As Marian Rivera marks many firsts in her upcoming movie “Balota” for this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, actor Dingdong Dantes is in full support of his wife’s project.

According to Dantes, he believes it is something to watch out for.’

“Hindi ko pa napapanood ang full movie pero based sa pictures at short clips na pinakita niya alam kong magiging kakaibang Marian,” the actor said in an interview with the press during the recently concluded Entertainment Editors Award.

Dantes also feels that her wife is excited about her upcoming film directed by Kip Oebanda which shows another facet of Rivera’s artistry.

“I’m also a fan of my wife’s work at isa sa inaabangan ko sa kanya ay ‘yung makakita ako ng kakaibang portrayal mula sa kanya dahil nakikita natin talaga ang transformation. Pero ang mahalaga sa akin ‘yung feeling na kinukwento nya sa akin kapag umuuwi cya and as an artist she feels very fulfilled” he said.

Dantes noted that Riveras’ 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day falls on the week of Cinemalaya. “Dahil mahalaga sa amin ang festival na ito, doon iikot sa festival na ‘yun ang mga 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day plans,” he said.

Aside from “Balota,” this year’s Cinemalaya will also feature Lawrence Fajardo’s “The Hearing”, Julius Lumiqued’s “The Wedding Dance”, Richard Jerqui Salvadico and Arlie Sumagaysay’s “Tumandok”, Joshua Medroso’s “Kantil”, Jaime Pacena II “Kono Basho”, Jonathan Jurilla’s “Love Child”, JL Burgos’ “Alipato at Muog”, Dominic Bekaert “An Errand”, and BC Amparado’s “Gulay Lang, Manong.”