Director Dominic Zapata is confident that Dingdong Dantes will be able to do his job well in Alyas Robin Hood.
He even called Dingdong as “The Next Action Star” during the press conference of GMA-7's upcoming television series.
“I say that because I have a very willing actor in my hands.
“The first time he became an actor for television was with me, for TGIS.
“I love seeing him grow, 'yong every time kailangan niyang mag-acting-acting, kinaya niya.
“I always set him for a certain kind of challenge every time,” said Direk Dominic in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other entertainment reporters.
The director pointed out about Dingdong playing the lead role in Alyas Robinhood, “I think action will be challenging for him.”
But the director believes that the Kapuso Primetime King will be able to pull off this new challenge.
Direk Dominic related, “Ang gusto ko sa kanya, behavior-wise, I'm saying that he's the next action star because he's so willing.
“May ipapagawa ako sa kanya, sasabihin niya, 'Direk, sige game ako diyan,' 'Direk, baka hindi ko kayang gawin, pero kung gusto mo subukan natin. Hindi ko lang alam kung maganda ang lalabas, pero ita-try ko.'
“'Yong willingness pa lang na ganun, nakikita mo na kahit saan mo siya ilagay, like now sa action, kakayanin.”
He even stressed, “Mayroon na rin siyang IQ for moves.”
DREAM COME TRUE. In a separate interview, Dingdong admitted that he is happy about Direk Dominic's new tag for him.
The Kapuso actor said, “Naalala ko noong bata ako, mahilig talaga ako sa action movies.
“Dream come true siya siguro kasi as a fan of action movies, naisip ko rin na makita ang sarili ko sa ganito.”
Dingdong also expressed gratitude to GMA Network for giving him a new opportunity to show off his acting skills.
He said, “Lahat naman ng binibigay sa akin ng GMA ay dream come true kasi siguro ganun na namin kakilala ang isa't isa.
“'Yong ibinibigay nila ay base sa body of work ko rin at alam nila kung ano ang kinakailangan sa audience.
“Ako rin naman, ganun ang gusto ko, bilang fan din ako, nanonood ng TV, at member ng GMA.”
THE PLOT. Alyas Robin Hood is an action, drama, adventure and comedy TV series that is scheduled to air its pilot episode this Monday, September 19, after Encantadia on GMA Telebabad.
It will revolve a around the life of Pepe de Jesus (Dingdong), a man who finds absolution in doing service to his community.
Known to be a prodigal son-turned-bar passer-turned-urban poor advocate, Pepe was framed for the murder of his own father and was put behind bars.
Believed to be perished after a violent prison break, Pepe survives and searches for the real culprit on the devastating death of his father and at the same time he redeems his own name under an assumed identity, “Alyas Robin Hood.”
With the help of few people he trusts, Pepe as “Alyas Robin Hood” mediates by stopping crimes from happening, thus helping the oppressed as he slowly finds out the truth about who his real enemies are.
Joining Dingdong in the cast are Megan Young and Andrea Torres, who will be his love interests in the series.
Others are Cherie Gil, Jaclyn Jose, Sid Lucero, Paolo Contis, Gary Estrada, Dennis Padilla, Gio Alvarez, John Feir, Tanya Gomez, Lindsay de Vera, Dave Bornea, Caprice Cayetano, Rey “PJ” Abellano, and Ces Quesada.