MANILA, Philippines – Aside from his work in entertainment, actor Dingdong Dantes is also the Commissioner-at-Large for the National Youth Commission. With the elections coming up in 2016, he was recently asked his thoughts about possibly running for a position, and who he would endorse. 

During an interview with reporters at the press conference for the upcoming season 6 of Starstruck, Monday, August 31, Dingdong said that though he has been approached by some people about joining politics, he said that he is not interested and would rather focus on his finishing his work with the National Youth Commission. (READ: Dingdong Dantes to fresh grads: Enjoy life, but have direction)

“May mga opinion ang mga tao but of course, naging firm na rin ako na I will not run…ang mahalaga kasi sa trabaho ko, meron kami mga matapos na tungkulin na ayaw naman namin mabahiran ng politika dahil ang kasagutan namin ay nasa kabataang Pilipino.

(People have opinions, but of course, I was very firm telling them I will not run…what is important in my work is we must finish our duties without any trait of politics because we will answer to the Filipino youth.)

“That’s why we have to ensure na matapos namin ang mga trabaho namin (we finish our work). And like what I said, my term will end in 2017, and so from now until then ano man ang mangyari, ang gusto namin, ang focus ko talaga is matapos agad and mapagsilibihan ko yung mga constituents,” he explained. 

(And like what I said, my term will end in 2017, and so from now until then, whatever happens, what we want, what I will focus is to finish immediately the tasks and serve the constituents well.)

As for the the possibility of endorsing a candidate, Dingdong said: “Definitely that day will come when we will cast our votes. So from now until that day, I think it’s better if suriin muna nation nang maayos, tingnan natin ang mga options kung sino-sino ba sila.

“And lets make it issues-based and hindi lang dahil sa kung ano dinidikta ng ating emotion. So kailangan ang panahon ngayon eh is all about responsible voting. At the end of the day, ayaw natin sisihin ang mga sarili natin dahil tayo ang may kagagawan nun. ” 

(So from now until that day, I think it’s better if we scrutinize the candidates well, let’s see all the options who they are. And let make it issues-based and not what our emotions tell us. In this time, it is all about responsible voting. At the end of the day, we don’t want to blame ourselves because this is our doing.)

Ready for baby 

Dingdong also gave an update on wife Marian and their baby on the way, due in November. (Confirmed: Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes expecting first child)

“Sobrang excited. Minsan hindi na nga makatulog. So medyo I feel bad that I have to leave for more than a week for the US but alam ko naman nandiyan mommy niya and mommy ko.” Dingdong said. 

Dingsong is set to leave for the US sometime in September to attend to business matters. 

(I’m very excited. Sometimes I cannot sleep anymore. But I feel bad that I have to leave more than a week for the US, but I know her mom will be there and also my mom.) (READ: It’s a girl for Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera)

As for the name of their daughter, Dingdong said: “Meron na. I think gusto niyang sabihin yan sa baby shower…” (There is a name. I think she wants to say it during the baby shower..)

He also said that he does not mind Marian working for as long as she can, but cautions her to be careful with her health. Marian is currently hosting Sunday Pinasaya. 

Starstruck season 6 

For season 6 of Starstruck, Dingdong returns as host of the show and for the first time, will sit as a judge to the 35 aspirants.

Dingdong has been one of the hosts since the first season including Starstruck Kids. Joining Dingdong in the 6th season is Miss World 2013 Megan Young as co-host. Also part of the show are Rocco Nacino, Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, and Miguel Tanfelix who will serve as segment hosts and social media correspondents. Jennylyn Mercado, who won as the first female ultimate survivor of the show will sit as a judge together with Joey de Leon and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

For Dingdong, a star is someone with the combination of talent plus staying power, plus a dash of luck. 

Dingdong Dantes on what is a star. pic.twitter.com/L8QuDGg1fn

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) August 31, 2015

Unlike before when he could keep his opinions to himself as a host, Dingdong said there is pressure on his part as judge this year. 

“Oo [there is pressure.] Dati kasi kung meron akong gusto, ‘ay tingin ko ayoko mawala ito or tingin ko mananalo ito’…sa akin lang iyon. Usually may pustahan kami at magmula noon nasa 80 percent yung batting average ko palagi kung sino manalo,” he said.

(Yes [there is pressure]. Before, if i like someone ‘I think i don’t want this person to be removed or this person will win’…it’s only my opinion. Usually, we have a bet on that and I have a 80 percent batting average when it comes to the winner.)

“So ibig sabihin malalaman na ninyo yung mga nasa utak ko talaga kung sino sa tingin ko ang mga mapalad, pero syempre maganda [ito] kasi mas mahirap yung pagdaraanan nila ngayon.“

(However, this time, you will know what’s in my head, who I think will be fortunate this season, but of course, this is a great because they will go through many difficult tasks this season.) – Rappler.com