Dingdong Dantes graduates as naval combat engineer officer of the Philippine Navy
Dingdong Dantes just finished taking a basic course on being a naval combat engineer officer of the Philippine Navy.
In a series of Instagram posts on March 25, Dantes shared how he received his certificate of completion from the Naval Combat and Engineering Brigade in Taguig.
He recalled how his children Sixto and Zia were surprised that their “Dada,” who’s in a gala uniform, would graduate.
“(Sixto) asked, ‘Dada, where are you going?’ I said that I would attend my graduation rites in the Seabees Headquarters,” he said. “From the second floor, to my surprise, I heard the strong, coarse voice of Zia screaming, ‘What? You will graduate? Are you a student?’”
“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,” Dantes said. “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.”
Dingdong also gave a shout-out to his wife Marian Rivera for being “super supportive,” sharing a photo of her pinning the “Riffle Expert Badge” and the “Kapanalig Medal” on him.
“I’m frozen in place—wouldn’t want to risk becoming a human pincushion!” he said with a smiling emoji.
Marian also commented with an infinity sign, saying “always” with a kiss emoji.
Dingdong also shared the class picture of Naval Combat Engineer Officer Basic Course Class (NCEOBC) 07-23, as well as he and Marian being surrounded by members of the Philippine Navy.
“Hooyah and Uwah!! he said, referring to the battle cry of the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Navy, respectively.
Dingdong enlisted and trained as a Philippine Marine Reserve Force reservist in 2006, becoming an official member three years later. He re-enlisted in 2017 as a master sergeant.
In 2020, the Philippine Navy gave him the rank of lieutenant commander.
In 2020, Dantes was bestowed the rank of lieutenant commander by the Philippine Navy.
Dantes has the rank of major, according to his NCEOBC certificate of completion.