Marian Rivera

Marian Rivera Gracia was born in Madrid, Spain on August 12, 1984. As the only child of an inter-racial couple—her mother, Amalia Mallari Rivera, is a full-blooded Filipina and works as an airport attendant in London; her father, Francisco Javier Alonzo Gracia, restaurateur, is a full-blooded Spaniard—Marian had a pampered middle-class upbringing, courtesy of her nurturing maternal grandmother.

Her mother Amalia met her father Francisco in Madrid, Spain. It was in Madrid that her mom gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who was named Marian, after her paternal grandfather, Mariano Gracia. But the marriage of Amalia and Francisco didn’t last long. Marian was two years old when her parents decided to part ways.

Still, Marian’s story is not entirely a fairy tale.

Marian was flown back to the motherland when she was three years old and grew up raised by her Lola Francisca Rivera in Bayanan, Bacoor, Cavite. In her Lola’s home, Marian grew up to become a happy, contented, and well-adjusted adult.

Aside from “Yan-yan,” her mama and cousins fondly calls her “Poyi” or “Poyas” which means “makulit” in Spanish.

When Amalia went back to her job abroad, Lola Francisca became Marian’s designated guardian. Francisco Gracia, meanwhile, did not entirely cut off relations with his child.

It was in St. Francis of Assisi College System, Bayanan, Cavite Campus where Marian finished her elementary and high school days. She was just an average student up until she finished college.

Marian’s yearly trip to Madrid stopped only when she went to college.

The unique family setup was initially difficult for Marian’s mind to comprehend. The questions in her mind became a factor in Marian’s decision on getting her college degree in B.S. Psychology at De La Salle University in Dasmariñas, Cavite. In college, her favorite subjects were logic and Filipino psychology. And she has no problems with “deep Tagalog.”

Marian’s parents now have their own partners in life. Her father remains in Madrid, where he owns a restaurant. Her mom has long since moved to London, where she now works as an airport attendant. Neither one of her parents, however, has given Marian a sibling.