Dingdong Dantes told about 'real father's' death

Author: Trina Lagura
Column: Entertainment

When international Filipino action star Roland Dantes passed away Monday, one of the first people to be informed about his death was young actor Dingdong Dantes.

It was the initial reaction of Chris Dantes, one of Roland's nephews and closest relatives, who passed the sad news to friends, colleagues, and kin of the arnis (a native martial art) star.

"I texted Dingdong immediately because we know each other. We've met a number of times," said Chris, a rapper.

"I sent a message to Dingdong last Monday informing him my uncle had already died. I wrote there, 'Tito Roland is dead.' He responded naman. He said, 'Oh my God!', and then added, 'condolences.' Those were just what he said. You know how busy his schedule is," Chris recounted.

When asked what his relation to Dingdong was, Chris said the two of them are first cousins.

"I consider him my first cousin because I take all the stories of my tito as true stories," confessed Chris.

Chris said the late martial artist told him in one of their intimate talks that a woman surnamed Gonzales, who had a romantic relationship with his uncle in Australia, was looking for Roland in the past.

"Nagtanung-tanong siya kung saan nakatira ang mga Dantes. Then she went to Murphy in Cubao were the Danteses lived. She was pregnant at the time. And the child she was carrying was Dingdong," said Chris.

People have also begun to compare Dingdong's facial features with Roland's physical traits.

Controversy after controversy cropped up but Dingdong had already denied that he was an adopted son.

"Ayaw na rin noon ni Tito Rollie na palakihin pa ang issue. Kasi, masama ang magiging effect no'n sa mother ni Dingdong. Magpipinsan pa naman kami," said Chris.

He admitted this was the first time that he talked about the issue but he said he saw nothing wrong about it.

Source: ABS-CBN News