A truly joyous season for Dingdong Dantes

Dingdong Dantes will be the last to get caught wearing a frown these days. He and girlfriend Karylle are going strong, four months after she agreed to be his girlfriend.

He is seeing things in a new and better light because of her.

"She has changed me for the better. My priorities are now totally different. Before, I was touch and go with my career," admits Dingdong.

Now, he knows better than to take his work lightly. Karylle has taught him to work as if his very life – and that of others – depends on it. Now, the spring in Dingdong’s steps and the sparkle in his eyes show that love has put him on top of the world and in tune with the best within him.

"Yes, Karylle is my energizer," he admits unabashedly.

This energy spurt is palpable, not just in the way Dingdong’s face glows, but in his career. He has no time to brood over the demise of Encantadia, the GMA fantasy series he shared important billing with Karylle. Coming right on the heels of the just-concluded series is Etheria, where he and Karylle play love interests once more. This time though, a third party enters the picture and creates trouble for the lovers. That however, is another story in an ongoing tale of good versus evil.

The eternal tug-of-war between the forces of light and darkness is also the theme of Dingdong’s Metro Filmfest vehicle, Mulawin the Movie. Dingdong reprises his role in Mulawin TV series – that of Ybrahim, a hero from Encantadia tasked to recover the gintong binhi (an object so powerful it can bring the dead back to life) and help the Mulawin race. Joining Ybrahim in his quest is his love Alena, the diwata of water (Karylle’s character).

Instead of breeding contempt, familiarity is enhancing Dingdong and Karylle’s relationship. After all, it doesn’t take much to make Karylle happy. Little things, like a multi-purpose basket he gave her recently, is enough. She knows it’s the thought, not the cost of the gift, that counts.

Karylle is also broad-minded enough to realize Dingdong’s continued communication with ex-girlfriend Antoinette Taus doesn’t pose a threat to their relationship. The US-based Antoinette just wants Dingdong to send something to her, or she wants to give something to her relatives in Pampanga. And the ever-helpful Dingdong sees nothing wrong in granting her request. They are, after all, still friends. And he knows he’s the only one Antoinette can run to in cases like these.

Besides, Antoinette herself is happy with her model-boyfriend in the US.

Time has healed whatever wounds their break-up have brought him – and Antoinette.

Now, Dingdong is looking forward to each day with Karylle, on the set and off-camera. In fact, he’s expecting one big celebration on their first anniversary as sweethearts months from now.

Before that though, he will be shooting the Valentine movie Moments of Love with Karylle. Once the cameras start rolling early next year, you know their look of love on screen is not mere put-on. It’s as real as what Dingdong and Karylle feel for each other.

So let the beautiful music play on; let the look of love linger. Nothing can be sweeter than what Dingdong and Karylle feel for each other.