Marian (left) and Dingdong
My amigo muy simpatico, Dingdong Dantes, can hardly contain his excitement to welcome his and Marian’s baby boy into this world. Their daughter, Zia, turned 3 years old recently, so it’s high time that she’s given a playmate already.
Dong makes sure that he is never too busy to be a dad and a hubby. As a friend, Dong can always be counted on. I am forever grateful to him for our totally “un-show biz” friendship (for a decade and counting). He more than deserves an “Ulirang Ama/Asawa/Kaibigan” award.
Here’s my chat with Dong:
What are some of the choices for your baby boy’s name? We are still thinking of a name. For now, what is important is ensuring Marian’s safe pregnancy.
How are you and Marian preparing Zia for the arrival of her baby brother so she won’t get jealous? We make sure to call Zia “ate” as early as now, so that when her baby brother arrives, she will feel that she’s already part of the responsibility of aiding her parents in raising the boy.
How do you and Marian maintain being a “normal couple” in your ultrasuccessful life? We are normal (laughs). We make sure to spend quality time together. That’s the most important gift one should give family members, more than any other material thing. We refuse to let the trappings of success make us lose sight of what really matters in life.
Dingdong Dantes (center) with Marian Rivera (right) and daughter Zia
Will you raise your son in a different way than how you’re raising your daughter? Definitely, we will have adjustments from our learnings in raising Letizia. Parenting is an ongoing process of learning—we should always adapt, depending on the situation. Every person has a different style, and I believe it’s the same thing with kids.
MJ exhibit
As a Michael Jackson fanatic, I wish I could catch the next plane out to my beloved Paris (where I studied, many hairstyles ago). The Grand Palais in Avenue du Général Eisenhower has mounted an exhibit to pay homage to the King of Pop, called “On The Wall” (a reference to MJ’s iconic album, “Off The Wall”), which will run until Feb. 14.
How uncanny that it will culminate on the Day of Hearts. Valentine’s Day is so MJ. In his docu “This Is It,” he kept saying, “It’s all for love.” And MJ’s fave flower was the red rose, a V-day symbol.
Arranged in chronological order, the exhibition “Michael Jackson, naissance d’une icône” (the birth of an icon) retraces the evolution of his music and physique through works on loan by artists from around the world fascinated by him.
MJ was an art collector. So, for sure, he is smiling from up above, as he sees that he remains a thriller like no other to his fans, who just can’t stop loving him. Tu me manques, MJ (I miss you, MJ).