Dingdong Dantes

Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes III, popularly known as Dingdong Dantes, is an award-nominated director/actor and model, born August 2, 1980, Quezon City, Philippines. ^[1] He is also one of the Philippines' top product endorsers.

Career

Early years

Dantes began his career as a child model, appearing in a famous dairy product commercial when he was two years old. Several other commercials followed before he became part of an all-male dance group called Abztract Dancers, with his friend, actor Dino Guevarra, and his cousin, also an actor, Arthur Solinap. Their group became regulars on Eat Bulaga and That's Entertainment.

As an actor, he debuted on GMA Network's highly popular youth-oriented flick T.G.I.S. (Thank God It's Sabado) when he was 17, under the name Raphael Dantes. His role as the dashing boy-next-door Iñaki was massively well received and contributed much to his growing popularity. His pairing with Antoinette Taus, whom he was romantically involved with, resulted in films like Honey My Love So Sweet and I'm Sorry My Love, and television programmes including Anna Karenina

2001-2006

In 2001, Dantes was paired with actress Cathy Orias as they top-billed GMA-7's primetime soap opera series entitled Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga. The pairing was well received and the show received good ratings. Dantes and Garcia also headlined in another primetime romance-drama billing in 2003 entitled Twin Hearts. Dantes then took on several hosting stints and was MC for the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant on numerous occasions. His flair and spontaneity in this role led in 2003 to his selection as host for GMA Network's reality artist search, StarStruck, a role he retained in subsequent seasons.^{[citation needed]}

Aside from his television stints, Dantes also appeared in several chartbuster films including Magkapatid and Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka and has starred with top stars like Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Regine Velasquez and Judy Ann Santos.^{[citation needed]}

Dantes also hosts the suspense-thriller hit, Wag Kukurap, occasionally working as director. He is well-known for his role as King Ybrahim in the Encantadia fantasy-themed television saga, where he co-starred with his on-screen and off-screen romantic interest, singer-actress Karylle. The couple also co-starred in the 2006 film Moments of Love.

2007-Present

In 2007, Dantes underwent a change of image, moving from boy-next-door to a more mature sexy look which boosted his popularity and led to different roles. His home network selected him to portray the lead role Sergio, and for the first time, he was teamed-up with Marian Rivera, who had portrayed the role of Marimar in the GMA Teleserye version of Marimar, which was a phenomenal hit on national television. During the same period, he was also named No. 1 Bachelor of 2007 by Cosmopolitan Magazine (Philippines).^[2] He also won the USTV Students’ Choice Award for Most Popular Actor in a Drama/Mini-series.^[2]

In 2008, he was cast by his home studio to play the role of Fredo, love interest of Dyesebel, who was portrayed by Marian Rivera. In March 2008, he debuted as the Bench's newest image model, alongside his idol, Richard Gomez, who portrayed his father in MARIMAR.^[3] He was then formally launched as image model for Bench in the "Bench Blackout Underwear and Denim Fashion Show." A few weeks after being launched by Bench, he was also launched by Ibuprofen Medicol as their newest endorser, and many other companies have showed an interest in getting him as their endorser.

On August 22, 2008, Dantes was chosen as one of the 25 Sexiest Men of the World list in the Entertainment Television special.^[4] Dantes was the only Filipino in the list and the highest-ranking Asian, featuring alongside the world's sexiest male celebrities including Dan Carter (New Zealand), actor Gilles Marini (France), actor and fashion model Michael Lewis (Israel), singer Kostas Martakis (Greece) and footballer and model David Beckham. Dantes was placed 3rd in the list.^[2]

Also in 2008, Dantes starred in a movie with Iza Calzado and Marian Rivera entitled One True Love. The Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines rated the film a B. It was well received by the audience and critics alike. In early 2009, Dantes appeared with Marian Rivera on Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang.

Dantes was chosen as Myx Guest VJ in August 2009 to promote his album The Dingdong Dantes Experience.^[5] The album turned gold just a week after it was released on the variety show SOP and just before end of August, Yes magazine released a special edition which features Dantes.^{[citation needed]}

Dantes was chosen to portray the role of "Cholo" in the Philippine adaptation of the Koreanovela Stairway To Heaven, which is one of top-rated koreanovelas on GMA Network garnering 40+ percent of ratings according to AGB Nielsen Philippines. This is the first time that Dantes has worked with Rhian Ramos as his leading lady. He is scheduled to return as host for fifth season of StarStruck and will replace Richard Gomez as the new host for Family Feud.^[6]

Filmography

Television

Movies

Discography

Albums

Awards

References

External links

• Dingdong Dantes at the Internet Movie Database