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Dingdong Dantes revealed the story behind the bag that he auctioned through Drew Arellano's auction for a cause called Drew's Closet.

According to Dingdong, he took a break from his workout routine and was glad to do so as someone is scheduled to pick up the bag and other items that he auctioned in Drew's closet.

Dingdong was the special guest of Drew Arellano last May 5 where he auctioned some of his most-loved items.

Dingdong Dantes to join Drew Arellano's auction for a cause called Drew's Closet

He said, “As I was looking at the last item-- the TUMI Ducati edition bag-- i kinda felt something and said to myself, while nodding, “pucha ang ganda talaga nito.” So, i opened it and started to take out the remaining things inside. A boarding pass, the PMS protocol and itinerary booklet, toothbrush, some paracetamol, a small Philippine flag pin, etc... Flashbacks started to come in. It is true that the mind mostly remembers the moments with very high emotion: happy, sad, inspired, fulfilled, or exactly what i felt during that afternoon of December 30, 2015 in Paris, France-- hopeful.”

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

I decided to take a break from my morning exercise today. Mabuti na lang because @drewarellano said that the rider would pick up our auctioned items before lunch and deliver them to their new owners. With much excitement (probably because of that Barako coffee gifted to me by...di ko na maalala, pero salamat), i gathered the items and prepared them one by one. And as I was looking at the last item-- the TUMI Ducati edition bag-- i kinda felt something and said to myself, while nodding, “pucha ang ganda talaga nito.” So, i opened it and started to take out the remaining things inside. A boarding pass, the PMS protocol and itinerary booklet, toothbrush, some paracetamol, a small Philippine flag pin, etc... Flashbacks started to come in. It is true that the mind mostly remembers the moments with very high emotion: happy, sad, inspired, fulfilled, or exactly what i felt during that afternoon of December 30, 2015 in Paris, France-- hopeful. We were part of the Philippine Delegation to the historic 2015 United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference. I had the honor and humbling opportunity to represent the Filipino people as a National Youth Commissioner. The TUMI bag came with me all the way to Paris. I even almost left it at the lobby of our hotel because i was rushing to the train station to meet the other delagates. Mabuti na lang pinaalala ni Kuya Argaño Elmer sa akin, “yung bag mo!” “Oh shit!” I said, running back to get it. But I clearly recall that whole morning where I arranged my speech, had it printed out, and was just generally very anxious and excited because it will be my first time to speak in front of world leaders in a very important forum for the world. During that forum of leaders of Climate Vulnerable countries, everything occurred as planned, well prepared and professional in the manner. So, there i was, a newbie, seated right in the middle of our decision makers, all geared up to deliver those 3.6 M signatures to the plenary, praying that i wouldn't stutter. (to be continued)

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Dingdong Dantes (@dongdantes) noong May 7, 2020 nang 10:23pm PDT

Dingdong said that he used that bag when he was part of the Philippine Delegation to the historic 2015 United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference.

“I had the honor and humbling opportunity to represent the Filipino people as a National Youth Commissioner. The TUMI bag came with me all the way to Paris. I even almost left it at the lobby of our hotel because I was rushing to the train station to meet the other delegates. Mabuti na lang pinaalala ni Kuya Argaño Elmer sa akin, “yung bag mo!” “Oh shit!” I said, running back to get it.”

He said he remembered everything including the part where he was anxious and excited because of his first time speaking to world leaders.

“During that forum of leaders of Climate Vulnerable countries, everything occurred as planned, well prepared and professional in the manner. So, there I was, a newbie, seated right in the middle of our decision-makers, all geared up to deliver those 3.6 M signatures to the plenary, praying that I wouldn't stutter.”

Right before he was about to begin, Dingdong said he felt that it's as if a spirit entered and took over him.

“The feeling was so magical that I couldn't explain where the adrenalin was coming from. As Nick Perlas put it, it probably was because I had tapped my “creative self”, a part of us that we disregard 99 percent of the time, but when used, could bring us to unimaginable places.”

He added, “That was where I was. Unimaginable, surreal, pumped up, and hopeful. And for all these reasons, I said, “hell no, 'di ko na ipamimigay ito”. Haha. Sentimental reasons baga."

Dingdong then revealed why he chose that specific item despite the good memory attached to it. He wrote, “Drew said, “Paps, let's auction your pre-loved items.' But I ended up selecting items that are not pre-loved, but very well-loved, valued and treasured, especially this bag.”

The Kapuso Primetime King said he is the type who considers some pieces that can be passed to his kids. But he still picked this specific item to give away due to some reason.

“I am sure that these items will serve a more purposeful need than just leaving them inside boxes for years. Besides, I know that while we have physical or material things, we don't own them forever-- what we only own are the memories, learnings and the emotions that we felt when we put these things into good use.”

Dingdong said that this bag served him well and is now on the way to its new owner who won the bid to help communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

“This bag has served its purpose. Today, I am turning it over to a new owner who had won a bid for 20,000 Pesos - money that will be used to help communities in a time where material wealth seems insufficient in handling an invisible enemy that maybe humanity too had created.”

Before ending his post, he thanked Grace Salvador, the new owner, and Drew for working on this project.

Grace Salvador, thank you, and please take care of this bag just as how I value it. Drew, thank you for facilitating this cause.”

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