No wedding jitters for Marian

MANILA, Philippines - Marian Rivera is a picture of a happy bride to be. She is juggling her wedding preparations and showbiz commitments very well.

“Wala (I don’t have any wedding jitters). I’m just so happy,” she says. “(Preparing the wedding) is not easy. There are requirements. Kukumpilan talaga ako (I have to be confirmed). It will be sometime in October. We’re hands-on (although there are people who help us). We’re still the ones who make (the final say). Mabusisi, mahirap. Ang importante ay nag-e-enjoy kami sa bawat detalyeng ginagawa namin.”

For their wedding sponsors, aside from the ones they recently announced, the couple visited GMA 7 executives lawyer Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit. They are also setting a meeting with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and President Noynoy Aquino. Marian and Dingdong will have 20 principal sponsors.

Although she keeps mum on other wedding details, Marian is generous to share some. Dingdong Dantes is in charge of the male secondary sponsors, while she is busy doing the line-up for the female entourage. Part of it is Ai-Ai delas Alas, whom Marian considers one of her true friends in showbiz. Ai-Ai will also be joined by four other Kapamilya stars. Marian says she will have an out-of-the-country bridal shower.

As for the reception venue, Marian shares it will be huge and it will take the guests an hour or less navigating their way there. Since they have more than 26 fan’s clubs, the Kapuso Primetime stars will try to accommodate some of them. Fans can perhaps witness this milestone at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao. Thus, security is a concern at this early stage of the wedding. Marian’s grandmother will have a special spot. Marian would love to walk down the aisle with her nanay. A pair of Louboutin shoes, with the Cinderella style, is what she will wear. She bought it when Dingdong proposed in Macau. The venues will be adorned with colorful flowers and a concelebrated Mass (priests and bishops) is a possibility.

Marian shares she observes wedding traditions such as no wedding gown fitting and wearing something old, something new and something blue on this very special day. She wants to have a baby right after the wedding.

What about Marian and Dingdong’s honeymoon destination?

“This is something we are least thinking about because we travel every year,” she answers. “Kasi lahat naman nang gusto naming puntahan winter. Hindi ka makakagala.” The soon-to-be newlyweds might consider Australia and Hawaii, for their post-wedding vacation, where it’s summer in December.

Since Dingdong seems to be on top of everything, Marian is clueless about her wedding march. “It’s Dong who has decided to handle it. He said he will dedicate a song for me. I’m touched. Every time we talk about the wedding preparations and we exchange ideas, we become emotional and we cry (discussing) every detail. We’re very excited,” she says.

On the TV front, Marian’s eponymous show will usher its second season next week as Marian ends the first season this Saturday.

“I still have my opening number,” Marian says. “I will still dance. There’s gonna be a Marian showdown, where artists will pit against each other. I want to have a showdown with friends like Roxanne Barcelo and Ana Feleo. I will do the dance-step-of-the- week and interview portions.” The TV host-actress will have Christian Bautista as co-host again, while Mark Reyes will man the director’s booth. On the side, Marian is doing Eat, Bulaga!, a movie and pictorials. She will also grace the Naked Truth show.

Marian — the actress and the dance show — remains a staple of one’s weekend entertainment fare. After all, the management has informed Marian that she can do the show as “long as I can and as long as I can dance.”