Marian controversial & highly quotable

She may be one of showbiz’s most controversial, but Marian Rivera is also one of its most charismatic personalities. You can always count on her being quotable whenever she opens her mouth to speak.

At a recent press gathering to introduce her latest endorsement for Sof & mmmm Fabric Conditioner by Personal Collection, Marian was her usual quotable self — and after the main program, she stayed to answer all of the questions thrown her way by the entertainment press. She didn’t parry the issue pitting her against Kapamilya actress Anne Curtis. Anne, as everyone knows, is playing the lead role in the network’s adaptation of Dyesebel, a role Marian also played in 2008. Marian clarified that she has nothing against Anne. “With Anne, even if we don’t text or hang out, we’re friends. On Instagram, madalas kami nagpapalitan ng comments. With Anne, I know she’s a good friend.”

Anne isn’t the only Kapamilya actress that Marian is friends with. There’s Ai-Ai de las Alas, with whom she did the movie Kung Fu Divas, and young star Kathryn Bernardo who, along with Anne, commented on a photo of Marian’s recent shoot posted by photographer Mark Nicdao on Instagram, saying, “She’s so perfect!”

Like Dingdong Dantes who has done two movies under the Star Cinema banner, Marian also isn’t averse to working with stars from outside her home network. In fact, there are rumors, currently swirling, that she is set to do a movie with either Piolo Pascual or John Lloyd Cruz. Marian, who still has two pictures remaining on her contract with Mother Lily Monteverde’s Regal Films, said she couldn’t speak with certainty until such time that everything has been signed, sealed and delivered, but is very much open to the idea of working with the two award-winning actors. “Mahirap magsalita,” she said about the rumored movie project. “When the project is already rolling, maybe that’s the time I can talk about it. But definitely, I’m excited.”

Of course, it can’t be helped that no matter what happens, there will be people who don’t like her, or who will always have something negative to say. Marian realizes that she can’t please everyone. She simply chooses to focus on her work, which she is happy doing. “I’m happy with my life. There are many blessings, and my career and my family are okay.”

Despite that, she feels this is not yet the right time to settle down. In previous interviews, Marian — and even Dingdong himself — admitted that the subject of marriage has come up (Star For All Seasons and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos has reportedly offered to be a ninang), but both remain happily focused on their individual careers for now. The time for marriage will come, and Marian said she’ll know when it does. By that time, she’ll be ready. It could be this year, it could be next year, it could be several years down the road.

“Not so far, but not so near,” was her intriguing reply to reporters’ questions about marriage. “Siguro mararamdaman mo na lang pag dumating na ‘yung oras.”

Marian is flattered that Gov. Vi volunteered to be their ninang. “Kalog lang si Ate Vi, nakakatuwa ang bonding naming dalawa. Parang kinontrata na niya ako, ninang daw siya. Nakakatuwa dahil siya mismo ang nagsabi.”

But the fiercely independent Marian will still not allow herself to be pressured into anything, especially something like marriage. What’s important, she said, is that she and Dingdong are on the same page when it comes to such crucial life questions. Even if feng shui experts say that 2014 is an auspicious year for marriage, Marian is not rushing into anything. “I don’t know,” she said. “Let’s see, because feng shui only serves as a guide. Your principles are more important, and how you handle a relationship. Pareho naman kami, babae at lalaki ang nagdadala ng relationship. The important thing is God is at the center.”

What Marian is sure of is that she is very happy with her life right now. She still has dreams and goals. “I still want to do a lot of things, both in career and personal life,” she said. “Kung may mga tao man na nang-iintriga, o na ganyan ang isip, ipagdasal na lang natin. Ang importante lang ay yung wala kang sinasagasaan na ibang tao. I’m really happy with my life.”