Marian Rivera & Dingdong Dantes Officially Announce Their Wedding Date On December 30 At Immaculate Conception Cathedral In Cubao

MARIAN RIVERA and Dingdong Dantes formally faced the press last Friday in a lunch presscon entitled The Royal Engagement hosted by GMA-7. First, a video is shown, A Royal Romance, showing how Dingdong proposed to Marian in her dance show the other Saturday night. Then another video is shown with GMA top execs headed by Atty. Felipe Gozon and Jimmy Duavit sending their warm greetings to the royal couple.

Dingdong announced that the date of their wedding is set on December 30, Rizal Day, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on New York St., Cubao. “It’s special to us kasi doon kami madalas nagsisimba,” he adds. “I also grew up in the area at doon din ako bininyagan so it’s really special to me. It’s a public place so we will have to insure the security of those who will attend. Meron na kaming napiling place for reception pero hindi pa final kaya hindi pa namin ma-announce. Hindi pa rin namin napipili kunsaan ang honeymoon, but we’re having a new house constructed para may lilipatan na kami after the wedding.”

“Gusto ko talaga ng kasal sa isang simbahan since we’re both Roman Catholics,” Marian says. “Like what we promised to the press before, hindi naman ito itatago sa inyo at kayo ang unang makakaalam kapag may date na. Pero wala pang ibang details. We’re still preparing the entourage of our ninongs and ninangs, but sure nang my good friends Anna Feleo and Roxanne Barcelo ang maids of honor ko. Wala pang ibang details sa wedding gown ko but nabili ko na ang sapatos na gusto ko.”

Will they have kids right away? “Kung ibibigay ba, why not? Sana nga, makabuo kami agad, sa honeymoon pa lang. I want to have many children kasi ako, solong anak lang.”

Will she invite her former manager, Popoy Caritativo? “Yes, I’ll invite him. Malaki ang nagawa niya sa akin kaya mahal ko siya. Nagkita na kami noong Cinemalaya pero hindi pa yata siya ready na bumati sa akin. Pero lumapit ako sa mother niya at binati ko.”

How did she feel when Dong proposed to her in her show? “I didn’t know na he prepared something like that. So nang lumuhod siya, iba-ibang emotions ang na-feel ko. Kinikilig, masaya, kinakabahan, umiiyak.”

Will they have a pre-nuptial agreement? “We haven’t talked about it,” says Dong.

What are the qualities they like with each other that made them desire to get married? “I love yung willingness niyang magsakripisyo para makabuo na kami ng aming sariling pamilya,” says Dong.

“Good influence siya sa’kin,” says Marian. “Dadalhin ka niya sa isang mas mabuting pananaw at magandang pag-uugali. Tinutulungan niya ko para mas maging mabuting tao.”

Will they undergo a marriage preparation seminar? “Yes, definitely,” says Dong. “We’re having a church wedding so we will comply with whatever the church will require us to do.”

“At kailangan, lagi naming ilalagay si Lord in the center of our relationship kasi walang imposible kapag kasama namin siya,” adds Marian.

How will their marriage affect their careers? “Hindi naman mawawala ang aming passion for acting and our careers,” says Dong. “We trust GMA-7 and our managers para mapag-usapan kung ano ang mangyayari sa amin after our marriage.”

It’s common knowledge that Marian is the jealous type. Will she still get jealous even after they’ve tied the knot? “Hindi naman ako magseselos kung wala akong makikitang dahilan at kamalian, e.”

On Dingdong? “No, ang bait niyan, e. Sa ibang babae.”

So, ladies who are still interested on Dong, beware! He’s off limits from now on.