They may be busy being hands-on parents to their daughter, but Dingdong Dantes and wife Marian Rivera still get those tingly-romantic "kilig" moments.
According to Marian, Dingdong has not stopped courting her, always making sure they have regular date nights.
"Kasi ang asawa ko, parating nagri-request na, ‘Are you free? Kailan? Puwede ba tayong umalis? Baka naman puwede kitang i-date tomorrow, sa ganitong oras,’" the actress said in an interview by Rachelle Siazon on PEP.ph.
(My husband always requests '...When? Can we go out? Maybe I can take you out on a day tomorrow at this time.'")
Details of Siazon's interview are as follow:
“Parang nanliligaw ulit siya."
("It's like he's courting me again.")
Knowing that Dingdong still thinks of ways to be sweet, Marian said, “Parang medyo may kilig kilig pa rin naman ako kahit papaano."
("I still have those kilig moments.")
Aside from taking Marian out on dates, Dingdong also loves to shower her with gifts.
"Sometimes when I get home, I have flowers. I have a gift. I have a card," Marian also said in the vernacular.
Dingdong, Marian added, never fails to appreciate her and her role as a mother. He realizes that motherhood, especially when one is exclusively breastfeeding, is not easy.
"Kasi siyempre, sabi niya, hindi biro ang magpadede ng seven months na pure, na no formula. So, sabi niya, ‘Wow, you’re a super mom talaga.’"
(He says it's no joke to breastfeed exclusively for seven months. So he said, 'Wow, you really are a supermom.'")
“Nakakatuwa dahil naa-appreciate niya," Marian said, adding that Dingdong always gives her letters appreciating her and telling her how much he and baby Zia love her.
("It's heartwarming because he appreciates it.")
Next: Marian talks about being a hands-on mom and the blessings of motherhood
Knowing your priorities
Marian is proud to be a hands-on mom to her baby Zia, and even prouder that she has managed to exclusively breastfeed her daughter for almost 8 months now.
“Seven months 'yung anak ko, seven months na akong puyat. Hands-on ako. Katabi ko siya lagi. Wala akong yaya na nakasunod. Kapag nasa bahay ako, ako lahat sa anak ko—paligo, breastfeeding, pagpapatulog. Kaming dalawang mag-asawa 'yan.”
(My child is seven months old. I've been lacking sleep for seven months. I'm hands-on. She is always beside me. I don't have a nanny following us around. When I'm at home, I do everything for my daughter--bathing, breastfeeding, putting her to sleep. My husband and I do all that.")
It's not easy, she admitted, but knowing one's priorities helps. According to her, the secret to being a good mother is simply to love your child and husband with all your heart.
Blessed by God
Marian is grateful for all of life's blessings.
"..blessed and thankful ako sa nangyayari sa buhay ko, na nandiyan yung asawa ko para suportahan ako. At the same time, biniyayaan ako ng Panginoon ng anak," she said.
(...I am blessed and thankful for everything that's happening in my life, for my husband's support. The Lord also blessed me with a child.")
"Napakasuwerte natin at nagkaroon tayo ng anak. Hindi lahat nabibiyayaan ng Panginoon. Isang malaking biyaya 'yan na dapat alagaan at gawing kayamanan,” she told her fellow-moms.
(We are so lucky to have kids. Not everyone is so blessed by God [with children]. It is a great blessing that we we need to take care of and nurture.")
Read: Marian Rivera hands-on mom confessions that we can all relate to
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below or check out theAsianparent Community for even more insightful parenting news and tips. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!