Marian Rivera Opens Up About How Fame Has Affected Daughter Zia

Marian Rivera has long been accustomed to the limelight. As the Philippines’ Primetime Queen, the actress is no stranger to fans asking for photos or calling out her name in public. The same can be said for her husband and fellow veteran actor, Dingdong Dantes.

However, the celebrity parents acknowledge that their children—10-year-old Zia and six-year-old Sixto—should be exempt from the demands of their line of work.

In an interview with journalist Karmina Constantino, Marian spoke candidly about how their celebrity status has affected their kids, particularly Zia, and how maturely she has handled such situations.

Marian has spoken about how her biggest dream in life was to have a complete family, something rooted in her experience of growing up with separated parents. Now happily married with children of her own, she acknowledges that their fame has also affected her offspring. She shared that there was a time when her firstborn, Zia, felt unsure about how to handle being recognized by her mother’s fans.

“Minsan kasi kapag nag-field trip si Zia, nakikilala siya ng mga tao. Nafi-feel embarrassed daw siya kasi minsan ‘yung mga classmates [sinasabing], ‘Paano ka nakilala nu’n?’” she narrates. Marian sympathized with her daughter, who was not fully equipped with the knowledge of how to face such situations.

“Sabi niya, ‘I don’t know how to feel kasi I feel so embarrassed… instead of magiging happy ako or enjoying my field trip, nagwo-worry ako about people,’” she shares.

Upon hearing this, Marian and Dingdong decided to sit down with Zia and have an honest conversation about their situation. “Humihingi kami ng sorry sa’yo. Alam namin na hindi mo ito gusto,” she recalls telling their daughter.

The couple took their time explaining why strangers would call out to Zia, emphasizing that their celebrity status is a result of their hard work for their family. “Kung hindi ito ang trabaho namin, hindi natin alam kung saan tayo nakatira, kung saang school ka,” Marian narrates.

“Hindi natin alam kung mabibigay namin ang gusto mo, makakain natin ‘yung gusto nating kainin. Pero maayos at marangal ang trabaho ni Mama at ni Dada.”

After their conversation, Marian was proud to see Zia handle similar situations with a more mature perspective. When fans called for her attention, she would simply offer a sweet smile. “Sobrang matured ng anak ko kaya very thankful din ako na mabait ‘yung bata. Naintindihan niya kami… hindi siya selfish na tao. Hindi siya naging ganoon. Nakinig siya sa amin, inintindi niya,” the actress gushes.

Listen to Marian and Karmina’s full conversation here.