Dingdong Dantes will be shirtless most of the time for his next soap

DINGDONG DANTES was the only host of the new GMA-7 reality show “Protege: Battle for the Big Break” present when it was launched last Friday night. Co-hosts Ogie Alcasid and Jennylyn Mercado were busy with other jobs. Among the 10 mentors, those who showed up were only Imelda Papin (mentor for Naga), Claire de la Fuente (for Batangas), Rey Valera (for Pampanga), Jaya (for Davao), Jay-R (for Cabanatuan), Gloc 9 (for Manila), Side A’s Joey Generoso (for Dagupan) and Rachelle Ann Go (for Cebu.) Absent were Janno Gibbs (for Iloilo, said to be sick) and Aiza Seguerra (for Cagayan de Oro, who had a show.)

“I’m so excited with ‘Protege’ as it’s so different from past singing contests,” says Dingdong. “Dito, may mentors na kilalang singers at sila ang tutulong with their knowledge and experiences para ipanalo ang respective protégés or alaga nila. Hahasain nila at tuturuan kasi, siempre, their reputations are also at stake. Kapag natalo ang ward nila at di nagustuhan ng tatlong judges na sina Director Bert de Leon, composer Louie Ocampo and Joey de Leon, tanggal din sila sa show.”

We notice that Dingdong is so lean nowadays. He says it’s in preparation for his new soap with Rhian Ramos where he’ll be required to be shirtless in a number of scenes. “So pinaghahandaan ko yun,” he says. At the presscon of “Protege”, there was also a contest for movie writers and those who won are PJ and Taliba entertainment eds Eugene Asis and Butch Roldan, plus photographer Noel Orsal. “Protege” will start airing on Sunday, September 4, after “Pepito Manaloto”.