Dingdong Dantes looks back on his days as part of San Beda's cheering squad
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Can you believe Dingdong experienced running around University Belt wearing an adult diaper during an initiation rite as a freshman?
Before he became GMA's Primetime King, actor-entrepreneur Dingdong Dantes was just like any ordinary student trying to fit in at school.
He fondly remembered participating in an initiation rite during his first year at San Beda University.
“'Yong gawain namin dun, tatakbo kami from San Beda, lahat paikot, CEU hanggang Holy Spirit tapos may kanya-kanyang assigned costume or uniform na katawa-tawa,” he recalled during a chat with Martin Javier on Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96.
“Ang na-assign sa amin nun naka-adult diaper kami na naka-military boots tapos naka sando tapos naka chupon. So, talagang pagti-tripan ka.”
But one of Dingdong's fondest memories of college was being part of San Beda's cheering team during NCAA games.
“Hindi ako masyadong pinagpala sa basketball. Hindi ako kagalingan, e. So sabi ko doon na lang ako sa puwede kong mai-contribute and that time I was already into dancing because I came from a dance group called Abztract.”
Dingdong was a member of the San Beda Red Corps. Cheerleading Squad from 1998 to 2000.
Martin showed to Dingdong an old video of him while performing with the school's cheering squad during an NCAA game.
Part of Dingdong's role then was to constantly urge the San Beda crowd to cheer for the school's varsity team.
He would do this by standing at the bleacher's section of the arena to show the students and alumni the steps that they can follow when cheering for the team.
The conversation shifted to Dingdong's children and their present hobbies.
Ziggy, for example, is showing signs of interest in the sport of basketball.
“Sabi ko sana magaling ka sa basketball kasi dun ako hindi magaling. So mukhang ok naman,” smiled Dingdong.
“Kaya meron siyang maliit na court diyan. Tapos ngaon meron siyang malaking court kahit papaano.”
Dingdong's firstborn, Zia, meanwhile, loves to sing.
“Binibigay namin sa kanya kung ano mga hilig niya. Tapos nakikita na lang namin kung paano nag-e-evolve 'yong kanyang interes,” said Dingdong about Zia.
“Nakakatuwa kasi parang old soul siya. Kasi 'yong mga gusto niya mga Beatles at saka mga Elvis Prestley.”
As for the thought of Zia joining show business in the future, Dingdong had this to say.
“I think masyado pang maaga para malaman 'yan. But kung saan niya gusto siyempre susuportahan namin siya, 100 percent.
"Pero it's necessary for her, of course, to finish her studies first. 'Yon dapat 'yong priority.”
Watch the full episode here:
Catch Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 every Sundays at 5:05 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Mondays to Fridays at 2:45 p.m. on GTV.
Kapuso abroad can watch Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 via GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV. Visit www.gmapinoytv.com/subscribe for more details.
