After more than a decade of marriage, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes are no longer talking about love in the abstract. What they share now is a relationship shaped by reassurance, vulnerability, and a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses—less about sparks, more about substance.
During their recent appearance on a YouTube conversation hosted by Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga, the longtime couple reflected candidly on what keeps their marriage grounded after 11 years.
Asked about jealousy, Marian surprised many with her calm certainty.
“Ang tagal na. Ang tagal nang hindi. After nang nanganak ako, parang nawala na,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “Wala na masyado kasi baka nahiya na rin sila kasi asawa ko na.”
(“It’s been a long time. A very long time since then. After I gave birth, it was like it disappeared,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “Not so much anymore, maybe because they’re embarrassed since he’s already my husband.”)
For Dingdong, faithfulness is not assumed—it is actively practiced.
“Number one, kailangan ‘yung constant reassurance na everything is alright, na wala namang dahilan para maramdaman mo ‘yan,” he explained. “Kailangan talaga ‘yung effort na parating pinapaalala ‘yun. And siyempre, to begin with, wala naman talagang dapat ipagselos.”
(“Number one, there has to be constant reassurance that everything is alright, that there’s no reason for you to feel that way,” he explained. “You really have to make the effort to keep reminding them. And of course, to begin with, there’s really nothing to be jealous about.”)
That openness, Marian believes, has been essential to their longevity.
“Tayong mga babae, masyado tayong expressive sa mga nararamdaman natin. Masyado tayong transparent, masyado tayong vocal,” she shared.
(“We women are very expressive about what we feel. We’re very transparent, very vocal,” she shared.)
“Okay ako nang ganoon kaysa naman kikimkimin ko. I think magandang proseso rin ‘yun na naging open ako sa mga nararamdaman ko sa kanya kaya nagtagal ‘yung relasyon naming dalawa.”
(“I’m okay with that rather than keeping everything inside. I think it was also a good process that I became open about my feelings toward him, which is why our relationship lasted.”)
Eleven years into marriage, Dingdong finds his certainty only deepening.
“Sa 11 years, mas na-strengthen ‘yung paniniwala ko kung bakit namin pinili ang isa’t isa,” he said.
(“In 11 years, my belief in why we chose each other has only been strengthened,” he said.)
Marian, meanwhile, spoke of the realities behind the romance.
“Ang mga babae, marami ring ginagawa para sa pamilya. Doon ko mas na-realize na ito talaga ang pangarap ko,” she admitted.
(“Women do so many things for the family. That’s when I realized this is truly my dream,” she admitted.)
Building a life together, she said, means embracing not just joy but difficulty.
“Hindi lang puro saya—may pagkakataon din talaga na magkakaroon kayo ng problema. Pero at the end of the day, mare-realize mo, mananaig pa rin talaga ‘yung pagmamahal n’yo sa isa’t isa.”
(“It’s not all happiness—there are times when you will really face problems. But at the end of the day, you realize that your love for each other still prevails.”)
She went further, redefining what true love means to her.
“Para sa akin, ang true love talaga is hindi lang dahil guwapo siya ngayon, provider ko siya ngayon,” Marian said.
(“For me, true love isn’t just because he’s handsome now or because he provides for me now,” Marian said.)
“Mas mamahalin ko siya sa mga panahon na kinakailangan na ‘yung mga weakness niya ay napupunan ko.”
(“I will love him more during the times when I am needed to fill in his weaknesses.”)
“Doon ko na-realize na compatible talaga kaming dalawa… ibinigay talaga siya para sa akin para tulungan ko siya at tulungan niya ako sa mga bagay na nahihirapan ako.”
(“That’s when I realized we are truly compatible… that he was really given to me so I could help him, and he could help me in the things I struggle with.”)
Their bond, however, did not begin with instant warmth. Marian recalled that during their Marimar days, everything felt strictly professional, almost distant. It was only later—while working on Dyesebel—that walls slowly came down. Grueling underwater scenes tested patience and trust, and one moment stood out: Dingdong pulling Marian to safety from strong waves during filming. It was there, she realized, that his protective and caring nature revealed itself.
She also credited director Joyce Bernal for fostering an environment that allowed friendship to bloom. Joyce’s insistence on bonding turned work into something closer to family, breaking the ice and allowing genuine connection to grow.
Today, those early moments feel like quiet foundations rather than dramatic turning points. What Marian and Dingdong now share is a partnership defined by reassurance, emotional honesty, and the willingness to meet each other where the other is lacking. For fans who have followed their story from screen to real life, it is not just kilig—it is a portrait of love that matures, deepens, and chooses to stay.