DINGDONG Dantes and Marian Rivera on his graduation day
Fame and fortune make some celebs lose sight of the value of education. Not Dingdong Dantes. Though he has made it big, Dong is not to be lulled into complacency.
Despite the sweet smell of success, he hungers for something more. That’s why he squeezed college studies into his frenetic schedule. Dong is overjoyed that he finally graduated from West Negros University (WNU) last March 23.
He is set to conquer worlds beyond show biz. Congrats mi amigo muy simpatico!
Dong shares his postgraduation thoughts:
“It was one of the most fulfilling and happiest weeks ever. Yes, after eight years, I finally finished college. And I am so grateful to all those who helped me achieve this milestone, especially West Negros University. I am fortunate that WNU has a program that makes it possible for working students to earn a bachelor’s degree—in my case, major in Marketing.
“I have my sights on a master’s degree. Some people were asking why I have to do all these when, they say, I’ve succeeded in life.
“For me, education is important. That I’ve graduated doesn’t mean I should now stop learning.
“My graduation day was truly special. Everyone was there—my mom and dad, and most especially the love of my life, Yan (Marian Rivera).
“We should always bear in mind that it is not enough to have a goal; we should also know how to chase it, and chase it with resolve. Knowledge is more valuable than any award.”
Sporting life
Who could ever forget Richard Gomez’s iconic TV commercial—in which he rowed a boat like a brown Adonis?
RICHARD Gomez
To this day, Goma is the ultimate sportsman. To paraphrase another famous commercial: “’Di lang pang-show biz, pang-sports pa!”
A volleyball ambassador of the Philippine Super Li-ga, he joins his fourth national team—after being part of previous squads for rowing, fencing and shooting.
The Men’s PLDT Home TVolution Team will represent the Philippines in the 2014 PLDT Home Fibr Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship from April 8 to 16. Competing are 18 nations from across Asia.
The teams are vying for the right to represent the region in the 2014 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball World Championship to be held in Brazil in May.
The games will be brought to Pinoy sports fans via live streaming and replay-on-demand on TVolution. It will be televised live on TV5, too.
With a seasoned athlete like Richard in the team, how can they fail? Here’s my e-mail interview with Goms:
Why volleyball?
It was the sport I played in elementary, high school and college varsities. I got back to it after retiring from fencing.
The team is training in Suwon, Korea, right now.
What volleyball rules are applicable to life?
It is a team sport. In life, it is difficult to do things alone, let alone survive in this world alone. In life, you have to play in harmony with other people to succeed.
How will you deal with your daughter Juliana’s future suitors?
I don’t want to think about that yet but, eventually, I know it will happen. (My wife) Lucy and I are doing our best to bring her up the right way.
She is prayerful, happy, obedient, courteous, helpful, sports-minded.
Hopefully, all this will help in the future, when she has to choose the right partner in life.
What’s your favorite dance that Lucy performs?
I enjoy watching her do fast Latin dances and the rhumba. Her moves are very sexy; I always tell her that.
Edu’ secret
EDU MANZANO
Edu Manzano, whose youthful looks and dynamism can be attributed to his diet and nutrition, sent me an interesting video on the harmful effects of chemically modified food and pesticide resi-dues.
It’s no wonder that a lot of my show biz friends give their children only organic food, considering how much early food intake can affect brain development.
Search “Think Organic, Choose Organic” on YouTube for this eye-opening video: https://www. youtube.com/watch ? v=lJwRxYT_pbw.
Stop the panic! Go organic!