seem drastic, Marian and Dingdong have their reasons. They want their children to have a normal childhood and to discover their passion and hone their abilities.
“Gusto kasi namin na maramdaman din niya 'yung pagiging normal."
Kapag lumaki siya at mag-decide siya na ‘Mom, Dad, I want to be an artist o I want to explore,’ hahayaan namin siya,” Marian says knowingly.
Marian also makes it clear that they won’t go so far as refraining from posting anything about their children.
“Hindi naman siguro [totally wala]. Gusto lang namin na maging normal siya,” she explains.
She jokingly adds, “Parang mas pinagkakaguluhan siya kaysa sa amin. Parang deadma na kami ni Dong.”
Now that Zia is earning her own money through endorsements and TV commercials, Marian is making sure that her daughter’s earnings will be managed properly, so that when the time is right, Zia has something to use and enjoy.
Marian states, “May sarili siyang [bank] account. Lahat ng ginagawa niyang endorso, nandoon. Sa tamang edad, makukuha niya 'yun. Buong buo, kanya 'yun.”
Being a mother has also motivated Marian to manage her own finances more wisely.
“Dati kasi nung single ako, more endorsements, ipon ako, wow nasa TV ako,” she recalls.
“Ngayon, [kasi nanay na ako], Salamat Lord, makakaipon ako para sa mga anak ko, sa magandang future para sa mga anak ko.”
SUPPORTING LOCAL
Spending money more wisely for her family set the stage for Marian’s growing love for Filipino fashion.
“Dumadating talaga sa pagkakataon ng tao na nahihilig ka, at kapag may konti kang pambili ay nabubulag ka sa mga ganoong pagkakataon,” she admits.
“Inisip ko sa sarili ko na, bakit hindi ako magsuot ng isang bagay na alam kong makakatulong ako sa ikauunlad ng Pilipinas, kahit sa maliit kong pamamaraan?
“Siguro ‘yung pagsusuot ko ng traditional [fabrics], way of showing na sinusuportahan ko sila.
“Para maging mas makabuluhan ‘yung pagsusuot ko ng damit.”
Big realizations start big changes.
In Marian’s case, it was time to find her inner Marie Kondo and let go of some of her designer pieces to support local ones.
“Oo, binenta ko tapos binili ko ng mga katutubong damit,” she reveals.
Being Filipina-Spanish, it would’ve been reasonable for Marian to be uncertain with fully going local in fashion. But the Cavite-bred lady stands by her beliefs.
“Siguro namulat ‘yung mata ko nung iniendorso ko ang Kultura, kung gaano kaganda at galing ng Pinoy sa paggawa ng iba’t ibang klaseng produkto. Suportahan natin ang gawang Pinoy.”
She adds, “Siguro kung may pagkakataon na may konting pambili, nakabili ng konting branded. Pero sabi ko, ‘What for?’
"Ngayon, mas makabuluhan ang mga sinusuot ko dahil gawang Pinoy siya.”
This support for traditional Philippine fabrics is something she’s passing on to her children.
“Iniimpluwensiya ko na talagang maging local sila. Sabi ko nga, ang daming puwedeng i-explore sa Pilipinas na ang ganda talaga.
“Gusto namin ikutin ang ganda ng Pilipinas, gusto namin ipakita kina Zia at Ziggy.
“Well, nandito sila sa Pilipinas, dito sila pinanganak, dapat lang mahalin nila ang bansa natin. Gusto ko mamulat ‘yung mata nila sa ganda ng Pilipinas,” Marian says matter-of-factly.
PHILANTHROPY WORK
Genuine charity is modest, and Marian gives aid to the less fortunate in her own ways, such as helping the victims of the recent earthquake in Cotabato.
“Kumakalap kami ng donations para sa mga nangangailangan,” she shares.
Marian is an advocate and now a board member of YesPinoy Foundation, which was established by Dingdong in 2009.
“Ang YesPinoy Foundation ay isa talaga sa mga tumutulong sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan.
“Maya’t maya nag-uusap kami kung paano kami makakatulong sa mga taong nangangailangan. Katulad nga nito sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan ng pagkain.”
Marian is also a supporter of SmileTrain, an organization bringing happier smiles to children with cleft lip and palate.
She has also partnered with such organizations as the Philippine Red Cross, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and Big Dreams for Little People-Philippines.
In 2014, she was appointed as Ambassador for Women and Children with Disabilities by the Philippine Congress.
DEALING WITH BASHERS
Marian is a wife, a mother, a businesswoman, and an actress all in one. She is a true inspiration with a heaping dose of charm.
As for her haters, Marian thinks it’s best to turn a blind eye on baseless assumptions and negativity.
“Alam n’yo sa buhay naman hindi lang artista ang nagkakaroon ng bashers.
"Kahit saan ka magpunta, kahit saan ang destinasyon mo, mapa-opisina, may mga ganyan talagang tao.
“So paano mo iiwasan ‘yan? Eh ‘di deadmahin mo na lang.
“Pumunta ka sa circle of friends mo na tutulungan kang umiwas doon at maging mas masaya ang buhay.”
Whenever she is faced with a major misunderstanding, Marian knows how to clarify her side while still keeping it real. What you see is really what you get.
“Alam na nila na kung ano ‘yung nakikita nila, ‘yun ako. Wala namang dapat itago,” she professes.
FACING DEPRESSION AND FEARS
Despite her cheery disposition, Marian is aware that anyone can be affected by negativity, which can lead to depression.
“Alam mo kasi kapag depressed ka, wala kang makikitang maganda. So ako siguro kung dumating ako sa point na depressed ako, siguro pupunta ako dun sa mga malalapit sa akin na makakatulong sa akin para ma-overcome ‘yung depression.
“Number one, family, number two, kung meron kang special someone.”
