Moms and Dads

Marian Rivera Says Family Remains Her Top Priority

by Alexa Villano
December 22, 2022

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes sat down with Jessica Soho and gave insights into their family life and prioritizing their children.

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes recently gave broadcast journalist Jessica Soho a peek into their new home. GMA’s Primetime couple also got candid with raising their children Zia and Sixto and why Marian, despite the many projects offered, wants her family to be her main priority.

Balancing act

Marian admitted that in the beginning, she had struggles with how to juggle work and parenting.

“Parang inisip ko na paano ko ba hahatiin yung sarili ko? Sayang naman yung career and then may asawa ako at anak,” she said. “Then nag-focus ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ano ba yung important sa akin? Ano ba talaga yung dream ko sa buhay?”

“Malinaw sa akin na family talaga ang priority ko, which is my husband at yung dalawang anak ko. So as long as kailangan ako ng family ko, family ko muna. And then pwede naman mag-work but number one is my family,” Marian added.

The actress and Flora Vida owner explained that her dream has always been to be a mom, having come from a broken family. She recalled that she only had one wish: a complete family.

Marian Rivera with her family — Photo Source: marianrivera

Together for Christmas

One thing Marian Rivera wants her kids to have that she didn’t experience is a complete family during the holidays, something she knows well since her mom was away for a long time as an OFW. Marian was raised by her grandmother.

“Nandiyan yung nanay at tatay. Kasi ako talaga wala,” she said as she tried to control her emotions. “So iyon talaga ang dream ko. Na andiyan kami ni Dong for the kids. Kasi even if [si] lola nandiyan, si nanay, wala akong reklamo. But iba pa din yung nanay at tatay.”

“Kaya hindi naging mahirap para sa akin na mas piliin yung mga anak ko kaysa magtrabaho muna. Kasi priority ko muna na maranasan nila muna na nandito muna ako at si Dong para sa kanila. Kasi hindi ko talaga naranasan iyon.“

It was only after her career bloomed that she started to feel the presence of her mom who eventually came home to be with her and take turns in being with the kids.

Making up for lost time

Since her mom came back, Marian and her mom made sure to spend as much time as they can.

“Sabi ko nga kay Dong nakabawi na si mama. Kasi pag may trabaho ako, si mama po ang nandito. Siya po ang nag-aalaga sa mga anak namin. So sabi ko ma, bawing-bawi ka na.”

When asked if she is now living her dream, Marian answered yes. “Patong-patong na nga yung pangarap – pamilya, pangarap na magka-bahay. At siguro yung perfect na perfect is perfect na husband talaga.”

As for her 2023 plans, the only thing Marian Rivera revealed is that she will be doing a possible drama series and some regional shows. She is currently focused on the Saturday afternoon show Tadhana.