Marian Rivera invited by Cambodian president to ASEAN

MANILA, Philippines — Kapuso star Marian Rivera has been invited by Cambodian President Hun Sen to meet him on Saturday, November 11, during the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Rivera will be accompanied by her husband, Dingdong Dantes, in meeting the president.

“Nagulat nga ako na pinadalhan ako ng invitation kasi ‘di naman ako sanay na umaattend ng mga ganyan. Parang nakakahiya naman na pumunta ako sa ganun. Pero ang sabi sa amin, gusto daw ako makita ng president ng Cambodia kaya pupunta kami,” Marian told reporters during her launch on Thursday as new endorser of SM’s arts and culture department store, Kultura.

According to her, Sen probably knows her because her soap operas “Dyesabel” and “Marimar” were shown in Cambodia, and now, her other soap, “Carmela,” is being aired in the country.

“Sobrang nakakataba ng puso. Parang sabi ko nga kay Dong, nahihiya ako pumunta kasi hindi naman ako sanay sa mga ganung klaseng event. Pero sabi ko nga, ‘Bakit naman ‘di ko pagbibigyan na makita nila ako?’,” Marian explained.

She said she plans to wear something from Kultura when she meets the Cambodian president. She also would like to give him a Filipino souvenir from the store.

She said she is proud to be the brand’s endorser as proceeds from such endorsement will go to the non-profit organization she supports, Smile Train, an international children's charity providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries to indigent kids all over the world.

She is also proud to be the face of a brand that supports local craftsmanship.

According to the brand, as a celebrity, hands-on mom and entrepreneur, Marian represents the modern Filipina with a global outlook; one whose eclectic tastes have made her appreciate all things Filipino. Like many young women today, she is rediscovering her heritage and appreciating the artistry of handcrafted accessories and beautifully embroidered apparel. 

With that, she is confident enough to mix pieces from international designers with touches of Filipiniana in her everyday style, resulting in a look that is not “costumey,” but effortlessly chic and contemporary.

“The idea to get Marian Rivera as a brand ambassador started with a post of her in our silk barong dress for the inauguration of Vice President Leni Robredo,” the brand said in a statement. “This post was met with a remarkable response, which included numerous inquiries to this day, about the dress she was wearing and its availability in our stores.”

Marian’s elegant taste in style and fashion has shown her love for locally made products particularly because these are “gawang Pinoy” and benefit Filipino exporters, manufacturers, communities and the economy in general.

The actress said she loves everything Filipino-made because “maganda na nga, ang ganda pa ng kalidad.”

“Nakaka-proud maging Pinoy talaga!” she declared.