DOTS close to Dingdong’s heart
Dingdong Dantes topbills the Philippine adaptation of the megahit South Korean drama Descendants of the Sun (DOTS). He plays the dashing Capt. Lucas Manalo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Special Forces Unit, who falls in love with cardio-thoracic surgeon Maxine dela Cruz portrayed by Jennylyn Mercado.
Watch out for their funny first meeting when the series premieres Monday, Feb. 10, on GMA 7’s primetime. For a man who has led dangerous air, land and sea missions, he fumbles and fails miserably on his first attempt to be introduced to the beautiful but spunky lady doctor. But that’s just the beginning of a love story interwoven with the drama and action in the everyday lives of soldiers and doctors.
The original series became a broadcast success in 2016 all over Asia, including the Philippines. In its Pinoy reincarnation, Dingdong is not just the star but also sits as project consultant, which means he has taken a more active role in making sure that the GMA version directed by Dominic Zapata doesn’t disappoint the fans of DOTS.
“I want to help the team, I want to help interpret the show,” the Kapuso primetime King told The STAR on why he came on board as consultant.
“This project is close to my heart for several reasons. No. 1, it will talk about the military, it will talk about doctors, it has been adapted from a show that is close to my heart and millions of people as well. A lot fell in love with this show. I’m one of those fans,” Dingdong added.
It helps that he has the “knowledge and wisdom” that can only come with 20 years of being in the TV industry. “I also want to contribute what I’ve learned to further improve the show.”
He’s neither unbothered with comments concerned if his tandem with Jennylyn will work considering a big part of the magic of the original show was that viewers were seemingly seeing a real-life love story unfold on television as its Korean stars actually fell in love on the set.
“The beauty of the material will supersede that because I think it’s already an advantage that we somehow know the story and where it’s going, because it was loved here when it was aired years ago, and even online, where you can still watch it,” Dingdong said.
“But more important than that is the willingness of the actor’s. I’m so grateful that Jennylyn, every time she’s on set, meron siyang bagong dinadala dun sa interpretation of the character. Maybe there’s a part of her portrayal that’s inspired by the original character, but the bigger (chunk) of it comes from her as Jennylyn the actress. Dun palang nagkakaroon ng fresh approach and I guess that’s what audiences want to see, the truth in the scenes, more than the background of the actors. Kung makita nila ang totoong buhay namin, if they would see our real lives, then we’ve failed as actors. It means we haven’t delivered our objective.”
Another big reason that this show hits close to home for Dingdong is because he comes from a family of men in uniform.
His grandfather and namesake Col. Sixto R. Dantes served 30 years of his life in the Philippine Army, was a World War II veteran and a death march survivor, while his father, Sixto Jr. is a civilian volunteer of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Dingdong himself had a taste of this life long before he did some training last year as preparation for his Descendants of the Sun character.
Unknown to many perhaps, way back in 2006, Dingdong enlisted in the Marine Reserve Force, completed the Marine Officer Basic Training and became a member of the 3rd Technical Service Battalion. It was followed by another marine reserve training in 2007 after which he held the rank of master sergeant and transferred to the marine affiliated reserve combat service support battalion.
When he formed the YesPinoy Foundation, Inc. (YPF) in 2009, his non-profit organization decided to actively support the missions of the Citizen Armed Force or the Reserve Force such as disaster relief and rescue work with the aim to “contribute in nation-building, in general.”
This was why he was wearing a military uniform, as in the past, while recently doing relief work for the Taal Eruption evacuees and not as a publicity stunt for his series, as some netizens alleged.
“I was inspired by my forefathers. This legacy, along with the heroism of our soldiers, whom I have personally witnessed both in public service and entertainment, serves as my inspiration to work harder and to volunteer to help those who help me keep my family and my loved ones safe,” he said.
“It’s not a one time thing na when I’m done with this (show), I’m done (with volunteering), parang it’s a way of life.”
Since 2017, Dingdong has been working on his status in the reserve force in hopes of becoming a commissioned officer.
Last Jan. 27, after more than two years, his officer rank as lieutenant commander was finally confirmed. “I also intend to request for change in my service status from sailor (navy) to go back to my original unit, the marines. The Philippine Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and is the mother unit of the Philippine Marine Corps.”
Dingdong nevertheless stressed that this is his personal journey. Service and love for country can be expressed in many ways and in whatever profession one is in.
“Whether you are a teacher, security guard, construction worker, call center agent, Angkas driver, employee, businessman, actor, first line responder, stay-at-home mom or dad, or a medical professional, especially those who are now in the frontline of battling the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, tangay natin ang ‘puso’ ng isang bayani. Dahil araw-araw, lahat tayo ay may pagkakataong maging mabuting mamamayan at gumawa ng mabuti para sa ating kapwa at sa ating bayan.”
Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation) starts airing Feb. 10, after Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday on GMA Telebabad.
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