Dingdong Dantes, the renowned actor, had always been fascinated by fatherhood, or at least the idealized version he witnessed while growing up. However, it was only after he became a father himself that he truly grasped the profound meaning and responsibilities it entailed.
During a recent press conference for his upcoming primetime series “Royal Blood,” which is set to premiere on June 19, Dingdong Dantes shared his insights on fatherhood. He and his wife, Marian Rivera, both stars of GMA 7, are proud parents to two children, Zia, aged 7, and Sixto IV, aged 4.
“Now that I have experienced becoming a father, I can confidently say that it is a deeply fulfilling role. Fatherhood was something I aspired to before, but now I embrace it wholeheartedly, having witnessed and experienced all the joys and challenges that come with it,” Dingdong expressed.
Undoubtedly, Dingdong’s journey as a man and father has been profoundly influenced by his own father, Sixto Dantes Jr., affectionately known as Daddy Jigg. One of the qualities he admires most about his father’s parenting style is the clarity and integrity with which he instilled values and principles.
“What I learned from him is the importance of being clear about your values and principles. When we were young, he not only communicated these through words but also through his actions and repetition,” Dingdong shared, emphasizing the lasting impact of his father’s approach. “These lessons and values will forever stay with me. Perhaps some of the decisions I have made in life were influenced by his guidance.”
Despite his demanding schedule, which includes filming “Royal Blood” and hosting “Family Feud,” Dingdong ensures he always makes time for his children. He and Marian coordinate their projects to avoid overlapping, ensuring that one of them can be present for their children when the other is away.
“Marian is also starting a new series soon after I finish this one, so we take turns,” Dingdong explained. Additionally, he is set to host the talent search program, “The Voice: Generations.” “The advantage now is that our kids are older, allowing us more flexibility to pursue our careers. If these projects had come up last year, we might not have been able to take them on.”
While their children claim to be fine with their parents’ busy schedules, Dingdong and Marian prefer not to take it for granted. “They say they’re okay, but we won’t know for sure until it happens. If Marian and I are both away at the same time, it would be a first for them. They might wonder, ‘What’s happening to you? Where are you going?'” Dingdong acknowledged.
He emphasized the sacrifices they make and the importance of explaining their choices to their children. While Dingdong has already brought Zia to the set of “Family Feud,” he admitted that their children’s understanding of what they do in front of the cameras remains somewhat limited.
“We always convey to them that we are proud of what we do. I hope that in the future, when they see our work, they will witness the passion we have for our craft. Ultimately, they will come to understand that we do all of this for them,” he shared.
Despite fans speculating about the potential for Zia and Sixto to pursue acting careers, Dingdong clarified that their current focus is on introducing them to a range of activities, from the arts to sports.
“We will support them in whatever they find most enjoyable. Their interests will evolve over time. What matters is presenting them with worthwhile options,” Dingdong affirmed, highlighting their commitment to nurturing their children’s individuality.