Marian Rivera: No feud with Andrea Torres

Marian Rivera

Marian Rivera, who was rumored to have snubbed Andrea Torres in a chance encounter backstage at a Sunday variety show, has maintained that there was no such issue between her and her fellow GMA 7 actress.

“As far as I know, we don’t have a problem. And it’s no secret that she treats me like a big sister; when she has a problem, she comes up to me for advice,” she told reporters at a press conference announcing her as the host of “Tadhana”—a new Saturday drama anthology that features the stories of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The issue—which Marian addressed for the first time—was brought up because Andrea reportedly declined to discuss the said incident at a separate, earlier event.

“Perhaps she responded that way because she wasn’t sure what to say. She probably didn’t want the issue to get murkier,” she said of Andrea, who was one of Dingdong Dantes’ leading ladies in the action series, “Alyas Robin Hood,” which is set to have a second season in the future. “I think she also said it was nothing, so let’s leave it at that.”

Has she become more selosa since getting married? “The opposite!” she said, laughing, before adding: “But of course, people wouldn’t react unless there was really something going on—it’s in our nature.”

According to the 32-year-old Kapuso star, her husband doesn’t give her any reason to be jealous. “Nakakainsulto naman sa asawa ko, ’di ba? Ang tinu-tinong lalaki!” Marian quipped.

After more than a decade in show biz, Marian said she had already gotten used to dealing with malicious gossip. “I have learned my lesson. There are times when it’s better to keep quiet—you don’t have to explain yourself,” Marian pointed out. “But there will be instances when you need to speak up.”

Marian, Dingdong and their 1-year-old daughter, Zia, recently went on a 15-day trip to Greece, Italy and Spain. In the town of Manduria in Italy, the family attended a friend’s wedding, and got to bond with fellow guests, Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.

“I didn’t expect them to be so down-to-earth and fun to be with. I’m very happy that we got to know each other better outside show biz. They’re so kind,” Marian related. “Ryan told me that Zia and his baby girl, Luna, have very similar personalities. So, maybe, if we have time, we could spend more time with each other.”

But the highlight of the vacation, Marian related, was Zia’s first meeting with her grandfather, Javier Gracia, in Spain. “It was such a great experience. My family there was very excited to see Zia—her lolo hugged her and wouldn’t let her go!” she related. “While we don’t get to see each other regularly, what’s important is that the communication is always there.”

“My father told us to take care of ourselves and stay happy,” she added.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, “Tadhana” aims “to dramatize the colorful, romantic, heroic and inspiring” life experiences of OFWs. It’s a project close to Marian’s heart, she said, because her mother used to work in Spain.

“These people are heroes. They sacrifice lots of things. They’re forced to leave their families just so they could give them a better life,” she said.