Things you “don’t know” about Dingdong Dantes, Marian’s husband

Things you need to know about Dingdong Dantes

Before he was Kapuso Primetime King, Dingdong Dantes started as a child model who appeared in a television advertisement for a milk brand.

After a string of commercials and making a name in the industry, he then joined an all-male dance group with his friends and cousin Arthur Solinap called the Abztract Dancers which became regulars on Eat Bulaga and That’s Entertainment.

By the time he turned 17, he starred in his first series under GMA Network in the youth-oriented program T.G.I.S. where he was paired with Antoinette Taus and became one of the most memorable love teams during the ’90s.

Since then, Dingdong grew to become a household name thus cementing himself in the Philippine showbiz industry.

Let’s take a look at some of the interesting trivia about GMA’s very own Kapuso Primetime King.

History of his name

Dingdong’s real name is Jose Sixto Raphael “Dingdong” Gonzalez Dantes III which originated from his grandfather. His first stage name was “Raphael Dantes.” He only changed his name to Dingdong a few years later.

Commercial model

At the age of 7 years old, Dingdong started as a commercial model for a milk brand. He tells the show ‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,’ he was quite a chubby kid during his pre-teen days.

He loved playing in the streets

Just like a true Pinoy, Dingdong loved playing with his cousins and neighbors in the streets of Balete, Quezon City.

Abztract Dancers

It was his cousin Arthur Solinap who asked him to join the all-male dance group Abztract Dancers.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll V

We all know that Dingdong mostly starred in TV series, but did you know his first gig was in the movie ‘Shake Rattle, and Roll V: Anino?’

People thought his sister was his baby

When he was 17 years old, his sister Vicki was born. Because he was already in showbiz, people thought that Vicki was his daughter.

Enrique Gil is his uncle

Despite being older than Enrique, Dingdong revealed in interviews that the Kapamilya actor is his uncle.

Paul Salas is his nephew

Being in a huge family, Dingdong Dantes happens to be the uncle of Kapuso actor and fellow ‘Descendants of the Sun’ star Paul Salas.

He’s a cheerleader

In 1999, Dingdong Dantes joined the San Beda Cheerleaders Association. Just look at that handsome Red Lion performing at the 75th season of the NCAA!

He’s also a Blue Eagle

Dingdong attended grade school and high school at the Ateneo de Manila University. In his yearbook, he was described as a “great drummer,” “always reliable,” and someone who will “stand by you come rain and shine.”

He’s a business major

In 2014, Dingdong graduated at West Negros University in Bacolod City with a degree in Business Administration major in Marketing Management. He’s putting his collegiate degree to work by being the COO of Hyundai in West Paranaque, the founding chairman of YesPinoy Foundation, the founder of AgostoDos Pictures, and the CEO of the DingDong app.

He ranked #3 in the Top 25 Sexiest Men in the World

In 2008, E! Entertainment Television Hollywood hailed Dingdong Dantes as the 3rd Sexiest Men in the World where he beat Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds, and Enrique Iglesias. He is also the highest-ranked Asian on the list.

Military men

Dingdong comes from a long line of military men starting with his grandfather who is a Brigadier General, his father who is a commander in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxilliary, and him being a military reservist.

He’s afraid of rats

If there’s one thing he’s afraid of, its rats. In an interview with the press, Dingdong shared that he’s not particularly keen with the rodent and he tries to avoid it at all costs.

He’s a great sport

Dingdong Dantes loves memes! Early in 2020, Dingdong became the talk of the town after netizens tried poking fun at the actor by photoshopping him in witty memes.

Director

Dingdong Dantes is a creative force in front and behind the camera. In fact, the Mother’s Day documentary ‘MISS U: A Journey to the Promise Land’ was directed by him.

Ghost

In an interview during the media conference of ‘Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa’, Dingdong admitted that he’s afraid of ghosts in real life. The Kapuso Primetime King shared his similarities with his character Jose. “Sa totoong buhay talaga takot ako si multo, ‘e.”