Dingdong Dantes had a second shot at receiving his Best Actor award at the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Appreciation Dinner held last night, February 24, 2012 at the Emar Suites, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

He bagged the Best Actor Award for his performance in Segunda Mano but failed to receive his trophy during the awards night last December 28, 2011.

Dingdong, known for his appealing boyish charm, hunky bod, primetime-teleserye-lead-man roles, and humanitarian advocacies, now adds "award-winning" to his accomplishments.

It is his first major award in acting for a film.

During the ceremony, the 31-year-old heartthrob, was called back to the stage after receiving his cash prize. A short speech was demanded from the model-actor.

"Gusto ko talaga sabihin na itong jacket na suot ko, ito talaga dapat ang susuotin ko sa awards night," started Dingdong.

"But for some domestic reason, e, di po ako naka-attend because I was with my family in Boracay.

"Nevertheless, sabi ko, tonight, it is as important as, siguro, I was to receive the award nung gabing yun.

"Kaya sinuot ko po uli."

Dingdong went on to express how important it was for him to be there on the said occasion: "Kasi una ko po ito sa pelikula."

His first acting award was for the drama series Stairway To Heaven, in which he won Best Actor at the PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2010.

The grateful actor, who now stars in the Kapuso channel's primetime soap My Beloved, called his new award another "opportunity" and "isang napakagandang biyaya."

In an interview right after he was recognized in front of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority heads and staff, likewise the awardees of the 37th MMFF, Dingdong articulated his elation.

"Ang sarap, ang sarap. Buti nga may ganito, e.

"Mabuti na lang talaga there's a second opportunity for me to accept the award...