Marian: No perfect relationship, only close to perfect

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from a five-day vacation in Spain with husband Dingdong Dantes and daughter Maria Letizia, Marian Rivera appears before entertainment reporters at the press con for GMA 7’s Tadhana with a glowing aura. Her figure is stunning and can certainly leave women envious. Breastfeeding her now one-and-a-half-year-old Baby Zia, she says, keeps her weight at a controlled level.

One writer also points out that her having a perfect marital relationship is the source of her being a happy and contented wife. Although she appreciates the positive remark, the Kapuso actress believes there is no such thing as perfect, including relationships.

“No, there’s no perfect relationship pero pwedeng close to perfect kung tayong dalawa na magkarelasyon ay nagkakaintindihan at higit lalo pag nagmamahalan,” Marian says.

Oftentimes, having a child binds a couple stronger and Marian agrees with it when asked to assess her and Dingdong’s jump from a twosome to a family. She opines, “It’s much different when a couple already have a child, especially when they are married. They have to meet half way in order to agree on a certain situation or decision. Kung di pa kasi kasal, may mga arte-arte pa yan but once the couple got married and bore a child, they would each make adjustments to smooth things out. Pwede namang pag-usapan ang mga bagay (for them) to stick together.”

Is she a submissive wife?

“Yes, I am. Bilang ilaw ng tahanan lahat gagawin ko para sa pamilya. I’ll protect them, take care of them and I will do everything for the sake of my family, especially for my daughter. Alam ni Dong yan na puro si Zia talaga ako.”

That’s why constant communication is a must in any relationship. Marian shares she and Dingdong often talk and their respective schedules, either at home or work, are laid out on the table. “We are very open to each other at bilang respeto na din, one knows what the other does kaysa naman magugulat na lang siya na host pala ako ng Tadhana.”

With her positive outlook in life, the 32-year-old actress is visibly unaffected even if her name was dragged into controversies the past several weeks. She downplays talks about the authenticity issue of the branded shirt she was wearing in the picture that she posted on social media. “It’s just a T-shirt. So, it’s not a big deal. For me, it’s wrong to judge people (based on) the clothes they wear. Hindi ito sukatan ng pagkatao mo.”

But Marian admires people who are willing to do everything for the welfare of their loved ones, never mind if it means working miles away, and even in foreign lands, just to put food on the table. That’s why Marian is fitting to host Tadhana, the GMA News and Public Affairs that tells stories of Pinoys working abroad.

“When the show was first offered to me, I asked myself if I could do it. This is my first time to be a storyteller and so I said, ‘Why not accept it since the theme is about OFWs.’ It is no secret that my mother also worked abroad. Nagtiis syang malayo sa akin at lumaki ako sa pag-aalaga ng lola ko. For me, the OFWs are the modern-day heroes because they are willing to make sacrifices for their family.”

Marian encourages Pinoys working abroad to share their stories and experiences to televiewers. She says that Tadhana is an avenue for our kababayan to air whatever they are going through — good or bad.

“It is also good to let them know that there are Filipinos who are ready to extend help if ever. Kung medyo matagalan man ang tulong at least alam nila na may paparating.”

Marian adds that Tadhana is not all about miseries and failures. It will also feature narratives of successful Pinoys abroad.

(Tadhana airs Saturdays after Ika-6 Na Utos on GMA 7.)

With husband Dingdong Dantes and their now one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Maria Letizia, nicknamed Zia