GMA-7 actress Marian Rivera became emotional as she thanked everyone who took part in her latest project, a Mother's Day special documentary titled Miss U: A Journey to the Promised Land.
The documentary was filmed during Marian's visit to Israel last December 2021 on the invitation of the Miss Universe 2021 pageant to be a member of the selection committee.
Marian was with her husband Dingdong Dantes, who directed Miss U, during the documentary's special screening at the Mowelfund's Dengcar Theater in New Manila, Quezon City, on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
After the screening, Marian said the documentary was a tribute to the heroic overseas Filipino workers and their children.
She said as she tried to hold back her tears, "Hindi ko alam kung paano ako mag-start.
"Naiiyak na naman ako. First time kong maging open about kay Mama, hindi dahil ready ako.
"Pero yun yung nakita ni Dong na parang sabi niya, 'I-share natin kasi hindi lahat ng nag-o-OFW ay okay sila.'
"So, ito ang isang pagmulat sa mata natin na handang magsakripisyo ng nanay man iyan o tatay man iyan ang buhay nila, para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan yung anak nila.
"So, pagbibigay-pugay ito para sa kanila."
Marian also thanked Dingdong profusely for helping her achieve her goal for the project.
She said, "Hindi ko naman magagawa ang lahat ng ito at hindi mabubuo ang Miss U at ang pangarap kong dinadasal ko kung hindi dahil sa kanya.
"So, Dad, maraming salamat sa dokyu na ito. Sabi ko nga sa iyo, ite-treasure ko ito kasi ito yung remembrance ko kung gaano ko kamahal ang mama ko. So, thank you!"
Read: Marian Rivera responds to "perfect family" remark
REAL-LIFE STORY
The screening of Miss U turned into an occasion for Marian to talk about her mom Amalia Rivera, who has always been camera-shy.
Part of the documentary tells the story of Marian as an OFW kid growing up away from her mom who was then an overseas worker.
Marian told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press, "Si Mama kasi is very shy type talaga. The mere fact na nagpa-interview and nagpaano siya, parang very thankful kami na na-open namin.
"'Tapos ngayon, sinasabi ko nga na pag may viewing, manood siya. Sabi niya, 'Ayoko, madami na namang tao, nahihiya ako.'
"Alam mo yun? So, for the first time, napapayag ko talaga siya na magpa-interview and i-share namin sa mga tao yung kuwento naming mag-ina na magbibigay inspirasyon sa mga tao."
The documentary also featured the sacrifices of Jenny Cariño, an OFW working in Israel in order to provide for her two daughters.
Marian said hearing Jenny's story made her appreciate her mom more.
The Kapuso actress said, "Actually, siya yung nakatulong talaga sa akin dito sa istorya na ito na parang ang daming realization bilang nanay na, alam mo yun, we keep on saying na, 'Okay kami dito, okay ako dito...'
"Pero alam mo yun, the way na kinausap ko siya na ganun, 'Ah, marami pa pala talaga... May mga magulang talaga na hindi nila ipapakita na weak sila para sa mga anak nila.'"
Marian added, "Siya yung nakatulong sa akin to realize more kung gaano ako kasuwerte na nandiyan yung mama ko para sa akin."
MARIAN'S ADVICE
During the making of the documentary, Marian became even more resolute in her determination to keep a positive and open communication with her children.
The message of the documentary, in fact, is for OFW parents to continue building and maintaining strong relationships with their children to bridge the distance.
Marian said, "Alam mo, sa totoo lang, hindi naman maiiwasan ng isang anak sa isang magulang [ang magtanim ng sama ng loob] lalo na kung hindi natin naipapaliwanag nang mabuti kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit umalis.
"Kaya sabi ko nga, mahalagang-mahalaga na open na open ka sa mga nararamdaman mo sa mga anak mo, at mga dahilan kung bakit mo sila iiwanan.
"Kasi naniniwala ako na kapag open ang communication at okay kayong mag-ina na aalis ka, walang gap na mangyayari.
"Oo, mangungulila, pero nauunawaan ng anak bakit at anong dahilan kung bakit kailangan niyang umalis...
"'Yan yung ano natin, palagi nating ipagdadasal na dahil sa documentary na ito, marami tayong ma-open o mabuksang mga puso para sa mga magulang."
Asked for a piece of advice she can share to other OFW parents and their kids, Marian said, "Nako, ayon sa aking experience... Sabi ko nga, iba-ibang sitwasyon.
"Minsan mahirap magbigay ng advice, pero ayon sa naranasan ko ay tama talaga yung lola ko.
"'Huwag kang magtatanim ng sama ng loob sa magulang mo, dahil walang nagiging successful kapag may galit ka sa magulang mo.'
"At nandiyan yung nanay mo, o kung sino mang magulang, ang nagsasakripisyo para sa anak nila. So, dun pa lang nakikita mo na kung gaano ka kamahal ng nanay mo."
Miss U: A Journey to the Promised Land will be shown nationwide via GMA-7 on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 2 p.m.
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