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Dingdong Dantes
Dingdong Dantes - 2014 (cropped).jpg
Dantes at his wedding to Marian Rivera, December 2014
Commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission
In office
May 2014 – April 2016
President Benigno Aquino III
Chairman Gregorio Ramon Tingson
Personal details
Born
Jose Sixto Gonzales Dantes III

(1980-08-02) August 2, 1980 (age 44)
Quezon City, Philippines
Spouse
Marian Rivera
(m. 2014)
Children 2
Relatives
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
  • television personality

Jose Sixto "Dingdong" Gonzales Dantes III (born August 2, 1980) is a Filipino actor, filmmaker, and television personality. He is known for his acting versatility, and has played dramatic and action roles in films and television series in the Philippines. His accolades include multiple Box Office Entertainment Awards and PMPC Star Awards.

Dantes' breakthrough came in the early 2000s, where he co-starred with Tanya Garcia in the drama series Sana ay Ikaw na Nga and Twin Hearts. He received further recognition in the late 2000s, where he co-starred with Marian Rivera in Marimar. His further appearances include Stairway to Heaven, Endless Love, I Heart You, Pare! He is also as a television presenter, serving as the presenter of the shows StarStruck (2003–2019), Family Feud (2009–2010, 2022–present), and The Voice Generations (2023). Dantes is married to Rivera, with whom he has two children.

Life and career

Early years

Dantes was born in Quezon City, Philippines. He began his career as a child model at the age of two, appearing in a television advertisement for Carnation milk. Several other commercials ensued before he joined an all-male dance group called Abztract Dancers, with his friend, actor Nathan Dados, and his cousin, actor Arthur Solinap. Their group became regulars on Eat Bulaga! and That's Entertainment.

As an actor, his first movie appearance was in the Shake, Rattle and Roll V episode "Anino". After three years, he debuted on GMA Network's youth-oriented T.G.I.S. when he was 17, under the name Raphael Dantes playing the role of Iñaki. He was first paired with Antoinette Taus. Dantes and Taus became one of the most memorable loveteams in Philippine entertainment industry, especially in the 90's. He appeared in films like Honey My Love So Sweet, Kiss Mo 'Ko and I'm Sorry My Love, and television programmes including Anna Karenina, and did a few guesting stints on ABS-CBN such as a F.L.A.M.E.S. episode, a youth-oriented romantic-drama anthology with different love teams and stories that aired from 1996 to 2000.

2000s

In 2000, Dantes appeared in the sitcom Super Klenk. In 2001, he was paired with actress Tanya García as they top-billed GMA-7's primetime soap opera series Sana ay Ikaw na Nga. The two headlined in another primetime romance-drama billing in 2003 titled Twin Hearts. He took on several hosting jobs including beauty pageants such as Binibining Pilipinas and GMA Network's reality artist search, StarStruck, and the game show Family Feud before its transfer to Edu Manzano. Aside from his television stints, he also appeared in films including Magkapatid and Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka. He hosts the suspense-thriller Wag Kukurap, occasionally directing. He played King Ybrahim/Ybarro in the Encantadia fantasy-themed television saga and the 2006 film Moments of Love.

In 2007, Dantes portrayed the lead role Sergio to Marian Rivera's character, Marimar in Marimar. During the same year, he was named No. 1 Bachelor of 2007 by Cosmopolitan magazine (Philippines). He won the USTV Students’ Choice Award for "Most Popular Actor in a Drama/Mini-series."

In 2008, he was cast by his home studio to play the role of Fredo, a love interest of Dyesebel in Dyesebel. In March 2008, he debuted as the Bench image model. Also in 2008, Dantes starred in One True Love. The Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines rated the film a B.

In early 2009, Dantes appeared on Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang. He was chosen as Myx guest VJ in August 2009 to promote his album The Dingdong Dantes Experience. The album turned gold one week after it was released on the variety show SOP. Dantes was chosen to portray the role of "Cholo" in the 2009 Philippine adaptation of the Korean drama Stairway to Heaven. He also replaced Richard Gomez as the new host for Family Feud.

