Actor Dingdong Dantes, who appears in shows on GMA Network, accused rival network’s hit series “Ang Probinsyano” of using and altering family photos he previously released without his permission.
The fan group DongYanatics raised alarm bells as they spotted the photos used in “Ang Probinsyano” scenes, urging Dingdong to speak up.
In a letter to the show’s producers posted on his Facebook account, Dantes expressed how “offended and deeply hurt” he was for the use of his two family photos in the wrong context.
“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,” the part of the letter read.
Last week, the DongYanatics has brought to my attention that photos of our family were used and altered for a primetime…
Posted by Jose Sixto Gonzalez Dantes III on Sunday, August 12, 2018
His fans also sent him a video showing clips from the show where the photos were apparently used.
The first scene of an Aug. 8, 2018 episode showed Alice Dixson’s character sitting next to a table that holds a supposed wedding picture of her and Edu Manzano’s character.
The second scene from a Nov. 9, 2018 episode shows the baptism family picture of Joko Diaz and Mickey Ferriols’ characters.
DongYanatics claimed the photos were blurred and digitally altered to make it appear different from the original.
Dantes wrote that he was initially hesitant to report on the matter, but eventually decided that an action must be done on behalf of his fans and 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.”
Dantes hoped this incident would remind others on the “courtesy and fair practice” of properly citing sources when using photos of other people online.
“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.”
“Ang Probinsyano” is ABS-CBN’s longest running show, now in its third year, based on the 1997 film of late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. of the same name.
As of writing, the production team had not yet responded on Dantes’ letter.
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 protects the online data privacy of Filipinos and any form of breach can be filed to the National Privacy Commission.
