Will Dong surprise Yan?

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s a surprise,” Dingdong Dantes whispered as if his ladylove Marian Rivera was not listening. The real-life sweethearts were in Tagbilaran, Bohol last July 28 for the Kapuso Night at the annual celebration of Sandugo Festival.

Can you guess what Dingdong was referring to? It was about his plans for Marian’s birthday on Aug. 12. And it is, indeed, understandable if he can’t go into details so as not to spoil that one big surprise. What’s certain, Dingdong quipped, is they will be together on that special day.

But Marian didn’t disappoint when she gamely told The STAR  what’s going to happen on Dingdong’s birthday. “We will be having a get-together. We will invite some of his close friends and, of course, his family.”

 â€œIt was last year when I decided to refrain from having parties to celebrate my birthday. I just wanted to spend the (special) day with my family and Marian. Like last year, we will spend time together but not outside the Philippines,” related Dingdong.

The two share the same birth month. Dingdong turned a year older last Aug. 2. So by the time this piece is out, it’s either Dingdong and company are still enjoying a relaxing time in Quezon or they just had returned to Manila fully recharged and ready to buckle down to work again.

Asked about their birthday present for each other, Marian burst into laughter. According to her, they’ve been trying to keep their promise not to buy anymore each other a gift but still, they always end up exchanging gifts. “Kasi lagi ko naiisip na once a year lang naman ang birthday eh ganun din pala s’ya sa kin. And besides, he deserves whatever it is that I will give.”

And though she appreciates all that is happening to her — including life’s humps and bumps — Marian cannot deny how she yearns to achieve more. “Life is full of desires. ’Di yata nauubusan ng wish ang buhay and I always tell this that though we can’t avoid the hardships pero sana mas maraming happiness and good vibes.”

Same with Dingdong. He hopes to be more focused on  everything that he will do this year.

“I also wish for Marian to, with proper guidance, see more clearly what she wants to do in the future. I hope, too, that she continues to be positive and make someone smile every day through shows and social media.”

Marian, too, shared her wish for Dingdong. “I wish him to accomplish all the things he wants to do as an artist and producer.”

But it is not only Dingdong who is into movie production. Marian is also trying her hand as a producer with Kung Fu Divas, her topbiller with Ai-Ai delas Alas, as her initial foray. She said Dingdong has somehow inspired her to try her hand as a producer. So when she was asked to star in Kung Fu Divas, the idea of investing in the said movie was also broached to her. “So I said, ‘Why not?’ And if the outcome is good,  well, baka magtuloy-tuloy na ’to.”

Ai-Ai is also one of the co-producers of Kung Fu Divas to be distributed by Star Cinema.

Marian was quick to add that her partnership with a Kapamilya film outfit doesn’t mean she’s moving out of GMA when her contract expires this month. In a recent report, Marian has been rumored to transfer to the rival network since last April.

“I don’t see anything wrong partnering with Star (Cinema). Di ba mas maganda kung nagkakasama sa iba’t ibang projects pero ’di ibig sabihin lilipat na agad. I have respect for GMA and my contract with them is until August and I don’t think it’s right to be talking about it now,” said Marian who has been with the Kapuso Network since the start of her career in 2005.

Marian also denied the rumors claiming that she is pregnant. “It’s no longer new to me because seven years ago, after playing Dyesebel, Marimar and Darna, the same issue was hurled at me so na-immune na ko.”

Besides, Marian added, she was not directly alluded to the rumor that started in a blind item. Her name cropped up after that recent item gave the initials MR as clue.

Dingdong joked, “Baka ano ’yun, Miss Rivera, ’di Marian. Maraming Miss Rivera.”

Kidding aside, Dingdong said that being pregnant is a blessing from Above and anyone would welcome such wonderful blessing. “I feel, there’s a right time for that. Nagkataon lang na maling tao yung tinutukoy nila (referring to the rumor). And Marian will be the first to know if and when.”

Asked about his next move if in case he got her pregnant, Dingdong replied, “Personally, as much as possible I want to do what is right and I’m still in that stage of planning things but definitely, I will do what is right. When I was 25, sabi ko I wanna marry early but it’s not about the age pala. I mean, it’s not about kung ano mangyari sa panahon. It’s really about right timing, right person and right everything.”

Marian agreed. “Before, I told myself that I’ll be starting my own family when I reach 24 (years old) but as we grow older, our goals change. We learn to plan carefully. Just like what Dong said, right timing, right person. And dapat ma-feel mo na ready ka na to settle down.”

Meantime, Dingdong and Marian were given a warm welcome by Boholano fans who trooped to the CPG football stadium despite heavy downpour. Wild cheers filled the air as Dingdong ascended the stage and performed a song number. The crowd went wilder when Marian joined him onstage. Marian performed with a fan and she even requested Dingdong to do The Gentleman moves to which the latter obliged.

Maghihintay sa ‘Yo stars Dion Ignacio, Diva Montelaba and JC Tiuseco also gave rousing performances. Unfortunately, Rafael Rosell wasn’t able to perform in the Kapuso Night. He had to fly back to Manila right after the street parade held in the afternoon.