WATCH: Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes mark first ‘It’s Showtime’ guesting

Vhong Navarro, Vice Ganda, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes and Jhong Hilario. Image: Facebook/It’s Showtime

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes’ visit to “It’s Showtime” drew not only cheers but questions as well from fans, who were curious about host Karylle’s absence on the noontime show’s Saturday episode.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, Rivera and Dantes were welcomed by the “It’s Showtime” hosts including Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Kim Chiu and Jhong Hilario, sans Karylle—who had a three-year relationship with Dantes.

After greeting the studio audience, the celebrity couple, who was promoting their upcoming film “Rewind,” was then asked to name their best 2023 moment for which they are grateful.

“Para sa akin, grateful ako na sa taong ito ay nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na makatrabaho ang asawa ko, kasi sobrang busy po niya,” Dantes answered. (For me, I’m grateful because this year, I was given the opportunity to work with my wife, who has been very busy.)

“Nung binigyan kami ng chance to work together, parang hindi siya trabaho; para kaming nagde-date araw-araw kaya pinagpapasalamat ko talaga ‘yon,” he added.”

(When we were given the chance to work together, it did not feel like work; it was as if we were just having a date every day, that’s why I’m grateful for it.)

Rivera noted that there is little to no difference from how they are at work and at home. “Palaging nilu-look forward lang namin na magkasama kami together.” (We always look forward to being together.)

The pair also admitted that the most challenging part of the film for them was doing the intimate scene.

“Ang weird kasi malalaman niyo kung paano kami sa personal,” the actress quipped. “Ang hirap i-acting.” (It was weird because you would know how we do it in real life. It was hard to act it out.)

Meanwhile, the noontime show’s comment section was filled with curious viewers who were looking for Karylle in the Saturday episode. It was not immediately known why the actress-singer was absent as her fellow hosts made no mention of it.

Images: Facebook/It’s Showtime

Before Dantes and Rivera became the Kapuso Primetime King and Queen—an onscreen team-up that eventually led to romance and marriage—the actor was Karylle’s boyfriend for three years. They broke up in 2008.

Karylle is now married to Yael Yuzon, the frontman of rock band Spongecola.

Dantes and Rivera’s film “Rewind” is part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Fest’s entries, which will run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2024.