Dingding & Karylle's romance sizzles on - and off - screen

Whoever said opposites attract must have had real-life sweethearts Jose Sixto "Dingdong" Dantes and Karylle Tatlonghari in mind. She's into singing as he is into dancing. She's more into short, light and romantic flicks, while his film preferences lean towards heavy action epics - which makes the movie house not exactly the most perfect dating place for the couple.

Despite their revelations that they share practically nothing in common, still there's no denying the authenticity of their special feelings for each other; a true-to-life chemistry that extends to television screens particularly in "Encantadia," wherein the two play lovers Ybarro and Alena. And for the record, this is the only relationship that Dingdong has really openly shared to the public. The FREEMAN takes a peak into their enchanting relationship.

Q: How are things going on between the two of you?

Dingdong: Very nice. And very blessed in all aspects.

Q: How long have you two been together?

D: Long enough. Mga three months…

Karylle: No, four months na.

Q: Care to share your first impressions on each other?

D: Malihim siya. Kasi nung first time ko siyang nakita, nakasuot siya ng cap and aloof siya. Parang hindi siya nagwe-welcome ng mga tao.

K: (Laughs) Talaga?

Q: What about you, Karylle?

K: (Blushes) I'm shy.

Q: Are you into PDA?

D: What's PDA?

Q: Public display of affection…

D: Well, if ever we do it, we don't do it for the public, we do it for ourselves.

Q: Dingdong, could you tell us what attracted you most to Karylle?

D: Ako? Her curly hair. Totoo, as in. Lalo na ngayong mahaba at makapal na, para bang may kinabit na sangre. Parang lalo siyang nagmukhang isang diwata. Parang diyosa. Parang hindi normal (Laughs). I mean that in a nice way, of course.

Q: Why are you this open with your relationship with Karylle?

D: Why not? And it's really nice na ma-express niyo freely yung feelings niyo.

Q: Does it bother you, Karylle, if the media asks about Dingdong's past?

K: Well, I guess people are just curious lang naman. Di ba it's human nature lang naman na we ask. And so far, people have responded positively to our relationship. They say that they're happy for us. They also wish us well.

Q: You're also a love team onscreen. How do you deal with the public pressure of maintaining a certain image?

D: Well, kung ano naman ang ginagawa namin, walang halong kaplastikan. Kung ano talaga yung totoo pinapakita namin.

Q: What if an LQ (Lovers Quarrel) arises, how do you deal with it?



D: We're mature na naman to know how to handle it especially na we also work together. You can't help but be responsible especially at this age. (Karylle is 24, Dingdong is 25 - Ed.)

Q: Have you guys introduced each other to your respective families?

D: A long time ago pa.

K: Yes, I already did.

D: [Introducing me] is more on paying homage para makilala ako ng kamag-anak niya and malaman nilang nasa mabuti siyang kalagayan. Para din malaman kung sino ba ako, ano ba ako at ano ang kakayahan ko. Parang ganon, yung mamahalin ko siya. Yun lang talaga ang importante don.

Q: Karylle, how did Dingdong court you?

K: (Laughs) One big thing he did was for my birthday. He planned a surprise, parang dinner lang naman, pero it was, well-thought of. He even gave me the dress.

Q: Really? What kind of dress?

K: Surprisingly, a very sexy dress. It was a sexy black dress that I never thought he would give me.

D: Kasi medyo conservative ako.

K: And the thing is, he went out of his way. He called three people to check what my size is. Which is for a guy weird. He asked my mom, our stylist, and the one who makes my gowns. Aside from that, [I was touched] knowing that he wanted other special people in my life to be there.

Q: A lot has been written about you two, separately, what other "idiosyncrasies" that you have that the public doesn't know yet?

D: Sa kanya? Malakas siyang sumigaw!

K: Ano? (Laughs)

D: Kasi pag sumigaw siya at magalit…

K: Hindi naman magalit.

D: Pero hindi naman sa akin. Yung parang minsan kapag nagulat at napasigaw siya ng "Whoa!" wala na, nakakabasag na yun ng mga baso, mga salamin…

K: Si Dingdong naman, mahilig siya sa old stuff like old music. Ah! Di ba alam mo yung mga lola kapag hinahalikan ka, di ba inaamoy ka nila na parang (sniffs) ganon. Ganon siya (laughs) parang lolo.

