By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark
Dingdong Dantes always had his eyes trained on the stars. He created YesPinoy Foundation 11 years ago to uplift the youth, promote education and service. Like many socially conscious celebs, the award-winning actor did not just stop at being recognized everywhere he went. Dingdong leveled up by using that popularity to make a difference.
A year ago and right smack in the middle of the pandemic, he launched Dingdong®️, a tech-solutions company that provides delivery services and innovative e-commerce business solutions and others.
Dingdong the delivery guy made heads turn when he himself got off a motorcycle and personally delivered flowers to a family friend, courtesy of wife Marian Rivera’s Flora Vida flower business.
Today, Dingdong doesn’t find it beneath him to deliver food and other packages to clients. He wears his company’s signature purple shirt with reflectorized vest and matching helmet, takes the package from a box equipped with disinfecting UV light, and rings the customer’s and partner merchants’ doorbell.
Dingdong and his riders are living up to the slogan, “You ring it, we bring it!”
Because he knows how a rider feels, Dingdong can make things run better.
“By experiencing our delivery service men’s daily routine, my desire to be of help by professionalizing their work and providing livelihood opportunities become greater,” he says.
In return, Dingdong gets something money can’t buy.
“The smiles from our partner merchants and customers remind me that we can make a difference in someone else’s life through excellent service.”
Service pushed Dingdong to team up with Rotary Club of Makati for a program that trains partner riders on values formation, customer service, personal financial management, driving and road safety, technology and others.
Dingdong explains his company’s mission, ”We want to empower Filipinos and communities through technology and livelihood opportunities.”
In other words, he wants to transform lives – that of his partner riders, consumers and partners.
Dingdong®️ and the Makati Rotary Club also joined hands for Wheels@55 program, where partner riders can get a motorcycle loan with minimal interest.
Riders are not the only ones who benefit from Dingdong®️. Buddhist charity group Tzu Chi Foundation recently tapped Dingdong®️ to help 32 visually-challenged masseuse and therapists who lost their jobs during the pandemic by giving them 20 kilos of rice, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, a face shield and face masks.
Martie’s Homemade, makers of all-natural peanut butter, Papi Paul’s Pantry, which makes multi-flavored cheesecake and Eleatist Kitchen, makers of graze boxes for special occasions, have turned to Dingdong®️to help grow their business.
Dingdong’s version of professional malasakit comes in the form of a user-friendly Dingdong Marketplace and other online marketplaces.
Yes, he admits. Launching a startup during the pandemic isn’t easy. But just moves on, with Marian as his rock, his two children as inspiration and friends to support him as well.
His latest business has also strengthened Dingdong’s faith.
“My daily reflections have been centered in thanking Him for guiding me as I fulfill my roles to the best of my ability. This has also deepened by love and appreciation for my family and friends.”
For Dingdong the family man, the path is much clearer.
“I’m doing this for my children,” he explains. “I know that in my own little way, I can help shape a compassionate, sustainable community for them.”
Dingdong has found his life’s work. He deserves all the support he can get, not only for himself, but for those whose lives he seeks to uplift – one day at a time.
