Popular actor Dingdong Dantes declared his respect for Filipino soldiers after he and his fellow actors underwent intensive military training for the upcoming Filipino adaptation of Korean hit TV series, Descendants of the Sun.
Dantes, who is set to play the character of Capt. Lucas Manalo code-named “Big Boss” originally played by Halyu star Song Joong Ki, said he admired the Filipino soldiers for their dedication and hard work.
The Pinoy Descendants of the Sun actor also expressed the importance of training to properly represent the heroic soldiers in the TV series that swept the world with the onscreen romance of the characters of soldier Song Joong Ki and doctor Song Hye Kyo.
“Importanteng ma-represent namin nang maayos ‘yung kasundaluhan natin kasi in a way, it’s also giving honor to our soldiers. The fact that we want to portray them properly ibig sabihin we recognize them, we respect them, and we love them,” Dingdong Dantes said after more than 24 hours of intense training at a military camp.
Descendants’ Team Alpha comprised of Dingdong Dantes, Rocco Nacino, Jon Lucas, Prince Clemente, Lucho Ayala, and Paul Salas, underwent 24-hour Special Force rigid training with no special treatment at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. Part of their training included sleeping in tents, conquering obstacle courses, exercise routines under the rain, carry-the-world or “tusok-ulo military stand,” and more.
GMA Network and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inked a Memorandum of Agreement on June 20 for the actors to undergo training and immersion as part of their preparation for the Filipino adaptation of Descendants of the Sun, a Korean series set amidst wars and disasters.
On July 3, the cast went to the Army Reserve Command in Camp Riego De Dios, Tanza, Cavite for Marksmanship training in basic gun handling.
Dingdong Dantes also responded to fan requests asking for his actress-wife Marian Rivera-Dantes to play the role of his Descendants love interest, Dr. Kang. The actor said, “May mas malaki siyang role na kailangan gampanan (She has a bigger role to fulfill), which is to be the mother of the two kids that we have.”
EXCITED to see the Pinoy adaptation of Descendants of the Sun? TELL US in the comments below who you want to play opposite Dingdong Dantes on the show!
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