Danny Ledesma Mandia, the Father of Modern Filipino Dubbing, passed away at the age of 70, on Wednesday, October 16.
A mentor for several aspiring ang esteemed voice performers in the country, Mandia greatly contributed to the way voices were utilized and shaped as an art form in the country. Having been affectionately known as “Ama Danny,” for a lot of talents he was the cornerstone of the industry itself.
Theater and his Stage
Although his name is cemented within the voice acting industry, Mandia began his expansive artistry in theater. It was within the corners of theater halls and stages that his expertise was carefully crafted; stretching roles as an actor, stage manager, artist director, and as an instructor.
It was in 1991 when Mandia served as the dubbing director and translator for ABS-CBN, that he dove deeper into voice acting. He worked as a dubbing director and translator for the network, and later on moving to Hero TV Channel.
For some who might not be aware, he directed and translated beloved anime/cartoon shows like: Digimon 1 and 2, Hana Yori Dango, Kim Possible, Voltes V Celebrity Edition, Voltron, and Peter Pan.
CreatiVoices and the Voice Acting Industry
Mandia's lasting impact oozed through the height of the pandemic, as he returned as a dubbing director for CreatiVoices.
Mandia stood as the “Godfather” of the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP), having contributed to workshops catered solely for voice acting and dubbing. In a Facebook post dedicated to the former, CVAP described him as a mentor, friend, and father for those who looked up to him.
“As the Father of Modern Filipino Dubbing, he transformed the way we use our voices in the industry, shaping the future of voice artistry in the Philippines,” CVAP wrote.
“His loyalty, commitment, and dedication to the craft, his passion, and his strong belief in the power of storytelling through voice inspired generations of artists to follow their dreams,” they added.
CVAP founder Pocholo De Leon Gonzales credits Mandia as a mentor and a strong force that inspires and holds great power in his voice.
The Last Curtain Call
To the voice acting community, he will be remembered as someone who persevered, pushing for talents to use their voices to “inform, inspire, involve, and illuminate” those part of the industry.
“Rest in peace, sir Danny. Your voice, your legacy, and your impact will never be forgotten,” CVAP ended.
A tribute for Mandia will be hosted by CVAP Inc. and CreatiVoices Productions on Sunday, October 20 at 1 PM.
The location for Mandia's wake will be announced on their official page.
Meanwhile, his family announced that they are also currently arranging details for Mandia’s funeral. The date and location will be announced once all information is finalized.
