Ariel Rivera: Family comes first

Ariel Rivera happily juggles career and fatherhood these days as he gets to do one TV show after the other while fulfilling his duties to his family.

The former Kilabot ng Kolehiyala, who appeared on Sugo and Now and Forever, is now in the cast of the GMA 7 telefantasya Atlantika to premiere tomorrow night.

At 40, he no longer fancies himself as the owner of the said title, and gives more importance on his career and being a husband to Gelli de Belen and dad to Joaqui and Julio. To Ariel, family responsibilities are more challenging than portraying a role on TV or in film.

"Disciplining the children especially at their age is difficult as you really have to teach everything properly and guide them in exploring things they have to learn," he says about his task as a dad.

Ariel admits his telefantasya role as the ambitious Barracud is tough but the costume makes it easier for him to get the feel of his character. The prosthetics tested his patience during the first few weeks of taping as he found it irritating on the skin but that is okay as long as it makes his character real.

He also underwent two kinds of training to play his role well – hand combat and scuba diving.

"We have a unique fighting technique in Atlantika. That’s why we studied under a guy from the Navy for our hand combat training. Proper underwater breathing is essential to all of us," he says.

Ariel is excited about his role as a contravida and proudly describes the set and visual effects of Atlantika which will make primetime viewing more interesting.

"I love the character they gave me. My co-stars are fantastic and easy to work with," he says.

Atlantika, directed by Mark Reyes, Mike Tuviera, Dingdong Dantes and Zoren Legaspi, focuses on how Aquano (Dingdong) will save Atlantika and keep its secret from being revealed in the human world after a war in the underwater kingdom broke out because of selfish and ambitious Barracud (Ariel). To restore peace in Atlantika, Aquano must bring the two princesses back before Barracud does and become instruments of the evil force.

Also in the cast are Rudy Fernandez, Jean Garcia, Gardo Versoza, Celia Rodriguez, Cherry Pie Picache, Iza Calzado, Pen Medina, Ronnie Lazaro, Katrina Halili, Isabel Oli, Valerie Concepcion, Chynna Ortaleza, Janice Jurado and Jackie Castillejo.

Taping days for the telefantasya takes Ariel away from his family thrice a week. He is thankful Gelli still manages to run the house even if she is also busy with SIS and Nuts Entertainment. Since they do not have a yaya, Ariel and Gelli personally attend to their children’s needs.

"I drive the kids to and from school even if I’m tired from work while Gelli helps them in their assignments," he says.

Though busy, Ariel still spends quality time with the family by going to their Tagaytay resthouse on weekends or when his schedule permits.

Aside from acting, Ariel is doing an album of revival songs under Sony BMG. The adage that a tree is known by the fruit it bears holds water where Ariel is concerned because his sons share his passion for singing. But Ariel adds they still have to get over their shyness when faced with an audience.

"My album is a long overdue project due to my tight schedule. I did Sugo then Now and Forever and now comes Atlantika but hopefully I will finish it before the year ends," he says.

Ariel also devotes some time in their businesses like the Dominoes Pizza franchise and an auto shop, Auto Ko.

With his hands full with work and a loving family on his side, Ariel cannot ask for more.