2010s

In 2010, Dantes was scheduled to release You to Me Are Everything. He was part of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid's U.S. tour mid May–June. He appeared in the television show Endless Love from June 25 to October 15, 2010. Dantes became a cohost of Party Pilipinas on channel 7. He won the "Best Drama Actor Award" for Stairway To Heaven in the 2010 PMPC Star Awards for TV and was nominated for the same category at the 2010 Asian Television Awards.

In 2011, Dantes did a comedy primetime TV series titled, I Heart You, Pare! with his leading lady Regine Velasquez. He plays an obnoxious macho guy who falls with a heterosexual woman played by Velásquez who, after a chance encounter, met again as she plays a drag who tries to run away from the law. Unfortunately Regine Velasquez left seven weeks before the series came to a close due to her pregnancy with husband Ogie Alcasid. Iza Calzado replaced Velasquez in the series.

Dantes as National Youth Commission Commissioner
Dantes at the National Youth Commission event in Dingalan, Aurora, September 15, 2014.

He was part of the Star Cinema suspense film Segunda Mano with Kris Aquino and Angelica Panganiban. This marked Dantes' first project with rival station and film archive Star Cinema, a division of ABS-CBN. It was also his first time to work with Kapamilya stars. He stated that he signed a one-film contract with Star Cinema to do the film and work with Kris Aquino.

He did a primetime TV series, My Beloved which aired on February 13, 2012. In June 2012, he was chosen to star in another MMFF Entry for 2012 in the film One More Try starring Kapamilya actors Angelica Panganiban, Angel Locsin and Zanjoe Marudo. It was Dante's second film with rival Star Cinema of ABS-CBN and was a comeback for Ruel S. Bayani after his critically acclaimed successful blockbuster film No Other Woman hit the box-office last year. In November 2012, Dantes was set in a primetime TV series Pahiram ng Sandali with Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon and Max Collins.

NYC Commissioner Dingdong Dantes (2014)
Dantes as NYC Commissioner in October 2014.

In 2013, Dantes and Marian Rivera joined PETA in their campaign to free the elephant Mali from the Manila Zoo, where she has been kept for the majority of her life alone in a tiny enclosure and in need of proper care.

In March 2014, Dantes graduated from West Negros University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management. On May 5, 2014, Dantes was appointed and sworn-in by President Benigno Aquino III as commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission. Two years later, he decided to resign as the NYC commissioner to give way for his endorsement for Grace Poe as president and Leni Robredo as vice president in the 2016 national elections.

In April 2017, he visited Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro to inaugurate the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) Grandstand. A day later, he became the guest speaker during the 43rd Commencement Exercises of Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology-Calapan City Campus.

He is currently the chief operating officer of Hyundai West Parañaque.

2020s

In 2020, Dantes appeared in a Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun from South Korean TV series of his role Capt. Lucas Manalo, together with Jennylyn Mercado.

In 2022, Dantes hosted the game show as the second time on GMA Network, Family Feud. During the season break, he appeared in his drama Royal Blood and hosted The Voice Generations.

His next films were part of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival: Rewind, where he co-starred with Marian Rivera in a lead role, and Firefly, where he played an adult version of a character played by Euwenn Mikaell.

Personal life

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes LA Press Conference, December 2008 (01)
Dantes with Rivera in LA, December 2008.

Karylle and Dingdong dated from 2005 to 2008.

Dantes proposed for the second time to his perennial leading lady and longtime girlfriend, Marian Rivera, on the Marian dance show on August 9, 2014. They met on the set of Marimar in 2007. His first proposal was in Macau in August 2012.

On December 30, 2014, Dantes married Rivera in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Cubao, Quezon City. Both Dantes and Rivera are exclusive artists of GMA Network. After years of hard work and proven successes of their television projects, both individually or together, GMA gave them the honor of the title as their network's primetime king and queen. Thus, their wedding was given the title "The Royal Wedding". They announced an expected first child in April 2015; Rivera gave birth to Maria Letizia on November 23, 2015, and later gave birth to their second child Jose Sixto IV (Sixto) on April 16, 2019, Holy Tuesday of the Holy Week.

