Dingdong dishes on Royal Blood’s ‘spoiler-free’ set, reunion film with wife Marian

Dingdong Dantes has only two requirements for accepting acting projects, including his new GMA primetime show and upcoming reunion film with wife Marian Rivera.

“At this stage in our careers, the same with Marian, of course, we can’t do everything. Kung dati kaya namin gumawa ng project halos araw-araw, sige, ngayon limited na rin capacity namin… because we have to spend time with our family. So nowadays, we’re more (conscious) of the projects that we need to do, which are also relevant to the times,” the Kapuso star told The STAR in a one-on-one chat on Wednesday.

“So, our guiding principle now is No. 1, we have to do something meaningful. Hindi lang para sa amin performers, wherein we find fulfillment bringing to life these roles and stories. But for a meaningful reason (also) for the viewers and for our belief that this story is worth-telling.

Dingdong is also confirmed to reunite with his wife Marian Rivera on the big screen after roughly a decade.

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“No. 2, para sa amin mahalaga na rin yung maiiwan namin sa anak namin, na parang uy, ito yung ginawa ni mommy and daddy, and we’re so proud of our body of work and hopefully, you learn something from this project. That’s how we choose our projects now. Na parang kahit anong halungkatin niyo diyan, maging proud kayo dito.”

Dingdong currently topbills the newest GMA primetime series, the murder-mystery Royal Blood. He shared the lengths the production of the show goes to just to ensure they have a “spoiler-free” set.

The GMA program tells the story of the ultra-rich Royales family, with Dingdong playing the newly found bastard son Napoy, but also rightful heir to his father’s fortune. This is going to be contested by his half-siblings played by Kristoff (Mikael Daez), Margaret (Rhian Ramos) and Beatrice (Lianne Valentin).

Amid the family squabble, the Royales patriarch Gustavo (Tirso Cruz III) is killed, triggering the show’s ultimate puzzle that turns everyone as the prime suspect.

Nobody knows who the real culprit is, not even Dingdong.

“The secret has to be kept in a solid manner that not anybody on set should know. Well, I’m not even sure if the director (Dominic Zapata) even knows. Dahil sa tingin ko, konti lang din nakakaalam pati sa creative team. And I think as we progress, it will also evolve,” he further told The STAR.

“Ang kagandahan kasi sa nangyayari ngayon versus how we were doing it during the time of the pandemic, we get initial feedback. From the teaser alone, natatawa na ako because when I showed it to my family, in our group chat, may mga hula na sila… may kanya-kanyang taya, kung sino ang tingin nila pumatay.

“I like that early on, we engage people already with regards to what they believe is the involvement of this character or why they are interested in such a character. I think, as a matter of the creative team developing it more, mas magkakaroon pa sila ng input, ng iba’t-ibang ideas, for sure. That’s why for us, it’s exciting and we’d like to keep it that way, on set.”

Collaboration

Although he downplays it, Dingdong has been credited by the creatives of Royal Blood as also responsible for the concept of the series. The STAR asked him how it felt to be in such a position of now having a creative hand or say in the projects he’s part of. For one, he was heavily involved in the shaping of his newest character.

“I think it’s an actor’s obligation to always be involved in the evolution of their characters. Because no one else knows the character of a story but the actor who will play it,” he said.

“I think when an actor is being cast, that includes the trust of the network that he can do it, therefore, there must also be that trust to develop the character on their own, of course, with the guidance of the writers and storytellers. But the nuances, the actor should work on them himself. On that level, lahat dapat ganun.

“But I think beyond that, that’s where collaboration comes in. Even for me, even in the shows where I’ve been credited as part of the creative team, there are also times where I choose not to be involved that much… because it depends on the genre.

“But in this case, I have to be very, very honest about it. The development of the character Napoy, that’s what I really focused on because there are many moving parts here. The nature of the show is that it’s not really just centered on one or two characters, but it’s centered on so many very  interesting characters. And I would like to see these actors develop their own characters.”

For Dingdong, the ensemble cast is the “magic of the show.”

“When you see it soon, especially the scenes magkakaharap na yung magkakapatid, makikita mo talaga kung gaano ka galing binuhay ang mga character na ito. In that sense, dun pumasok na ang collaboration,” he said.

The opportunity to collaborate on set is what he appreciates the most about GMA. “It’s one of the principles na pinaka na-appreciate ko sa network, especially in the past shows na very open to collaboration. Of course, without taking away the real essence of the story and real essence of the character arcs. Yes, there’s space for that (collaboration).”

Sibling dynamics

As the show’s themes also revolve around sibling rivalry and infighting, The STAR asked the actor, as the eldest of five siblings in real life, how he deals with sibling conflict and other issues.

“I think the most important thing is the guidance of parents. Because if they’ve set a good example, yun din naman ipapakita namin sa mga kapatid namin or ako sa aking mga nakababatang kapatid. That’s one. And even though I’m the eldest, I refuse to be pabibo at pabida. Kasi ‘pag ganun, talagang magiging target ka, hahaha!

“So, you have to delegate and recognize the strengths of your siblings whom I very much respect… It’s really a matter of acknowledging each and everyone. And of course, kung may dadating na problema, walang ibang magiging kakampi kung hindi kami-kami.”

Dingdong is also the type of actor who definitely taps into the reservoir of real-life experiences and brings them to his portrayals.

“That’s one of the good things of being an actor because we get to reflect on our life. Because of course, you cannot portray something you have no idea about. For example, the concept is sadness or happiness, if you haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to imagine it,” he said.

“So, in this case, your real life is a reference so you’ll know where to go or where not to go. At least, there’s a jump off point and from there, we build on that experience, whatever that is. Lalagyan na namin ng palabok para mas akma sa ano man ang requirement ng kwento. (We will add some details to better fit whatever the requirements of the story are.)”

Dongyan reunion film

Meanwhile, Dingdong spoke briefly about his upcoming reunion film with wife Marian Rivera, titled Rewind, a co-production of his own company, Agosto Dos Media, APT Productions and Star Cinema. The announcement on the family drama-themed movie was officially made on Wednesday. As everyone knows, the couple started out as a successful reel tandem also popularly known as DongYan.

On saying yes to their first big-screen project together in roughly a decade, the 42-year-old actor said, “Firstly because si Marian and I, ang tagal na namin hindi gumawa ng pelikula, a project on the big screen, although we just wrapped up a GMA sitcom. But I think it’s been a decade or more, simula nung lumabas kami sa film.

“This film was formed and formulated even before the pandemic and we already thought it had been shelved. But finally, because I think the stars have aligned, it’s now pushing through.”