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Find out how Dingdong Dantes is dealing with his newfound role—and the perks that come along with it.
We visited the set of “Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel” last May 29 for another round of updates on the hit TV series. After a brief chat with leading man Dingdong Dantes, we found out how he’s dealing with his newfound role—and the perks that come along with it. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Settling down The last time we talked to Dingdong, he mentioned that he and Marian Rivera were still in the “adjustment phase” of their roles as Fredo and Dyesebel, especially since they got into the project right after MariMar, which catapulted their team-up to stardom. “Ngayon, I could say it’s easier,” he shares. “In fact, yung mga eksena namin lately, hindi na nababase doon sa script. Ini-integrate namin yung interpretation ni direk Joyce, so minsan nakukuha namin on the spot.” This is the reason why he and the rest of the cast don’t have any trouble memorizing their lines. “Yung batuhan namin [ng linya], normal lang. Parang totoong buhay.” Dingdong imparts that he likes it when he has scenes with Ricky Davao, who plays his father in the series. “Kasi first time ko siya nakatrabaho, and we all know that he’s a very good actor, and I get challenged also na kailangan talaga [ako maka-deliver]. Actually, yung pressure, nako-convert into a natural tendency to be in character.” He says that it’s also fun to work with Philip Lazaro because he makes up for the sense of humor that Fredo lacks. And of course, there’s Isabel, Dyesebel’s human name. “She’s so funny here. Hindi ganoon yung character ni [Marian] sa MariMar, [so it’s really refreshing],” he says. The perks Everyone has noticed lately that Dingdong’s product endorsements have increased since he shifted to a more mature, manly image. Some of his current endorsements include Medicol and Bench Body, but rumor has it that he’ll be the new face of an alcoholic beverage pretty soon. “I don’t know!” Dingdong replies with a mysterious smile when asked about it. Looks like we’ll just find out when it’s already out and official! How does he strike a balance between his showbiz projects and endorsement deals? He says it’s not as difficult as it may seem to be. “They only require one day, or [a] maximum [of] two for the shoot. It’s more of the long term commitment and responsibility of living up to the brand,” he explains. Taking this into account, does he have to watch his every move when he’s in public to “live up to the brand’s image?” “I believe [that] there shouldn’t be much effort in doing it, ‘cos they got me for a reason. They got me for who I am, and siguro for example, Medicol. This is how I handle stress. Di ba? Ito ginagawa ko, kaya naka-relate [ako] sa equity ng brand.” He continues, “A good example is if they get me, for let’s say, an alcoholic beverage. That’s cool, di ba? I wouldn’t mind, because I have nothing to hide. I’m just being me. Madali lang at walang hirap.” Other plans We all know that Dingdong got involved in directing TV episodes and even a movie segment before, but he says that he’d have to put that on hold for now. “Not in the next couple of years, maybe,” he says. “Magbi-build up muna ako on experience. Hindi naman mawawala yun, e. The passion for it will always be there.” Right now, he’d rather concentrate on being in front of the camera and doing his endorsements. “Since medyo wala muna ako sa S.O.P., [I get to go] target shooting [during my free time] with my brother [and] some friends. [I’ve been into it even before], but it’s just now that I was able to find time.” He also has plans of returning to school and finally finishing his last few semesters of college at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he is on leave right now. His course there is AB Interdisciplinary Studies, where he majored in Communication Arts and Management. After college, he’d love to take up his Masters, but he'd still want to be in the entertainment industry no matter what. “Maybe not on-cam, but contributing one way or another,” he shares. Dingdong tells us he also has a “hush-hush” business plan at the moment and he gives us a teaser of what it could possibly be about: “Mahilig kasi ako sa burger at pizza!” Looks like he’s thinking of adding up to his current biz, Circle Café! Watch out for Dingdong’s future projects and stay updated by visiting iGMA daily! On weeknights after Carlo J. Caparas’ Joaquin Bordado, tune in to Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel to catch Dingdong as Fredo. Text DINGDONG and send to 4627 to Feel the Fun with Fanatxt! To receive picture messages from his phone, text GOMMS DINGDONG ON and send to 4627. (Each SMS costs P2.00 for GLOBE, SMART, TM, and TALK N TEXT, while it costs P2.50 for SUN subscribers. This service is exclusively available in the Philippines). Visit the iGMA Forum thread of Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel and share your views with fellow fans!