What Marian Rivera is most grateful for

“We offer this show to let all the Filipinos working abroad know that their family appreciates the sacrifices that they do. We showcase through the episodes of Tadhana that people should understand the lives of OFW. Iniintindi dapat natin sila and hindi dapat tine-take for granted. We lasted for a year because of the love that these families show to their loved ones abroad.”

Acting awards, brand endorsements, a blooming business and one happy family. Marian Rivera has it all, but the Kapuso Primetime Queen shows no signs of slowing down. “I will continuously work for the future of my daughter,” she said.

The Dantes family recently had a small getaway last week in celebration of Father’s Day. They flew to El Nido, Palawan, to spend some quality time with their adorable two-year-old daughter Maria Letizia.

Through a short message, Dingdong showed his appreciation for the little surprise his wife and daughter had prepared for him, a romantic dinner set-up by the beach.

“May kakaibang ukit talaga ang islang ito sa kwento naming mag-asawa. Sabi namin, balang araw, kailangang makarating din dito si Letizia. Kaya’t heto na siya, asim na asim sa sikat ng araw, at may bit-bit pang Babi-Yaw (manika niya),” he posted on his Instagram.

Marian admits that Palawan holds a special meaning for both of them, since it is the place they both agreed to visit after their grand wedding four years ago. It was also in Palawan where Marian and Dingdong shot scenes of the iconic Philippine television drama Dyesebel, their second teleserye together back in 2008.

“We’re always sweet with each other, whether we’re inside or outside of the house. Especially if given a chance that we can take a vacation even for a short period only so that we can bond as a family,” she said.

Dingdong broke his silence days ago to deny Marian’s rumored second pregnancy. On the other hand, Marian is vocal in conveying that they are both trying for another baby so that daughter Zia would soon have a sibling.

“I won’t deny that we’re trying since I said that Zia is now two years old; that (age) distance is good enough,” she thought. “Zia is a blessing. I’m hoping there’s more to come. Ganun yung nararamdaman kong happiness na isang Zia pa lang, what more kung ang dami na nila. So, we’re hoping.”

And if ever she does get pregnant, Marian says, “Pahinga na muna; of course, that’s my priority.”

She is set to headline the anniversary episode of the drama anthology Tadhana this coming June 23. She will play the character of Jackie Humabon, a mother who decided to work in Bahrain to sustain the needs of her family.

With her husband seriously ill, Jackie was left alone to raise her family. When the chance to work as a domestic helper abroad came knocking at her door, she did not hesitate and accepted the job. Little did she know that an ordeal awaited her in Bahrain.

Jackie’s employer was cruel. Not only did she experience physical abuse, she was even prohibited from leaving the house and using a phone to communicate with her family in the Philippines. She endured that for two years. Upon her return to Manila, she learned that her family never received the money she sent.

Marian shared that she really felt the overflowing emotions of the scenes as her mother once experienced being an overseas Filipino worker.

“Yung anak ko nga iwan ko lang sandali, umiiyak hindi ko na kinakaya. What more those mothers who go abroad, they sacrifice so much for their family. Iba talaga ang nangingibang bansa kasi hindi mo alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanila.”

The show, which Marian has been hosting from the start, is celebrating its first year anniversary, a feat Rivera herself says is a milestone they thought they would never achieve.

“We offer this show to let all the Filipinos working abroad know that their family appreciates the sacrifices that they do. We showcase through the episodes of Tadhana that people should understand the lives of OFWs. Iniintindi dapat natin sila and hindi dapat tine-take for granted. We lasted for a year because of the love that these families show to their loved ones abroad.”

No less than her husband Dingdong Dantes will be directing said episode. Though, at first, he had reservations in accepting the opportunity to direct his wife, he eventually took the project. “I saw a different kind of actress, a different kind of Marian. I appreciated her more as an artist, as a person, as a mother, because she is really that serious when it comes to her craft,” he said.

Marian, too, felt pressured at first, being directed by her husband, but she later on praised him for giving her chances to execute the scenes in wasy she thought best.

“Since day one that I became a celebrity, I believe that whatever role it is, single, as a mother or not, if it is given to you and you know that you can do it, why not?” she said.

With the outcome of the upcoming anniversary episode, Marian doubts that this will not be the last time that she would get to work with Dingdong as the director. When asked whether she would support him if Dingdong decides to enter the world of politics, she just said, “Yes, 101 percent we will support him in everything that he wants to do.”

Playing special roles in the episode are veteran actors Jackielou Blanco, Emilio Garcia and Lotlot De Leon.

Don’t miss the special anniversary episode of Tadhana on June 23 right after Contessa on GMA 7.