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Dingdong Dantes to launch delivery app, with jobless showbiz workers as riders

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/tvpatrol/06/08/dingong.jpg"/><figcaption>Dingdong Dantes is set to launch a delivery app whose initial batch of riders are film industry workers who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis. Instagram: @dongdantes</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Actor Dingdong Dantes is venturing into tech with the upcoming launch of a delivery app, which, like his previous pursuits, is anchored on social responsibility.Dantes teased the project, Ding Dong PH, during a &quot;Fireside&quot; live chat Thursday delving into the new normal of various industries, including showbiz, travel, and food.The virtual roundtable — which also included Rico Blanco, Matteo Guidicelli, Nico Bolzico, and Drew Arellano — was organized by the law firm Gorriceta Africa Caution &amp; Saavedra.Dantes did not yet delve into the details of Ding Dong PH, saying announcements are scheduled for later dates. He, however, shared what inspired the app&#x27;s development.Dantes&#x27; wife and fellow actor Marian Rivera has been running a flower business from home, he said. He narrated an instance when they delivered an arrangement, but encountered one mishap after another. Aside from getting the house wrong, the item was damaged on the way.Dantes had to improvise, volunteering to use his scooter to bring the flower at the time Rivera and her client agreed on.&quot;Doon nagsimula &#x27;yung idea, at lumawak na lang siya. In the past weeks, after talking with friends who share the same vision and passion, an idea was developed, hence the birth of Doorbell Technologies,&quot; he said.<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gCU8BGG0lTY?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>Ding Dong, the app, is of course named after Dantes. Jose Sixto III by birth, Dantes was nicknamed Dingdong, the same name he is popularly known by in showbiz.&quot;This pandemic became a game-changer para sa akin, pati sa bahay namin, pati sa buhay namin,&quot; he said. &quot;As many people know, this also became an equalizer, it leveled the playing field. Pero it has crushed and damaged some industries; it paved the way for some to flourish.&quot;One of the important aspects of the app, Dantes explained, are the initial batch of employed riders.&quot;Kung gagawa ako ng isang bagay, gusto ko klaro ang kaniyang social impact... &#x27;Yung inspiration also behind this is the fact that I have several workmates who lost their jobs in the entertainment industry,&quot; he said.&quot;To reveal one part of that old ecosystem. &#x27;Yung riders na gagamitin natin, &#x27;yung nawalan ng trabaho dito sa industriya namin.&quot;Since the onset of the pandemic in the country, Dantes, as well as his wife Rivera, have been actively spearheading or participating in efforts to aid vulnerable sectors.Notably, Dantes&#x27; Yes Pinoy Foundation partnered with job portals to help connect Filipinos jobseekers with work-from-home opportunities.

"Kung gagawa ako ng isang bagay, gusto ko klaro ang kaniyang social impact."