‘Then, it was also fate that led Dingdong to the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.’
Singer-songwriter Dingdong Avanzado is marking 37 years in show business with a concert at The Theatre at Solaire on July 19. The special show, with musical director Elmer Blancaflor and concert director Jay Klio Bermudez as Dingdong’s collaborators, is called “The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop.”
This is Dingdong’s first major concert after some time so he is ecstatic. “It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited,” he said. “It’s a full concert. People are going to hear my repertoire.”
His almost four decades in music, movies and entertainment is marked by events where destiny evidently played a hand.
For instance, back in the late 1980s when he was a newbie singer, his original manager Roxanne Lapus suggested “EZ Avanzado” as his stage name. “It was because I was ‘easy on the eyes’,” the good-looking Dingdong explained. But when he was about to be called on stage to perform in the long-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga,” the staff asked how he would like to be introduced. The singer (whose full name is Fernando Avanzado) replied that he preferred to be called by his nickname. “Please introduce me (by my real name) ‘Dingdong Avanzado’,” he requested.
And the name stuck with him ever since. Not even a sincere attempt by handlers to change his name after ten years in the biz was able to alter that.
The title “Prince of Pinoy Pop,” meanwhile, was a moniker voluntarily bestowed on him by former Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky Lo. Dingdong surmised it was because his musical catalog or discography contained songs in the pop genre such as “Ikaw Lamang,” “Break Kung Break” and the catchy and danceable megahit “Tatlong Beinte Singko.”
Dingdong remarked that those fast melodies complemented his ballads like “Hindi Mo Na Ba Minamahal,” “Wish I Could” and “Basta’t Kasama Kita.” He underscored, “When you say pop, hindi lang kasi balladeer.”
Then, it was also fate that led Dingdong to the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.
When he was already Quezon City councilor, he continued with his music career. Dingdong accepted singing engagements and shows as much as his schedule permitted.
But there was one particular offer that his then manager Arnold Vegafria okayed but the singer found out belatedly.
Dingdong shared the story with a hint of amusement and much kilig. He recalled that he had arrived from an out-of-town trip when he received the news about the gig. The conversation between Dingdong and his road manager (RM) went something like this:
RM: “May rehearsal ka. May show ka.”
Dingdong (surprised) “Anong show?”
RM: ”Show ni Jessa Zaragoza. Guest ka niya.”
Dingdong (insistent): “Walang sinasabi sa akin si Arnold. Ayokong gawin ‘yan. Hindi ko nga alam kung magkano talent fee ko. Busy ako.”
RM: “Sabi ni Arnold hindi na siya kukuha ng komisyon diyan. Basta gawin mo.”
Dingdong thought about it. Not because he was going to get his full fee, but because Jessa was one of showbiz’s most beautiful It Girls at that time.
Dingdong eventually agreed. “And that’s how Jessa and I met…” he said with a wide smile.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Arnold,” he added. Of course, everybody knows that Jessa and Dingdong got married and now have a daughter, Jayda, who is also a singer.
Dingdong’s upcoming concert, was, likewise, written in the stars. Last April, Dingdong had a bar show with his band, the Doorbells, which the would-be producers managed to catch.
“They happened to be there. They were going to discuss a show for me and Jessa,” Dingdong said of the producers.
Again, as luck would have it (again), the producers became motivated to mount the show for Dingdong in July, the same month that the singer is celebrating his birthday.
The chance came at the right time. Dingdong is thankful that there is someone who would handle the nitty-gritty of producing the show, so he could focus on the creative aspect and on performing. “I knew in my heart I wanted to do a show. But, who are we going to do it with? Who is going to produce it? Jessa and I are so busy, hindi namin kaya gawing dalawa.”
Another bonus: The singer-songwriter is inspired to create a new song. Dingdong revealed, “I really want to release a single before the concert. I am working with my musical director Elmer. I’ve been writing again because of my daughter Jayda. Thanks to her, I’ve rekindled my passion for writing songs.”
Not every performer can enjoy a long career like Dingdong’s. Talent, hard work, perseverance, the willingness to create are key. Yet Dingdong believes that there is a greater force working behind the scenes. “I’ve always believed in God’s will.”
