Dingdong Dantes, Heart Evangelista on being the face of GMA's Affordabox: 'No convincing needed'

It was an easy yes for Kapuso actors Dingdong Dantes and Heart Evangelista to join the roster of endorsers in the network's latest product, the GMA Affordabox.

In a virtual blogcon held yesterday via Zoom, the Kapuso Primetime King and the Queen of Creative Collaborations shared that they accepted the project without hesitation.

Dingdong jested, “No convincing needed on my part.

“And sorry, hindi siya pro bono kasi ako 'yung isa sa mga unang nakatanggap ng box. Buena mano sa akin ng GMA”

The Descendants of the Sun (the Philippine Adaptation) actor expressed that he excitedly gave it as a gift to his mother who's been a loyal Kapuso all these years.

Adding, “Nung nakita niya 'yung teaser [sa TV], sinabi niya sa akin, 'Ano 'yung sinasayaw niyong ganun ganun?' Sabi ko secret pero 'di siya mapakali.

“So, eventually sinabi ko na, 'Ma, may box na 'yung GMA. Matagal mo na 'yang inaantay.' Tuwang tuwa siya kaya ibinigay ko sa kanya 'yung unang box [na natanggap ko].”

The same sentiment was expressed by Heart Evangelista who's very excited about one feature from the device which is the record option.

She said, “Meron na siyang recorder!

“Actually, 'yun 'yung hindi nila alam. Na kung may ginagawa ko or may favorite show ka, lalo na 'yung Heart of Asia na puro Korean soaps that's Tagalized na, you can actually record it already so you can't miss it. So tuloy-tuloy na.

“I was for it and everybody dito sa house ko was so happy about it kasi lahat sila loyal sa GMA. We were also very happy that it's so very, very clear.

“And of course, I'd do anything for GMA.”

During the hour-long blogcon, Dingdong and Heart were also asked to share their experiences during the shooting of the TVC that will be aired later at Wowowin.

The actor recalled, “Personally, ito 'yung pinakauna kong sabak sa harap ng camera matapos nitong tatlong buwan [ng quarantine] and pagkatapos ng masusing pagpaplano para masigurado ang aming safety, ay nagawa namin siya smoothly.

“We really had to think of creative ways to deliver the message and I guess we're lucky we're in the care of this industry kasi hindi nagsa-suffer kahit papaano 'yung gusto nating sabihin.

“Although aaminin ko hindi naging madali sa umpisa kasi unang pag-apak siyempre may kapraningan, eh. May kaba na medyo magtataka ka na, magtatanggal ba ako ng mask o hindi?”

Dingdong said that the whole experience gave him hope to welcome the new changes in the industry.

“We really have to get ourselves there at the battlefield para malaman natin how it will be in the coming months because, I guess, we really have no choice but to do this and we really have to take care of ourselves.

“That's why we're grateful that there are people out there who are looking after us kasi siyempre number one pa rin ang safety at 'yun ang naramdaman namin. Okay pa naman ako ngayon and that was two weeks ago, so magandang subok yun.”

Similarly, it was also Heart's first time to step out of her house since the lockdown and described the experience as a “good dry run in the industry.”

Adding, “We were able to make an ad despite everything [that's happening]. So working is possible for us.

“It also gave hope sa mga cameraman, audioman, that they have work and there will be work.

“It's really nice that GMA was able to do it at this time and na-push nila ito flawlessly. Everybody is safe and the commercial looks really good.

“It was an experience I will never forget.”

The GMA Affordabox TVC featuring Dingdong Dantes, Heart Evangelista, and Michael V. launches today, June 26, on Wowowin.