Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera became emotional as she opened up about motherhood, her fears, and her drive to keep working during a candid conversation with ABS-CBN anchor Karmina Constantino on the podcast ‘KC After Hours’.
When asked how she wants to be remembered as a mother, Rivera tearfully replied: “Na kayang i-give up ni Mama lahat para sa kanila. Kasi kaya ko talaga. Every time kailangan nila ako — alam ng set ‘yan, alam ng taping ko ‘yan — ‘pag may kailangan sa school, hindi puwedeng wala ako. Kahit magalit sila sa akin, kailangan kong pumunta sa school.”
Rivera recalled her own childhood growing up without her parents’ presence at school activities, something she vowed her children Zia and Sixto would never experience.
“Kasi lumaki ako na wala akong parents, eh. ‘Pag may activity ako sa school, wala. Si Nanay (her grandmother) lang ‘yung nandoon. So, alam ko kung gaano kahirap at kasakit na walang parents na nagtsi-cheer para sa ‘yo. At ayokong maranasan ng anak ko ‘yan,” she said.
The ‘Rewind’ actress admitted that her life only felt complete when she had her own family. “Kasi wala akong gano’n, eh. Wala akong totoong pamilya. Kaya para sa akin, mawala na ang lahat, ‘wag lang ang pamilya ko.”
Despite being one of the country’s biggest stars, Rivera said she does not fear the possibility of fading fame. Her priority remains her family’s future.
“The mere fact na binigay ni Lord ‘yung dalawang anak ko at asawa ko, kumpleto ‘yung buhay ko. So, ano man ang ibigay sa akin, bonus na talaga lahat at ipagpapasalamat ko ‘yan. Pero sabi ko nga, hanggang kaya, hanggang may offer, hanggang may trabaho, why not? Gagawin ko ‘yung 100% ko kasi may dalawang anak pa ako. Gusto kong magkaroon sila ng magandang future talaga.”
Rivera also shared that she and husband Dingdong Dantes are committed to supporting younger stars in the industry rather than feeling pressured by them.
“Parang ayaw kong isipin na napi-pressure ako kasi ang daming bago, ang daming bagets. Hindi. Ang gusto nga naming mag-asawa, i-extend ‘yung knowledge namin, ‘yung natutunan namin sa tagal namin sa industriya. Kaya minsan, once in a while, may mga Gen Z kami na ini-invite sa bahay. We give advice kung bakit kami nagtagal nang ganito sa showbiz.”
She added that beyond giving guidance, they also make sure to create a sense of family and camaraderie with younger colleagues: “After nun, happy-happy naman. Mag-videoke kami. Kakain kami.”
With over 20 years in showbiz, Marian Rivera remains one of the Philippines’ most admired stars — but to her, her most important role is being a mother.
