Marian Rivera wants her kids to focus on learning rather than grades

When it comes to parenting style, Marian Rivera admitted that she is the more disciplinarian type as compared to her husband, Dingdong Dantes. The couple has two children, Letizia (Zia), 8, and Sixto (Ziggy), 5.

“(I’m) not that strict but mas madalas nila akong kasama so I think mas maganda if I’m the one who would discipline them,” she told The STAR in an interview last Thursday during Century Tuna Nuggets Super Launch held at SuperPark McKinley in Taguig City.

The “Kapuso Primetime Queen” and her son were tapped to be the brand endorsers of the canned tuna’s newest product.

“Dong, most of the time, is not around the house. He is at work. So kung siya pa yung magdidisiplina baka lumayo loob ng mga anak ko. If it’s me, alam nilang ganito na ako, tanggap na nila ako.”

Marian is a hands-on mom who would adjust her working schedule to attend to her kids. And her constant reminder to Zia and Sixto before they go to school is to have fun and just enjoy the activities in school rather than the grades.

“Actually, I like it more when they enjoy the activities that they do in school, more than na isipin nila yung mga grades or something,” the actress told this paper. “Mas gusto ko nag-e-enjoy sila. And I like it when I see their ability on how to make friends.

“For example (at this event), isang tawag ko lang sa mga classmates ni Sixto, he is very kind to them and very jolly, very friendly and they are all here for Sixto. From there, I can say that I’m really proud of him.”

Marian furthered that she would spend quality time with her kids. “Whenever we don’t go out, we are just inside the house, we just bond over things like doing craft (arts). Or whenever we go out, there’s a certain activity that we like doing para at least active talaga.”

She quipped that her favorite bonding moment with Sixto is to pretend that she likes robots. “But I really enjoy bonding with him because grabe ang imagination ni Sixto,” she said.

Marian with husband Dingdong and their children Zia and Sixto.

Moreover, Marian was glad that she was able to endorse Century Crispy Tuna Nuggets with Sixto. “Because this is one of those things, for moms like me, na hindi ko alam kung anong ihahanda, especially now they’re back to school. So malaking bagay talaga sa akin ang Century Tuna nuggets which is good for kids.” The nuggets are packed with Omega 3-DHA.

Marian has no problem in encouraging her children to eat healthy foods. She offered, “Because to begin with, Dong and I (maintain) a healthy (lifestyle). So lucky us na hindi kami nahirapan sa mga bata pakainin talaga ng healthy.

“You know what, my kids are not picky (eaters). Even if it’s just steamed broccoli, they’re happy with it. With rice, of course and add the tuna nuggets. Parang, wow, perfect.”

Sixto briefly appeared on stage during the event to say hi.

Asked about how Sixto handles fame, Marian admitted that her son still gets shy around people. “So sometimes, yun yung pakiusap namin. Because, of course, he is still a kid. He doesn’t understand. They somehow know the nature of our jobs pero hindi naman masasabi na, ‘What’s this? What’s this?’

“So we want them to still enjoy (their childhood). Kaya nga siguro yung social media, hindi masyado, like kanina parang nakikiusap kami na ‘wag because he was really shy. Parang nakiusap lang talaga ako sa kanya na, ‘Mahal, you got to say hi lang and we’re gonna exit.’”

At this point, Marian couldn’t say whether the two are interested in entering showbiz just like their parents.

“Hindi ko masabi na yes or no. I think it depends. Like Zia, she is more on singing and playing instruments while Sixto is more on soccer so it’s early for me to tell.”

Meanwhile, Marian lauded the team behind the Cinemalaya 2024 entry “Balota” and her “great co-actors” as well.

She portrays a teacher with the task of safeguarding the ballot box containing the final copy of the election results in the suspense-thriller and political satire, written and directed by Kip Oebanda, and co-produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment Group.

It warmed her heart to be reading positive comments from the moviegoers. “Actually, while I was reading their comments, after they watched the film, talagang kinikilig ako ng sobra-sobra,” she shared.