Around GMA

PHIVOLCS: Magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits Bogo, Cebu
P82M smuggled cigarettes seized in Mindanao during Holy Week
Medium Rare 'Kaleidoscope' takes over Manila on May 9

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

Dingdong Dantes opened up about the pivotal moment in his life when financial struggles at home pushed him to take his showbiz career more seriously and find deeper purpose in his work.

Multi-awarded actor and host Dingdong Dantes sat down for an exclusive interview with Kapamilya news anchor Karmina Constantino on her YouTube channel KC After Hours, where they talked about his illustrious showbiz career spanning decades.

The The Master Cutter actor was then asked by the news anchor if he could point out a moment when his work as an artista was no longer just for fun.

Karmina asked Dingdong, “Kailan 'yung turning point, if there's one turning point, na hindi na siya basta, 'oh you're having fun'? Hindi na siya basta 'yung ang saya nito, pero naging seryoso ka na—oh, I can give more of myself here and this is who I am now.”

Reminiscing about his younger years, the 45-year-old actor recalled that his parents had a hard time sending him and his four siblings to school. Dingdong stressed that this was a pivotal moment for him.

“I think that was when I realized that there is a greater reason why I was put there in the first place. Kasi, talagang nilalaro ko lang noon—pagsasayaw, nung nag-T.G.I.S. na ako hanggang sa Anna Karenina, 'yung Sunday show naman. So parang feeling ko laro lang 'to, and then nakikita ko sila seryoso.”

“But then dumating kasi 'yung point na na-feel ko growing up that it wasn't easy to raise kids and then send them to school—nice schools. Kagaya nung sa akin, pati 'yung mga kapatid ko. Lima kasi kaming magkakapatid,” Dingdong recalled.

He continued, “So sabi ko, parang may isang point na na-feel ko, at na-witness ko rin, na nahihirapan 'yung parents ko na ipagpatuloy 'yung pag-aaral ko. So dumating din 'yung point na nag-iisip si Papa kung tutuloy pa ba natin dito, o lilipat natin siya.”

“So, I just took the initiative and said I'll try. Since may pinagkakakitaan na naman ako, tutulungan ko na kayo—at least for my own tuition—para hindi n'yo na ako intindihin. Kasi may iba pa akong mga kapatid.”

“So that was the point na sineryoso ko siya, kasi may mas malalim na akong dahilan. May mas malalim na objective kung bakit ako nandoon.”

“Hindi lang siya para sa akin. Siyempre gusto ko rin kayong tulungan dahil sa lahat ng binigay n'yo sa akin, sa lahat ng sakripisyo n'yo sa akin. Sabi ko, sige, susubok lang naman.”

With a deeper love and appreciation for his showbiz career, Dingdong took more steps to further hone his craft and expand his knowledge of the entertainment industry.

“When I changed that framing and that mindset, doon din nagbago. So unti-unti ko na siyang minahal, 'yung trabaho. Unti-unti kong naiintindihan why things are this way.”

“Ganito pala 'yung proseso—to the point na sa sobrang inibig ko siya, inaral ko siya. I studied it further in college, nagtanong ako, nagpa-mentor ako sa mga director.”

RELATED CONTENT: Career highlights of Dingdong Dantes