Dingdong Dantes surprises student in Leyte with tuition support

Dingdong Dantes brought tears of joy to Janine Nielo, a Grade 10 student of St. Joseph High School in Dagami (SJHDI) in Leyte province, when he surprised her with tuition support.

Janine, a daughter of a farmer and a helper, had been worried about attending her Moving Up Ceremony because she could not fully pay her tuition, when the Kapuso Primetime King unexpectedly offered a helping hand.

Batch 96 of SJHDI launched a scholarship program at recent 68th Grand Alumni Homecoming event, where Dingdong — who also serves as the chairman of YesPinoy Foundation — delivered a recoded video message for Janine.  

“Sa ilalim ng inyong scholarship program, sinimulan ko na po sa pamamagitan ng pagsalo ng tuition ng isang SJHDI student,” Dingdong said in the video. “Siya po ay anak ng isang magsasaka mula sa isang barangay ng Dagami.”

“Kaya huwag ka nang umiyak, ha? Makakapag-Move Up ka na nang walang inaalala. Ok ba ‘yun, Janine Nielo?” the actor added.

[Under the scholarship program, I will start by covering the tuition of a SJHDI student. She is a daughter of a farmer from barangay Dagami. So don't cry anymore. You will be able to attend your Moving Up day. Does that sound OK, Janine Nielo?]

Dingdong’s heartfelt message and generous pledge resonated deeply with Janine, who had been striving to overcome the financial hurdles that stood in the way of her Moving Up Ceremony.

“I’m so thankful po. I promise that tatapusin ko po ang pag-aaral ko. ‘Di ko sasayangin ang chance na binigay niyo sa akin,” Janine said.

SJHDI's Batch '96 only planned for one beneficiary of their scholarship program but Dingdong's generosity inspired a lot of people, mostly OFWs and professionals, to do the same and pay it forward, resulting in 18 more beneficiaries. How awesome is that?

Suffice to say Dingdong is giving back for all the blessings he has been receiving.

He starred in the blockbuster hit “Rewind” opposite his wife, Marian Rivera, which is now streaming on Netflix.

At this year’s FAMAS Awards, DongYan received the Bida sa Takilya Award for “Rewind,” which served as their comeback film on the big screen as a love team.

Dingdong recently renewed his contract with GMA Network. 

— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News