Dantes is also a Lieutenant Commander in the Philippine Navy.

He is the cousin of fellow actors Carlo Gonzalez, Arthur Solinap, and also the cousin of former sports anchor and current TV host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal.

When I Met You in Tokyo MMFF float cast 2
Dantes (2023 Metro Manila Film Festival)

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Production company
1987 Forward March Small Boy Regal Films
1992 Takbo Talon Tili German Seiko Films
1993 Makati Avenue Office Girls Marco Regal Films
Edgardo Gang: Santa Rosa Daang Ben Santa Rosa
1994 Hindi Magbabago Ritchie Regal Films
Shake, Rattle & Roll V Elmer
1998 I'm Sorry, My Love Butch Viva Films
1999 Honey, My Love, So Sweet Paco
Kiss Mo 'Ko Aaron Vincent Nakpil
2002 Akala Mo Eric
Magkapatid Mike
2003 Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka Kevin
Malikmata Alvin Canary Films
2004 Annie B. Fernando Viva Films
Spirit of the Glass Choppy OctoArts Films / Canary Films
2005 Bahay ni Lola 2 Rupert Regal Films
Mulawin: The Movie Ybrahim GMA Films / Regal Films
Moments of Love Marco GMA Films
2006 Eternity Crisanto Regal Films / GMA Pictures
2007 Resiklo Angelo Imus Productions / GMA Pictures
2008 One True Love Miguel "Migs" Mijares GMA Films
2009 Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme Johnson Spring Films / MJM Productions
2010 You to Me Are Everything Raphael Benítez GMA Films / Regal Films
Noy Himself/Cameo Star Cinema
2011 Tween Academy: Class of 2012 Cameo GMA Films
Segunda Mano Ivan Gálvez AgostoDos Pictures / Star Cinema
2012 Kimmy Dora and The Temple of Kiyeme Johnson Spring Films
Boy Pick-Up: The Movie Cameo GMA Films / Regal Films
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Makoy GMA Films
One More Try Edward Star Cinema
2013 Dance of the Steel Bars Inmate GMA Films / Portfolio Pictures
She's the One Wacky Delos Reyes Star Cinema
Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel Johnson Spring Films / MJM Productions / Quantum Films
2014 Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 Makoy GMA Films / AgostoDos Pictures / Reality Entertainment
2016 The Unmarried Wife Geoff Victorio Star Cinema
2017 Seven Sundays Bryan Bonifacio
2018 Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story Sid Viva Films
Fantastica Dong Nam Viva Films / Star Cinema
2019 Family History Ronaldo Reyes GMA Pictures / Mic Test Entertainment
2021 A Hard Day Detective Edmund Villon Viva Films
2023 Rewind John Star Cinema / APT Entertainment / AgostoDos Pictures
Firefly Antonino "Tonton" Alvaro GMA Pictures / GMA Public Affairs

