Dingdong Dantes (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The relationship between father and son is a big factor in how the latter sees the world and how he wants to take it on – just ask actor Dingdong Dantes.
In an interview, Dingdong credits his success to the way his parents raised him. He said his father, in particular, has always had open communication lines with him and respected his opinions even when he was younger. José Sixto Z. Dantes Jr., now 68 years old, remains an important and inspiring figure in his life.
“Sa pag-develop nya sakin, ’yung mga values na shinare nya… thankful ako don,” Dingdong said. “Actually, I owe everything to him.”
The actor summed his dad’s parenting style as “less talk but still full of authority.”
“He helped me define my goals,” the actor said. “Mahalaga na mayroon tayong good relationship hindi lang sa ating tatay kundi pati sa mga magulang, kapatid, kaibigan.”
Though already married to actress Marian Rivera who gave birth to their first child, Letizia, early this year, he said they’ve not neglected their folks, holding get-togethers regularly (“at least once a week, Sundays usually” he said) to keep the bond strong.
“Nandyan siya (father) para palakihin ako kaya ibabalik ko naman sa kanya ang pag-aalaga,” Dingdong said. “It’s payback time.”
Looking back, the actor said his father has always wanted to have a joy ride with him on his restored vintage motorbike. José also wishes to have a farm and to fly a plane. Dingdong is working to grant all of these things, if he hasn’t already.
“’Yung kanyang system tsaka ’yung kanyang age, medyo nahi-hinder na rin siya to do some things,” the actor said. “Pero…as they grow older, dun na rin nakikita ’yung kanilang passion and enthusiasm to make things (happen). Hindi naman ’yun nababawasan, kailangan lang ma-jump start ulit.”
The point is, he said, wherever you are in life, family should remain a unit with members who support one another.
“Kailangan kakampi talaga tayo ng ating mga magulang all throughout the journey,” he said. “Support not just your father, but the whole family as well…” (MNS)