Marian Rivera believes in leading by example when it comes to teaching her children about self-love and self-care. As a mom of two kids — Zia and Sixto — and wife to Dingdong Dantes, she knows that her actions speak louder than words. How can she tell her kids to take care of themselves if they see their mom neglecting her own self-care, she said.
“Sabi ko nga, as a mom and asawa ni Dong, kailangan ako mismo, kumpleto ako at mahal ko ang sarili ko at nakikita ng mga anak ko ‘yan. Kasi, paano ko i-implement sa mga anak ko ‘yan na, ‘Alagaan n’yo ang sarili ninyo, kailangan maayos kayo kapag lalabas,’ kung nakikita nila yung nanay nila hindi nag-aayos?”
(I always say, as a mom and wife to Dong, I need to be whole and love myself, and my kids should see that. How can I tell my kids to take care of themselves and look presentable when going out if they see their mom not taking care of herself?)
By regularly taking care of herself, Marian believes her kids will naturally learn to do the same as they grow up, understanding the importance of self-care and self-love by simply watching her.
“Even without saying anything, my kids already see how I take care of myself, and for sure, when they grow up, they’ll do the same. Modeling kumbaga (It’s all about modeling behavior).”
She continued, “Yun din ang sinasabi ko na gusto ko rin i-extend sa mga tao, na kung anuman ang trabaho, huwag mong kalilimutan ang sarili mo. Babae ka man o lalaki ka man, kailangan talaga inaalagaan mo yung sarili mo kasi doon nagsisimula ang lahat.”
(That’s also what I tell people — no matter what your job is, never forget yourself. Whether you’re a woman or a man, you must take care of yourself because that’s where everything starts.)
“Imagine if you wake up in the morning in a bad mood, you’ll be in a bad mood the whole day. But if you wake up and say, ‘I look beautiful,’ then for sure, you’ll have a positive day.
“So, mahalagang-mahalaga na binibigyan mo ng importansiya ang sarili mo bago ang lahat.” (So, it’s really important that you give yourself priority before anything else.)
Her value for self-care extends to the kinds of products she endorses to her family, friends and fans. The Kapuso Primetime Queen has most recently renewed her contract for NU White, a gluta brand that helps address the aging process, boosts the immune system, and promotes a more radiant complexion.
Owned by Oxina Nutricosmetics Inc. CEO Maureen Estrada, the brand takes pride in being the first of its kind in the country in terms of gluta supplementation by using S-Acetyl Glutathione in their capsules since 2019, sourced from Italy through EMOTHION, a trusted SAG provider.
“She’s one of the most credible endorsers here in the Philippines. Of course, we wanted the best, and we got that with her. Secondly, we wanted natural beauty, like Marian Rivera’s — whether with or without makeup, she still glows,” said Maureen.
Given her endorsement of a skin-whitening product, Marian was asked about the so-called “obsession” of Filipinos to achieve lighter skin.
“Wala namang masama (There’s nothing wrong with it),” she said. “Alam mo, ang mga tao, depende sa kung ano ang sa tingin nila ay magbibigay ng kumpiyansa sa sarili nila (People’s choices depend on what they feel will give them confidence).”
“Ako, I have nothing against sa mga gustong magpaganda, magpaputi, magpakinis. That’s normal. Sa punto natin ngayon, wala ng dahilan para hindi ka maging maganda. So, agree ako doon, susuportahan ko sila 100 percent.”
(I have nothing against those who want to enhance their looks, lighten their skin, or smooth their complexion. That’s normal. At this point, there’s no reason not to feel beautiful. So for me, I agree with it, and I support them 100 percent.)
Meanwhile, Marian’s Cinemalaya starrer “Balota” gets a wider theaterical run starting Oct. 16.
In filmmaker Kip Oebanda’s suspense-thriller and political satire, Marian plays Emmy, a teacher responsible for safeguarding the ballot box containing the final copy of the election results amid the chaos erupting in their community.
The story couldn’t be any more timely with the midterm election fever coming up.
She previously told The STAR, “Yung pelikulang ‘Balota’ napaka tapang niya, walang preno sa pagbibigay ng information at pagpapahayag sa kung anong nararapat. Sabi nga nila sa oras na yun, sa mga panahon na yun (elections), pare-parehas tayo, pantay-pantay boses natin, kaya sana tandaan natin na pelikula kung ano talaga sinasaloob nito at para sa atin ito.”
(The film “Balota” is very brave. It doesn’t hold back in giving information and expressing what’s right. As they say, at that moment, during those times, we are all equal; our voices are the same. Let’s remember what the film truly stands for, as it’s for all of us.)
The Cinemalaya Bente full-length entry gave Marian her first Best Actress award at 40 years old. She considered the Balanghai trophy a bonus to the entire experience of making the film.
“Yung fulfillment ko sa pag-gawa ng pelikulang ‘Balota,’ harap at likod ng camera, yung mga nakasama ko dun, ito yata yung sa loob ng ilang years na ako sa showbiz ngayon ko lang naramdaman yung fulfillment sa sarili ko, at sa trabaho ko.”
(The fulfillment I felt in making “Balota,” both in front of and behind the camera, and with the people I worked with, is something I’ve never felt before in my years in showbiz — both personally and professionally.)
Marian has also said that she’s open to doing more indie films. “Why not? If there are good stories and important projects to be made, why not?”
Sources from GMA Entertainment, one of the film’s producers alongside GMA Pictures, said that they are eyeing over 120 theaters for its nationwide release.