Moms and Dads
Dingdong Dantes to Voters This Election: It Goes Beyond May 2022
Actor, former National Youth Commissioner, and father of two, Dingdong Dantes, reminds voters to plan, discern, and act as they cast their votes on May 9.
As May 9 approaches for Filipinos to cast their vote, Dingdong Dantes reminded voters, particularly first-time voters, to do their research before writing down the name of the leaders who will lead the nation in the next six years.
He recently spoke to Bianca Gonzalez in a Paano Ba To special aired on May 2. Dingdong, a former National Youth Commissioner and father of two kids, gave tips that they can apply as they get ready to vote.
Dingdong Dantes: You must plan, discern, and act
The actor said that voters must learn to plan and discern to give them a clear view of what they are looking for in a leader.
“When you say na plaplanuhin mo yung gagawin mo, pa-planuhin mo yung proceso sa pagpili ng impormasyon, sa pagpili ng una sa source of information pa nga,” he said. “Hindi lang dapat natin kunin lahat ng impormasyon na ito sa internet. We have to go out of our way. Kailangan kumausap tayo ng tao. Kailangan kumausap tayo ng mga naapektuhan dito sa mga nangyayari sa lipunan.”
(When you say you’re planning, you’re planning the process of choosing your information, on what information you’re getting. We should not just get all the information from the internet, but talk to people and go out of our way to reach out to them. We need to talk to those affected by what’s happening in the country.)
Dingdong Dantes looks at the set of values he’s looking for in a leader when it comes to discerning. Some of the qualities include integrity, competency, values for humanity, and inspiring others.
For the third step, Dingdong explained the meaning of acting. “You have to act on it literally in the sense i-eexercise mo talaga yung right mo to vote. For us citizens, it is in our part to execute our right to vote. And this is our part to prove that we are responsible citizens participating in this democratic process.”
(You have to act on it literally in the sense that you will exercise your right to vote. For us citizens, it is our part to execute our right to vote. And this is our part to prove that we are responsible citizens participating in this democratic process.)
It goes beyond May 2022
Additionally, Dingdong reminded voters that while they are excited, they must be responsible for whoever they vote for and call them out if needed.
“Kailangan win or lose, panindigan mo yung kandidato mo. Kasi ang binoboboto mo ay representation ng pangarap mo,” Dingdong Dantes said. “Ito ay representation ng values mo, representation ng paniniwala mo.”
(Win or lose, you need to be firm with supporting your candidate. Because you voted for that person and that person represents your dreams. It also represents the values and beliefs you have.)
“Matalo man o manalo, you have to be responsible of your vote. Kung yung tao na binoto natin ay nanalo at gumawa ng mabuti then, suportahan natin. Pero kung yung tao na binoto natin ay hindi na tutugma doon sa expectations s’yempre, we call them out kasi kailangan responsible ka rin doon sa paniniwala at paninindigan.”
(Win or lose, you have to be responsible for your vote. If the person you voted for won and did something right then support them by all means. But if the person you voted for does not match the expectations you have then call them out. You also have to be responsible because you believe in that person.)
“So it does not end on May 2022. It is a continuing process na hindi dapat tayo mapagod,” he said. (It is a continuing process. We should not get tired of it.)
Furthermore, he added that while he believes it is the duty of the government to make things better for the country, it should also come from the people.
“Naniniwala ako na we also have to help and we also have to do our part. It should not end on election day.” (I believe that we also have to help and we also have to do our part. It should not end on election day.)
You can watch more of Dingdong Dantes’ talk on Bianca’s YouTube channel or listen to the long version of the interview on her podcast available on Spotify.
Still undecided on who to vote for? Check out these stories that may help you!
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