Dingdong Dantes Discloses Action He’s Taken In Response To The Usage & Editing Of Family Photos By “Ang Probinsyano”

Always a man of action especially when it involves his family, when Dingdong Dantes said he will take it from here, would and did. Dingdong had to think about whether to disclose or not the actions he’s taken after ABS-CBN’s Ang Probinsyano used and altered their photos, but because he felt he owes it to the fans, their friends who expressed concerns on the matter, and their family he shared an excerpt of the letter he sent to the producer of the show.

Last week, the DongYanatics has brought to my attention that photos of our family were used and altered for a primetime television show. In two episodes of Ang Probinsyano, our wedding photo and a photo taken during Zia’s baptism were edited and featured without the consent of our photographer and our family.
I have been deeply thinking about disclosing my response to the public. However, I owe it to the DongYanatics, to other friends who also expressed their concern, and to our family, to share our action regarding this.

A letter has already been forwarded to the production team of Ang Probinsyano. This was done, in good faith, to express my dismay and deep concern.
Courtesy and fair practice must always be observed especially in an established industry like ours. But whether or not it is done within the entertainment sector, we should always be reminded of the basic etiquette for online photo use and sharing that includes asking permission and/or citing sources.
I do hope that this won’t happen again to anyone.

Below’s an excerpt from the letter that was sent to the producer of the show last August 11:

“I appreciate that you found artistic inspiration from the original photos. Unfortunately, there is the inescapable consequence that legal and moral rights were violated here. And as you may very well be aware of, established industry practice is against such act as it amounts to disrespect. Worst of all, as a father and husband, I cannot help but feel offended and deeply hurt by such actions, which happened not just once, but twice. Basic rules of courtesy in this case dictate that you first secure permission from the photographer and my Family.”
(Here’s a video clip that was edited and forwarded to me by the Dongyanatics. The video highlights select scenes from Ang Probinsyano televised on November 9, 2017 and August 8, 2018.)(SOURCE)

To some people who fails to see the seriousness of this issue and keeps defending it as “maliit na bagay,” here’s the comment I posted on Dingdong’s Facebook. Here’s the thing, being parents, we discipline and tell our children to stop doing something wrong from early on because we don’t want them to keep doing the same thing over and over again. That way they’ll understand right from wrong, because that’s how life is. Simple logic and moral values, my friends! That’s the basis of it and then we delve onto the logistics of producing shows/movies in the entertainment industry, with laws in hand to protect the rights of hardworking people then it becomes an even bigger picture that some people just can’t seem to comprehend. SIGH!

It’s unbelievable how logic is lost on some people commenting here simply because of “network loyalty.” What they did was wrong. It diminishes the authenticity of how they produce their shows. “Wag palakihin” is such a typical lackadaisical response to anything small wrongdoing which becomes a huge problem in the end if no one corrects it.

Kinda like how people should dispose their trash properly para pag may bagyo at baha hindi lumulutang sa Manila Bay. Or if only people would follow simple traffic laws. Little things that would only require self-discipline so it doesn’t create bad habits resulting to huge problems in the future.

Funny thing is, the same “network loyalty” attitude would prompt the same people to react violently if something similar was done by another network. What if a GMA Network teleserye used and edited(without permission) a photo of Bea & JLC or Kim & Gerald or Piolo Pascual to use as props? The Dantes Family is not part of “Ang Probinsyano” therefore there’s no logical or ethical reason why their photos should be used and altered in any way shape or form.