On December 4, Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera shared the secret to their longevity as a married couple and on-screen pairing.
At the media conference for ‘Rewind,’ which LionhearTV covered, Dantes credited their on-screen pairing’s staying power to their maturity when they became a love team.
“Sa aming professional relationship, malaking bagay na nag-umpisa kami ng medyo in our late 20s. Siya mid 20s, ako late 20s, kasi ibig sabihin, kahit papaano, nakapag-matured na kami sa mga aming mga choices, in terms of roles, in terms of everything, pananaw sa buhay.”
He also highlighted the milestones in life they reached together before they even became a real-life couple.
“And noong nagsama kami, medyo hinog na ‘yung mga gusto namin sa buhay. Second ay, noong mga panahon na ‘yun, ‘yun din ‘yung mga malalaking mga milestones na nagaganap sa amin. Maraming first–first time na nangyari sa buhay ko. Sa kaniya rin, maraming first time na nangyari sa kaniya and na-experience namin ‘yun together.
“So para sa akin na-value ko ‘yung mga pagkakataon na ‘yun kung saan na kasama ko siya, experiencing and witnessing these milestones na never kong inakala na mangyayari sa buhay ko. And I truly treasure all of these memories.”
He surmised that their maturity and memories together as an on-screen pair and a couple equipped them with the ‘learnings’ needed to sustain their relationship.
“Kaya siguro noong nalipat na ang aming relationship sa isang totoong relationship na panghabang buhay eh nadala rin namin ‘yung learnings na ito, ‘yung learnings na tungkol sa pagrerespeto sa bawat isa, ‘yung learnings na tungkol sa pagbibigay ng tunay na pagmamahal, dahil na-apply din naman namin ito sa aming trabaho eh.”
Finally, Dantes compared their relationship to partners taking on a dance number, citing how they give and take as a couple.
“At isang magandang nagagamit namin mula noon hanggang ngayon ay ‘yung dynamics namin as partners. Hinahambing ko ‘yan palagi sa sayaw eh. Para ba siyang isang dance number parati na mayroong naggi-give, nagte-take.
“Tapos with the harmony sumasayaw kayo smoothly na para bang natutunaw kayo together. And parang ‘yun na-experience namin as co-workers. Nangyari sa amin ‘yun and I think organically, na-apply namin yun sa aming personal relationship na hanggang ngayong mag-asawa ganon pa din kami.”
Rivera added how they remain present for and continue to uplift each other as a couple.
“Malaking factor din na kahit mataas man or mababa, tagumpay man or hindi tagumpay, nandiyan kayo para sa isa’t-isa. Kung ano ‘yung pagkukulang ng isa, pupunan mo. Hindi kasi parehas, kailangan isa lang ang nasa pedestal, kailangan dalawa kayong nagtutulungan para makamit ninyo ang pangarap ninyo.”
She then echoed Dantes’ earlier statements, noting how they put God at the center of their relationship.
“At makakamit ninyo ang pangarap ninyo kung nandyan ang love, respect, give and take, at mahalaga niyan, parehas kayo ng faith na isa lang ‘yung patutunguhan ninyo, at alam naming dalawa na hindi kami magiging ganito at matatag kung wala ‘yung nasa taas.
“So palagi kaming nandoon, no matter what happens, ano man ang mangyari sa buhay namin, ibigay man ang lahat ng biyaya sa amin, lahat namin, ibabalik namin sa taas, kasi lahat binigay niya sa amin.”
Dantes and Rivera first worked in the Kapuso teleserye Marimar in 2007. They also worked on projects like Endless Love (2010) and My Lady Boss (2013). The couple then tied the knot in 2014. They have two children, Zia and Sixto.
As for their Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry, ‘Rewind’ stars Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.
The cast features Lito Pimentel, Ariel Ureta, Ina Feleo, Pepe Herrera, Via Antonio, Joross Gamboa, Pamu Pamorada, Chamyto Aguedan, Joy Apostol, Niel Coleta, Jordan Lim, Sue Ramirez, and Cony Reyes.
Under the direction of Mae Cruz-Alviar and with the screenplay of Enrico Santos, the Star Cinema-APT Entertainment-Agos Todos Pictures collaboration film opens in cinemas on December 25.
