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The original Sergio was a typical Mexican hunk. But with Dingdong stepping into the role, the character was given an updated look courtesy of Dingdong himself.
Gone are the hairy chest, the curly hair, and the heavy accessories. In place is a sleek handsome hunk of a man. All the fans of the hit show Marimar agree that Dingdong Dantes made Sergio Santibañez an ultramodern, sigh-worthy, oh-so-yummy, telenovela hero. Dingdong Dantes has played many roles in the past. He was once the cute boy next door in TGIS. He was an Encantadian warrior turned king. He became a soldier of the sea in Atlantika. Throughout all these projects, he always wore his costumes with a suave coolness that not many men can do. Then comes the role of a lifetime, Dingdong became Sergio Santibañez. The young actor has seen the original Marimar and knows that Eduardo Capetillo played the character Sergio with the usual Mexican flair. “Iyung t-shirt na hanggang dito (points to his navel). ‘Yung buhok na hanggang dito (points to his shoulders). ‘Yung jacket na turtle neck na dilaw.” Let it not be said that he did not do research for his character. Those who saw the original Marimar would know that Dingdong was able to describe Sergio to a T. Telenovela Hunk When he was offered the role, was he prepared to look like the original? “Unang una wala naman ako balahibo sa dibdib eh.” He laughs then says, “I made it a point na meron kahit papaano. Like sa umpisa [in the original Marimar] maraming kuwintas si Sergio. Binawi namin sa ibang paraan. Meron isang bagay sa katawan ni Sergio na hindi nawawala, [points to a ring on his pinky].” He then tells iGMA a secret. He reveals that he never takes the ring off even when he is not on the set. Maybe it is because he has totally immersed himself in becoming Sergio. Dingdong also shares that he does not buy and read fashion magazines. But because he was required to research, he learned to read on the latest styles and even asks for advice from various people. “Siyempre may mga pegs ‘yan. Kung sino sino, like si [David] Beckham, kung sino sino pang-celebrities. It’s a combination of ideas, lalo ako, wala naman ako directly ginagaya.” He thus describes the style he fashioned for Sergio as, “relaxed yet in style, classy.” Little details complete the get-up. Take the the earring for example. Dingdong had an earring since the show Encantadia but he decided to remove it. But directors Joyce Bernal and Mac Alejandre wanted an edgier leading man and the earring stayed. That tiny earring went through as many changes as the character. When Marimar and Sergio first met, it was a hoop. When Bella Aldama came along, it became a stud. Then it turned into a hoop once again. “Kahit ganoong changes, may meaning,” he answers with a conspiring smile. For Marimar, Dingdong Dantes is not hidden beneath layers of steel armor or a shield. He is exposed, in more ways than one. And, he faced the challenges of looking like a sensitive but strong type of guy. He epitomized the ultimate hunk- the telenovela leading man. -- Text by KC M. Abalos. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Talk about this hottie in the iGMA forum. May kwento pa sa iyo DINGDONG. Text DINGDONG [Your Message] and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each text costs Php2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart and Talk N’ Text subscribers, and Php2.00 for Sun Cellular subscribers.