DongYan shares secret to solid reel-to-real life relationship

Dubbed DongYan by fans, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera have been married for nine years and are blessed with two children

Amid reported celebrity breakups, reel-to-real life partners Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera have shared the secret to their strong relationship.

Dubbed DongYan by fans, they have been married for nine years and are blessed with two children — Zia and Ziggy.

Albeit the challenges that they went through, they’ve still managed to keep their relationship work both professionally and as a married couple in real life.

The celebrity couple take on the roles of John and Mary, respectively, in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Rewind.

According to Dingdong, one huge factor in being able to maintain their loveteam both on and off-screen was meeting at the right time in their lives when they were somewhat “mature” in terms of life choices. Their professional relationship began when the Kapuso actor was already in his late 20s and Marian in her mid-20s.

“Somehow, we were already mature in our choices in terms of roles, everything (and) outlook in life. And nung nagsama kami kumbaga medyo hinog na yung aming mga gusto sa buhay (And when we came together, so to speak, our life goals were somewhat mature),” shared Dingdong.

The cast members, director and creative team of Rewind during a red-carpet event and media conference at the ABS-CBN compound.
Photos from Star Cinema Facebook page

The couple got interviewed during a media conference for their 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Rewind. Their comeback film project is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema), APT Entertainment, Inc., and Dingdong’s own production outfit, Agosto Dos Pictures. It is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar (Can’t Buy Me Love, 2 Good 2 Be True, Make It with You) and will start screening in cinemas nationwide on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

When they first got together as an onscreen tandem, they were also achieving milestones in their respective careers.

“So for me, I valued those moments where we were experiencing and witnessing these milestones together that I never thought that would happen to me,” Dingdong went on.

“And I truly treasure all these memories.  Maybe that’s why when our relationship on screen became a real relationship na panghabang-buhay (that’s lifelong), we carried on those learnings with us. Those learnings include respect for each other, expressing what true love is and we also applied that in our work.”

Dingdong stressed that he and Marian were able to use their loveteam “dynamics” as partners for life. “It’s like a dance number. There’s give and take. And with where the harmony is, you dance smoothly na para bang natutunaw kayo together (as if you’re melting together),” he said.

As for Marian, the biggest factor, according to her, was that they were there for each other in the highs and lows of their lives, and they complemented each other.

“You and your partner should help each other so that both of you can achieve your dreams. And when you get that dream, there (still has to be) the love, respect, and give and take. Most importantly, your faith na isa lang yung patutunguhan niyo (you’re heading towards the same direction),” she said.

“We both know that we will not be strong like this kung wala yung nasa Taas… No matter what happens in our lives, all these blessings that were given to us, all of that ibabalik namin yan sa Taas (we offer it all back to Him) because He gave us everything.”

Like any normal husband and wife, the two confessed that there were also difficult times that tested their partnership. But because of their solid respect and love for each other and firm faith in God, they were able to overcome those trials, as shared by Dingdong.

Marian agreed that misunderstandings between couples are unavoidable. “But one thing is for sure, sa amin ni Dong, if that happens hindi kami natutulog na hindi maayos ang lahat. We have heart-to-heart talks. And He (God) should be the center of your relationship. Because whatever plans you make, Siya pa rin ang masusunod. He is still our Master.”

This, likewise, extends to their work relationship.

Dingdong noted that Marian hasn’t changed as a co-actor since they first collaborated in 2007 via the primetime series Marimar. She remains “professional, is a great actress, respectful and (shows her) love to everybody on the set,” said the proud husband.

“Nothing has changed. The feeling that I had for her when we first worked together in 2007 nanumbalik. And much more now that we are sharing something extra special together through this film,” furthered Dingdong.

Rewind tells the story of John (Dingdong) who appears to lose his wife Mary (Marian) following a car accident. Based on the trailer, a character named Lods appears to John, offering him the opportunity to rectify his mistakes and mend his relationship with his family — but at what cost?

The family drama written by Enrico Santos also stars Sue Ramirez, Pepe Herrera, Joross Gamboa, Lito Pimentel, Coney Reyes, and other cast members.