Q: What part of the body that you like in each other?

D: Ako, aside sa buhok niya, yung ilong niya. Kasi di ba ang ganda ng shape? Kasi yung ilong niya, parang may American-Indian na shape. Kaya gustung-gusto ko siya tingnan ng naka-side view.

K: Then sa kanya naman, yung eyes. Kasi at first, ayoko talagang tumitig sa kanya kasi parang "don't fall for him" na thing. Pero until ngayon, kapag tinititigan niya ako, kinikilig pa rin talaga ako.

Q: How does Dingdong make lambing to you?

K: Nagpapatawa lang siya tapos sumasayaw siya nung parang isang retarded.

Q: Don't you use any pet name to call each other?

D: K.

K: Secret. (Giggles)

D: Dati, Kulotski. Pero sa akin lang 'yun. Parang sa isip ko lang, "O, ayan na si Kulotski."

K: Dati naman, Badong. Kaso ayaw niya kasi it sounds like "bading" daw. Mayor din pala, kasi kahit saan kami pumunta may kilala siya.

D: Eh kilala ko naman talaga.

K: Kaya nga. Kaya feeling namin siya si Mayor.

Q: Both of you studied at Ateneo de Manila, right?

Both: Yes.

D: Pero estudyante pa rin ako, taking up International Studies. Seventh year ko na 'to sa college.

K: Transferee kasi siya. Di ba yung ibang school, hindi credited yung ibang subjects which you already took up? Which is really unfair, because kinuha mo na 'yun eh.

Q: But in your case Karylle, were you able to earn your degree first before entering showbiz?

K: Yes, tinapos ko muna yung course ko.

D: Ang galing niya, no? Kaya noon pa lang, nakikita ko na siya sa school. Stalker na ako 'non (Laughs).

K: Hindi naman kita nakikita ah?

D: Kasi yung lugar mo iba sa tambayan ko.

K: Kasi yung mga tambayan niya, never heard of.

D: Yung tambayan kasi namin, tambayan ng mga bus drivers 'dun sa gilid.

Q: And now, Karylle, you have a new album, right?

K: Yes, it's entitled "You Make Me Sing."

D: Ang ganda ng mga songs. Parang bias no? (Chuckles) Pwera biro, may mga songs na favorite ko talaga.

K: Andon yung "Mahiwagang Puso" na theme song ng "Encantadia."

Q: How many compositions did you write?

K: Dalawa.

Q: The two songs are for Dingdong?

K: Hindi naman.

D: One is for her mom actually. ("Coz I Love You" - Ed.)

Q: So, which one is dedicated to Dingdong?

K: Yung "Hiling."

Q: What are the things that you guys are fond of doing together?

D: Alam niyo, 'yan yung nakakatawa diyan eh. Halos wala. Pero kung anong gusto niya, ine-enjoy ko na, tapos konti ng gusto ko, kahit papano, she tries it naman.

K: Like Indian food.

D: Also, ayaw na ayaw niya manood ng movies.

K: Hindi naman. Yung pinapanood ko lang yung maiikli, yung mga sitcoms, yung mga light. Yung mga gusto ko yung mga romantic comedy.

D: Ako naman yung mahahabang movies. Mahilig din siya (Karylle) kumain, pero hindi 'yun tipong mag-cre-crave siya ng isang certain food.

K: We are also fond of trivias. Aside from that, we also collect magnets that we place on our refrigerators.

Q: What was the most recent, memorable thing that you did together?

K: We had a very, very good dinner here in Cebu during the Kapuso Fans' Day.

D: Nut we're not gonna mention where (laughs). Ang sarap ng lobsters. Sa dinner na 'yun, marami kaming nalaman sa isa't isa. Memorable ang Cebu kasi in the first place, that was the first time na magkasama kami out of town na kami na.

K: It's different kasi when you travel together. Ang daming memorable experiences and pictures.

Q: Any dream destination you both want to go to?

K: It would have to be Paris. Kasi we're going to win a trip for two to Paris (Laughs).

D: We actually joined a raffle. We're really hoping na manalo kami.