Marian Rivera recently opened up about how she and her husband, Dingdong Dantes, explained to their daughter Zia the realities and consequences of having celebrity parents.
In an interview with Karmina Constantino on her KC After Hours podcast, Marian recalled a moment when Zia felt uncomfortable being recognized by strangers.
"Minsan kasi 'pag nagfi-field trip 'yung mga anak ko, lalo na si Zia kasi malaki [na] siya, nakikilala siya ng mga tao. Nafe-feel embarassed daw siya kasi minsan 'yung mga classmate niya parang, 'Paano ka nakikilala nun?' Ganyan. So parang sabi niya, 'I don't know Mama how to feel kasi parang I feel so embarrassed na instead na magiging happy ako or enjoying my field trip, parang nagwo-worry ako about people," Marian recounted.
The actress shared that she and Dingdong had a deep conversation with Zia to explain their situation. "So in-explain namin at sinit down namin siya ni Dong.’ Zia, ito 'yung trabaho ni Mama at ni Dada. Ito kami, marangal 'yung trabaho namin. Pero may mga consequence kasi kami, ito 'yung mga consequence. Ngayon kung merong nararanasan mo 'tong mga ganito humihingi kami ng sorry sa'yo, alam naming hindi mo 'to gusto’."
She went on: "Basta pinapaliwanag namin sa kanya na ito 'yung buhay namin eh, kung hindi ito 'yung trabaho namin, hindi natin alam kung saan tayo nakatira, hindi natin alam kung saang school ka, hindi natin alam kung mabibigay namin 'yung gusto mo, makakain natin 'yung mga gusto nating kainin. Pero maayos at marangal na trabaho kung ano ang trabaho ni Mama at ni Dada," she shared.
According to Marian, that honest conversation helped Zia become more comfortable whenever people recognize her. "Nung pinaliwanag namin sa kanya 'yun, 'pag may nag, 'Zia, Zia' nagii-smile na siya ngayon," she said. "Sobang matured ng anak ko, kaya very thankful din ako na mabait 'yung bata. Naiintindihan niya kami na parang hindi siya selfish na tao. Nakikinig siya sa amin, iniintindi niya."
Marian emphasized that communication is a cornerstone of their family life.
"Ang rule namin sa bahay is may free will kang magsalita kung ano 'yung nararamamdan mo at ipapaliwanag natin, iintindihin natin, at gagawan natin ng solusyon 'yung mga problema na 'yan, kasi mas gusto naming honest sila. Na kahit magagalit kami, you need to be honest all the time. That's the number one rule namin sa bahay especially with Dong, ini-implement niya 'yan. Talagang honest ka," she stated.