Dingdong Dantes speaks up on ‘Alyas Robin Hood,’ ‘Arrow’ comparisons

MANILA, Philippines – Amid criticism that Alyas Robin Hood is similar to the US series Arrow, Alyas star Dingdong Dantes said that he still has faith in his network, GMA 7.

After the teaser trailer came out in August, Alyas faced controversy when social media users compared the show to Arrow. Arrow star Stephen Amell also shared the teaser on his Facebook page, along with a blushing emoji. (READ:GMA writer on ‘Arrow,’ ‘Alyas Robin Hood’ comparisons) 

In an interview with Pep during a press conference for the show Sunday, September 11, Dingdong said that he’s been with the network for 18 years, and he has learned to trust the people giving him projects.

“Alam ko na lahat ng programa nila ay dumadaan sa masusing pagsusuri, pagri-research. At kakaibang creative teams ang mga nasa likod ng show ng GMA. That’s why confident ako sa lahat ng ibinibigay sa akin at tiwalang-tiwala ako sa lahat ng ibinibigay sa akin. Kaya yun ang pinaka pinanghahawakan ko, yung tiwala ko sa kanila,” he said, adding that he’s confident of the network’s trust in him too.

(I know all their programs go through thorough review and research. And the creative teams behind the shows of GMA are unique. That’s why I’m confident with the material they give me and I trust everything they give me. That’s what I’m holding onto, my trust in them.)

As with GMA’s previous statements on the comparisons, Dindong repeated that Alyas Robin Hood is based on the legend of Robin Hood: “Ang Robin Hood kasi, base talaga siya sa isang alamat. Isang alamat na napagdaanan na natin ‘yan, alam na natin ang istorya niyan.“

(Robin Hood is really based on a legend. It’s a legend that we’ve gone through, we all know how that story goes.)

He also cited Cinderella as a basis for some of the soaps his wife Marian Rivera starred in, such as MariMar, which made them relatable to the audience.

Head writer Suzette Doctolero took to social media to defend the show, saying that Alyas Robinhood and Arrow were both inspired by the Robin Hood story but are not the same. Redgie Magno, Vice President for Drama of GMA Entertainment also clarified that the story of Alyas Robin Hood is very different from Arrow.

Arrow is based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow and is described as a “modern-day Robin Hood.”

Despite the controversy, Dingdong said what matters to them is the reason they are doing the show: love of the craft, their trust of the network, and the audience.

“Kung anuman ang maging reaction, it is normal. Hindi mo mapi-please ang more than [a hundred] million Filipinos.”

(Whatever the reaction will be, it is normal. You cannot please more than [a hundred] million Filipinos.)

On Stephen Amell

On Arrow star Stephen Amell sharing the Alyas teaser on Facebook, Dingdong said:

“Natutuwa kami na yung trabaho namin, ipinapakita pa sa mas maraming tao. I believe na yung taong gumawa nun [si Stephen Amell] ay isang sikat na tao sa atin kaya marami rin ang humahanga sa kanya. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako na nai-share niya yung pinagharapan niya,” he said.

(We’re happy that our work was shown to a wider audience. I believe that the person who shared it [Stephen Amell] is popular among us Filipinos, and that’s why many admire him. That why I’m thankful that he shared what he saw.)

Aside from sharing the trailer, Stephen also commented on the show on a Facebook Q&A, answering a fan who asked what he thought about Alyas. “I mean… I have no idea what it is and frankly, I don’t care – at all – either way. But boy oh boy does it look familiar.”

Fan-made poster

In the same interview, Dingdong was also asked for his thoughts about the fan-made poster, which got mixed reactions online. Fans thought it was real until the site that reposted it for an article, issued a statement saying that it was fan-made. 

“With regard to poster, klaro naman na yun ay fan-made. Hindi naman natin maku-control yung mga ganun. Pero dapat siguro nagkaroon ng pagpu-pulis pagdating sa mga bagay na yun,”  he said.

(With regard to the poster, it’s clear that it was fan-made. We cannot control such things. But I guess there should be better policing of things like that.)

Dingdong added that people are quick to believe what they see on social media these days.

As it’s clear the poster was not by GMA, Dingdong said he wouldn’t go into the issue anymore. – Rappler.com