Indeed, motherhood has tamed Marian Rivera.
“Baby Zia has become the center of my world,” gushed Marian, adding, “I have mellowed so much as a person and my priorities in life have certainly changed now that I am a mother and a homemaker.”
Baby Zia, or Maria Letizia, is now 6 months old, and the toddler is the reason the Dantes household is teeming with sunshine and joy.
Marian is now able to go back to work and her weekday morning show ’Yan ang Morning on GMA seems perfect for her. “I work twice or thrice a week for the morning show, and it’s perfect because it doesn’t take so much of my time, unlike working on a daily drama series.”
Even when she is working away from home, Marian makes it a point to regularly check on her baby. “I’m a hands-on mom and I enjoy every minute of being one. Of course, I don’t set aside my duties as a wife to Dingdong [Dantes]. Both of us have our own ways of caring for the baby. I believe in shared parental duties. I guess balance is always the key.”
She added, “The feeling is like falling in love head over heels, but this time, it’s loving Baby Zia in ways that I’ve never imagined when I was still single. Becoming a mom is a gift and, yes, it’s true what they say—it’s the essence of a woman.”
Marian has also resumed her appearance in the weekend noontime show Sunday Pinasaya. “I always look forward to being on the show. It’s so much fun, and everybody seems to be enjoying it. It’s a feel-good job; what more can I ask for?”
ALL HEART
Heart Evangelista has always believed in destiny. From the time that her politician-husband announced that he was running for the second-highest public post in the country to the moment when he conceded, Heart was always on his side. “If it’s meant to be, then it will happen—such is life,” she said.
Heart was able to take some time off from her work schedule for the new GMA romantic comedy series Juan Happy Love Story to be with husband, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, for much-needed rest and recreation at the exclusive Balesin getaway in northern Philippines.
“There’s still so much more ahead to look forward to,” she shared, adding, “We are trying to become parents, and there’s so much more that we can do to serve our countrymen—with or without a position.”
Heart added she’s enjoying her new show, and spoke highly of Dennis Trillo, her leading man in Juan Happy Lover Story. “He has always impressed me as a good, grounded actor. I love working with Dennis. He is quiet and unassuming on the set but he is so focused on every role he takes on. Not many know that he can be funny, too.”
In between her duties as a wife and an actor, Heart has also found time to be the celebrity ambassador for the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). In fact, the bank recently launched its latest advertising campaign to introduce Heart as its newest spokesman-endorser.
When Heart learned that she will be able to help the bank look after the welfare of the veterans and their families in the Philippines, she gladly accepted the offer. At the recent Bataan Fun Run, a PVB-sponsored activity, Heart was actively campaigning for the event, citing physical wellness as one of her advocacies. The Bataan Freedom Run is held in honor of the thousands of Filipino and American World War II veterans who endured the Bataan Death March 74 years ago, and is one of the highlights of the celebration of the Philippine Veterans’ Week. This year’s run had several distance categories: 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, 1 kilometer and a special ultramarathon category. Over a thousand runners signed up for the event organized by PVB with Without Limits as its race consultant.
As the Philippines and the World War II community gear up to celebrate the 75th Commemoration of the Bataan Death March in 2017, Heart is hoping for a bigger Bataan Freedom Run next year and other interesting activities. “Our veterans gave up so much for the country, and it’s nice that we can support them and their families in many ways.” All proceeds from the Bataan Freedom Run will be used to fund the restoration of World War II Historical Markers in the province of Bataan.
DELIGHTED DAWN
Dawn Zulueta is both relieved and delighted that her latest movie, Love Me Tomorrow, is doing well.
She was initially worried how audiences would react to a film stripped of too much drama, the same stuff we see nowadays in film after film after film. “I admit there were a lot of jitters, but I just had to focus, trust everyone involved in the movie and give it my best shot.”
Dawn is paired with film heartthrob Piolo Pascual, and it’s not really a May-December affair, like some of our media colleagues have called the film to be. Dawn is only a bit older than Piolo, and she does not look her age, which is why the chemistry works.
“I really have to be diligent with exercise,” she volunteered, adding, “And I take everything in moderation. I also make sure I sleep well so I can have the energy to do stuff the following day.”
She is happy to have been given the chance to work with Piolo.
“I’ve been wanting to do a project with him for the longest time and finally, here is one movie that’s different because the material is light, and the narrative is within easy comprehension and understanding of moviegoers.”