Dingdong: The wait will soon be over

MANILA, Philippines - Dingdong Dantes can’t wait to be married and the preparations for the altar date on Dec. 30 are almost finished. 

“We’re getting there except for a few loose ends,” said Dingdong during a presscon for his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles.   

The 34-year-old Kapuso star also confirmed that he’s shouldering everything, including bride-to-be Marian Rivera’s church gown by the Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Dingdong explained, “My thinking is, that day is really for her, our families, but it’s really more for her. I want it as a gift for her, so dapat lang naman talaga (that I’m taking care of the expenses).”

Asked how long he has been saving up for this wedding, he said, “When you say you’re saving up, parang you’re putting a limitation to it. Sabihin na nating kung nangyari ito, 12 years ago, kung ano man ang meron ako, I would give everything as long as I’d be able to exhaust everything to make her happy, parang naging relative na lang kung gaano ka rami or ka mahal ang pupwedeng maibigay para mapasaya s’ya. But the truth is, yung mga simpleng bagay lang naman talaga yun lang ang mahalaga, at lahat ng elementong yun are already there in the coming wedding.”

He is also grateful that there are people “who are helping us in so many ways.”

As for the wedding gifts, Dingdong reiterated the couple’s desire that guests donate instead the gifts to his Yes Pinoy Foundation. The foundation, which has been mostly focused on youth-related outreach projects, is also in line with his job as commissioner-at-large for the National Youth Commission (NYC).

With his NYC appointment, can a political career be far behind?

Interestingly, the actor has been included in surveys about possible senatorial contenders for the May 2016 national elections. “I just laughed at it,” he said of his reaction to the Pulse Asia survey conducted in September where he got a voting percentage of 11.1, and ranked at No. 28 to 30.

“If you ask me right now, I really don’t have any plans,” he said, evasive on questions if he’s being courted by political groups. “For now, my concentration is to build my family because in 2015 we mean to have a baby — that’s the plan.”  

Right after his wedding, he and Marian will be away for less than a month only for their honeymoon (reportedly courtesy of their ninang Dr. Vicki Belo) and Dingdong said that they’re thinking of flying to Europe, particularly south of Italy, which is known to be one of the most romantic destinations in the world.

Afterwards, it’s back to the grind with Dingdong set to start work on the comebacking artista reality search StarStruck, and Marian in another teleserye.

If ever they will have a child, Marian (who has said that she wants to give Dingdong as many kids as he wants, to which Dingdong reacted, “Likewise!”) will have to slow down. “It (slowing down) depends on the circumstances, for example if we will be blessed with a baby. (But) marriage doesn’t mean, it’s the end or start of slowing down when it comes to your job or career as an actor, all the more you will love your job because you’re doing it now for a family, a wife or a husband.”

Meantime, amidst wedding preparations, Dingdong is squeezing in promotional work for his MMFF entry Kubot directed by Erik Matti. Dingdong co-produces the film (under his own production outfit Agosto Dos Pictures) with Reality Entertainment and GMA Films.

The film is a sequel to his Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles in 2012. Dingdong said that Kubot has stepped up in terms of casting, plot twists and effects. The film opens on Christmas Day.