BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Marine reservist Dingdong Dantes achieved another milestone as he completed the Naval Combat Engineer Officer Basic Course Class 07-23, adding to his list of accomplishments.

Alongside him in receiving the certificate of completion was his wife, Marian Rivera, which took place at the Brigade Training and Doctrine Center, Naval Combat Engineering Brigade Naval Station Jose Francisco, in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last Monday, March 25th.

In his Instagram post, Dingdong detailed the events of that day. He also expressed his gratitude towards the momentous event.

“When I left the house this morning, Sixto was surprised to see me in this gala uniform. He asked, ‘Dada, where are you going?’ I said that I would attend my graduation rites in the Seabees Headquarters. From the second floor, to my surprise, I heard the strong, coarse voice of Zia screaming, ‘What? You will graduate? Are you a student?’” aniya.

“I just smiled and answered that, yes, even old people can still study and finish anything as long as they want to, because learning should never stop.”

“As a reservist, it is a privilege to be given these opportunities to acquire new skills which can definitely enhance many aspects of my life as a professional, father, and husband.”

“And what an honor to receive the certificate of completion from King Bee himself, Commodore Rolando Sarmiento,” he said. 

The Kapuso Primetime King also expressed his gratitude to his very supportive wife, no other than Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera. 

“Major shoutout sa aking super supportive na Misis for showing up today and pinning the ‘[Rifle] Expert Badge’ and the ‘Kapanalig Medal’ on me. I’m frozen in place—wouldn’t want to risk becoming a human pincushion!” he said. 

Of course, his wife Marian expressed her pride in her husband’s latest milestone.

“Sooo proud of you Mahal,” Marian captioned on one of her Instagram stories flexing Dingdong. 

Dingdong joined the Philippine Marine Reserve Force as a reservist in 2006, and later officially became a marine reservist in 2009. He extended his enlistment in 2017. In 2020, Dantes was appointed the rank of lieutenant commander by the Philippine Navy. As per the actor’s certificate of completion from the Naval Combat Engineer Officer Basic Course Class, he currently holds the rank of major.

During one of his interviews, he confessed to considering quitting during his Special Forces training with the Philippine Army. According to GMA News, the actor, along with his “Descendants of the Sun” co-stars Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas, and others, underwent demanding training with the army at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija in July 2019. He detailed some of the exercises they had to endure, such as obstacle courses, rope courses, jungle warfare, small unit tactics, and close-quarters combat. Luckily, the soldiers who trained alongside them provided the support and encouragement needed to complete the training.

Congratulations, Dingdong Dantes!

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo: Instagram/@dongdantes