Body talk with Dingdong Dantes

Don’t ask Dingdong Dantes about his "ex," Antoinette Taus or you’ll get only a shrug for an answer. Or else, he’ll sound like a broken record. No, he and Antoinette (who’s here on an extended vacation from L.A.) didn’t get married. No, he and Antoinette don’t have two kids (according to the persistent rumor). No, he and Antoinette haven’t crossed paths this time around (not that they are avoiding each other). But, yes, Dingdong insisted, they have had a closure via an overseas call (she was in L.A.).

But ask Dingdong about his girlfriend Karylle (whom he lovingly calls Kaye) and his eyes light up.

"We’re okay, thank you," he smiles.

Or about his newest fantaserye on GMA, Atlantika, where he plays Aquanos, savior of a kingdom, and he perks up even more.

"It’s my most physical role so far," he admits, "and I really prepared hard for it, physically and mentally. It’s a hard role, all right, but also exciting."

A Leo (Aug. 2), Dingdong stands 5’10, weighs 179 lbs., has a 33-inch waistline, and wears medium-sized shirt and size-11 shoes.

Let’s see how Dingdong prepared himself "physically and mentally" for Atlantika in the following Body Talk:

What was the "mental" side of the preparation?

"It was a total-fitness preparation involving both mind and body. Several of the scenes are shot in the sea and they are difficult. The sea can be scary; it’s uncontrollable. And dangerous sometimes. It’s a good thing I didn’t have hydrophobia."

And the "physical" aspect?

"A nutritionist helped me prepare a diet – you know, the right combination of food. I learned how to eat every three hours but in small servings only. If I get hungry in-between, I eat one piece of green apple. For carbo, I take either wheat bread, saba or camote (sweet potato)."

What about vitamins and minerals (and/or supplements)?

"Lots of vitamin C. On the set, I even supply my co-stars with vitamin C. I don’t take supplements. I prefer ‘natural’."

Any favorite food?

"Indian food. Or Iranian food."

Oh, hot and spicy. Aphrodisiac daw ‘yon.

"Or so I heard. Serve me Indian or Iranian food and I forget my diet."

How much liquid do you take per day?

"A lot, mostly water. I take as much as four to five liters."

During workout, did you concentrate on a specific part of your body?

"No. I don’t focus on just one area. I believe in the whole-body exercise. What’s important is for you to get rid of the fats."

Are you happy with your body now?

"Yes, I am. But it can stand some improvement. I continue to work out. The more pounds you shed, the lighter you feel. I work out not so much for my physical appearance but for that healthy feeling."

What part of your body needs some improvement?

"The area around my stomach. That’s the hardest to trim."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My back. It’s broad. Under the sun, it can act as shelter to the person next to me."

What part of a girl’s body do you notice first?

"I don’t focus on just a part but her ‘total effect.’ Dapat proportioned."

What’s your favorite sport?

"Biking. But I hardly have time for it. I also want to take up martial arts."

What about dancing? (He started as a member of a dance group called Abstract Dancers.)

"I was 16 then. I will never stop dancing. When I guest in shows like S.O.P., I dance."

And what part of your body is most vulnerable?

"My neck, due to bad sleeping position. I easily get stiff neck. I usually sleep with two pillows under my head, one on the left side and another on my right, plus a long pillow that I hug while I sleep."

You’re clean-living, I presume.

"I like to think that I am."

Do you smoke?

"I avoid it."

Do you drink?

"Yes, but only on certain occasions, and in moderation."

You have a flawless complexion. What do you apply on your skin?

"Nothing. Not even moisturizer. Sometimes, I even forget to wipe my makeup after a shoot and go to sleep with it."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"I get enough. Surprisingly, I feel more rested after a five-hour sleep than after, say, 15 minutes."

What’s your favorite sleeping wear?

"Shorts only, nothing from the waist up. I sleep alone."

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep.

"I plug my cell phone and say ‘Good night!’ to Kaye."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"I spend 10 minutes trying to be fully awake and make a mental list of what I have to do during the day. And then I check my phone for missed calls and messages."

How do you unwind?

"I get a full massage, usually at Blue Water (in Annapolis, Greenhills), complete with steam bath. Very relaxing."

Favorite hideaway?

"My pad. In my free time, I experiment with soups. Mahilig ako sa soup. It’s part of my diet. I live alone. My place is less than five minutes away from my parents’ house."

Favorite foreign hideaway?

"Hawaii. I was there during the S.O.P. staging and I fell in love with the place. It’s a beautiful place."

How long does it take you to fix yourself?

"Less than 10 minutes, from taking a shower to dressing up. The first part of my body that I soap is my hair. Dressing up, the first thing I put on is my underwear, of course, then my socks, my pants, my shoes and my shirt. The shirt is always the last para hindi magusot when you bend to tie your shoelace."

Clothes and color preference?

"Jeans, shirts and sneakers. Preferably shades of black, blue or beige."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m an optimist."

How’s your love life?

"I have nothing more to ask for."

Are you faithful?

"Definitely!"

How often do you see your doctor?

"Lately, quite often because I want to be sure that I’m healthy."

Your dentist?

"Regularly."

Dermatologist?

"Very seldom."

Are you a medicine person – you know, one who takes medicine at the slightest symptom?

"No, I’m not. I have a high tolerance level for pain."

Who’s your favorite fantasy figure?

"Batman. Just kidding!"

Name three women you think have nice bodies.

"Kaye, of course. Angel Locsin. Bianca King."

And three men...

"Ryan Reynolds. Brad Pitt. Just the two of them."

Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire her?

"I look down or look away."

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