Marian: Motherhood becomes her

MANILA, Philippines – Whether you are a showbiz watcher or not, you certainly know that Marian Rivera is now a mom to five-month-old daughter Maria Letizia, nicknamed Zia. But not everyone knows that since becoming a mom, her perspective in life has broadened. The better half of Dingdong Dantes has learned to look at things in a more positive light.

“My point of view in life has widened,” said Marian on how motherhood has changed her. “Unlike before that I easily get stressed out even over the simplest matter of concern, now I just shrug things off and let them pass especially when it comes to bashers. I think all of us have bashers, even ordinary people do. That’s why, I won’t waste my time answering them because for me they are cowards; hiding their identities with fake accounts and saying nasty things repeatedly. Perhaps, I will deal with them only when they reveal their true identities.”

Besides, Marian is focused on taking care of Zia who is a real bundle of joy. “She is bubbly. I’m still breastfeeding her. Usually in the morning, I wait for her to wake up to breastfeed her and then after, she just plays in her crib; mabait s’yang bata kaya I thank God for blessing me with a beautiful family and a happy life. There is really no reason to complain. In the morning, when I open my eyes, I see my handsome husband on my side and then on the other side is my beautiful daughter. So who am I to complain?”

Although Zia already did a photo shoot for a TV commercial and has appeared on the cover of Yes! Magazine, Marian affirmed that media exposure for her baby is limited. When asked if Zia’s first TV appearance will be in her first GMA 7 morning talk show titled Yan Ang Morning! that is set to air its pilot episode today at 10:45 a.m., Marian replied in the negative.

“Ayoko naman ipagdamot bilang parehas naman kami ni Dong na artista. When I was still pregnant, I shared photos. I also did when I gave birth. But on Instagram, I seldom post; mas si Dong pa kaya OK na yun.”

When queried once more if Zia will guest on the show’s Mother’s Day presentation, Marian hinted at the possibility when she smilingly said, “We never know. Mommy nga ni Dong (Mommy Angeline), nag-guest.”

Yan Ang Morning! is Marian’s first GMA morning lifestyle talk show with Boobay as her co-host. The actress never denies that hosting is not her forte, and she had mixed emotions about accepting the project. She was initially worried that she might not be able to deliver on her duty as a host. Good thing, Dingdong has inspired her to try and take on her new TV role. “His advice is simple — just be yourself. And here I am now.”

Marian continued, “Wala sigurong masama kung susubukan mo ang mga bagay na di ka pamilyar dahil ako bilang isang ina marami akong mga bagay na na-realize na kaya ko pala o magagawa ko pala. So I told myself, why not apply this to hosting — to try my hand in something that I am not yet familiar with. If you will notice the show’s tagline is ‘Kung kaya ni Yan, kaya n’yo rin,’ because I believe that we can learn everything. The show is very informative. I learn a lot of things even off cam. I am not shy to ask our guests like the mommy bloggers, for example, questions on the topic about breastfeeding. I ask them what should I do to produce more milk so natututo din ako sa mga bagay at na-a-apply ko sa sarili ko.”

The show, under the helm of Louie Ignacio, allows viewers as well as the studio audience to participate and be involved in everything that Marian does in the program. She will have a cooking segment dubbed Luto ni Marian where she will demonstrate simple and affordable recipes. She, too, will also share latest fitness workouts and invite everyone to try out DIY projects. Another segment called OK Yan, Wag Yan will have two different sides giving their opinions on a certain topic or issue.   

Raising a family is another topic Marian can very well relate to. Televiewers can expect her to talk kilometric when it comes to child-rearing. “I am certain that anything that concerns children and family will make the discussion interesting, most especially when you are a parent. Like, how can one be a good mom? Perhaps, all the moms will agree with me that motherhood is priceless. Sabi ko nga, mahirap man mag-buntis at mag-labor pero pag nakita mo na yung resulta sasabihin mo, ‘Lord, sana bigyan mo pa ko.’”

Marian is praying that she and Dingdong will be blessed with four more children. Of course, Marian stressed that she and Dingdong want to raise a good and responsible child. “May plano din dapat. Definitely, we want our child, si Zia muna syempre, to grow up as a responsible kid. At syempre gusto namin s’yang makapag-aral sa magandang eskwelahan at magkaroon ng magandang buhay.”

Like most of us, Marian never stops wishing for good things to continuously pour, but she truly feels content with her life. “I can’t ask for anything more. Kuntento ako at happy.”