Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera can't think of a single word to describe how she feels now that she and husband Dingdong Dantes have two beautiful and healthy children.
"Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang pakiramdam, parang walang eksaktong salita yung nararamdaman ko. Alam niyo yung puso ko, pagkatao, parang kumpleto. Ang saya e, parang pangarap talaga na ibinigay."
Marian's motherhood experience is the same now with Ziggy as it was when she became a first-time mom to Zia.
"Well, mas malakas mag-dede, mas tahimik ito. Pero parang ganun pa rin naman, kung ano ang ginawa ko kay Zia, same naman kay Zia," she says with a smile.
Each time she looks at her two children, Marian's heart overflows with gratitude.
"Minsan sinasabi ko nga kay Dong kapag nasa kama kami, minsan natutulog yung dalawang anak namin, sine-send ko yung picture sa kanya, siyempre nagtatrabaho siya. Sabi ko, parang pangarap pa rin. Parang hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in na nakahiga ako, at may kasama akong dalawang anghel sa tabi ko na parang, wow, nakakakilig."
Even their social media accounts are flooded with comments on how their family is so beautiful to look at.
"Alam niyo, sinasabi nga namin ni Dong, yung look kasi o itsura ng isang baby or whatever, ano iyan, e, kumbaga, bonus na iyan.
"Ang maganda is turuan namin sila na maging mabuting bata. Yun ang talagang goal naming mag-asawa."
DINGDONG DANTES MORE EXCITED TO GO HOME
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) also asks Marian if she has noticed any changes in husband Dingdong now that they have a baby boy. Is he more excited to go home?
"Palagi," Marian replies.
"At saka, palaging sinasabi niya sa akin na mag-send ako ng picture. Every now and then nagpe-Facetime siya. Minsan, kapag busy ako, may ginagawa ako kay Zia or may gagawin kami or busy ako kay Ziggy, minsan tatawag iyan, 'O bakit wala akong picture?'"
Dingdong is currently in Canada for his GMA Pinoy TV shows. After performing in Toronto, Vancouver is his next stop.
"E, di maya't maya,” Marian says quickly. "Facetime, maya't maya text, e, baligtad pa naman ang oras."
How's Dingdong as a father to his newborn son?
"...same lang kay Zia. Pero makikita mong parang gusto niyang umuwi agad."
MARIAN RIVERA BETTER AT MANAGING HER TIME
What is it like being a mom to two kids?
"Actually ngayon, nalaman ko na," Marian admits. "Si Dong kasi, prinaktis na niya ko.
"Kay Zia kasi, parang ilang buwan na, nag-date lang kami, wala pang ilang oras, umiiyak na ako. Tumitingin na ko sa CCTV. Sabi niya, paano ka makaka-move on diyan? Noong nanganak ako kay Ziggy, ang dami ko kasing milk, nagpa-pump na ko. Nagsi-save na ko ng milk.
"'Sabi niya, 'Date mo naman ako, nami-miss na kita.' Kapag sinasabi ko kay Mama, sasabihin niya, 'O, alam mo na ang gagawin mo diyan.'
"Alam ko na ang pinagkulang ko sa first baby ko, hindi ko na gagawin sa second one."
When she gave birth to Zia in 2015, she admits to being more focused on motherhood.
"Oo, e, puro Zia lang ako," she says.
"Pero ngayon, kaya ko ng balansehin unti-unti. Kumbaga, noong umalis ako, naranasan ko na siya. Malimit na kaming mag-date ni Dong, may trabaho na kong tinanggap, alam ko na.
"Nakakalungkot, pero sabi ko nga, isipin ko na lang na para sa kanila naman ito."
PEP.ph spoke to Marian at the renewal of her contract as the brand ambassador of Kultura. Aside from the contract renewal, the shirt collection Kultura X Marian was also launched at the Atrium, SM Megamall last June 25, 2019.