Marital bliss, good health and undiminished romance rank high on the list of wishes for newlyweds Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera from their new “godparents.” But mostly, they wish the couple lots of children.
TV5 entertainment division head Wilma Galvante, one of 40 principal sponsors at the grand wedding held Dec. 30, hopes the couple will always have laughter in their life together. “They joke around a lot,” she says. “It’s good that they are friends, too.”
She has known Dantes since he was a teenager in the group Abstract Dancers, which performed on GMA 7’s “Lunch Date,” where Galvante was head of production. “I became close to his mother and aunt because he was among our first talents in the teen show ‘TGIF.’”
But she is closer to Rivera because of the actress’ launching project, “Marimar.” Galvante explains: “Marian is like a daughter to me. She used to be misunderstood because she spoke her mind. She still does, but she has mellowed a lot. However, I know that she will forever be selosa.”
Harmony, too
Another principal sponsor, Solar Entertainment president and CEO Wilson Tieng, wishes Dantes and Rivera “health, happiness, harmony… and many children.”
“He’s a nice kid,” Tieng says of the groom. “In this business, a star who is courteous and considerate is rare.” He finds Rivera “very down-to-earth. When she visits me [at home], she talks with the cooks.”
Tieng saw how the couple prepared for the wedding. “They were very hands-on, constantly on the phone to make sure everything was perfect. The wedding—grand and beautiful—reflected their hard work.”
Kapuso assets
Ninong Felipe L. Gozon, president and CEO of the couple’s home network GMA 7, also wishes for them “to have plenty of children.”
Dantes is a “very decent man, and even-tempered,” Gozon says. “Marian is very bubbly. I’m close to both of them; they have been with us for the longest time.”
As for Rivera publicly admitting that she’s the jealous type, the GMA 7 chief notes, “They’ve come this far, so I guess she has learned to cope. Guwapo ang asawa niya eh.”
A friend’s vote
Dantes’ good friend, Quezon Province board member Gerald Ortiz, liked Rivera on their first meeting, he says. “She’s very easy to deal with. She has no inhibitions.”
Passionate people
Dermatologist Vicky Belo, also a ninang, knows that Rivera wants a big family. She cautions: “[Many women go to my clinics] asking for a total makeover because they feel their husbands are no longer loyal to them. These women are so focused on being mothers that their husbands feel left out and become vulnerable to temptation.”
Her advice: “There should be balance in everything they do. I hope Dong continues to be the romantic type and showers Marian with gifts, as well as love and affection.”
Right away
Actor Arthur Solinap, Dantes’ cousin and one of 19 groomsmen, wishes for the newlyweds to become parents right away. “I know that Marian is ready for it,” he says. “She is naturally thoughtful and caring. She dotes on him—cooks for him and takes care of everything for him.”
Solinap says the newlyweds are going on a three-week break. “I hope they enjoy this time off together. They’re both very busy with work most of the time.”