Dingdong Dantes ‘incredibly proud’ of Zia’s swimming progress, says Marian Rivera is her lucky charm
(From left) Zia Dantes, Dingdong Dantes. Images: Instagram/@dongdantes
Dingdong Dantes is proud of his daughter Zia’s recent achievement after joining a swimming competition, wherein she won six medals, saying he is “incredibly proud” of her progress as an aspiring swimmer.
On Instagram on Saturday, Dantes said that he missed a “significant portion” of the tournament because of work, but his pride for her daughter was unmatched as he shared photos of his daughter during her “final sessions” before the tournament.
“These photos were taken during your practice last week — one of the final sessions before today’s 13th Speedo Jumpstart Novice Carnival. With only about 4 hours of sleep (since the Royal Blood taping ended quite late the night before), I was a bit shaky while attempting to capture this dive of yours. Thank God it came out very clear — for our remembrance,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Dantes praised the little athlete for her “dedication, passion and enthusiasm in swimming,” and thanked her coaches for helping her hone her skills.
“As I embark on my trip to Davao for work… I’ll unfortunately miss a significant portion of this crucial competition. Please understand that regardless of the outcome, I am already incredibly proud of the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm you bring to this sport,” he said.
The actor also reminded Zia to extend her gratitude to her mother, actress Marian Rivera, who “undoubtedly served as [her] lucky charm.”
“Remember to extend your gratitude to your Mama for her constant support and guidance. Just as she has been for me, she undoubtedly serves as your lucky charm as well,” he wrote.
“In the pool, as in life, every stroke you take not only propels you forward but also reflects your commitment and resilience. Embrace the water’s hold, for within its depths, you discover your true strength. Keep pushing, keep swimming, and let the currents of determination guide you to greatness,” he added.
Dantes’ post caught the attention of his followers, including celebrities such as Iza Calzado, Aiko Melendez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Kim Atienza, and Liz Uy, with some praising him and his wife for being supportive of his daughter’s dreams.
Images: Screengrab from Instagram/@dongdantes
Dantes’ post comes days after Rivera congratulated their daughter for bagging six medals at the First Plunge Novice Swim Meet 2023 last July.
The celebrity couple, who wed in December 2014, welcomed Zia in November of the following year. They also have a son named Sixto who was born in April 2019.
Dantes is currently filming Royal Blood, a new teleserye from GMA. EDV
