Dingdong Dantes now a multi-media star

Make way for “The Dingdong Dantes Experience”—an audio/visual album project conceived and released by Universal Records for the Ultimate Pinoy Hunk, matinee idol, most sought-after commercial model and leading actor today, Dingdong Dantes.

It’s not only the first project that Dingdong did with a record label but also the first for any Pinoy celebrity to release such an exciting multi-media concept.

The visual side of the Dingdong Dantes Experience contains the mini-Coffee Table Book/Scrapbook, with exclusive images and a DVD featuring four Dingdong Dantes music videos shot by leading music video directors exclusively for the project.

Directors like Louie Ignacio (“Cucu (Oh Yeah)” music video), Rico Gutierrez and Shoti Benares (”I Know You Want Me” (Calle Ocho) music video), Adrian Calumpang (“Shining Star” music video) and Treb Monteros (“Tender Love” music video) worked closely with Dingdong in conceptualizing the look and feel of each music video.

The beautifully photographed mini-coffee table book showcases the serious, playful and sexy side of Dingdong. The photos are only available in this book and have never been published elsewhere. Also included are behind the scene pictures taken during the music video shoots.

Dingdong, who is turning another year wiser on August 2, was asked on what he plans to do on his birthday. The matinee idol said he’s planning something big for kids, but is delaying the announcement for the time being.

“I will announce it when I am ready with it,” said Dingdong who hinted that it has something to do with a foundation. He added they are still in the process in getting some paper work done but he hopes to announce this on his birthday.

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Diether Ocampo dreams of doing a remake of the Lino Brocka classic movie “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay” which features comedy king Dolphy in the title role. Yes, Diether would like to portray the leading gay role that was dubbed as one of Dolphy’s best performances in his entire career. He explained, “It was one of the best films na napanood ko and it really made a mark on me even as a young boy. I really would want to be able to produce it and star on it.”

The actor was in Pampanga last Saturday to do an outreach program for his KIDS Foundation. Diether, who hails from Cavite, said his roots can be traced to Pampanga as his mom is a Cabalen.

The occasion also served as Diether’s birthday treat as he turned another year wiser yesterday. But no matter the inquisition of the press, they were not able to get Diether to reveal his age.

Diether has been going around the Philippines to help young kids through the KIDS Foundation. In fact, some members of the KIDS Foundation just got back from Bukidnon where they also did another outreach program. He’s also planning to go back to the Benguet province again to distribute school supplies.

Joining Diether in the event last Saturday was his girlfriend Rema Ostwani. She was, in fairness, very accommodating and warm to the press people. She willingly agreed to be interviewed and was not stingy with her answers.

She admitted being so worried when she learned that Diet collapsed while in the States for a Star Magic show. She would have wanted to fly to the US posthaste had it been possible. But all that she could do then was to wait with bated breath until she was able to talk to Diether and found out that he’s okay.

Diet said that he had been given a clean bill of health despite having collapsed while on tour with the Star Magic group in the US. “It was just fatigue—nothing serious. All tests that were done to me produced negative results for any ailment. Sobrang pagod lang talaga. Kung ang sasakyan nga nagko-conk out pag sobrang ginagamit, ang tao pa kaya. But I am now more conscious about my well-being,” said the actor.

Caption: FORMER dancer-turned-favorite leading man Dingdong Dantes as photographed by former, fellow Abztract dancer, Kit Sherwin Cruz. Shown inset is the The Dingdong Dantes Experience album.