Dingdong Dantes. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
Dingdong Dantes initially thought that entering politics would give him the opportunity to turn his passion for service into actions, but he realized that he still needs to fulfill multiple roles in his life.
Dantes made the revelation in an interview with Boy Abunda on the April 21 episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where he was asked if he ever had plans of entering politics in the future. While there was a time he considered running for office, he decided that he was too busy being a father and a “responsible member” of the showbiz industry.
“Gusto kong aminin na may panahon that I really thought na sana, I could do more for the Filipino people, over and beyond my work here in the [showbiz] industry. But it didn’t reach such a decisive point because I have high regards for public office,” he said.
(I want to confess that there was a time that I really thought that I could do more for the Filipino people — over and beyond my work here in the showbiz industry. But it didn’t reach such a decisive point because I have high regards for public office.)
The Kapuso star noted that being a public servant means putting his countrymen’s needs above his own, which entails “much sacrifice.”
“Kapag sinabi mo kasing public service, ‘yun dapat ang iyong topmost priority. Hindi siya madali. It’s not that easy. It will require much of your time, much of your energy, much of your love and passion. It takes much sacrifice,” he added. (When you say public service, it should be your topmost priority. It’s not easy. It’s not that easy. It will require much of your time, much of your energy, much of your love and passion. It takes much sacrifice.)
The “Amazing Earth” host also stressed that he wants to dedicate his time and efforts into being a husband and father to his family, as well as his job as an actor and a “good citizen of this country.”
“I want to be the best father to my children, the best husband to Marian [Rivera], a good son [to my mother Angeline], a responsible member of this beautiful industry, while striving to be a good citizen of this country each and every day. Lahat tayo may kanya-kanyang papel na may kailangang gampanan para mapaganda at [mapabuti ang Pilipinas], and I remain committed to doing my part,” he added.
(I want to be the best father to my children, the best husband to Marian Rivera, a good son to my mother Angeline, a responsible member of this beautiful industry, while striving to be a good citizen of this country each and every day. We all have our own roles to fulfill to beuatify and improve the Philippines, and I remain committed to doing my part.)
During the interview, Abunda asked Dantes if he is not closing his doors on politics despite his numerous responsibilities. The latter admitted that it is “not for me to say,” although he did not disclose his future plans.
“It’s not for me to say, but the circumstance,” he added.
Dantes and his wife, actress Marian Rivera, recently threw a lavish Pinocchio-themed birthday party for their son Sixto’s fourth birthday earlier this month.
The actor tied the knot with Rivera in a grand Spanish-themed church ceremony in 2014, and welcomed his eldest child Zia a year later and Sixto in 2019. EDV