Marian Rivera: Leaving Kids for Canada ‘Remember’ Shoot Was Hard, but Trailer Made It Worth It
MARIAN RIVERA – Kapuso star Marian Rivera admitted she nearly stepped back from filming her upcoming movie Remember with husband Dingdong Dantes after learning the project would shoot overseas, saying she was not ready to leave their children behind, in remarks from the film’s press conference reported on Tuesday, October 28, 2026.
“Actually, nung nilatag sa akin na sa ibang bansa gagawin, medyo sabi ko, ‘Dad, parang kailangan natin mag-usap. Parang hindi ako ready kasi maiiwan ko ’yung mga bata,’” Marian recalled, referring to kids Zia and Sixto, whom she is used to caring for personally.
Dingdong reminded her that an overseas shoot had long been a shared dream. “Rinemind niya ako, ‘Di ba ito ’yung dream natin? Makapag-shoot tayo sa ibang bansa. Baka ito na ’yung chance natin.’ Sabi ko, ‘Hmmm… sige,’” she said.
She spent months preparing the children—and herself—for the separation. “Siguro ilang buwan ko kinausap ’yung mga anak ko para sa araw na aalis ako, handa na kami, pati ako. So naging okay,” Marian said. Watching the trailer later made her emotional and convinced her the sacrifice paid off.
The months of talks with Zia and Sixto, she suggested, were as much about calming her own nerves as preparing the kids. By the time cameras rolled abroad, the family had a shared understanding of why Mom and Dad needed to chase the project together.
“Tapos nung napanuod ko ’yung trailer, talagang ina-admit ko na naging emotional ako. Para maisip ko na mahirap mawalay sa mga anak, pero worth it din pala nung napanuod ko ’yung pelikula,” she said.
For Marian, Remember is meant to offer hope to Filipinos facing hard seasons. “Ang misyon namin, mabigyan kayo ng hope at pag-asa, kung ano man ang pinagdadaanan niyo,” she said. On set she even pointed out “signs,” including a church ceiling snowflake that matched her tattoo.
Shot partly in Quebec, Remember pairs Marian and Dingdong in a story the couple has described as close to the heart—one reason the early hesitation over leaving home cut so deep. Co-star Zia Grace’s involvement also blurs the line between work and family in a way Marian said made the finished film hit harder when she finally watched it.
Directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, the film also stars Joross Gamboa, Ana Abad Santos and Zia Grace. It is a collaboration of ABS-CBN Studios, APT Entertainment, Regal Entertainment Inc. and AgostoDos Pictures, and opens exclusively in cinemas on November 11, 2026.
Fresh from her first Gandang Gabi, Vice! guesting, where Dingdong’s tip was simply to enjoy the moment, Marian heads into the Remember premiere season with a story that starts at home: a mother who almost said no, then said yes for a dream she and Dingdong had waited years to chase.