Dingdong Dantes on fatherhood: ‘You have many discoveries everyday’

For Dingdong Dantes, life has been made richer thanks to fatherhood.

On the sidelines of his renewal of contract with GMA Network last week, the Kapuso Primetime King opened up about his life as a father of two and shared the discoveries he learned through the years.  

“You think you know it all, but then you have many discoveries everyday. Not just about fatherhood but also about yourself. Akala mo ‘uy okay na to’ tapos biglang hindi pala. Tapos may bigla pang ituturo sa 'yo ‘yung mga anak mo,” Dingdong told GMA News Online. 

According to Marian's husband, being a father made him realize that he is not as patient as he thinks he is. 

“Akala ko patient akong tao, hindi pala! Pagdating siyempre sa discipline, minsan kasi mayroon kang set ng standards na gusto, pero hindi pala siya applicable sa lahat. Mga ganoong bagay,” he said, adding that being a father requires a lot of patience.

Since welcoming Zia and Sixto in his life, Dingdong revealed that his life has changed “360 degrees.”

“Nagbago siya — sa oras ng pagtulog, paggising, nagbago yung sounds ko sa bahay. Nagbago yung aking film list. Wala na talaga, as in. Pagbukas ko ng TV, lahat pambata,” he said.

Despite this, the 43-year-old enjoys these changes and made him appreciate many more things, like his work.

“Nagbago rin ang pananaw ko sa trabaho dahil ngayon, 'di ko lang siya ginagawa dahil gusto kong ma-fulfill ‘yong artistic needs," Dingdong said. "Ginagawa ko 'to for my family. Kasama ko sila sa kahit anong ginagawa kong proyekto,” he added. 

The Kapuso actor renewed his ties with GMA Network on May 9, and couldn't help but tear up from the congratulatory messages he received from GMA executives. 

"Sa aking mga boss, maraming maraming salamat (to my bosses, thank you so much),” said Dingdong. "Thank you po for those kind words, I truly appreciate them." 

He also expressed appreciation for the relationships he established along the way, particularly with the production crews, the staff on set, and his co-actors, saying that they made every chapter in GMA memorable. 

At the sidelines of the event, he also shared what his kids, Zia and Sixto, think of his work. "Family Feud" is their favorite, he added. 

Before Dingdong became a household name, he starred in his first series under GMA Network in “T.G.I.S.” 

After that, he starred in other Kapuso series, such as “Encantadia,” “Alyas Robinhood,” and “Dyesebel,” to name a few.

He's also top-billed some award-winning movies, most recently “Rewind,” which is now the country’s highest grossing film of all time.  Over the weekend, Dingdong and Marian bagged awards for their work in "Rewind" from the Box Office Entertainment Awards. 

He currently hosts "Amazing Earth" and "Family Feud."

— LA, GMA Integrated News