Dingdong Dantes proud of ‘OOTD that’s earned’, says heroism goes beyond uniform

Lieutenant Commander Jose Sixto “Dingdong” G. Dantes III PN (Res). Image: Instagram/@marianrivera

After being bestowed the rank of lieutenant commander by the Philippine Navy, Dingdong Dantes noted that the ability to serve and love the country is not caged by one’s uniform or profession.

The marine reservist shared an excerpt from his speech during the donning of ranks ceremony held last Monday, Jan. 27 at the Philippine Navy headquarters via Instagram the next day.

“Hindi lang sa pagiging sundalo o kasapi ng unipormadong hanay nasusukat ang pagmamahal sa bayan at [pagtutulong] sa kapwa,” he said.

(One’s love for country and service to others is not only measured by being a soldier or being a member of the military.)

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Dantes commended other professions for having their own ways to serve the country, mentioning teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, security guards, construction workers, call center agents and “Angkas” drivers, among others.

“Nasa gobyerno ka man o pribadong sektor, may katungkulan man o karaniwang namamasukan, sundalo man o isang aktor, tangan natin ang ‘puso’ ng isang bayani,” he said.

(Whether you work for the government or the private sector, whether you have a position or are a regular worker, a soldier or an actor, we all hold the “heart” of a hero.)

“So whatever uniform we may be in today, be it your soldier’s uniform or your usual office attire, let’s not forget to put on our strongest hearts, and commit ourselves to be heroes in our own ways,” Dantes added.

Dantes then shared a quote he said is “very close to my own heart,” which read: “Heroism lies in the nobility of committing to a way of life that focuses on goals that are greater than oneself.”

The lieutenant commander through another post shared snippets of the ceremony, which he said was attended by two important women who appreciated his earned “OOTD” (outfit of the day).

“That moment when the [two] important women in my life appreciate an OOTD that’s not bought, but earned. Ang nanay ko na nasa likod ko, at… ang asawa ko… na nasa harap (My mother behind me and my wife in front),” he said.

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The rank of lieutenant commander is a rank higher than a lieutenant but lower than a commander. Dantes enlisted as a reservist for the Philippine Marine Reserve Force back in 2006, then formally became a marine reservist in 2009. He renewed his enlistment in 2017.

Dantes and “Descendants of the Sun” remake co-star Rocco Nacino on Jan. 17  joined fellow reservists in the relief efforts in Batangas following Taal Volcano’s eruption earlier this month. NVG

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