MANILA -- Raised by her maternal grandmother after her parents separated, actress Marian Rivera is looking not to repeat history with the family she is planning to build with long-time partner Dingdong Dantes.
Speaking with "Showbiz Inside Report" host Carmina Villaroel, the 28-year-old actress vowed to keep her future family intact, recalling her parents' divorce when she was only 2 years old.
Rivera was born in Madrid to a Spanish father and a Filipino mom. She and her mother eventually moved to Cavite in the Philippine after her parents' separation. While her mother was away for work, Rivera was taken care of by her grandmother.
"Kung anuman 'yung past ko doon kay mama at kay papa, gusto kong ibahin 'yan sa buhay ko. May nanay at tatay, may mga anak," the actress said in the interview aired Saturday.
The "Kung Fu Divas" star also openly discussed her relationship with Dantes, her boyfriend of over four years.
"Si Dong ay isa sa mga taong palaging nagsasabi sa akin, 'Kailangan binibigyan mo ang isang tao lagi ng isang pagkakataon.' Thankful ako kasi mabait na tao talaga si Dong," she said.
Asked how she would describe herself as a girlfriend, Rivera said, "Sweet ako eh! 'Di ba sinasabi palagi, 'Pag nagmahal ka, 1% kailangan itira mo sa sarili mo, huwag lahat ibibigay mo.' Hindi ako naniniwala sa gano'n eh."
"Kasi naniniwala ako na pag totoong mahal mo ang isang tao, hindi mo naman 'yan mapipigilan eh. 'Whoops, 99% na 'yung love ko sa'yo! Kailangan 1%...' Kasi pag mahal ko ang isang tao, ipaglalaban ko 'yan at gagawin ko ang lahat para maging masaya siya," she added."
As to when she and Dantes are planning to tie the knot, Rivera only confirmed they have discussed settling down. But she offered, "We're getting there."
"Napag-uusapan namin 'yan, at bilang babae, gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng isang pamilya at maraming anak," she said.
