Dingdong Dantes welcomes 'any opportunity' to work with Marian Rivera
MANILA, Philippines — Dingdong Dantes isn't going to turn down the chance to work with his wife and fellow actor Marian Rivera, regardless of the genre or project pitched to them.
The celebrity couple is pairing up anew for the drama film "Remember" under the direction of Mae Cruz-Alviar, who previously directed their 2023 blockbuster "Rewind."
Dingdong and Marian have worked together numerous times since first meeting on the set of "Marimar." These projects include "Dyesebel," "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang," "One True Love," "Endless Love," "My Beloved," and "Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa."
Before "Rewind," the couple's last movie was 2010's "You to Me Are Everything" — four years before they tied the knot. Cruz-Alviar directed Dingdong in 2013's "She's the One" with Bea Alonzo, Enrique Gil, and Liza Soberano.
Philstar.com exclusively spoke to Dingdong and Cruz-Alviar, where the latter believes it is easier to direct the actor when he is starring opposite Marian. It particularly helps that in "Rewind" and "Remember," the couple's characters are married to one another.
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"Madali kasi married sila eh! May mga natural na lumalabas na little things that they can add to make the chemistry very realistic," the director explained. "Alam nila kasi kasal sila at mahal nila ang isa't isa."
The director added that because the couple know each other really well, the challenge for them is how they can separate their actual lives from their characters.
The filmmaker shared she would like to see if the dynamic would be the same if Dingdong and Marian were not portraying a married couple. The director immediately teased Dingdong that this premise could be their third collaboration, which Dingdong humorously agreed to.
"Because they are pros, when they stop on the set, they aren't Mr. and Mrs. Dantes. Sila ay mga artistas, they know they are actors," the director reiterated. "I believe that if ang project hindi sila mag-asawa, magagampanan nila 'yun."
Cruz-Alviar pointed out that they had to avoid natural gestures between couples like gentle touches on the shoulder, but she still thinks Dingdong and Marian could pull it off.
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Philstar.com also asked Dingdong if he would work with Marian more if large collaborative efforts, such as "Remember," came more frequently their way.
"Any opportunity that I can get to work with her, sobrang gusto ko 'yan, kahit ano pa 'yan," the actor smiled.
He did say that dramas like "Remember" just make it more possible for the couple to collaborate, admitting that they did not expect another project of this magnitude after "Rewind."
"I'm just really grateful that it became possible. If there will be another one, eh 'di yes. Why not? Of course!" Dingdong ended.
"Remember" will premiere in Philippine and global cinemas beginning November 11.
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