For Marian, going through turmoil can help you determine which people in your life are for keeps.
“Malalaman mo kung swak kayo ng partner mo kapag tinutulungan ka niya at nababago ka niya para maging mas masaya at positibo sa mga bagay-bagay.”
Though her life seems perfect, Marian is not immune to problems and loneliness. How does a strong woman like her deal with loneliness?
“Gagawin ko ‘yung mga bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin. Example, kung malungkot ako, tatanungin ko ang sarili ko kung bakit ako malungkot.
“Tapos kakausapin ko ‘yung nanay ko o si Dong, tapos pag-uusapan namin kung ano ‘yung puwedeng solusyon. Lahat naman may solusyon.
“Pero siyempre iba-ibang level din ‘yan ng problema o depression. Minsan kasi kahit sa akin nag-work, sa ’yo hindi. So depende sa pagkatao talaga.
“Ganun talaga, wala namang perfect life. Depende sa ’yo kung paano mo titingnan ‘yung sitwasyon mo at paano mo haharapin nang mas maayos at mas maganda ang buhay.
“Lahat naman may bad days talaga, pero lahat naman naayos eh. Puwede mo naman i-divert sa ibang pamamaraan.”
She candidly adds, “Loka-loka kasi ako. Medyo masayahin kasi ako.”
Candid as she is, Marian also has fears.
“Lahat ng tao dumadaan sa mawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Siguro ‘yun lang pero ako, tumanda, malosyang, whatever, magka-wrinkles, magka-puting buhok, okey lang.
“Ganun ang buhay, hindi mo puwedeng kontrolin ‘yun. Ang mahalaga, ‘yung nasa puso mo at ‘yung pagtanda mo, nandoon ‘yung asawa mo, at pinag-uusapan n’yo ‘yung mga bagay-bagay na maganda.”
She also chooses not to let her fears steal her happiness.
“Siguro ‘yun ‘yung nilu-look forward ko kaysa i-fear ko ‘yung sarili ko na ‘Ay nakakatakot, baka ganito.’ Mas gusto kong alalahanin ang mga magagandang bagay.”
“Mas maganda siguro na ganoon kaysa matakot ka,” she says.
LOVING HER FAMILY AND HERSELF
Losing her family is her only fear in life, because family is what she values most.
“Ang pamilya, hindi matatawaran kasi para ipagkaloob sa ’yo ng Panginoon na magkaroon ng isang anak.
“Sabi nga nila, ang pagkakaroon ng isang anak ay biyaya ‘yan mula sa Diyos, parang it’s a reward from Him.”
Now that she has two children, her marriage with Dingdong has only become stronger.
“May bakasyon man o wala, mainit ang pagmamahal. Mas lalo lang pinatibay ‘yung pagmamahalan namin kasi may dalawa na kaming anak.”
While Dingdong is busy with the preparations for the local adaptation of the hit Korean drama Descendants of the Sun, Marian takes care of their family.
“Bilang ‘yung asawa ko napakasipag mag-trabaho para sa amin, so ako naman sa bahay.”
She reveals she’s very thorough in the household and takes her role as a mother and homemaker seriously. She sees to it that she drives Zia to school and prepares her children’s meals.
“May mga helper naman ako na tumutulong sa akin, pero ako talaga ‘yung nagmamando kung ano ‘yung kakainin.
“‘Yung baon sa school ako ‘yung nagpe-prepare, ako ‘yung hatid sundo kay Zia. Kapag may trabaho at malapit lang ‘yung location ni Dong, si Dong naman. Pero most of the time, ako talaga.”
Marian may have a family of her own now, but she still keeps a very close relationship with her mother Amalia Rivera and her Spanish father Francisco Alonso. She’s particularly excited to introduce Ziggy to her father.
“Nag-text na rin ‘yung tatay ko na gusto na niyang makita ‘yung dalawang bata. Paplanuhin namin. Siyempre looking forward din kami na ma-meet ni Papa ‘yung dalawang bata.”
HER BIGGEST ROLE
Among her many roles and responsibilities, that of a mother is the biggest and most challenging for Marian. And in this lifelong role, she has learned to love herself more so she can impart more positivity and love to her children.
“Dapat sa sarili mo muna buo ka, at okey ka.
"Dapat confident ka, masaya ka, naayos mo at nagagawa mo ‘yung mga dapat mong gawin bago mo i-extend ‘yan sa asawa at sa anak mo.
“Kasi, oo mahal mo ‘yan, aasikasuhin mo, tapos ikaw hindi? Anong klaseng pagmamahal mo kung ikaw, ang personalidad mo hindi ka buo?” she remarks.
When Marian needs her alone time, she’s not afraid to take a break to prioritize herself.
“Si Dong minsan nasasabi ko, ‘Oh, Dad ha, ito ‘yung oras ko, ito ‘yung time ko, ito ‘yung gagawin ko.’ Kung wala siyang gagawin, so siya muna sa mga bata at gagawin ko muna ‘yung mga gusto ko.
“Very supportive and understanding naman si Dong, kaya siguro nagagawa ko ‘yung mga bagay-bagay na ‘yan.”
Throughout all her milestones in the industry, Marian attributes her most fulfilling winning moments to being a self-effacing, resilient mother.
“Malaki ang naitulong talaga kasi kapag may anak ka na, ayaw mo namang ‘yung negativity na nangyayari ay maisalin mo doon sa anak mo.
“Gusto mong lahat nang nakikita ng anak mo sa ’yo ay maganda 'yung aura, positive, kasi makikita nila ‘yan.”
There is great power in loving one’s self, but loving one’s self is a process.
Marian has found comfort and happiness in who she truly is and is at peace with whatever life throws at her.
Now, that is true positivity from a truly content and complete woman.
