Philippines’ sexiest woman Marian Rivera gives tips on beauty and love

Winning a nationwide poll as Summit Media’s FHM magazine’s “Sexiest Woman in the Philippines” for 2013, the 29-year-old Spanish mestiza actress Marian Rivera will launch a new GMA-7 TV series, Carmela, in January 2014. Her co-star is the 20-year-old actor Alden Richards, the cover model of Cosmo Men magazine in September. Also in 2012, Marian volunteered for Philippine National Red Cross after Regal Films’ Mother Lily Y. Monteverde introduced her to Red Cross chairman Richard “Dick” Gordon. Marian recently gave the Philippine STAR an exclusive interview.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Congrats, I heard you’ve already invited Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto to be your godmother in your wedding to Dingdong Dantes?

MARIAN RIVERA: No, it’s only a joke between me and Ate Vi. After our recent movie project together, we sometimes joke and bond with each other.

But in the future when you marry, would you like to have Vilma as ninang?

(Laughs) Of course! Nag-prisinta na kasi siya (She already volunteered herself)… I really admire si Ate Vi, she’s so genuine in her love, she is caring to friends, no wonder millions of Filipinos love her. Ate Vi is very nice, she calls me “Baby.” 

In your TV series Carmela, your co-star Alden Richards is nine years younger than you. What is your comment on May-December romances, like those of Kris Aquino and James Yap before, Dr. Vicki Belo and ex-boyfriend Hayden Kho, or the latest between controversial Freddie Aguilar and his very young wife?

Wala ‘yan sa edad (It’s not in the age). I think age doesn’t matter. Some young people are emotionally mature na (already), while some older people immature pa (still). Nakikita din natin na kahit mga couples na same age, merong hindi nag-cli-click at hindi compatible (We can see even couples of the same age, there are those who do not click and are not compatible). Success sa romance depends more on how they handle their relationship, not so much the age.

Are you excited about Christmas?

I love Christmas very much, not so much for the gifts or celebrations; this is one time of the year when I can really relax. There are no holidays kasi para sa aming mga artista, walang araw na walang mga tapings at mga events (because for us actresses and actors, there’s no day that we don’t have tapings and events). But during this season, from Dec. 23 up to New Year, we really have one week of rest.

Your favorite foods for Christmas?

Anything with cheese, because I just love cheese.

Where in the world, and how, will you be spending your Christmas?

Just at home, with my family — actually with our Rivera family and also the Dantes family. I will also go to church.

Are you religious? What’s your advice to people regarding faith?

I go to church every Sunday, but I believe we should go to church not only pag Sundays. Whenever I have time, I go to church. Actually, chapel lang pinupuntahan ko kasi mas tahimik, ‘yung adoration chapel. Although mas maganda yung may misa kasi mag pangaral ng pari, pero ‘pag may time at ‘pag gusto ko, adoration chapel talaga kasi alam mong lahat ng mga tao dun may hinihiling at nagpapasalamat (Actually, I often only go to a chapel because it is more quiet, the adoration chapel. Although it is better if there’s a mass with the priest making his sermon, but whenever I have time and I want to, I prefer to go to the adoration chapel where you know people go there to ask for and to give thanks).

How has your visit to the areas hit by typhoon Yolanda affected you?

Malaki. Doon mo mare-realize (A lot. It is only then that you’d realize) how fortunate we are that God gave us a good life. Whatever problems we think we have, wala ‘yon sa mga sufferings ng mga typhoon victims… Iba ‘yung feeling na nasa background ka lang, kasi (Those are nothing compared to the sufferings of the typhoon victims. It’s a different feeling to be in the background only). I’m just supporting the Yes Pinoy Foundation ni Dingdong (Dantes)… Your being famous or beautiful as a celebrity, that’s fine, but I realize what’s more important is how you make others feel. A celebrity will not be forever famous or successful, but once you’ve touched the lives of people, they will remember you forever.

President Noynoy Aquino and his officials have been severely criticized by local and international media on the handling of the typhoon Yolanda crisis. Any advice for P-Noy?

I cannot comment, because I’m not in any position to give advice to him.

Do you think there will soon be “donor fatigue” because we have too many calamities every year from typhoons to earthquakes?

Possible ‘yan. Now we have people donating relief funds or goods, but up to when? Dapat long-term at livelihood isipin natin (We should think of long-term and livelihood). Personally, I have a civic project called “Adopt-a-Bangka” with GMA network and the Bantayan Island Association of Hotels, Resorts, Bars, and Restaurants, Inc. to help rebuild and rehabilitate bangkas (boats), a major tool of livelihood for local fisherfolk at Bantayan Island of Northern Cebu. Thanks to Ann Marie Tan, also Oliver Amoroso. We want to help typhoon-hit communities with livelihoods. Each banka costs P15,000 to P25,000, but it can provide livelihoods for 15 to 20 years.

Do you plan to venture into politics someday?

Ay hindi po (Ay, no). It’s not in my character. Hindi ko po kaya (I’m not capable in that field).

Would you like to someday become a First Lady?

Nino? Sino ba’ng tatakbo (Of whom? Who’s running for public office)?

Of her boyfriend Dingdong Dantes? Will he run for a position in 2016?

No idea about his plans. Bahala siya. Pero matalino naman siya at saka forte niya yung public service. Ako hanggang business lang ako. Ha, ha. (It’s up to him. But’s he’s intelligent and public service is his forte. Me, I’m only interested in business.)

