Rivera (center) with mom Amalia (left) and Lola Iska
When she thinks about her mother and grandmother, the first thing that comes to Marian Rivera’s mind is their “incomparable” love for her.
“Grabe, hindi matatawaran. When they give you all their love and support, nothing is impossible and there’s nothing you can’t do,” she told a select group of show biz reporters at her recent contract renewal with the beauty and wellness brand Nuwhite.
Marian’s mother, Amalia, was an overseas Filipino worker. And the sacrifices her mother made aren’t lost on the GMA 7 actress. While her mother was in Spain—and later on, in the UK—toiling away to give her a better future, it was her grandmother, Lola Iska, who raised her.
Now she can add her mother-in-law—Dingdong Dantes’s mother, Angeline—to the list of women she admires and hopes to emulate. “They’re always there for me,” Marian said.
Juggling motherhood, career and being a wife, the 38-year-old star said, is one of her biggest challenges as a woman. That’s why it’s important that her priorities are clear.
Rivera (third from left) with Dingdong Dantes and kids Zia and Ziggy
On raising children
“It’s us parents who are responsible for our children. And the tough part is making sure that we raise them to be good and kind people. So you have to learn and find ways to give the best for your children. You have to set your priorities—something I learned from my mother,” she related. “If not, you will have a hard time juggling all these things.”
For Mother’s Day, a simple celebration at home is more than enough. “Last year, we spent the day together at home with all our moms and titas. I think we will do the same this week,” she said. “I gave them flowers last week and I will likely do that again this Sunday.”
And to all the mothers who unfailingly love and support their kids, Marian has nothing but respect. “I salute you! It’s hard, but incredibly rewarding. Our job is priceless,” she said.
Recently, Marian’s kids made show biz headlines: 7-year-old Zia for her adorable, spunky dance performance at a school recital, and 4-year-old Ziggy for winning gold medals in taekwondo. Marian sees to it that she’s present at the important events in their lives.
“Being able to follow their journey and witness their achievements is priceless. And I’m always there for them,” she said, adding that Dingdong also makes time for family activities despite his hectic schedule. “He goes with us—kahit puyat from work. He even blocks off his calendar for his kids.”
Marian Rivera
Encouraging her kids
Does she see her kids following in their footsteps? It’s probably too early to tell, she said. For now, Marian just wants to expose them to the arts and different sports, and see what sticks. They have to focus on their studies, too, of course.
“Zia has lots of interests. Sometimes, I ask her, ‘Kaya mo pa ba? Baka pagod ka na.’ Meanwhile, I get so nervous watching Ziggy compete. But I love seeing his personality grow — kalog din! And watching the two together makes me really happy… I look at them and go, ‘Wow!’” she related.
“I just want to give them opportunities and options. Their interests will probably change as they get older, so it’s up to them to choose what they want to do. Dong and I will just be here to support them,” she added.
While her kids come first, it’s important, that she takes care of her health. After all, one can’t pour from an empty cup.
“You have to look after yourself and stay strong and healthy, inside and out,” said the actress, who endorses and uses Nuwhite’s glutathione-collagen supplement for “skin health, stress management and immune system boost.” “My goal is to be healthy for my children … so I can keep up with them. And of course, as celebrities, part of our job is staying presentable all the time.”
Staying in love, she quipped, also helps. “Dong is also there to guide me on how to eat well and take care of myself.”
As a mother, Marian is always conscious about the things she does, because the kids pick up on their parents’ actions. “It’s hard being a mom. You’re just human—hindi lahat ng bagay magagawa mo nang tama. But you have to be conscious of what you do. If the kids see that I’m taking care of them, but neglecting myself, what would they think?” she said.
“It’s important that they see you taking care of yourself, because it will make them realize that it’s something they have to do, too, when they grow up,” she said.