DINGDONG Dantes shared a photo of his daughter’s little hand in his Instagram account.
Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes plan to have their newborn daughter, Maria Letizia, christened in January next year at the same church where they tied the knot, according to the show biz couple’s spiritual adviser and friend, Fr. Tito Caluag, who had been asked to perform the religious rite.
“They originally intended to have the child baptized on Dec. 30, their first wedding anniversary, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City. It was a very nice plan. But because of the holiday rush, they moved it to January,” he told the Inquirer.
Caluag, a former principal of Ateneo de Manila High School (Dingdong’s alma matter), added that he would meet with the family soon “to bless them, especially Letizia.”
Marian, 31, gave birth to a 3.1-kg (6.9-lb) baby girl, nicknamed “Baby Z,” by normal delivery last Monday, 5:25 a.m., at the Makati Medical Center.
The actress’ manager, Rams David, confirmed the news in his Instagram account, where he posted a screencap of a message from Dingdong that read: “Maria Letizia came out… today. Thank God they’re both safe.”
“This morning, I witnessed a miracle. And during that moment, I realized that my life will never be the same again,” Dingdong wrote on Instagram, where he also shared with his followers a photo of his daughter’s little hand. “As we welcome this new, graceful chapter with open heart, we want to thank everyone who prayed with us through this sweet journey.”
NEW PARENTS Dingdong (right) and Marian Dantes
Shortly after the news broke online, well wishes started pouring in for the couple and their firstborn, from family, friends and fans—many of whom have been dutifully praying for the new mother’s well-being. On the social networking site Twitter, the topics “Marian Rivera” and “Congrats DongYan,” trended nationwide.
Lilybeth Rasonable, GMA 7 senior vice president for entertainment television, said she was sure that Dingdong and Marian—her godchildren—would become “wonderful parents.” “I’m very happy for them. I wish them luck on this new, exciting chapter in their lives,” she told the Inquirer.
“We celebrate with them. We pray that Baby Z would grow up healthy and fulfill her destiny,” one of the child’s soon-to-be godparent and GMA 7 exec Oliver Amoroso told the Inquirer.
“Baby Z is lucky to have been born in this generation, with Dong and Yan as her parents, because she can grow up to be whatever she wants to be,” the assistant vice president and head of GMA 7’s regional TV-integrated marketing division added.
In her Instagram account, actress Ai-Ai delas Alas, Marian’s “kambal” (twin) and “Sunday PinaSaya” cohost, described Letizia as her “beautiful inaanak.” “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Dantes! God bless your family,” she wrote. “And to you, kambal, enjoy motherhood. Napakasarap maging mommy. (It feels so good to be a mommy).”
Marian, who announced her pregnancy last April, was forced to withdraw from the TV series, “The Rich Man’s Daughter,” but continued cohosting the aforementioned noontime variety program until the Nov. 8 episode, where she said she would be taking a leave.
In an earlier interview with the Inquirer, Marian related that being a doting mother and raising her own children has always been a dream.
“I’ll be a supportive mother, for sure,” she said then, adding that she would love to have a big family someday. “I’ll do everything I can to give my child the best!”
(apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)