Marc & Danica: We’re a team

MANILA, Philippines - Six years of blissful married life and still counting. That’s how it is for hardcourt heartthrob Marc Pingris and his actress-wife Danica Sotto (daughter of Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie). Marc and Danica tied the knot on March 3, 2007 and are now blessed with two kids — Mic and Cayla.

“We’re strong and solid,” Danica says. “We’re a team. It’s not a perfect marriage. We fight. But willing kami na ipaglaban ang isa’t-isa. We know how to handle trials. People around us really pray for us.”

The celebrity couple recently guested in Moments, Gladys Reyes’ long-running show on Net 25. Lately, they actually made a number of TV appearances together like in Arnold Clavio’s Show on GMA News TV and The Ryzza Mae Show (which precedes Eat, Bulaga!) on GMA 7.

Meanwhile, after the FIBA Asia Cup 2013, Marc appeared with fellow Gilas Pilipinas player LA Tenorio in Tapatan ni Tunying, hosted by Anthony Taberna on ABS-CBN.

Marc didn’t start with playing basketball right away. He was initially into soccer, baseball and track and field. When he was 16, it was his best friend in the province who convinced him to play basketball.

“Dapat ipagpatuloy ang pangarap,” Marc says. “Samahan ng sipag, determinasyon at disiplina.”

Marc and Danica casually met in a gym through their trainer. He had just come from a relationship but not on a rebound — and she, too. At first glance, she found him to be cute, but that was as far as it went.

One day, when Danica didn’t show up in the gym (because she was sick), Marc got her number from their trainer and called her up the following day. That started their getting-to-know-you stage by going out with friends that eventually led to courtship.

Today, after being married to Marc for six years, Danica proudly says her husband is very responsible. He also loves his mom. He comes from the old school of courtship. Even when they were still dating, Marc was already very strict with time, according to Danica.

Before their altar date, Danica helped Marc locate his dad through her relatives based in Switzerland, who sought the help of the French Embassy there. Thankfully, Marc was finally able to touch base with his dad. To date, the couple makes it a point to visit Marc’s dad in France once a year.

Marc, who is San Mig Coffee’s power forward, regrets the recent scuffle he figured in with fellow PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) player, rookie Kelly Nabong of Globalport.

“What happened became a trending topic,” Marc shares. “The game got physical and I felt bad na napa-away ako. My son was watching the game at home and he called me up to say dapat hindi ko na lang daw sinuntok. Parang siya ‘yung naging daddy at ako ‘yung anak. I said sorry to him.”

But all’s well that ends well between Marc and Kelly now. Yes, both were meted with a two-game suspension and a fine. What happened was apparently a learning curve for both of them.

“Sexy,” is how Marc describes Danica. “Sabi nila lalo daw siyang gumanda nung nag-asawa. Salamat sa pagmamahal. Inaalalayan mo ako. I love you and the kids. Ayokong maghiwalay tayo.”

Danica, meanwhile, sees Marc as somebody who is “passionate, responsible and caring” in everything he does, especially if it’s for his family. “(But) Guard your heart,” she says. “Yan ‘yung nagdadala sa ‘yo to be successful. At the same time, diyan ka puwedeng tirahin.”

Last July, Moments started featuring celebrity couples like Dawn Zulueta and Anton Lagdameo, Grace Poe and Neil Llamanzares, Lani Mercado and Bong Revilla Jr., Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, Angelu de Leon and Wowie Rivera, Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta, Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto.

Moments, which has been running for six years now, has featured celebrities and showbiz superstars to date such as Lea Salonga, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Susan Roces, Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla, Maricel Soriano, Lorna Tolentino, Jose Mari Chan, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Mother Lily Monteverde, Kris Aquino and even former First Lady Imelda Marcos.