Actress Marian Rivera may be one of the most recognizable faces in the Philippines, but behind the glitz of showbiz, she is a hands-on mom, a meticulous home manager, and now, the newest brand ambassador of PalawanPay.
Recently, Marian was officially introduced as the latest face of the financial services platform during a recent event, where she opened up about the values that shape her approach to money, family, and fame.
“What’s important is that when you work, you know you earned your money through hard work,” Marian said, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and responsibility.
“You need to know where to invest it and how to let it go in a way that’s responsible and beneficial,” she added.
For the actress, money management isn’t just about saving and investing, but it’s also deeply personal.
“I handle everything. I have a notebook where everything is posted—Meralco, Maynilad. It even has the total of our monthly expenses,” she admitted when asked about handling bills and budgeting at home.
This sense of discipline, she said, is something she inherited from her mother and grandmother.
Though she now enjoys financial security, Marian said she has always lived below her means—especially during her early years in showbiz.
“If you rewind to the past, you really wouldn’t see any kind of luxury from me because my priority back then was really to save. With every project, I made an investment,” Marian continued.
Today, with two children—Zia and Sixto—and a growing family, her priorities have shifted.
“Before, I was thinking only of myself and my extended family. Now I have my own family. Of course, what parent wouldn’t want a good life for their children?” she stated.
She then shared that she plans to pass on her practical mindset to her kids in due time.
“They have some awareness. But for them to actually handle money—we’re not at that stage yet,” Marian added.
She handles all household expenses, coordinates with her husband, actor Dingdong Dantes, and keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
“I’m the one who arranges and organizes everything. Dingdong is the head of the family. So as long as there’s no commotion, he doesn’t step in,” she stated.
Beyond her home life, Marian is proud of the endorsements she chooses to take on, saying each one must align with her values. That’s why PalawanPay resonated with her.
“What I love about Palawan is their values and mission. Their core is really to help fellow Filipinos… When you cash out, there’s no additional fee. Their mission is all about the masses,” the actress explained.