Television

Television series

Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
1996–2002 Anna Karenina Brix GMA Network Supporting role
2001–03 Sana ay Ikaw na Nga Carlos Miguel Altamonte Leading role with Tanya Garcia
2003–04 Twin Hearts Adrian Asuncion
2005 Encantadia Ybrahim / Ybarro
2005–06 Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia Ybrahim / Ybarro / Alexus Main cast
2006 Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas Haring Ybrahim / Ybarro
2006–07 Atlantika Aquano Leading role with Iza Calzado
2007–08 Marimar Sergio Santibañez Leading role with Marian Rivera
2008 Dyesebel Fredo Legaspi
2009 Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Homer Alcaraz
Stairway to Heaven Pocholo 'Cholo' Fuentebella Leading role with Rhian Ramos
2010 Diva Himself Cameo role
Endless Love Johnny Dizon Leading role with Marian Rivera
2011 I ♥ You, Pare! Kenneth Castillo Leading role with Regine Velasquez/Iza Calzado
2012 Amaya Ferdinand Magellan Cameo role
My Beloved Benjamin "Benjie" Castor / Arlan Leading role with Marian Rivera
2012–13 Pahiram ng Sandali Alex Santiago Leading role with Lorna Tolentino, & Max Collins
2013 Genesis Isaak Macalintal Leading role with Rhian Ramos
2014 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real Juan Antonio "Anthony" V. Real III Leading role with Maricel Soriano, & Lovi Poe
2015 Pari 'Koy Father Jericho "Kokoy" Evangelista Leading role with David Remo
Yagit Cameo role; Crossover character from Pari 'Koy
2016 Poor Señorita Rafael Buenaventura Special Participation
Encantadia Prinsipe Raquim† Special Participation with real-life wife, Marian Rivera. originally by Richard Gomez
2016–17 Alyas Robin Hood Jose Paolo "Pepe" De Jesus / Crisostomo "Cris" Bonifacio / Alyas Robin Hood Leading role with Megan Young, Solenn Heussaff and Andrea Torres
2018–19 Cain at Abel Daniel Anthony Larrazabal Leading role with Dennis Trillo, Sanya Lopez and Solenn Heussaff
2020 Descendants of the Sun Capt. Lucas Manalo (a.k.a. Big Boss) Leading role with Jennylyn Mercado
2023 Royal Blood Napoleon "Napoy" Terrazo-Royales Leading role

Television shows

Year Title Role Network Ref.
1997–99 T.G.I.S. Iñaki Torres GMA Network
1997–2010 SOP Himself / Co-host / Performer
2003–04 StarStruck Himself / Host
2004–05 StarStruck Season 2
2004–06 Wag Kukurap
2005–06 StarStruck: The Nationwide Invasion
2006–07 StarStruck: The Next Level
2009–10 StarStruck V: The Worldwide Invasion
2009–10
2022–present
Family Feud
2010–13 Party Pilipinas Himself / Co-host / Performer
2011 Mind Master Himself / Host
Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break
2012 Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break
2015 StarStruck VI
2015–16
2018–19
Sunday PinaSaya Himself / Regular guest (later a co-host and performer)
2017 Case Solved Himself / Host
2018–present Amazing Earth
2019 StarStruck VII
2020; 2023 All-Out Sundays Himself / Guest / Performer
2022; 2024 Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa Jose
2023 The Voice Generations Himself / Host

Drama anthologies

Year Title Role Episode Network Ref.
1998 TEXT (The Extreme Team) Lance GMA Network
2000 GMA Mini-Series Gerald Tuwing Kapiling Ka
2005 Kakabaka-Boo!
2007 Magic Kamison Rudy Little Big Rufo
2011 Spooky Nights Presents Bongbong The Mommy Returns: Ang Mama Kong Mamaw
Franco Da Mami
Alfonso Bampirella
2016 Magpakailanman Rev. Ricardo Manlapaz / Boy Bonus The Rev. Ricardo Manlapaz Story: Ang Kriminal na Binuhay ng Diyos
2022 I Can See You Nate / Michael AlterNate

TV specials

Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
1998 T.G.I. X-Mas Iñaki Torres GMA Network T.G.I.S. Christmas TV special
2008 MariMar: Isang Pasasalamat Sergio Santibañez MariMar farewell special
2009 Dantes Peak Himself / Host / Performer His 29th birthday celebration special
2010 GMA @ 60: The Heart of Television GMA Network 60th anniversary special
2011 Report Card: Antas Ng Edukasyon Sa Pilipinas Himself / Host GMA News and Public Affairs documentary special
Kwentong Dabarkads (30 Dekada ng Eat Bulaga!) Eat Bulaga! documentary special
2015 2°: Panahon Na GMA News and Public Affairs climate change special
2017 Selda 1430 Argel Corpuz APT Entertainment holy week special. (aired im Black Saturday)

