Dingdong Dantes on infidelity in Filipino shows: I go back to my values, principles, core message of story

Dingdong Dantes expressed his sentiment to those who had been saying that cheating and infidelity were prevalent in Filipino shows.

In an interview on “The Howie Severino Podcast,” he talked about his profession and craft as an actor and was asked to comment on these concerns from critics.

“Marami akong pelikulang ganyan. I guess it may be seen as harmful, depende kung paano siya gamitin,” Dingdong said.

[I have many films like that. I guess it may be seen as harmful, depending on how it is going to be used.]

“So halimbawa kapag tatanggap ako ng isang script, babalik ako sa basic values and principles ko na ano ba ang mensaheng ibinibigay nito? Ano ba ang core message nitong kuwentong ito? At ’yun ang parating inaangklahan ko,” he added.

[So for instance if I accept a script, I will go back to my basic values and principles and ask, what message is this sending? What is the core message of this story? That will always be my basis.]

Dingdong said people needed to see the shows “as a whole ... rather than seeing bits and pieces of it.”

“Of course if you’re a producer, you may just promote a certain part of it,” the actor said.

“Let’s say this story is about third party, because that will sell. That’s what seems to be interesting. In the case of a tabloid, it could be the headline,” he said in Filipino. 

Using the tabloid analogy, Dingdong said if you read the whole article, the message would be different.

“And for me, that will always be my basis. So, I would always go back to just make sure that it is in line with my principle, my value, and which is the story,” he said.

“So, what is the message of the story? Let’s say in this story about having third parties, maybe the message is you have to strengthen at a certain point a relationship,” he added.

“How to do it? Again, it’s in your interpretation as a viewer on how you see it.”

Dingdong defended the Filipino film industry and said he saw a balance with the type of films and shows being made.

“There is balance as well. While commercially these stories are very available and because they are popular, they are there, you can see them everywhere, there are also many other stories that are not like those,” he said.

The Kapuso Primetime King also recognized the works of independent filmmakers that told stories on relevant issues.

“And maybe I can talk about the independent filmmakers who are just talking about social issues on the side. And they are equally as relevant. In fact, more relevant,” he added.

Dingdong said these indie filmmakers were not given enough spotlight for their works to be highlighted.

“They are maybe just not highlighted but they are there. That’s why I am grateful that we have these institutions that honor these films. These award-giving bodies. Because they are highlighted too,” he said. 

Dingdong said he believed that there should be a balance with the types of Filipino films and shows being released.

“It’s nice to have that balance so that if you’re a viewer, you don’t have just these kinds of films alone, you also have the other side of the spectrum,” he said. – Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/RC, GMA News