Sa "SOP" last Sunday, Dingdong Dantes was surprised with the news that he’ll take on the character of Cholo for GMA-7's adaptation of "Stairway to Heaven." How did he feel about the announcement and ano ang aabangan natin sa kanya? Alamin natin from Dingdong mismo. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Interview and Photos by Connie M. Tungul. Dingdong Dantes has portrayed numerous roles na talaga namang tumatak sa ulo ng mga tao--from his teen heartthrob role in T.G.I.S. to his first leading man role in Twin Hearts, from the regal Ybrahim of Encantadia to the charismatic Sergio of MariMar. But this year, Dingdong is set to capture hearts once more as a different kind of leading man, as Cholo of Stairway to Heaven. How did Dingdong feel during the moments na ina-announce on SOP that he will be portraying the heart-wrenching role of Cholo? "Ang alam ko lang may number [ako]," kwento ng actor-host. "Nung nakita kong may VTR pa, 'mukhang birthday, bakit may ganito?' So, yun nga. Alam ko na." Ms. Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Network Vice President for Drama, explains the decision for their selection of the prime time hunk for this project. "Super gwapo, lalaking-lalaki, na hindi mo mai-imagine na crying leading man, 'yung ganyan.Di ba parang si Dingdong? Hindi mo mai-imagine [na umiiyak], pero nae-excite ka din sa idea of seeing him in a different light. "It's proven naman na he can act, so it's just natural that we would choose him," she finishes. Of course, Dingdong is up to the challenge. "Mukhang interesting 'to. I think it's a great opportunity." While, he's very happy and thankful about getting the much-coveted role, he is also aware that it will require much preparation. For us readers and viewers naman, may aabangan pa tayong announcement--kung sino ang magpo-portray kay Jodi, ang leading lady ni Cholo. Ms. Lilybeth says, "hindi pa kami nakakapag-decide kung sino. There are names, pero we want to be careful with out choice." Stairway to Heaven will follow Darna and Rosalinda soon on GMA Telebabad. In the meantime, you can catch Dingdong still on SOP every Sunday. Be the first to find out kung ano ang mga preparations na ginagawa ni Dingdong for his role! Subscribe na sa Fanatxt service niya! Just text DINGDONG to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for Globe, Smart, and Talk N Text, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusive for the Philippines only.)