March 28 ------ Gelli de Belen recently opened up about the secret to her enduring marriage with singer-actor Ariel Rivera. The couple has been married for 27 years. In an interview with Pops Fernandez in her latest YouTube vlog, Gelli said that one of the biggest factors in their lasting relationship is Ariel’s consistent dedication to their family. "Feeling ko parang for us girls, we all want the relationship to work and to last — women more than men. I think mas clear siya sa atin, this is the relationship, let's make this work," she pointed out.
The actress went on: "Most guys, hindi sila ganun. They say it... but then iba ang salita sa gawa. Somehow si Ariel, through the years has proven na seryoso siya na talagang family is his focus, is his number one. And he has proven that so many times. Since ganun siya, I think that's why it works. Gelli believes that the strength of their marriage lies in their mutual priorities. "Feeling ko we really want the same thing. We really truly want the same thing in life," she highlighted.
Looking back, Gelli acknowledged that their marriage has gone through various phases, each one requiring patience, understanding, and mutual adjustment. "Maraming challenges kasi ang daming stages. Una sobrang in love... and then of course when you get into the house and live together, you are adjusting, ganyan pala siya. Ganyan pala si Gelli, ganyan pala si Ariel. So adjust-adjust. And then next may anak na. Adjust-adjust na naman," she relayed.
Gelli emphasized that what held them together through all those transitions was their shared desire to prioritize family. "There are different levels and phases that we had to go through and I had to adjust to, which we obviously we were able to. And the big, big factor there is, I think talaga we wanted to really focus on the family," she stated. "Career was a big part of our life but the number one was our children, was our family."
When asked how they keep their relationship exciting after nearly three decades, Gelli said it's all about growing as individuals and embracing the changes that come with time. "You grow as an individual, I think. There's always something new to talk about, there's always something new to discover and to experience with that person. Magiging mundane ang daily life... Pero nag-iiba kasi we are in showbiz. There are times na super busy siya, or he goes outside of the country. Pag-uwi niya, parang miss na namin ang isa't isa. With their children now living in Canada, Gelli noted that she and Ariel have become even closer. "Now that the kids live in Canada so nung pag-alis nila, parang feeling ko mas na-solidify pa kami. Parang we are closer even now than we were before," she stated.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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