Danny Mandia, ‘father of modern Filipino dubbing,’ dies at 70

Danny Mandia. Image: Facebook/Danny Ledesma Mandia

Dubbing director Danny Ledesma Mandia, who was known among colleagues as the “father of modern Filipino dubbing,” has died at age 70.

Mandia died on Wednesday, October 16 at the Manila Doctors Hospital due to an undisclosed sickness, per reports. His death was also announced by the Facebook page of the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP) a day later.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sir Danny Ledesma Mandia, a true legend in the world of dubbing, and the ‘Godfather’ of the Certified Voice Artist Program. He was a mentor, a friend, and a father for so many of us who looked up to him,” the post read.

The institution also described Mandia as someone who was dedicated to transforming how voices are used in the Philippines through voice artistry.

“His loyalty, commitment, and dedication to the craft, his passion, and his strong belief in the power of storytelling through voice inspired generations of artists to follow their dreams,” it read. “He taught us not just how to perform, but how to use our voices to inform, inspire, involve, and illuminate the next generation of voice artists.”

Coming from a theater background, some of Mandia’s prolific dubbing directorial works include the Filipino dub of the hit Taiwanese drama “Meteor Garden” which aired in 2003, as well as “Saber Marionette J,” “Zenki,” “Magic Knight Rayearth,” “Digimon,” “Kim Possible,” “Anne of Green Gables,” and “Ragnarok The Animation,” among others.

Mandia was also behind the voice of Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee in the “Peter Pan” series.

The dubbing director’s wake is held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church in Quezon City from October 20 to 22, as announced by his wife, Bea dela Paz.

Details on his wake are yet to be announced.