Dingdong Dantes says he wants his wife Marian Rivera to be his partner at the Hybrid Games
With the 2026 Hybrid Games just a few weeks away, actor Dingdong Dantes says that even though he is one of the head organizers, there is a chance he will also be competing in one of the race categories, but only if his wife Marian Rivera will partner up with him. The actor, who stars with his wife in the upcoming film Remember, talked to the press during the Bench/Active and Aktor PH contract signing held earlier this month in Makati City along with Piolo Pascual and Bench founder Ben Chan. During the presscon, Dingdong admitted that there is a bigger likelihood of Piolo joining the competition at this point in time.
“Si PJ has always been at the front and center of all these mga public affairs activities especially itong mga games na ito. So dun sa management side, talagang hands on talaga si PJ dito. Ako, depende pa, kasi sa category ng partners eh na puwede kang magteam up with another member. It could be your friend, your best friend, spouse, co-actors. So I’m trying to convince my wife to partner up with me (laughs). Sabi ko, ‘Okay lang yan. Kahit ako na yun.’ At saka kasi mabilis siyang tumakbo eh.”
Although the format of the games may look physically challenging, the Aktor PH founder explained that everything in the Hybrid Games is actually rooted in functional training.
“Sometimes yung ganitong mga games, they can seem intimidating because of the movements. Pero ang katotohanan niyan ay these are functional movements na minix ng running. So it’s very, very easy to learn. Mahalaga talaga na sinusuportahan natin yung beginners. May category for beginners at nandiyan yung support ng mga experts para turuan sila kung paano ba talaga yung movement, kung paano siya ginagawa. Para ma-simulate nila yung mangyayari. Ang totoong hope namin dun ay sana yun ang maging simula ng kanilang fitness journey dahil sa event na ito,” he explained.
During the Hybrid Games presscon, Dingdong also put the spotlight on Piolo, who is currently serving as their group’s Public Affairs director and an inspiring example of an active and fit artist.
“While the welfare and wellness of our members is always at the front and center of our programs, si Piolo has always been that advocate for this program. Bilang siya yung director ng aming Public Affairs, siya rin po talaga yung idolo ng industriya pagdating sa health and wellness. Sure ako dito, across all generations, from our generation even to the younger generation, we all look up to Piolo dahil siya talaga yung halimbawa na kahit gaano ka ka-busy, kapag binigyan mo talaga ng oras at dedication at disiplina ang kalusugan ay kayang-kaya yan. That’s why it’s such a fitting opportunity for him to be at the front and center. And the whole Aktor community is behind Piolo in this event. We’re just looking forward to all the other members who will be joining,” he said.
The Bench Activ x Aktor PH Hybrid Games is happening on November 8 at Space at One Ayala. Dingdong shared that they are currently exploring the option of making the event accessible for spectators online.
“We are exploring a livestreaming component to the games para maging accessible din siya sa public. But for the first day, merong spectator pass. I think sold out na rin yung part na yun. It started with 300 participants to 1,200. So we can just imagine maybe the frequency of these games in the coming years and also the magnitude of how big the community will become. Pangarap lang namin ito dati and we all know how difficult it is to mount something this big and important. And it’s really very personal because I recall almost 20 years, mga 18 years ago, eh yun yung panahon na naging isa akong parte ng Bench family. And I will always be grateful to Bench. That’s why I’m so happy that right now, we are doing something equally as meaningful,” he said.