REEL and real life lovebirds Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, both GMA 7 Kapuso talents, are celebrating their birthdays this month. Marian is adding another year on August 12, while her boyfriend, Dingdong, is turning 34 on August 2.
Marian was born in Madrid, Spain to father Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard and her Filipina mother, Amalia Rivera. Her parents separated when she was only two years old, so her mother brought her to the Philippines where she grew up.
Considered as one of the most beautiful faces in the Philippines today, the actress is a Psychology graduate from De La Salle University in Cavite. After graduating, she worked for the National Institute of Mental Health and had also tried to be a special education teacher before she was discovered.
Marian’s boyfriend Dingdong also has made a name for himself, from being a teen actor to a matinee idol and movie producer. He manages his own film studio named AgostoDos Pictures.
Other personalities also celebrating their birthdays this month are:
August 1 – Action star Cesar Montano and former entertainment producer Vilma Guinto Peoro;
August 3 – Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha ;
August 4 – United States President Barack Obama, Forever Young officer Zeny Herrera, and Filipina choreographer Maribeth Bichara;
August 6 – Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano;
August 8 – Broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco;
August 9 – San Ramon ballroom queen Dr. Nora Ebio, balladeer Mark Bautista, Oueen of Queens Corazon de Guzman, and actress/TV host Mariel Rodriguez;
August 11 – ABS-CBN2 Chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III;
August 12 – Actor Aga Muhlach and actress Iza Calzado;
August 13 – Leus Business Development executive Ramon Petros;
August 15 – Filipina caregiver Elaine Estabrooks, and former restaurateur Gwen Diaz;
August 17 – REMAX Westlake investment real estate associate Ching Evaristo, songwriter-singer-actor Ogie Alcasid, and singer Rachelle Ann Go;
August 19 – Filipina commercial and fashion model Jessica V. Apolinario, and Regal Films grand dame Lily Monteverde;
August 20 – Former beauty queen and actress Jean Saburit, successful businesswoman Zenaida “Baby” Evans, singer Malou Lozada, and real estate agent Raquel Mapote;
August 22 – Multi-awarded actress Jean Garcia, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, former Mutya ng Pilipinas winner Carolyn Masibay, and actress /singer Nikki Gil;
August 24 – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who is also the husband of Megastar Sharon Cuneta;
August 27 – Former Movie Queen Amalia Fuentes
August 28 – Daly City Mayor David Canepa;
August 30 – TV director Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, and comedienne Pokwang;
August 31 – Veteran actor Karim Kiram.
To all celebrants, a very happy birthday!
