Marian Rivera Reveals ‘Simple’ Birthday Gift to Zia Dantes; Proud Her Daughter is Not Spoiled

When asked about her present to Zia, the 39-year-old actress mentioned that it was a modest gift. “My daughter loves notebooks right now, and she enjoys making bracelets. She’s really into crafts these days, so simple things like scissors and craft supplies are what she likes.”

After being praised for raising a simple daughter who is not “spoiled,” Marian laughed and replied, “That’s

good, that’s good.” She clarified, “She understands that every action and every purchase is earned through hard work.”

Marian added, “She’s more focused on school and her classmates. She has a lot of activities at school. In fact, she just performed in theater and sang last week. She’s very busy with these school activities.”

During Marian’s cooking demo, she mixed freshly-made French fries with a seasoning mix—an idea credited to her firstborn with Dingdong Dantes. The mother-and-daughter duo often bonds over cooking sessions, and Zia likely wouldn’t have suggested the idea if Marian hadn’t encouraged her to express her thoughts and feelings.

Communication is a crucial aspect of Marian’s parenting style. She explained, “It really helps me as a mom that my kids are very vocal. We give them the free will to express what’s on their minds and in their hearts. It’s important for me to know their opinions.” 

The celebrity mom emphasized the value of being present in her kids’ lives. “It’s wonderful that my kids are involved. I want them to be transparent with me so that I can address any situations they may face.”

She does not want her kids to hide things from her. “It’s better if your child is open with you, whether things are good or not. At least you have awareness of how to raise them properly and protect them in this world.”

So, open communication is essential. “Whether you’re happy or upset with what they say, it’s important that they aren’t afraid to speak up. That’s what matters.” 

When asked if she is a disciplinarian, Marian said, “I’m strict, but I’m also a caring mom. If something is wrong, it’s wrong. You can’t say something wrong is right. How will they know?”

She believes only parents can tell their children when they are wrong. “For example, if they say, ‘Mama, I want to tell you something, but don’t get mad,’ I would reply, ‘Child, if there’s a reason for me to be upset, I will be. If there’s no reason, I won’t be.’”