THE Birthday Event

It's the birthday event of the year! Two of GMA's hottest stars are coming together to headline a free concert to celebrate their respective birthdays with their ardent supporters. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco and Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes are celebrating their birthdays this August; with the first one turning 24 on the 12th and the latter turning 28 on the 2nd. And to show just how important their fans are to them, the two will be headlining their very first birthday concert at the Araneta Coliseum, free of charge, on the 27th of August. "Ang nag-isip niyan, mga manager namin [ni Dingdong] at ang GMA," Marian admits, explaining that their fans have done so much for them and their careers, that it was only right that they give them something; like a reward. Dingdong expounds more, describing the concert as a big birthday special. "Lahat ng mga hits ni Marian, makikita niyo doon. Lahat ng kalokohan na pwede kong gawin, nandoon." He adds that it's going to be a fun party, and it's definitely going to be different from what people always see them do on TV. "Hindi kami uma-acting dito." Dong, as he is fondly known by his close friends and fans, finishes by saying that they will still perform-"mga kung anu-anong klaseng numbers." Marian reveals that she already knows something about the concert that would surely please their fans. "Parang ang dami-dami naming gagawin," she says, but refuses to divulge what exactly the surprise is. A year older, a year wiser Turning another year older, Dingdong says he doesn't want to change anything in his life. "Enjoy lang." He says that right now, he just wants to make nice movies. "Ayoko [ng] masyadong seryoso." But more than that, he doesn't have any plans yet. And as for Marian, all she hopes that work will keep coming in. "Basta laging masaya, at saka siyempre 'yung family ko, gusto ko lagi silang masaya, at lagi silang healthy-okay na ako doon." Marian concludes that aside from happiness, good health and continuous work, there's nothing more she can ask for. Birthday wishes Marian also wishes for people to love her for who she really is, and not the preconceived notion people have of her. With issues about her strong personality always being brought up by the media, she says that she's happy knowing she never hid anything from anyone. "Kahit na sabihin nilang 'Si Marian? Naku palaban 'yan! Bungangera 'yan! Achuchuchu 'yan!' I don't care. "Basta ako, totoo sa sarili ko; ipinapakita ko sa inyo kung sino ako." Marian says she'd rather people talk about her negatively than have them praise qualities that were never hers in the first place. "Ang hirap naman sa kalooban mo na hindi ikaw 'yun. "So mas gusto ko na 'yung sige, pintasan niyo ako-okay na 'yun. Basta ang importante sa akin, ako hindi nahihiya sa kapwa ko. Masaya na ako doon." And according to Dingdong, he wouldn't have it any other way. His wish for her is, "sana ma-maintain niya 'yung kanyang pagiging pareho, pagiging patas, pagiging fair sa lahat ng bagay ata sa lahat ng tao. Just to stay the same, kung ano siya ngayon, ganoon pa rin siya. 'Wag siyang magbago." As for himself, he says that he would be content just "for things to fall in its proper place." Keep watching GMA-7 for more details on Dingdong and Marian's upcoming birthday concert! And don't miss their scenes every weeknight on Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel. Talk about the two in the iGMA Forums with fellow fans! Not yet registered? Register now! Always be in the loop with Marian and Dingdong! Just key in DINGDONG or MARIAN on your mobile phones, and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusively for the Philippines only.)