Dingdong takes cudgels for industry’s ‘unsung heroes’

Did you know that Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) was a stuntman before he became Da King of Philippine Movies?

That piece of trivia was revealed by Brian Llamanzares who pitched in for his mom, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, at the graduation of more than 300 stuntmen from a week-long training program sponsored by Dingdong Dantes for his own YesPinoy Foundation, Inc. (YPFI), in collaboration with the Stunt Association of the Philippines (SAP) and the Seoul Action School- Korea (SASK). The first-ever international project was dubbed as Project #BeScene or Be Seen.

In the speech he delivered on behalf of his mom, Brian revealed that he tried being an actor for one year and he also took up lessons in acting, singing, dancing, hosting and action routine that’s why he has a heart for industry workers especially stuntmen. Then he related the experiences (mga pinagdaanan) of his Lolo Da King who broke an arm during an accident on the set.

“You know FPJ, he didn’t want to have a ‘double’ even in risky scenes. He did a motorcycle stunt and fractured his left arm when his motorcycle skidded. Matigas ang ulo and he didn’t want to see a doctor, that’s why his left arm became bigger than his right arm.” (Must be why Da King was always in long-sleeved shirts.)  

The other special guests were Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, who swore in the SAP officers (and members), and former Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid as representative of his dad, Sen. Lito Lapid, who started in showbiz also as a stuntman.

Dingdong (rightmost) with special guests (from left) former Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid (representing his dad, Sen. Lito Lapid), Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas and Brian Llamanzares (representing his mom, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares)

It was a Sunday (July 21) and Dingdong came with daughter Zia who refused to leave his side even while her dad was delivering a speech.

“It’s my fathering day,” said Dingdong over lunch after the ceremony. “Ako ang nakatoka mag-alaga ng mga bata. I make sure to spend quality time with them, and Marian (his wife), since the rest of the week, I am busy with work.”

Dingdong and six of his co-stars (including Rocco Nacino and new Kapuso Jon Lucas) in the GMA adaptation of the hit Koreanovela Descendants of the Sun have just completed a rigid two-day training at a military camp.

“It was a valuable experience with my co-stars,” shared Dingdong. “We are the Team Alpha in the series and it was good that we were able to go through the training.”

They are scheduled for more training before the series starts shooting in two weeks’ time.

“We were prepared for the camp training,” added Dingdong, “including bringing basic necessities such as insect repellent para sa mga lamok.” (Caution: The DOJ has rung an alarm bell against the spread of dengue cases, this year more than double 2018’s number during the same first six-month period.)  

Although their job could be life-threatening, stuntmen are perhaps among the least-paid among the industry workers.

“They are the industry’s unsung heroes,” noted Dingdong whose career oftentimes requires tough action scenes. “I should say that the stuntmen hold our lives in their hands. Hawak nila ang buhay ng mga artista.”

There are several groups of stuntmen among whose members availed of the training with the experts from SASK who are behind such award-winning and critically-acclaimed films and TV shows as Goblin, Kingdom, Mr. Sunshine, Battleship Island, Train to Busan and Okja, among others. 

“Our projects will not be successful without our stunt actors who put their lives at stake,” added Dingdong. “It’s about time that we honor them, and help them advance their skills, welfare and safety. The trainees underwent coaching from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and certified by the organization to provide emergency response and basic first aid. Moreover, FWD Life Insurance Corporation Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in Asia, discussed financial literacy among the stunt people.”

Brian and Dingdong mentioned that protection for industry people, stuntmen included, is very important and a strict requirement following the death of Eddie Garcia on the set of a GMA TV series. An “Eddie Garcia Bill” has been filed in Congress by Partylist 1-PACMAN Rep. Mikee Romero, Eddie’s stepson.

According to Dingdong, aside from uplifting the skills of stuntmen, being finalized is the crafting of a handbook for submission to the FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines).

Now, did you know that among the stunt group members are as young as eight years old who “double” for child actors?

Incidentally, aside from Da King and Sen. Lito, other stuntmen who graduated to stardom include Dante Varona (who created a record by jumping from the top of the San Juanico Bridge), Jess Lapid Sr., Baldo Marro and the late female action star Virginia.

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