You’re always so slim. What sports or workouts do you do?

I exercise, like running, Zumba, Muay Thai, dancing, swimming and also I do Spider-Man. (Laughs) Joke lang ‘yung Spider-Man!

Summit Media’s FHM magazine named you as “the Philippines’ sexiest woman” this year. How do you define sexiness?

I think sexiness is more than just the skin. Siguro ‘pag mayroon ka talagang bilib sa sarili mo at alam mo na kaya mong dalhin yung sarili mo, para sa akin sexy ka. (Perhaps if you really believe in yourself and you know how to carry yourself well, to me, you’re sexy). Whether wearing long-sleeves with pants or other clothes, sexy ka basta kaya mong dalhin yung sarili mo at confident ka na  parang: “Kaya ko ‘to.” (you’re sexy as long as you know how to carry yourself and are confident like saying: “I can do this.”)

What do you eat (or avoid eating) to maintain your figure?

This might sound corny: promise, I do not diet. Wheatgrass lang. Kumakain din naman ako pero hindi naman yung OA na kain nang kain. At saka kung kaya every night na mag-tea, nag-ti-tea ako talaga. (Only wheatgrass. I also do eat, but I do not overindulge. And if possible, every night I really enjoy drinking some tea). 

What food do you consider your guilty pleasure?

 Chocolate. I love chocolates.

 How often do you eat chocolate?

Every day.

What’s your definition of beauty?

Is this the Q&A portion of the Miss Universe pageant? (Laughs) Ang hirap e. Ako, basta sa akin ang babaeng malinis, maganda (It’s difficult. For me, as long as a woman is clean, she’s beautiful). Whatever your skin color, as long as I see you clean, for me you’re beautiful.

What are your beauty secrets?

Every time pagkatapos ng shoot (after a shoot), I really remove makeup. Every night, naglilinis ako ng mukha, naglalagay ng toner saka moisturizer. Kung pwede pa ako maglagay ng mask bago matulog, naglalagay ako (I clean my face, I put toner and moisturizer. If possible to put a mask on my face before sleeping, I’d do that too).

Your advice to women who want to be as beautiful as you?

For me, as long as, for your own beauty, kahit ano’ng mahal ng product, ‘wag nilang paghinayangan kung ilalagay nila sa face nila. Mag-invest talaga sila (no matter how expensive, they shouldn’t scrimp on things they want to put on their face. They should really invest). And then be happy inside and out.

Where does your sense of humor come from?

My lola (grandmother) has a great sense of humor. Eh laki ako sa lola, so siguro isa yun sa mga dahilan. At siguro sa mga nakakatrabaho ko rin, sa environment ko (I grew up with my grandmother, so that’s one reason. Also maybe, from my colleagues at work, from my environment too).

If not an actress, what profession would you want to be in?

Chef or teacher siguro (perhaps). I like to be with kids, so a pre-school teacher.

You did not dream of becoming a star?

No plans to be an actress, because my college course was psychology. Tapos nag-work ako sa mental hospital, so parang ang layo na mag-artista ako (Then I worked in the mental hospital, so it seemed far-fetched that I’d become an actress).

You worked in Muntinlupa?

Yes. I worked there.

What was it like working in a mental hospital?

Happy naman to work at the mental hospital. Masaya ako tumulong sa mga pasyente at kinakausap sila at binibigyan sila ng exams. Hindi lang halata pero graduate po ako ng psychology (I’m happy to help patients, talking to them and giving them exams. It doesn’t seems apparent, but I graduated with a psychology degree).

What can you say to some who are detractors?

Wala (Nothing). That’s life. I always say this, even if one works at the office or mag-school ka, lahat talaga may ganyan. So kung ayaw mo ng ganyan, mag-lock ka nalang sa bahay, manood ka ng TV. ‘Yun talaga yung consequence ng pagiging artista. Mas lalo sa pulitika. Sa artista, ito lang: Hanggang pintas-pintas lang sila, puna-puna, pero alam mong trabaho lang (or even at school, all have that. So if you don’t like detractors, just lock yourself at home and watch TV. That’s the consequence of being an actress. Worse in politics, in showbiz, is this: they criticize here and there, some negative comments, but you know it’s only work).

What are your success secrets?

GMA-7 gave me the right projects. I have a good manager guiding me. Siguro hindi ako dapat makuntento sa acting ko. Siguro mas dapat i-criticize ako. Mas gusto ko yung ganun para mas mag-improve ako (Perhaps I shouldn’t be content with my acting. Perhaps I should also be criticized. I prefer that, so I can improve my craft).

How is your relationship with Dingdong?

Happy naman kasi every time we have any vacation time, gumagawa talaga kami ng paraan na makaalis para makapag-bonding (we really find ways to leave so we have more time for bonding).

Describe him?

He is one person who, no matter who you are, maa-appreciate ka niya bilang ikaw. At ‘pag nagmahal siya, ikaw at ikaw lang talaga. At kapag mahal niya ang isang tao, gagawin niya talaga lahat para maging masaya siya (he will appreciate you for who you are. And if he loves, it will really be you and only you. And if he loves a person, he will really do everything to make her happy).

Advice to people in general about how to have a happy love life like you and Dingdong are now enjoying?

Ang love life may kanya-kanyang pagkakataon at panahon ‘yan, depende kung paano mo i-handle ang sitwasyon (A love life has its own opportunities and timing, it depends on how you handle the situation). If it’s there and you have a chance, go grab it, enjoy it.

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