Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes shared how they support their 10-year-old daughter, Zia Dantes, as she explores her interests and activities.
In an interview on the YouTube channel of Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga, Dingdong revealed that one of the things Zia is currently most interested in is singing.
"Marami siyang activities na gusto ngayon pero ang isa sa pinakatalagang nasu-surpresa kami ay 'yung pagkanta," Dingdong relayed.
The actor emphasized that they fully support whatever interests their daughter wants to pursue. "We are very supportive kung ano man ang gugustohin niya," he highlighted.
Marian echoed Dingdong's sentiments, sharing how proud she is of Zia for wanting to explore different things on her own.
"Nakaka-proud din talaga 'yung batang 'yun kasi minsan siya 'yung magsasabi sa akin na, 'Mama I want to learn this. I want to do this. I want to try this.' Kasi ang ganda na hindi ko, [hindi] namin pinu-push na ‘anak try mo 'to, ito ang kailangan mong gawin, ito ang dapat’. Hindi. Siya mismo nilalatag niya sa amin, lalo na sa akin kasi siyempre si Dong most of the time nagta-trabaho talaga siya. So ako talaga ang nakatutok sa mga bata. So sabi niya sa akin, 'Mama gusto ko mag-try mag-horseback, gusto ko nitong swimming, gusto ko nitong ganito. [Sabi ko], 'Sige anak try natin,'" the actress relayed.
Marian then discusses these interests with Dingdong so they can decide together. "So ilalatag ko kay Dong lahat. ‘O Dad ito 'yung gusto ng anak mo’, pero siyempre ico-compromise namin. May sasabihin daddy niya, tapos sabihin ko, tapos mag-uusap kami kung ano mga pwede kasi minsan ang dami niyang gustong gawin, parang kami na 'yung nahihirapan na ‘ano ba talaga 'yung gusto mo anak?’" she stated.
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According to Marian, Zia enjoys challenging herself and is competitive. "Pag may gusto siya, gusto niyang subukan kahit minsan feeling niya ‘ay kaya ko ba 'to? Pero gusto ko i-try mama eh.’ So 'pag nata-try niya, nacha-challege siya, lalo niyang ginagawa. Competitive kasi itong batang ito eh, parang lahat na yata sinubukan niya," she said.
Marian concluded that as parents, their role is simply to support Zia until she eventually figures out what she truly wants to pursue. "So ngayon support lang kami kung ano gusto niya," she said.