Discography

Albums

Year Title Record Label Certifications
2009 The Dingdong Dantes Experience Universal Records Platinum Award

Awards and recognitions

Film awards and nominations

Year Film Award/Critics Categories Nominated Works Result
2008 24th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Director of the Year Angels Nominated
56th FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actor Resiklo Nominated
2011 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor Segunda Mano Won
2012 9th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Drama Nominated
28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year Nominated
30th FAP Luna Awards Best Actor Nominated
60th FAMAS Awards Nominated
38th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor One More Try Won
2013 10th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Drama Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Nominated
29th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year One More Try Nominated
31st FAP Luna Awards Best Actor Nominated
61st FAMAS Awards Nominated
44th Box Office Entertainment Awards Film Actor of the Year Won
11th Gawad Tanglaw Best Actor Won
2014 TEMPO Best of '13 Best Performance by an Actor Dance of the Steel Bars Included
11th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Drama Nominated
30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year Nominated
62nd FAMAS Awards Best Actor She's the One Nominated
40th Metro Manila Film Festival Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 Nominated
2017 7th Edukcircle Awards 2017 Most Influential Film Actor of the Year The Unmarried Wife Won
48th Box Office Entertainment Awards Film Actor of the Year Won
33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year Nominated
65th FAMAS Awards Best Actor Nominated
2018 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year Seven Sundays Nominated
66th FAMAS Awards Best Actor Nominated
20th Gawad Pasado Won
49th Box Office Entertainment Awards Film Actor of the Year Won
8th EdukCircle Awards Most Influential Film Actor of the Year Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story Won
2019 35th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year Nominated
42nd Gawad Urian Best Actor Nominated
3rd Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards Won
37th FAP Luna Awards Nominated

Television awards and nominations

Year Organization Categories Nominated Works Result
2004 18th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Talent Search Program Host StarStruck Nominated
2007 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Talent Show Program Host StarStruck: The Next Level Won
2010 15th Asian Television Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Stairway to Heaven Nominated
24th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actor Won
2012 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV My Beloved Nominated
2013 4th ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Reality Competition Program Host Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break Won
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series My Beloved Nominated
2014 5th ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series Pahiram ng Sandali Nominated
28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Actor Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real Nominated
2015 6th ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Program Won
2017 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actor Alyas Robin Hood Won

Special awards

Year Organization Categories
2003 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Awards Prince of RP Movies
2007 Cosmopolitan Magazine 2007's Number 1 Bachelor of the Year
2008 Yes Magazine Readers Choice Awards Young Male Superstar: Rank #1
Most Popular Loveteam with Marian Rivera
E! Entertainment Television Hollywood Top 25 ... Men in the World: Rank #3
Philippine Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Awardee
2009 YES Magazine Most Powerful in Showbiz: Rank #7
Box Office Entertainment Awards Phenomenal Loveteam with Marian Rivera
2013 Movie Writers Welfare Foundation Gintong Palad Public Service Awardee with Marian Rivera
International Business and Academe Conference Outstanding Youth Ambassador Awardee
Anak TV Awards Anak TV Makabata Awardee
2014 Anak TV Awards Anak TV Makabata Awardee
2017 FAMAS Award FPJ Memorial Award
2023 GMA Gala 2023 Couple of the Night with Marian Rivera

Entertainment awards

Year Organization Categories
2007 1st Annual Fil-Am Visionary Awards Favourite Television Actor
2008 Supreme to the Extreme Awards Best in Chemistry with Marian Rivera
Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award Favourite Television Actor
2009 SOP Kapuso Tag Awards Most Romantic Kapuso Smooch with Marian Rivera
Most Kapuso Blopped with Marian Rivera
Kapuso Male Fav-Artist
2012 1st Party Pilipinas Most Liked Awards Most Liked Love Team with Marian Rivera
Most Liked Kilig Moments with Marian Rivera
Meg Top Choice Awards Hottest Couple with Marian Rivera
1st Party Pilipinas Most Liked Awards Most Liked Kapuso Drama Actor

See also

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