Marian Rivera: “I prefer that they enjoy it.”

Celebrity mom Marian Rivera does not pressure her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to achieve high grades in school: “More than thinking about grades or something, I want them to enjoy themselves.” PHOTO/S: Marian Rivera on Instagram

It’s typical of most parents to hope for their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to get high grades in school.

Well, celebrity mom Marian Rivera, whose two kids Zia, 8, and Sixto, 5, are of school-age, is not one of those.

As she told the press at a recent event, Marian’s only hope has always been for her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to enjoy their school experience and build friendships at this stage in their lives.

Marian said, “I always remind them, actually, I prefer that they enjoy what they do in school.

“More than thinking about grades or something, I want them to enjoy themselves.”

The Dantes Family (L-R): Sixto Dantes, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, and Zia Dantes Photo/s: Marian Rivera on Instagram

The Kapuso Prime Time queen Marian was interviewed by PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press during the Century Tuna Nuggets Super Launch on August 8, 2024, at SuperPark McKinley in Venice Piazza Mall, Taguig City.

Marian added that she values her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren building connections and friendship sover attaining high grades.

“I like… what I see is their friendship ability.

“Because, like an example, here, it’s like I’m just calling my classmates here… since Sixto was very kind to them, very jolly and very friendly, they’re all here for Sixto.

“I said, ‘Oh, I’m proud of my son.'”

MARIAN RIVERA: SCHOOL BAON CHALLENGES

Like many parents, Marian faces the daily challenge of preparing her kids’ baon for school. Luckily for her, her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren aren’t fussy eaters.

Moreover, when it comes to eating healthy, she and Dingdong are good examples to their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

Marian told the press, “To begin with, my husband and I are really eating healthy. So, lucky us, that we didn’t have a hard time feeding the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren healthy.

“My 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, it’s not spicy, I said it, my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren are happy with just steamed broccoli, then add some rice.

“Now add some tuna nuggets, right? It’s like, ‘Wow, perfect!'”

Marian also involves her kids in cooking and preparing their own baon to foster healthy eating habits.

“That’s really a big factor for every 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥,” she said.

“Ke small, ke big. Because my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, five and eight, are really involved.”

Marian also has her own way of dealing with each 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥’s preference for baon.

She said, “Sometimes her sister and I have different tastes… But as a parent, whatever you want, you prepare for one or the other of your 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

“It’s not possible to say, ‘My sister wants this. No choice, so eat it.’

“No. We parents, we are there when they eat, they will eat. Because it is important that they eat at school.

“Because the day is long, and then you won’t eat. That seems to be the dilemma of mothers. They are afraid, ‘Son, did you use up your school pocket?’

“When you think it’s not over, you’ll be disappointed. So that’s it, don’t let me reach for disappointment, don’t let me reach for worry.

“I will involve you to make sure you are a ball, they can eat their pockets.”

MARIAN RIVERA ON SIXTO AND ZIA JOINING SHOWBIZ

Seeing Sixto and Zia grow up, members of the press asked Marian about her kids joining showbiz in the future.

In her words, “I can’t say yes or no yet. Maybe it depends.

“Kasi siguro, like si Zia, more on singing and playing instruments. Si Sixto, more on soccer.

“So I haven’t, I can’t say yet. I think it’s too early to see.”

When asked about her favorite bonding activity with Sixto, she answered, “Favorite bonding with Sixto is probably when we play with robots.”

Marian quipped, “I’m pretending to love robots. It’s just a joke!”

On a more serious note, she added, “But I really enjoy him because Sixto’s imagination is great.”