Before the year ends, the Philippines will witness the much awaited “royal wedding” of the year as celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes exchange I do’s on December 30 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.
The wedding proposal, which was dubbed the “royal engagement of the year”, was aired on national television on August 9 during GMA-7’s primetime dance show Marian. The couple were seen crying when Dantes knelt down and professed his love for Rivera. Prior to the televised proposal, the two admitted that they had been engaged since 2012. Dantes first proposed to Rivera at the Butterfly Pavilion, MGM, Macau in August 2012 and he said that he wanted to propose again to Rivera because he wanted “to do it right this time”.
The couple’s love story started to unfold when they were paired in the television soap opera Marimar in 2007. They became inseparable when the soap ended, solidifying their erstwhile on-and-off screen romance. The 34-year-old Dantes and 30-year-old Rivera are one of the couples in Philippine showbiz whose relationship has withered many trials through the years. They are also one of the most celebrated couples of their generation.
tabloid! got the chance to talk to the “royal couple” prior to their show in Dubai on Friday. The Kapuso prime-time king and queen will be joined by Julie Anne San Jose in a show dubbed Kapusong Pinoy sa Dubai at the Global Village in Dubai.
Rivera and Dantes, who are both not new in Dubai, tell fans what they can expect during the show as they also reminisce their memorable experiences in the emirate.
“I always look forward to going to other places like here in Dubai,” says Rivera. “Every time I perform to Filipinos abroad, I feel so excited and happy because I can bring happiness and smiles to them.”
Rivera is also looking forward to visiting various places in Dubai after the show with husband-to-be Dantes.
“The last time I was here I was not able to go around, so hopefully on Saturday we can explore more the place.”
On his second time in Dubai, Dantes says he is eager to meet fans and simply have fun on Friday. Moreover, he reveals the couple will doing photoshoots in the emirate for their wedding.
“I’m also excited to go around Dubai with Marian. In fact, we will be doing some of our pre-nuptial shoots here in Dubai, so expect that the beautiful places here in Dubai will be part of our pre-nuptial wedding pictorials and shoots.”
Q&A with Rivera and Dantes
In less than two months you will be exchanging I do’s. Can you briefly talk about the preparations for your big wedding day?
Rivera: So far so good, things are going smoothly. Though there are minute details to work on, but so far it’s really smooth sailing.
What is it like to be known as “the royal couple of the year”? Do you feel the pressure and high expectations?
Dantes: Marian and I are just simple persons. We are thankful that they considered us the so-called “royal couple”, but we just want to enjoy the moment and be the happiest persons on our wedding day.
Gulf News did an interview with Filipino Dubai-based fashion designer Michael Cinco and he confirmed that he will be designing Marian’s wedding gown. He said he was really delighted to be chosen for the job. Why did you choose Cinco among other Filipino fashion designers?
Rivera: Yes, Michael Cinco will be designing my wedding gown. Ever since, I have always been a fan of Michael Cinco. I really like his designs, his works and its always my dream to wear a gown made by him. So now it’s a dream come true — he will be doing my gown on my wedding day.
There were also some reports that another Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libiran, would be designing your wedding gown. Will you be having two gowns, one each for the ceremony and reception, perhaps?
Rivera: Yes he will be doing a gown also for me, but that will be for my soltera [a party for the bride before the wedding].
There are media reports mentioning that December 30 is not a good date for a wedding according to Feng Shui. What are your thoughts on this and do you believe in Feng Shui and other superstitions?
Rivera: For me and Dong, that doesn’t matter to us. We don’t believe in that. As long as we love each other and exchange our promises and marriage vows in church with the blessings of God almighty, that is what’s more important to us. [The couple originally chose December 8, but the Immaculate Conception Church will not be available because it will be celebrating the Immaculate Conception on that day.]
Will Marian’s father be going to the Philippines during the big day?
Rivera: Yes, he will and I’m so happy that he can attend my wedding day. [Rivera’s Spanish father lives in Spain].
Can you talk about the preparations you are making for this big lifestyle change, being husband and wife? Do you feel excited about it?
Dantes: I think anyone who’s going to this stage in life will be very excited and will be doing big preparations. So I’m looking forward to it to continue the journey of our lives together.
Rivera: I’m so happy and excited that finally I’ll be with Dong for the rest of my life. There will be changes, of course, but once we are married I want to focus on our family.
Is it true that President Benigno Aquino III will be attending the wedding? Is he a principal sponsor?
Dantes: For personal reasons, the President does not accept to be a principal sponsor or ninong in a wedding, which I truly understand and respect. When we invited him to attend our wedding, so far his schedule is clear so hopefully he can really be part of our special day. But again, he is the President of the Philippines and on duty 24/7, so we’ll see. Hopefully he can attend.
Will your wedding day be open to the public? Will there be television coverage or would you rather have a private affair?
Dantes: We want our wedding to be intimate and private — it’s our special day. Regarding televised coverage, we will see, but as of the moment we want it to be more intimate and private. At the same time, we also want to share the happiest moment of our lives with our fans, but there’s no definite details yet if ever we will have television coverage.
Where do you plan to have your honeymoon?
Dantes: Marian and I really want to explore the beautiful islands of the Philippines, so for sure we will be going around the Philippines. We really also want [Marian’s] dad, who’s from Spain,to see the beautiful places there.
After your wedding, can your fans expect more projects for both of you or will you lie low from your showbiz commitments?
Rivera: I don’t want to call it lying low, but of course my soon-to-be family will be my priority, especially if we will have our children later on. But as of now my Marian show will be airing until December this year.
Dantes: We love to do things together, so as a husband and wife we will have all the time together after the wedding, but we will still be active in showbiz. Whatever opportunities come our way, we are very flexible and happy to do it.
